Taste Funchal: food, wine and cultural tour, exploring flavours and stories
Experiencing Funchal at the table is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to discover the history, culture, and hidden gems of this unique city. On this food and culture tour of Funchal, you are invited to explore the most authentic flavours of Madeira’s capital, guided by a certified local guide who knows and lives the city every day.
Over the course of four hours, you’ll explore Funchal on foot, combining taste, tradition, and identity. From place to place, you’ll discover restaurants beloved by locals, tapas recipes handed down through generations, and streets that conceal some of the city’s most memorable gastronomic experiences and cultural treasures. Along the way, you’ll also hear the stories behind each recipe, ingredient, and local saying.
Between food and drinks, this Funchal food tour is a true celebration of Madeiran gastronomy. Will you join us?
Walking Tour in Madeira: flavours that tell stories
The walking tour of Funchal has been carefully designed to introduce you to the most authentic side of the city’s old town. At each stop, you’ll have time and space to discover both sweet and savoury traditional Madeira food, local Madeira Island drinks and fascinating stories. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options are also available.
This Madeira Food on Foot experience goes far beyond simple tasting, it’s a heartfelt celebration of local culture, created with authenticity, attention to detail and a spirit of sharing. It’s undoubtedly the ideal gastronomic experience in Funchal for those wishing to immerse themselves in the soul and traditions of Madeira, while discovering the very best food in Funchal far from the usual tourist paths.
From our gallery
Landscapes that linger in the memory, flavours made for sharing and traditions passed down through generations: dive into the photo album of Food on Foot experiences!
Taste Funchal: useful information
When does it happen?
From Monday to Saturday:
1pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
10:30am on Saturday, Wednesday and Friday
Duration
4 hours
Meeting Point
Madeira Food on Foot Office, Rua do Sabão n.º 65, Funchal [view map]
Number of participants
Minimum: 4 people
Maximum: 12 people
Price
93€ — Adults
77€ — Children (7–12 years)
What is included in this food and cultural tour in Funchal?
This Madeira experience tour is a walking food and culture adventure you won’t soon forget. In this 3 km / 1.9 mile route, you will enjoy:
Gastronomic tastings (food and drink)
Visit to historical and cultural sites
Guidance from a certified local guide
Personalized recommendations for restaurants and other experiences
Some examples of flavours to discover:
Traditional pastry
Typical homemade christmas cake "Bolo de mel"
Pork marinated in wine "Carne vinha d’alhos" – only served for Christmas
Black scabbard fish
Succulent tuna
Traditional bread "bolo do caco"
Exotic fruits tasting
Artisanal chocolate
Local beer
Portuguese wine
Madeira wine
This Madeira Food on Foot tour combines culture, history and authentic Madeira Island food, offering a true sensory journey through the flavours of the island.
Tour Location
This experience takes place in the historic center of Funchal, where picturesque streets, traditional restaurants and local markets reveal the true gastronomic and cultural essence of the city.
Gallery
Landscapes that linger in the memory, flavours made for sharing and traditions passed down through generations: dive into the photo album of Food on Foot experiences!
Food tour in Funchal, Madeira
"An excellent food tour through Old Town Funchal. Many wonderful stops and stories from our guide Ana, who was delightful. Highly recommend!!"
Aug 26, 2025
Great experience!
"My husband and I had a lovely time on this tour. Just 6 of us in our group, meant it was more intimate, and easier to ask (bombard?!) Isabel with plenty of questions. We sampled some lovely food and drink, and got to explore parts of Funchal that we may have missed on our own. We went on this tour because we are staying in an all-inclusive hotel so wanted to ensure we tried all the local foods. We would definitely recommend this tour."
Aug 21, 2025
Madeira History, Culture and Food at its best!
"Wonderful tour…very enjoyable and informative. We loved our guide, Ana Luisa…she is fabulous! We highly recommend this tour."
Aug 19, 2025
Great fun exploring Funchal Madeira’s amazing food and wine.
"Our tour guide Ana was charming and wonderful. We had a great time learning about the food and the wine and the culture of Madeira. We ate and ate and drank and ate and had a good time, laughing and meeting new people. We learned so much about the foods on Madeira and its culture along with the different wines. Everything we tasted was delicious and the restaurants were very accommodating for my wife, who is gluten free. At each location, they modified their offerings for her, and were quite accommodating to other people on the trip who did not eat meat. This is a group or understands how to create great experiences for their clientele. As a travel agent who has gone on many different walking food tours, this one was an exceptional experience."
Aug 7, 2025
Great Food/Drink Tour in Funchal!
"10/10 recommend if you have the time! Our tour guide, Ana, was from Madeira and spoke great English. We were a group of 7 from the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland. I usually do a food tour in every city I go to and this was one of my favorites. The portions of food, dessert, and alcohol were great. I didn’t leave feeling too full and I didn’t leave feeling hungry. While we walked to each destination in the center of Funchal, Ana gave us a brief history of the various food, drink, and culture. Plan for 3-4 hours!"
Jul 9, 2025
Great way to try traditional Madeiran food!
"This tour is a great way to learn more about the national foods and drinks in Madeira and the culture behind them. We went to a cafe for traditional tea and cakes (Pastel de Nata), then onto a resturant where we tried beef skewers, black scabbard, and many more! After that we tried lots of different fruits in a market, tried some Madeiran wine and then ended in a bar where we tasted and watched the national drink Ponsha being made. Our guide Anna was very knowledgeable and fun to talk to!"
Jun 25, 2025
Great 4 hours in Funchal
"Good opportunity to look around Funchal in a relaxed atmosphere enjoying some great local food and wine. Not rushed, very informative and enjoyable. Eleni our guide was very good I would highly recommend this tour at the beginning of your holiday."
May 13, 2025