The top restaurants in Madeira that no fine-dining lover should miss:

After visiting Madeira regularly in recent years, is is high time for me as fine-dining lover to give an update on the island’s impressive gourmet restaurant scene. While I already published an overview where to dine in style in Madeira in 2022, some changes have occurred in the meantime. To my astonishment, this landscape has seen quite many newcomers as of late. This concerns the high-end segment as well as the more moderately priced dining spots. Yet also most of the long-term players are still in the game and have even improved their proposal. Let us dive into the topic of where to go for best (Michelin) fine-dining restaurants in Madeira without further ado.

Again as in 2022, I want to form categories. I start with top-tier places, continue with modern, more affordable ones before ending with rather traditional ones with a twist. In each section, I tackle the new restaurants first, then proceed to the longer-established. Furthermore, you also find out about some eateries with simple but good food and my plans for further explorations in Madeira’s fine-dining scene.

1. Top-tiers fine dining in Madeira

For an extended period of time, there were only two restaurants that could be associated with top gastronomy. Both are located at five-star hotels, and this in neighbouring ones. Then in 2023, the situation changed with the entrance of a newbie.

1.1. Restaurant Desarma at Hotel The Views Baía (1-star Michelin)

About

After the four-star hotel The Views Baía underwent some refurbishment works in 2021 and 2022, the project was crowned with the opening of a new dining spot on its rooftop in spring 2023. It was about Restaurant Desarma helmed by chef Octávio Freitas. The name means “disarms”. The chef, who was born in Madeira and never worked abroad, wants to disarm his guests not with weapons but with products, passion and technique. After being in business for one year only, the dining spot already got a Michelin star (in February 2024). And this without Octávio Freitas ever working in a starred restaurant. However, he can look back on a 25-year career in cooking, since 2009 as executive chef at the three hotels of The Views Group.

Not only the fast winning of this prestigious award is impressive, but also Restaurant Disarma’s setting. Upon arrival in the hotel, a member of staff picks you up at the reception and accompanies you to its premises. It is a thoroughly modern place with an open-plan layout where an extraordinary cooking block dominates. Eight guests can be seated at the counter clad in Breccia Pontificia marble.

Furthermore, there is quite a number of “regular” tables, from many of them you have fabulous views of Funchal.

What to expect at Restaurant Desarma?

I mentioned it, an (imaginary) battle awaits you here. The chef’s proposal is about flavors that disarm those who try them. And he is very passionate about his homeland, honoring the island and its products. All the while, Octávio Freitas describes his cuisine as simple. He values enhancing the natural quality of the ingredients.

On offer at Restaurant Desarma are three tasting menus: The Chef’s Counter with 12 Moments (9 Plans and 3 Improvisations) at 275€, The Chef’s Battle with 9 Moments at 225€ and Armed with Senses with 6 Moments at 195€. My husband and I decided on the whole she-bang as we wanted to have a seat at the counter.

And the experience was worth every single cent. The food stood out as intriguing, delicious and inventive.

At the same time, it instilled a sense of comfort too. I only wished we had not opted for the wine pairing. While the wines were formidable, it was way too much in terms of quantity (half glasses would have been enough). As to the staff, it was knowledgeable, smooth and engaging. They explained the offerings to us without becoming too lenghty. The pastry chef even demonstrated his craft in front of us. And it was great to watch the team in action. The eight chefs (one woman among them) appeared to work in harmony. However, we did not get many details because so much was happening all the time. It was a nonstop undertaking until the service of the hot dishes was finished.

1.2. Restaurant Il Gallo d’Oro at Hotel The Cliff Bay (2-star Michelin)

About Restaurant Il Gallo d’Oro

“The Golden Rooster” is the first restaurant that got a Michelin star in Madeira. That was back in 2009, the second followed in 2017. It is situated within the five-star hotel The Cliff Bay and has been run by French chef chef Benoît Sinthon since 2004. When he took over at the time, he changed the concept of this dining spot that had been serving Italian cuisine up to this point. From then on, he offered refined Mediterranean food. And he also included Madeiran dishes. Before, the chef had worked at a number of Michelin starred restaurants, in particular in France.

