Planalto — Restaurant in Ponta do Sol

We sought out this place seeing it was the highest rated and with the vegetarian choice. The drive to the place is through quite narrow roads and with hairpin bends. We were starting to regret our decision to go there on our way. Having arrived at the destination and finding easy parking, it was not obvious where the place was as it has a an unnsuming character outside and the the interior with traditional deco and with very few clients, all tourists, eating quietly and hardly any conversation, it seemed a bit downbeat. Despite the place not being busy the food took quite some time to arrive and we sat uneasily trying very hard to make conversation in the eerily quiet atmosphere.The host however was quite welcoming and helped us through the menu happy to discuss what the dishes were. We chose octopus roast with roast potatoes and vegetables, chicken wings, vegetarian fajita, with medium balo de Caco and tap water which came with slices of lemon. The dishes came in their metal serving bowls but no plates. We had to ask for plates as we were going to share our dishes. There were no condiments on the table or any where within sight, which was disappointing because the octopus with sauted onion lacked any flavour and could have done with having garlick used with onions and some salt and black pepper and a vonegratte/olive oil dressing. The one wedged of lemon could not lift the taste of the dish costing €19 euro. The roast potatoes baked with the octopus was the only saving grace of the dish The hot chicken wings came with a small receptacle of of mayonnaise wich was not enough for the portion of chicken wings lacking any flavour or heat, despite the description and again could have done with piripiri dressing. The fajita and the balo de caco were the best dish out of the lot.The bill for 3 of us with 3 dishes, garlick bread and no drinks or deserts was €47. The host was quite attentive and open to feedback and gave his full attention. It was not worth the trip and we would not be recommending to others.The reviews seem suspicious with many one liner comments hardly mentioning the food. Ratings seems to entice only the...

There is something fishy about the number 5 star reviews, some of them 1 liners or no comments about the food and it is odd that the names of the reviewers have uncanny similarity or the ones you wouldn't find for many other better restaurants reviews. This may give the game away as many of these have no proper names. Very suspicious. Having frequented more than 20 other restaurants during my regular visits to Madeira, I found it very odd that there were no locals eating here. Host is very friendly but this in no way make up for bland roast octopus with roast potatoes with no flavours to speak off and surprising the only restaurant on the island that I have come across that has no condiments on any of the table or any where on the counter or within sight. Hot chicken wings were also bland with a small receptacle of mayonnaise which could do nothing to enhance the taste of chicken wings. Veg fajita and Bolo d Caco were the only decent thing and despite asking us and our confirmation we liked our food extra spicy we found the food bland and just barely acceptable. Another odd thing that I have never come across is we were not offered any plates and were expected to eat from the metal serving dishes. € 47 for 3 dishes and garlic bread without any drinks or deserts is not worth it. Beware. I have revised my feedback to the host and my rating after going through all the reviews and felt we were duped and the reviews are a scam to entice...

What an incredible find! We were looking for somewhere for a late lunch and happened across Planalto on Google Maps (actually we used the postbox on their wall earlier in the day, completely oblivious to the culinary heaven that was the other side of the wall!).

The greeting from the owner was already in a league of its own — he was incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and to explain the various items on the menu and how they’re cooked. It turns out he’s been running kitchens all over the world for decades, and it shows!

We had a very nice pesto gnocchi dish and chicken wings with peri peri sauce and a salad, and a chocolate mousse for dessert and they all scored a 10/10!

We’re only staying on Madeira until Sunday, it’s now Thursday, and we already want to go back to this restaurant several more times to sample more of their menu!

The prices are also far too low in my opinion … obviously this is a good thing for us as customers (we paid just 40€ for two mains, two drinks, a dessert and a coffee including tip!) but I hope his business is still making a healthy profit. For the quality of the food and atmosphere I wouldn’t have been surprised if our bill was 60€ or more …

Short review: Go! You won’t regret it! I am pleased to add the 858th...