Our latest adventure
We always like a rooftop bar and Funchal is an excellent place for them because the views are so stunning generally everywhere. The Terrace Bar at the Sé Boutique Hotel is a kitschy cozy one with good drinks (excellent cocktail menu) and a very chill vibe. It’s very centrally located too. They also do food, so we’ll have to go back again. Our first visit was a bit of a cloudy day, but I still enjoyed it. Considering it was in winter, I have no complaints at all.
Probably the most famous place for poncha in all of Funchal is Rei da Poncha, not far from the Zona Velha. They also have a shop located just down the block where you can buy branded stuff to make your own poncha at home (something I have been doing a lot of lately).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qjFwrKeDzHy5ymS86
It is, indeed, excellent poncha, though I admit that I also have a weakness for the hole in the wall places. They’ve got a wide selection and a lot of turnover, so it’s always busy as far as I can tell. And, as you can see from this video of Tony, you definitey get “poncha” face when drinking there.
We’ve always made it a habit to ask for recommendations from locals. We were chatting with the bartender on the rooftop at The Vine and he gave us these two restaurants to try. We haven’t had a chance to go yet, but definitely will.
A few other places given to us by Miguel when we asked for restaurant / good poncha places:
We stopped at 101 Bar while driving and it was, indeed, most excellent poncha and picado. The lady’s name was Luísa and I would definitely go back again — also because we didn’t yet try the teleférico in Achadas da Cruz yet.