What to expect at Restaurant Il Gallo d’Oro?

The chef revisits traditional Madeiran recipes and interprets them in a new way, using modern techniques and the freshest produce. Many of the ingredients are organic and come from the hotel group of PortoBay’s own garden.

As of late, only one tasting menu is available at Il Gallo d’Oro (8 dishes at 245€ and 11 at 295€). Previously, you could make your choice out of two ones. While the Terroir Experience particularly highlighted local dishes, the Il Gallo d’Oro Top Experience featured the best what the dining spot has to offer.

On our visits to Il Gallo d’Oro a few years back, it was still possible to get a menu priced under 200 € (165€ in 2021 and 195€ in 2022).

I personally think that the current price level at this restaurant is over the top. This is especially true for Madeiran standards as you usually do not have to break the bank to dine out here, also in style. I even consider the price range at Il Gallo d’Oro as similar as at comparable establishments in Zurich/Switzerland. While we liked what we got here on these two occasions, the food did not knock us off our feet. Everything was of high quality and immaculately prepared yet lacked that special something. And the portions were miniscule.

The setting here is nice. After passing the impressive wine cellar you come to a dining room that has been updated in an elegant style with modern touches not long ago. A special feature here are large picture windows and high ceilings.

Sadly, the servers are not all and always up to the level you expect from an establishment of this caliber. Especially towards the end of both our  dinners, there was the one or other service slip. As a consequence of the described issues, we did not revisit Il Gallo d’Oro on our last two stays in Madeira.

1.3. Restaurant William at Hotel Reid’s Palace (1-star Michelin)

About Restaurant William

William is the signature restaurant at the Reid’s Palace, Madeira’s grand old dame, opened in 1891 –

in case you want to know more about it, here is my correspondent post. The name is a tribute to William Reid, the Scottish man who built the legendary hotel. The dining spot does not have such a long history, it only dates back to 2015. At the time, the former chef, the Madeiran Luís Pestana, got his own place. Not long after, he gained a Michelin star and have kept it ever since. José Diogo Costa succeeded him in 2023. As his predecessor, he was born in Madeira. After working abroad for some time, he returned to his native island in order to tackle new challenges.

And the new chef was able to retain the Michelin star for Restaurant William! It is an elegant place with maybe the best views of Funchal.

What to expect at Restaurant William?

I can look back at two dinners at William. While one was in 2021 under the former chef, the other took place end of 2023. At that point of time, José Diogo Costa was already at the helm. And I must say that I liked the latter better. Both the service and the food were more convincing. However, that does not mean that the first dinner did not satisfy. Otherwise, I would have not returned (I did not know at the time of the dinner that the chef had changed).

You get at William the finest produce from Madeira, creatively prepared with a modern touch. On our occasion, we ordered the Signature Menu with six courses (including a small pre-dessert) costing 160€.

Nowadays, you can choose between two menus, William (5 courses at 190€) or Discovery (4 courses at 160€). All the dishes we had were perfectly made and attractively arranged. In particular the lobster was a treat!

And the staff did and said all the right things on this evening. Plus, we got a beautiful table just by the large picture windows allowing us to take in the fabulous views of Funchal.

I would return to Restaurant William in a heartbeat, not only because of the excellent dinner experience we had, but also due to its pricing, which I still find reasonable enough. We did not so on our last visit to this island. Yet that was only due to the fact that we had to try out two new addresses in our quest for the best fine-dining restaurants in Madeira.

2. Modern fine dining in Madeira

The newbie here is something special because it is housed in a private home yet far from being amateurish. As to number two and three of this section, the players were already on my 2022 list. Yet there has been an expansion of their culinary offerings in the meantime.

2.1. Restaurant Gazebo (Michelin listed)

Well, as I have hinted, when dining here, you are at a personal home.

