Have your cake and eat it!
Tart-tastic
Madeira is unmistakably Portuguese which is good news for the fans of the traditional pasteis de nata, those divine little custard tarts with crunchy pastry and a lightly caramalised top. Enjoy one with a small coffee (Garoto) at a promenade table at The Ritz – theritzmadeira.com
Cake-aholic
The true Madeira cake is nothing like the mild, buttery sponge we have adopted. Its name is “Bolo de Mel” and it is a rich, dense cake made with Mel de Cana (Sugar cane syrup), Cinnamon and Orange zest and not unlike a rich chewy gingerbread. You will find it all over but try it at Fabrica do Ribeiro Seco. Funchals Mel de Cana producer - en.fabricaribeiroseco.com
Cookie Monster
The classic Madeira biscuit or as the locals call it Bolacha, is simple, crisp and perfect with a cupa. Buy them fresh from the source in central Funchal at Fabrica de Santo Antonio. This is a traditional bakery that's been in business for over 100 years – 27-29 Travessa do Forno
Toffy – Nose
The oldie world, romantics should try an afternoon tea with all the trimmings. Head to the favorite haunt of Sir Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw and take a table on the terrace to enjoy the most splendid sea views and dainty morsels. - reidspalacemadeira.com
Wino
Malmsey Madeira is sweet and not just for Christmas. The younger wines work amazingly well with cheesecakes and crème brulee as well as many other everyday puddings. There are also lighter, dryer varieties too such as Sercial which the locals pour over ice. Sample them at the historic Blandy Wine Lodge - blandyswinelodge.com
Merry Cherry
Visit Funchal’s Neighbour, Camara de Lobos where locals raise a glass or 5 of cherry liqueur to the June harvest. The “Festa da Cereja” (Cherry Festival) turns the whole village fruity – Merry Cherry – Camara de Lobos
Unexpected
You don't immediately associate Baklava with Madeira but we do like to surprise you. This fabulous Eastern Mediterranean sweet dish, which has layers of filo and crushed nuts soaked in honey syrup, has made its way to the Portuguese island by way of Istanbul. That's the restaurant, not the city - istanbulmadeira.com
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