You can do a great "expedition" through the gastronomy during your stay in this Island. You have several typical specialities that it is possible to you to taste one each day.
As far as aperitifs are concerned we stand out the "Periwinkles Burriés", the "Gaiado (salted or dried) and limpets.
One of the more original and appreciated dishes is the "Espetada". Many restaurants have iron structures on the centre of the tables where it is hung the laurel stick with the well-prepared and grilled cubes of meat.
As far as meat dishes are concerned, you will enjoy the "Carne de vinho e alhos" (Pork spiced with wine and garlic) or the "Cozido Madeirense" (a dish with boiled pork, chicken, steak, vegetables accompanied with sweet potato and rice).
The fish dishes are the Boiled Tuna fish or the Tuna fish Steak, the Scabbard fish is famous in Madeira for its delicious taste. Another one, is the "cavala com molho de vilão" (grilled mackerel with a typical sauce made of onion, vinegar and some spices).
As accompaniment to these three dishes, we suggest the boiled or fried maize, home made bread with sweet potato and the "Bolo do Caco".
"Bolo do Caco" is typical bread, made with wheat flour. It is called "caco" because it is cooked on a tile's shard, called by the Madeira people "caco" which is put over the embers. It is round and flat bread, typical on country festivities and is done in the presence of the people.
The Madeira pastry has a wide list of choice that goes from the Honey Cake, typical at Christmas season, made of sugar cane molasses and which is hand cut.
Other specialities are the Sugar Cane Molasses Biscuits, Small Cheesecakes and Fennel Candies.
Madeira is also rich in tropical fruits, such as banana, sweetsop, passion fruit, papaya, and avocado pear among other.
The avocado can be used in several things such as soups, salads and cocktails as well as dessert with sugar and Madeira Wine.