But do not worry, is is not about having a meal in someone’s living room. Instead, you are in the gazebo

of a beautiful quinta, a Madeiran estate, which is separated from the residential house. Your hosts are chef Filipe Janeiro and project manager Adrianne Zino, “the daughter of the house”. And the Gazebo is a professional restaurant where the chef – who first made a name for himself as private chef – does a brilliant job. On offer is a modern-style tasting menu, either in 6 or 9 courses (80/120€), prepared with local produce.

The couple started the business with a supper club – which still exist. In fall 2023, they launched their Gazebo Experience (regular restaurant). And less than one and a half year later, they already got a Michelin listing. Since then, prices have been considerably raised – on our dinner in mid-January 2025 the menus were still priced at 60/90€. Yet I think that was a real bargain at the time, now the pricing seems appropriate for what you get here. And this is a mouthwatering culinary experience

in nice surroundings with a perfect service. Plus, you can watch the chef – his team consists of 8 persons – in his open kitchen. On top of that, there is also an outdoor lounge where you can have an aperitif weather permitting.

2.2. Restaurants by PortoBay Hotels 

Since my 2022 overview on Madeira’s upscale dining-spot scene, the PortoBay Hotels have enlarged their gastronomic offer. And so they keep making a significant contribution to the best fine-dining restaurants in Madeira They opened one more eatery focusing more on vegetable fare (Restaurant Horta) and made a change at their Avista Restaurant. While there was always an Asian part at Avista, they separated it more from its bigger sister of Avista Mediterranean and called it Avista Asia. While both share the same building at Hotel Les Suites at the Cliff Bay with unobstructed sea views – Avista means View – , their concept is different.

2.2.1. Restaurant Horta at Hotel Porto Mare (Michelin listed)

With the opening of Restaurant Horta in summer 2023 – the name means vegetable garden – , PortoBay Hotels ideally complemented their culinary offer. I regard their concept and implementation as compelling, especially because it is not too rigid. You find not only vegetarian dishes on the menu, but also fish, poultry and meat. Yet there is a strong focus on innovative and healthy food, albeit one that gives comfort too. And imagine, the dining spot under the lead of Santiago Anolles made it to the Michelin Guide in less than one year after the opening!

Ingredients are sourced from the hotel group of PortoBay’s own garden or from local farmers. I was fond of everything we had on our two dinners here (late 2023 and early 2025), which consisted of vegetarian starters,

fish mains and

(excellent) desserts.

The setting is casual, modern and stylish (huge wooden chairs and lots of cushions).

Plus, there is a terrace full of plants.

As to the location, it is in the “Hotel Zone” a bit out of the town center, yet not too far. The only thing that I think needs some improvement is the service, which I consider a bit too nonchalant.

2.2.2. Restaurant Avista at Hotel Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Michelin listed)

Shortly after the opening of Restaurant Avista in late 2019, it got into the Michelin guide. And it still is. On offer here is contemporary Mediterranean food with a twist.

Many of the produce stems from the hotel’s own garden.

The chef here has been João Luz, and this since day one. And he does this job overviewed by two-Michelin star chef Benoît Sinthon.

I have dined at Restaurant Avista many times in my four stays at Hotel Les Suites at the Cliff Bay

– if you should be interested in this lodging, here is my post about it. And the experience here was always rewarding. While you get here not necessarily super-creative cuisine, everything I have had so far was well prepared and tasty. Concept wise think more of refined comfort food that can be shared too. On offer is an extensive menu where you choose between pasta, main courses with an integrated side dish or such ones where you add one from a list. And many of the main dishes come from the Josper grill.

As to the pricing, I consider it as reasonable.

There is also a tasting menu available. Unfortunately, you cannot choose the number of courses, but you have to go for all of the six courses (115€). The atmosphere at Avista is relaxed, the staff friendly and helpful. And you are seated either inside in some sort of a glass cube

or in the outside restaurant, both times with fabulous sea views.

