For The Love Of Port

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.

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?

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!

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.

Amazing, thanks Eric! Happy new year

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 Ifune wrote: ↑Wed Dec 27, 2023 4:51 pm 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.