Recanto dos Paladares — Restaurant in Funchal

Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first, none of which is about the food or the staff.

The restaurant isn't located in the best area of town. It's on a main road, there's a petrol station across the road and, when we visited, the local wineos were camped in the flowerbeds to one side, so don't expect fabulous views or the buzz you get in the heart of Funchal.

However I can still recommend this place, particularly if you're staying in the area, it's one of the few restaurants that we've tried that we intend to visit again.

We are staying at the Quinta Bella Vista, which is lovely, but we fancied a change of scenery and São Martinho is literally a few minutes walk away (turn left at the gate walk up the hill and turn left again).

They have a menu in various languages but it's also a take away, so you can also see the food before you choose it. There are plenty of dishes and drinks to choose from, the staff are patient, helpful and friendly.

We went for chicken with various sides (rice, sautéed potatoes, vegetables, salad etc) - we also had a pudding and a bottle of wine plus water. The food was good, there was plenty of it, and the price was a pleasant surprise.

We were the only diners that night, and the entertainment was mtv, so if you're on your own, and you don't enjoy your own company, it might not be for you but if you're staying in the area, and you're looking for good food at a reasonable price, give Tourigalo São...

A sirloin steak that measured 10x4x2cm.Weighed less than 200g(average between 3 of us, no steak was same size) accompanied by bitsy, half burnt potato chips. This was dinner, we left hungry. Had a bolo do caco, was tiny, size of a child's palm. I wanted steak from the salad buffet - at 7:30 pm there was none to be had. I was brought a green salad when we were almost done eating our steaks. We payed 17euros per steak! The bolo do caco was extra. The price, almost 60euros, for food that would not satisfy a 5 yr old. As a client of over 20 yrs, I said goodbye today....

The dishes seemed to be 'casual' food that people would eat also at home. We had the grilled chicken and fish with tropical fruits. Possible side dishes were potatoes/chips and salad (cucumber, avocado, onion, lettuce, beetroot). Portions were quite large so prepare a Hungry stomach. Good experience.

The restaurant had a section for diners (about 30 sests) and a takeaway bar with Many selections.

Also 3 televisions to watch football (about all of the diners seemed to eat dinner and watch...