In central Funchal, close to many of the city’s leading hotels, this family-run restaurant remains faithful to a straightforward idea: choose good produce, respect tradition and allow each ingredient to speak for itself.

Casal da Penha is one of those restaurants that has never needed to chase trends to maintain its place in the city. Its character comes from the family behind it, the warm relationship with regular guests and a kitchen built around familiar flavours, fresh ingredients and recipes rooted in Madeira. The family patriarch leads the kitchen, overseeing a broad menu that moves between regional cooking and Mediterranean classics. Expect daily fish, meats, rice dishes, paellas and Madeiran specialities prepared without unnecessary embellishment. Espetada, black scabbardfish with banana and bolo do caco bring the island’s culinary traditions to the table, while the quality of the produce sets the tone. Among the house signatures are the grilled limpets, served sizzling in the pan. Salty, intense and unmistakably Atlantic, they capture the restaurant’s philosophy in one uncomplicated dish. The restaurant is divided into several distinct spaces. The dining room is classic and quietly refined, while the outdoor areas lend themselves to longer, more relaxed meals. On the upper floor, the terrace looks across Funchal towards the ocean, making it especially appealing at sunset and on Madeira’s mild evenings. Its location in the hotel district makes it a convenient choice for visitors, but Casal da Penha’s reputation rests on much more than geography. Its Michelin Guide recommendation reflects a consistency developed over time, without compromising the restaurant’s relaxed, family-led character. Not to be missed

• Grilled limpets, served sizzling in the pan.
• The daily catch and traditional Madeiran dishes.
• Dinner on the upper-floor terrace overlooking Funchal.