2.2.3. Restaurant Avista Asia at Hotel Les Suites at the Cliff Bay (Michelin listed)

Avista Asia is a new addition to the Michelin guide (2025). Its premises are on the upper floor where you only can catch glimpses of the sea in the interiors. However, there is a (not so big) balcony where you are able to gaze out at the sea.

Chef Rui Pinto is at the helm at this eatery. As to the ambiance and the staff, they are comparable to those at the other Avista (Mediterranean concept). There is nothing to complain about.

When it comes to food, here is all about Asian fusion fare. You find dishes on the menu that are inspired by the Chinese, Japanese or Korean cuisine. I have dined here four times and it mostly met our expectations. Just as at the other Avista, the food is skillfully crafted without being overly imaginative – and it is adequately priced. Of course, the sushi

is not like in upscale spots in Japan – but where is it outside this country? You can opt for à la carte where you decide between sushi, “regular” main courses or premium ones (blue lobster or wagyu from Kagoshima). Alternatively, there is a range of tasting menus: Omakase (120€), 3-course Discovery Menu (72€), 5-course Nomad Menu (99€)

or 7-course Premium Menu (192€).

2.3. Restaurants by Chef Júlio Pereira 

When doing my last overview on Madeiran restaurants in 2022, Júlio Pereira had two of them, Kampo with a focus on meat and Akua with one on seafood. When the Spanish-born chef came to Madeira, he started in 2018 with Kampo and added Akua half a year later. In the meantime, he has been busy opening more dining spots. On the one hand, he took over Theo’s, a Portuguese restaurant founded in 1933 (March 2024). On the other hand, he opened a new one. This is about Yuki, an Izakaya, a Japanese bar (September 2024). And so Chef Júlio Pereira has become a big player in the field of best fine-dining restaurants in Madeira.

All his dining spots have a vibrant, relaxed feel and modern food offerings. And you get value for money here. I already have dined in two of his places, at Akua

and at Yuki.

2.3.1. Restaurant Akua by Júlio Pereira (Michelin listed)

Akua made it into the Michelin guide 2025 after being in business for five years! I find it well-deserved because this eatery is on the same level as the before mentioned Avista. You find on its menu almost only seafood, in all variations. For those who do not eat fish, there is also the one or other meat or vegetarian dish. My husband and I dined here on two occasions (in late 2021 and 2023) and chose the same main course, Creamy Carabinieri and Seafood Rice (2023: 69€ for two, now 72€). And both time it was formidable! Also the bread here is delicious.

 

In case you would like a tasting menu, there is one with six courses (2023: 96€, now 98€).

You can sit either at a few tables or at the counter on the ground floor.

There is also an upper floor with quite many tables, but I find it less attractive as downstairs. And there is a small outside restaurant too. The atmosphere (on the ground floor) is lively, loud, and there are also kitchen smells (as the chef work behind the counter). The staff is laid-back, pleasant and helpful. I could not dine here every evening as it is buzzing, but the one or other visit is just right and a rewarding thing to do!

2.3.2. Restaurant Yuki by Júlio Pereira

We had dinner at Yuki about three months after its opening. It was not super-busy on our evening in mid-January. As I mentioned above, it is an Izakaya, a casual Japanese eatery where you usually order small plates to share. According to Yuki’s website – Yuki translates to luck – , chef Júlio Pereira considered it as the logical consequence to open a Japanese place after taking so much inspiration from this cuisine for his first two projects, Kampo and Akua.

My husband and I quickly agreed on opting for the Kaiseki Menu (6 courses, 96€).

This in view of the menu that was a bit too extensive and too overwhelming for my taste. And it was a good choice as more or less all sections were covered. I especially liked the two first courses, Ussuzukuri Amberjack and Karachi Salmon. Yet everything was great! As to the sushi, it was westernized, as almost everywhere outside of Japan (see also Avista Asia). If you want to order à la carte, there are six sections to choose from: Sakizuke (starters), Tempura (fried), Ussuzukuri (thin fish slices), Sushi, Donburi (rice bowls), Robatayaki (barbecue). Since our dinner the offer has been thinned out a bit, which I find a good thing. And there is now an Omakase Menu (6 dishes at 100€) as well, yet I am not sure how it compares to the Kaiseki Menu we had.

