Gourmet holidays in Madeira

            

Long famed for its wine, gourmets won’t be disappointed by the islands’ food either: restaurants in Madeira benefit from an abundance of fresh produce on their doorstep.

  As a wander around Funchal’s bustling market reveals, the island has a bountiful supply of just-caught fish from the surrounding ocean and a year-round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, thanks to its subtropical temperatures and fertile volcanic soil.

Recent years have seen an influx of new chefs and a crop of restaurant openings, all adding their own twist to traditional local specialities including espada (scabbard fish), limpets cooked in garlic butter, and espetada – a dish of cubed, marinated meat skewered on a bay stick and cooked over an open fire.

Find out more about the islands’ traditional cocktail, poncha, here.

Had a great meal in Madeira?  Enjoyed the markets, or sampled its wines?  Share your foodie photos and tasty tales with us below using the upload feature.