Category: Restaurants

Esquina da Rochinha

https://g.co/kgs/p2LeYyk

We are learning. Not all businesses in Funchal have signs. Case in point, this place. No way to know other than to look in the window. The definition of no frills. For those curious, “Esquina” means corner. This place is at the bottom corner of a street named Rochinha, which also happens to be the name of the area we live in. It is the street up to Rochinha.

This is a local restaurant/bar. We stopped in for a poncha, of course. It was late one night on our way to hike up the hill back to our place. No English, good sign. We are brushing up on our ordering skills. The guy behind the bar is a maestro. Excellent poncha. They always make a little more than they need, he got a kick of me going back and asking for “el resto”.

We live up a very steep hill. I have a feeling this might become our regular stop to power up for our constitutional.

Didn’t try the food but it looks very good. Will update again once we have.

We are loving the Madeirans. So welcoming. Lots of love.

Egídio & Monteiro, Lda

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uDmC99BWRyh8LcLZ7

This is our closest coffee shop / bakery. One minute walk from the house. Very good, very strong, very cheap coffee. I ordered 2 bicas (espresso), 1 chinesa (latte), and 2 pasteis de nata. Grand total €5. The coffee alone costs me £9.30 in the UK. The prices are 1/3 that of the UK.

I know where I will be every morning.

They have a good selection of bread and baked goods. Also seem to have a full bar behind the counter. Sign says open every day…

Restaurante Trigal

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJ3rD6aPFbVBbeVx8

Trigal is located right next to a property we were looking at. Right in the heart of Funchal. I have the Carne Vinha d’Alhos (pork marinated and cooked in wine and garlic). It was excellent.

The restaurant is a good mid-tier choice. Nothing fancy. House wine is maybe €8 a bottle and is good. Waiters were amazingly friendly. One even offered to help me coordinate buying the house.

Solid food, good prices, friendly staff. We’ll be back.

Restaurant Recommendations

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:

  • Bar À Quinta
    Rua Bispo Manuel J G Andrade, 21, 9300-265 Quinta Grande, Portugal (near Câmara de Lobos)
  • A Venda do André
    Estr. João Gonçalves Zarco, Quinta Grande, Portugal (near Câmara de Lobos)
  • Moinho
    Estrada Regional 222, Estrada Fajã da ovelha nº19, 9370-315 Maloeira – Calheta – Madeira, Portugal
  • 101 Bar
    ER101 39, 9270-013 Achadas da Cruz, Portugal

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.