From bolo do caco to poncha, here are the dishes and drinks that define the island’s flavor.
A soft round flatbread cooked on hot basalt stone, often served warm with garlic butter.
Beef skewers cooked over an open fire, traditionally seasoned with bay leaves and coarse salt.
A dish unique to Madeira combining deep sea fish with sweet local banana.
Grilled limpets served with garlic and butter, often eaten straight from the shell with bread.
Small cubes of beef served on a communal platter with fries, perfect for sharing.
Madeira’s signature drink made with aguardente de cana (sugarcane rum), honey, and lemon juice.
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A sweet drink blending beer, ice cream, and pineapple juice — refreshing and unusual.
Fortified wine produced on the island with styles ranging from dry to sweet, perfect for tasting flights.
A light tropical dessert made with fresh passion fruit pulp.
Small sweet cheese tarts perfect with an afternoon coffee or as a road trip snack.
Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.