The typical dishes and ingredients of the archipelago.
Espetada (beef grilled on a laurel spit)
If there’s one regional dish that can bring a sense of togetherness to the people of Madeira, that dish is espetada. Be it in a “Arraial” or in a restaurant, at a friend’s house or in a picnic in one of the beautiful mountains of the Region, any place is a good place for one to enjoy this dish. The beef is seasoned with salt, garlic and laurel. It then goes into the spit, that can also be made of laurel, and grills for a few minutes until it’s ready to serve and enchant everyone’s tastebuds. It’s quite easy to find in almost every restaurante, as it’s considered one of the main regional dishes.
Bolo do caco
Bolo do caco (traditional Madeira bread) is made from a dough that is meant to ferment for 3 days and it can be served either as a starter, main course or as a side to other typical meals. Baked at high temperatures, this bread is usually served with garlic butter. In Madeira and Porto Santo, beef steak sandwiches are still served with bolo do caco for every taste.
Tuna Steak with Milho Frito (Fried Cornmeal)
Tuna is one of the most abundant species in the Archipelago's seas. It is usually served as a steak, seasoned with garlic, salt, vinegar and white wine. This is considered to be one of the region's most important dishes! The best way to enjoy this delicious meal is going full traditional, with a side of Milho frito (fried cornmeal).
Poncha
Poncha is Madeira's most emblematic drink. This mix of sugar, honey, lemon juice and aguardente (distiled alchol made from sugar cane juice) is a must to anyone who comes to visit, be it Summer or Winter. It's popular belief that this drink was first made in Camara de Lobos, the most well famed place to have a fresh made poncha.
Limpets
This delicacy can be found almost anywhere along the island's coastline, which makes it no surprise that it became one of the islands most traditional starters. Seasoned with a mild drop of lemon juice and served along with bolo do caco, limpets are exactly what you need to start a meal beautifully.
