January Lisbon & Madeira

[Daniel Fraley]

Hi all, I am finally making my way to Portugal after a long love affair with madeira! I would love any restaurant recommendations you have in both Lisbon & Madeira.

Also I would love any guidance or etiquette suggestions you have for visiting the big tasting rooms, specifically around requesting access to the older vintages. Do I introduce myself as a madeira fanatic on entry? I'm hoping to bring back a case of vintage bottles. I'm planning to visit D'oliverias, Barbeito, Henriques & Borges.

[Eric Ifune]

Talk with the people serving you. If you know what you're talking about, they'll quickly catch on and open doors for you.
What type of restaurants are you interested in?

[Daniel Fraley]

Excellent... I can't wait! Would it help to try and speak Portuguese to start or are they typically pretty versed in English?

On the restaurant front, pretty flexible but looking for native/regional cuisine to Portugal, local specialties, etc. Not looking for the best Thai restaurant for instance!

[Eric Ifune]

English widely spoken. Just don't try Spanish!
One of the best restaurants in Funchal is Armazem du Sal. Chalet is a good low-mid priced place close to Reid's Palace. Do Forte is another good place in the old Funchal fortress.
In Lisbon, Belcanto is the best known. I actually prefer the sister restaurant MiniBar which is more casual. For stupendous seafood, Cervejaria Ramiro. For pasteis de nata, I prefer the original at Pasteis de Belem, but a lot of people prefer Manteigaria. A trip to the time out market is more than worthwhile.

[Daniel Fraley]

Amazing, thanks Eric! Happy new year

[Andreas Platt]

Lisboa: + 1 for Belcanto.

Funchal:

if looking for top-quality and not super-expensive, but upper-class:

https://www.portobay.com/en/restaurants ... ra/avista/

they now also have an asian-themed branch/restaurant, which I haven't tried.

if for QPR:

https://en.armazemdosal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LaAoFundo/
https://www.portobay.com/en/restaurants ... -basilico/

[Eric Menchen]

English widely spoken. Just don't try Spanish!
One of the best restaurants in Funchal is Armazem du Sal. Chalet is a good low-mid priced place close to Reid's Palace. Do Forte is another good place in the old Funchal fortress.
In Lisbon, Belcanto is the best known. I actually prefer the sister restaurant MiniBar which is more casual. For stupendous seafood, Cervejaria Ramiro. For pasteis de nata, I prefer the original at Pasteis de Belem, but a lot of people prefer Manteigaria. A trip to the time out market is more than worthwhile.

Lots of good advice here from the other Eric. Here are some of my restaurant recommendations:

Taberna Sal Grosso
Calçada do Forte 22, 1100-256 Lisboa
A small hole in the wall place with friendly staff and excellent local food.

Aqui Há Peixe
R. Trindade 18A, 1200-468 Lisboa
I've had several nice meals here, and it comes highly recommended.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRev ... tugal.html

Bairro do Avillez
This is a complex of restaurants that includes MiniBar, which Eric I. mentioned, by a Michelin starred chef (at Belcanto), but none of the places at this complex have stars, nor the price that goes with them. I went to the Páteo restaurant in the back and enjoyed it quite a bit, lots of good seafood. MiniBar is also good, more molecular gastronomy and trompe l'oeil.
R. Nova da Trindade 18, 1200-466 Lisboa
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRev ... tugal.html

I'd really like to hear if anyone has current recommendations for wine bars in Lisboa. So many of my past favorites have closed.