Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

* Casa Velha do Palheiro,
São Gonçalo
The seven-course gourmet menu
at this former hunting lodge, built
in 1804 by the Count of Carvalhal,
gathers inspiration from far
and wide. Roast pigeon “Apicius”
owes its origins to the ancient
Roman cookery writer; gin-andtonic
sorbet is a witty reference
to the country-house lifestyle;
salad of fresh scallops and foie
gras is simply delicious. Dress
code: formal. d Rua da Estalagem 23
• Map H6 • 291 790 350 • €€€€€
( Xôpana at the Choupana
Hills Resort, Funchal
Designed by Didier Lefort using
Asian antiques, the Xôpana is a
feast for the eyes as well as the
taste buds. Casual diners can
enjoy a perfect beefburger, while
gourmets can choose creative
dishes. Dress code: smart casual.
d Travessa do Largo da Choupana •
Map H5 • 291 206 020 • €€€
) Boca do Cais, Funchal
Casa Velha do Palheiro
This modern poolside restaurant
at the Hotel Tivoli Ocean
Park serves gourmet food without
the high price tag that is usually
attached to such dishes as
fennel soup with smoked salmon,
sautéed duck breast and
quail, or Madeiran bouillabaisse.
Dress code: smart casual. d Rua
Simplício dos Passos Gouveia • Map G6 •
291 702 000 • Closed L daily, Sun • €€€
Top 10 Madeiran
Dishes
! Caldo Verde
“Green soup”, made with
shredded kale, potatoes and
onions, topped with sausage.
@ Açorda
Soup flavoured with garlic
and coriander, made with
bread and golden olive oil,
topped off with a poached egg.
# Espetada
Herb-flavoured barbecued
beef, sometimes served on
skewers that hang from a
frame by your table.
$ Milho Frito
Deep-fried maize (like Italian
polenta), traditionally
served with espetada, though
fries are now more common.
% Lapas
Limpets, plucked from
Madeira’s rocky shores and
grilled with garlic butter.
Bolo de Caco ^ Madeiran leavened flatbread,
baked on top of the
oven and served plain or with
garlic and herb butter.
& Espada
Scabbard fish, a succulent
and (usually) boneless white
fish, traditionally served grilled
with fried banana.
* Prego
Delicious Madeiran fast
food – grilled steak in a bread
bun (prego special has ham
and/or cheese as well).
( Pargo
Locally caught sea bream,
delicious and nutritious simply
grilled with olive oil.
) Bacalhau
Dried salted cod – very
traditional, but an acquired
taste, served in many ways
including with potatoes and
egg, or casseroled with tomatoes
and onion.
For more restaurant listings See pp71, 79, 85, 91, 99
Madeira’s Top 10 61