As expected the Madeiran gastronomy has something to offer everyone, including: tourists, locals and naturally foodies!

During the first part of this article, we'll uncover a few of the most popular delicacies off the Island in terms of Food.

Part two will then include popular Beverages of the island. Also please note that we will be maintaining their traditional names troughout the article, for cultural & gastronomical purposes.

And don't forget, you can mix and taste all of these fabulous dishes as you please!

Naturally you can count on us to help you find out that special meal (Food & Beverages) during our various exquisite Tours:

https://www.madeirafoodonfoot.com/our-tours.html

Here are some of the most popular:

Picadinho

  The “Picado” or “Picadinho” is a traditional Madeiran dish, and therefore prepared in almost all of the restaurants of the region. It is traditionally prepared with beef cut into small cubes, fried and seasoned with garlic and pepper and accompanied with tomatoes.

The “Picadinho” is usually served on a platter being shared by several people, who dig in with a toothpick or a fork.
You can still find “Picado” made of octopus and squid, although the recipe and presentation are a bit different. 

 Espetada

  The "Espetada" is cooked on a skewer, and it’s a style of cooking that’s particularly popular in Madeira. Here, in Madeira, in its most traditional form, the wooden skewers are made from bay laurels (the trees that bay leaves grow on) which gives the meat a unique flavour.

“Espetada“, is then made with beef cubes combined with  the laurel skewer and grilled on wood or charcoal. Many restaurants have tables with iron structures applied in the center, to hang long laurel skewers in which broil the meat pieces. To accompany the dish, the locals suggest the Fried Maize “Milho Frito” and Bolo do Caco, traditionally baked on a tile or slab over fire.

Bife de atum

  Tuna is one of the most popular dishes in Madeira, and is usually eaten in the form of steak. Tuna is a fish abundant in the seas around the island and hence have a strong component in the traditional cuisine of the region.

The Madeiran Tuna steaks are usually prepared in a marinade of olive oil, garlic, salt and oregano. It is served with cooked or fried maize, or boiled potatoes, rice and salad. 

 Lapas

  A Madeiran specialty, that is much appreciated by locals and visitors. The limpets “Lapas” are cooked upwards in a frying pan of their own and their taste increases when splashed with fresh lemon and butter. The typical Bolo do Caco is a great accompaniment to this snack. These are similar to clams, although they tend to be chewier.

Sopa de Trigo

  This traditional soup is regarded by both residents and visitors as a must have, as it’s a great soup to eat during the winter months due to its hefty amount of vegetables. The recipe can vary from person to person, but wheat, potato, pumpkin, salted pork (heavily salted to preserve the meat, it’s a common way to prepare meat for long storage), carrots, sweet potato, turnip, and chilli pepper.

Polvo

   Octopus is also a very popular dish here in Madeira, although it is not a typically Madeiran dish. It can be served as a “dentinho” or as an entree, a marinade or with rice.

Espada

  The most typical fish of Madeira Island is the black scabbard fish “Espada“, which swims in deep waters and has a fearsome appearance, at least when viewed in the market. However, it is also very tasty, especially when prepared the “Madeiran Way”, with passion fruit and bananas.

Carne de Vinha D'Alhos

  The “Carne de Vinha D’Alhos” is a traditional dish of the Christmas season in Madeira however, it is consumed all year round.
It is made with pork, white wine, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper, and left to marinate for at least two days. At the time of eating it is fried along with the marinade and a bit of lard. It's so good you can even eat it with bolo do caco or on a plate along with fried corn.

  And as we reach the end of this article, please keep in mind, these are just some of the various popular menus you can find in Madeira, but not the only ones!

As such we from Madeira Food on Foot will glady accompany you to uncover the most and the best of the island!

So follow us next for part two, regarding some of Madeira's best beverages!