In terms of ambiance, there is a counter behind which the chefs perform their craft – and where you also can have a seat.

From what I learned from our server, the head chef is not a Japanese but a Nepalese, but never mind. Otherwise, I found it quite stylish in here and pleasant too.

Staff was friendly, yet as I thought not very thorough when it comes to Japanese cuisine – yet the dining spot is still young.

3. Traditional fine dining in Madeira – with a twist

While there are lots of traditional dining spots in Madeira, I am not sure whether many among them also merit the label of fine dining. If you consult the Michelin Guide 2025 for Madeira, he lists two such restaurants (only one for Funchal). It is about Casal da Penha, a family-run restaurant serving simple Portuguese food. My husband and I dined here once in late December 2022 and were not overly enthusiastic about the experience. While we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the bread, Bolo do Caco, the rest was nothing extraordinary.

In the Michelin Guide 2024, two more establishments were listed that have not found its way in it in the latest edition. It is about Armazém do Sal and Villa Cipriani. As to the former, we dined here twice (in late 2021 and early 2023) and liked the food, which is traditional with modern accents.

However, we were not so in favor of how the evening started. Both times, they ignored us for a while before they got in touch with us.

When it comes to Villa Cipriani, we also had dinner there twice, although the first visit dates back many years (in 2007). The second was in late 2021, where we were satisfied with the offered (upscale Italian food).

However, my sister in law – a true fine dining lover too – dined here recently and could not say a good word about it.

4. Simple but good restaurants in Madeira

For those who love the variety and look for the one or other simple but good restaurant, I have three recommendations. First, it is about 5 Sentidos, a small eatery where you get traditional flavors with modern touches.

When we first dined here end of 2022 it had been only open for six months. We had a fine meal here with excellent fish, and it was a bargain. One year later, the dining experience was again enjoyable, although I would recommend opting for fish

or braised meat as a main course, but not for their Veal Fillet. Clearly, their understanding of fillet differs from mine (tenderloin). Yet, 5 Sentidos is still worth a visit in search of a good meal.

Back in late 2021, I enjoyed a tasty yet simple dinner at Franco’s Corner.

And its Google reviews are still very good. Here they serve Mediterranean and traditional Portuguese food, sometimes with a twist.

Finally, on our most recent Madeira stay (January 2025), we made it to Chris’s Place.

It had been on our to-do-list for quite long, and my sister in law strongly endorsed it. My verdict is that the food (international cuisine) is solid without being exceptional.

Ironically, I found out later that Chris’s Place is no longer owned by Chris. So, obviously I have postponed my visit too long. Apparently, his ex-wife is now in charge.

5. Which fine-dining restaurants – that are new to me – are on my list for a next stay in Madeira?

My search for the best fine-dining restaurants in Madeira never ends. So, I already have a to-do list for my next stay in Madeira (November 2025). The Michelin Guide 2025 for Madeira included two restaurants that were new to me. On the one hand, it is about Oxalis at Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro.

From what I read, it was opened in September 2024. They renovated the existing dining spot and launched a new concept. Chef Gonçalo Bita Bota is in charge here, who has been working at this hotel since March 2022. Although the whole sounds interesting enough, I am not sure whether we will make it there as it is a bit out of town.

On the other hand, Michelin added one more eatery in Madeira to its guide, Audax. This time, it is a spot that is more conveniently located in Funchal’s “Hotel Zone”.

And the restaurant’s concept of a progressive Madeiran cuisine sounds really promising (bookable through TheFork). From what I found out on my research (there is no website), it has been open since April 2023. And young chef César Vieira joined the family project (Marisa Freitas as owner, son Diogo as manager) in September 2023.

Date of last visit: January 2025

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