Hi, Whereabouts are you staying? Our very favourite restaurant is Quinta Palmeira, which is very close to the Savoy Hotel. We would recommend it to anyone. Superb food in a lovely setting - we've never been disappointed.

There are many other restaurant recommendations on this forum - just type 'restaurant' in the search box above-right.

We are hoping to stay at Quinta Sao Goncalo which I understand is close to the old town. This being our first ever visit to Madeira we have no idea what to expect and where! Thanks for your advice.

ROGGIE, I have never been on Madeira, but hopefully I will some day.You should try this website (maybe you know it in advance) : www.madeira-web.com.This is a good website for first time visitors - lots of informations.I have also seen Quinta Sao Goncalo on the internet.Both the location and the Quinta itself look absolutely charming.I think you have chosen the right

Yes let's hope so! Will keep you posted. Madeira looks wonderful and somewhere we have wanted to visit for many years.

Hello again, ROGGIE,

Madeira is gorgeous! - with lovely friendly people, zero crime, wonderful scenery and great food (particularly if you like steak!). You won't be disappointed, I'm sure! We go every year. We haven't eaten in the old town very much so I'm sorry I can't recommend a special restaurant in that area. However, taxi prices are very reasonable in Madeira. We only pay about €2-3 from our hotel (Royal Savoy) to the centre of town.

Have a fantastic holiday! When are you going?

Maudster is very correct a fab island with good food and wine and freindly people

my fav restaurants are

Lareria Portugesa Estrada Monumental superb and reasonable

the seafood spaghetti and paella and staek on the stone superb

approx cost 20 euros each

Clube Naval lovely location and superb food.

The Italian by the shopping cnet Eden mare very cheap but superb pasta dishes

The Chinese by Eden mar shopping superb Peking Duck

Have a lovely holiday

Thank you so much everyone - I know it's our kind of Island by all you tell me!! Not going til November - that's when the 'great' birthday is! Lots of time to look forward to it and get more info from all you kind folks.

I've just returned from 2 weeks in Madeira. Madeirans like LARGE portions generally. My favourite meals were at 1,The Brasserie,( rear of Tivoli Gardens), 2,Jardim do Infante, (on Estrada Monumental)3,Larreira

Portugusa (OppositeToko's)4 Real Canoe, New small restaurant on the road opposite the Forum Shopping Centre towards The Pestana Grand Hotel. There are hundreds of good places to eat, but these stand out for value and quality to me.

Get a Taxi from where ever You are staying to O Tonel,

If You Type O Tonel into Your search engine You should get their own Web-site.

My Wife and I have dined there a number of times, tons of atmosphere.

However You will not be able to dine outside under the grape vines in November, as the weather is not good enough at that time of year.

It would also be wise to call them beforehand as they do get very busy (allways a good sign !!!) with many repeat customers.

As for eating in the old town/City then You are ruined for choice, with many small family Restaurants, who if informed beforehand will give You a very special birthday indeed !!!

Well, when I was there about a year ago, I discovered a very nice restaurant called La Rocca on Travessa do Valente no 4, Tel 291 765 081. This is located on a road running between Rua de Casa Branca and Estrada Monumental and is almost opposite the Terrace Mar hotel.

This has quite a relaxing feel to it and is set in quiet surroundings, in its own grounds and walled off from the road. It is of spacious and contemporary design with modern paintings on walls and additional lounge spaces to relax before eating.

Food comes on big plates and with a fairly generous helping with relaxing Brazilian music payed at reasonable volume.

The staff at the time were very friendly and polite. It was closed on Mondays and opened from around 7pm all other days. I would have ate there every night had I not moved from the Vila Ramos hotel to the Porto Santa Maria hotel.

Recommended.

Oh, and there was not a single espada in sight!

I can send you a map of Funchal if you wish to get your bearings.