Steak & Sun in Ponta do Sol is a cozy and welcoming restaurant that offers a pleasant dining experience in one of Madeira’s most charming coastal villages. Tucked away in a quiet street just a short walk from the main square, this restaurant is an ideal place to enjoy a quality meal in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The service here is one of the restaurant’s strongest points — attentive without being intrusive, and always ready to help with recommendations or small adjustments to the order. There’s a warm and personal touch to the way guests are treated, which gives the place a relaxed and almost family-like vibe. You never get the sense that the service is rushed or overly scripted, which is refreshing.
The star of the menu is undoubtedly the Black Angus steak, which was cooked to perfection. Juicy, tender, and well-seasoned, it had that ideal balance between flavor and texture that’s often hard to find. The meat was high-quality and clearly well-handled in the kitchen. It was served with a generous portion of sides and a flavorful sauce that complemented the dish rather than overpowering it. If you’re a meat lover, this is the dish to try — straightforward, done right, and very satisfying.
Interestingly, Steak & Sun shares the same ownership as “The Old Pharmacy”, a popular tapas bar located just around the corner. If you’ve enjoyed the laid-back style and creativity of The Old Pharmacy, you’ll recognize a similar sensibility here — but focused more on grilled dishes and hearty meals. It’s nice to see two venues under the same ownership offer distinct experiences while maintaining a shared standard of quality and friendliness.
The location itself is also worth mentioning. Ponta do Sol is a beautiful little town that’s perfect for wandering around before or after your meal. With its cobbled streets, sea views, and laid-back atmosphere, it feels like a peaceful escape from the more touristic areas of the island. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the village, grabbing a coffee by the ocean, and then heading to Steak & Sun for dinner. It’s a place that invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment.
The restaurant’s interior is casual but nicely styled, with modern rustic elements and a cozy layout. There’s also some outdoor seating available, which is perfect for warm evenings. The overall vibe strikes a good balance between casual and special — it’s the kind of place where you can go for a casual weekday meal, or something a bit more celebratory without feeling overdressed or out of place.
Prices are fair considering the quality of the food and service, especially when compared to more touristy parts of the island. The wine selection is decent, and there are a few local options available, which is always appreciated when dining in Madeira.
If there’s any small drawback, it’s that the menu is somewhat focused — mostly meat and a few fish options — so if you’re looking for vegetarian or more diverse dishes, this might not be the best fit. However, for those who enjoy a good steak or grilled dish, this focus is a strength rather than a limitation.
In conclusion, Steak & Sun is well worth a visit if you’re in the area or planning a trip to Ponta do Sol. The combination of friendly service, excellent steak, and a beautiful surrounding village makes for a very enjoyable evening out. Whether you’re staying nearby or just passing through, it’s the kind of place that leaves you full and content — and likely...
Read moreI absolutely do not understand the overall high rating of this place. Maybe it's due to a lack of competition or all of the owner's friend leaving positive reviews. What seemed so promising (a restaurant specialized on steak & fish) ended up being a huge disappointment. Waited for the food to arrive for 60min, even though the restaurant was basically empty (apart from us there were two more couples being served at the same time). During these 60min the two waiters did not check-in on us once (e.g. if we wanted more drinks) it was very hard to grasp them even though the restaurant was basically empty. After 60+min, my steak was served well-done and slightly cold, instead of medium-rare. The cut was definitely not a sirloin cap/filet steak. It was very chewy and full of fat. The potatoes were not fully fried (still partly raw inside) and the sauces didn't arrive with the food. I had to remind two different waiters to bring them. When being asked upon payment how we liked the food, I calmly and honestly shared my opinion. The waiter seemed to genuinely take in the feedback (also he took back my plate 3/4 unfinished) however no supplement or apology from the kitchen was offered. Maybe something the restaurant thinks it doesn't need to do due to lack of competition in the area?
I rarely leave any reviews at all but I want to warn about disappointing, disgusting food and over 60min wait.
Do yourself a favor and buy some nice meat yourself and cook it in your Airbnb. You'll get better food and you'll get it faster...
Read moreWe came here in the hope to get amazing steaks. Given the reviews and the photos, our expectations were quite high! Unfortunately, none of them were met.
We waited over an hour to get our food (probably 1h10) even though the restaurant was far from full. Actually, the inside space was almost empty and the outside space was half empty. There were 3 waiters but it was almost impossible to get their attention. They looked almost annoyed when we were calling them. When we had finished our first drink, waiting for the food to arrive, there was around 30 minutes without anyone noticing us and caring to bring the glass of wine we had initially ordered.
Then, let’s talk about the food. I ordered a Black Angus steak - cooked medium rare. You’ll understand my disappointment when it arrived well done on my plate. Also, the meat wasn’t particularly tender. Many pieces included some fat, which isn’t something usual on a black angus cut.
Even after our complaints and honest feedback at the end of the night, we didn’t get an apology from the chef of any complimentary coffee or hard liquor, which is usually what restaurants do to save the day. That would have made me rate 2 or 3 stars maybe.
Only positive point: the fries and the garlic mayonnaise were quite good!
I’m not used to give a lot of bad extensive reviews but this time it...
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