We had the pleasure of visiting the picturesque and sleepy Porto da Cruz’s Restaurant a Pipa on Madeira Island. We were delighted with the menu offerings, ranging from traditional stews to delicious fish dishes.
A Pipa Restaurant Location & Contacts
Address: Casas Proximas, Porto da Cruz, Madeira 9225-050 Portugal
Phone: 968527400
Looking to discover all Madeira Island has to offer? The Things To Do In Madeira is an excellent starting point. To get the most out of your trip to Funchal, read Funchal Things To Do.
Opening Hours:
- From Wednesday to Sunday: 12:00-23:00.
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Ambience:
The exterior of the traditional wine cellar is made of dark basaltic stone, which creates a striking contrast against the warm brown wood of the doors and windows.
The mountainous island landscape is seen in the background, adding to the picturesque setting. Inside, the wine cellar theme is continued, a unique and immersive experience.
The restaurant is a popular spot, making the half-hour drive from Funchal along the scenic regional road 101. It’s a popular spot. It’s not uncommon to see the restaurant crowded during summertime.
Menu – Food
The restaurant’s menu offers tempting options, with standout dishes including grilled squid and escabeche octopus that satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Meat lovers will enjoy the delicious house steak, succulent regional skewer, and popular grilled chicken breast.
Fish enthusiasts will be delighted with the regional tuna steak and swordfish fillet with banana and passion fruit.
Unfortunately, there are very few vegetarian options available. And the ones that are can be uninspiring. Additionally, the homemade dessert selection is limited.
Our experience began with boiling limpet, the bolo do caco and garlic butter.
We dove in without waiting for the limpets to cool, which led to burning mouths, but it was worth it.
As a main dish, we chose the well-known grilled squid. We were more than satisfied with our choice.
The seasoning was perfect as if the chef had read our minds and knew exactly how much seasoning we wanted in each bite.
The dish was grilled to perfection, slightly charred on the outside but still succulent and tender on the inside.
The dish came with a good side. Everything was flavorful.
Customers who opted for meat dishes next to us were equally visibly satisfied and devoured their choices with gusto.
At the end of the meal, we were served a delicious Poncha, an elixir of pure happiness…
We sat at the table for a while longer, savouring the moment!
Price:
The cost was 28 euros per person, which was a great deal. Who, after all, can refuse a dish that is both inexpensive and delectable?
Service
We had a royal experience. Furthermore, he amused us with his clever remarks. He helped explain the food and provided us excellent advice on what to order.
Conclusion:
The dining experience was fantastic for us. Our meal was superb in every way! Days later, we were still discussing this meal!
Definitely would recommend it to others and hope to have the chance to again.
Things to do near:
The Miradouro da Portela is a viewpoint located in Madeira, which can be reached by taking a regional road for 10 minutes from the starting point.
Continuing on the road, we reach the Santo da Serra Agricultural Market and Camacha, where visitors can find a variety of handmade crafts unique to Madeira.
Heading east, we pass through Machico and arrive at Prainha do Caniçal, a small remote beach, and the famous peninsula Ponta de São Lourenço. It is a protected nature reserve offering fascinating walks along the cliffs and beautiful ocean views.
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