Unlike Down Town Funchal where many Madeirans spend time shopping, snacking and dining, the Old Town is much more aligned to tourists and its narrow streets are packed packed with restaurants and cafe’s and slovenlier shops. All this is interspersed with the famous painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria, often called door alley. Rua Dom Carlos 1 and Largo do Corpo Santo are the other busy streets of the old town.
There are lots of restaurants to choose from, many with just a few tables outside but having elegant arched interiors indicating they have once been warehouses.
The Restaurant Alimante marks the beginning of the old town dining scene. Restaurant Mozart is a notable establishment doing classy meals and a great value lunch.
For sea view dining visit Restaurante Do Forte that is part of the Forte De Sao Tiago. With its fading yellow walls you can walk the battlements and overlook the Old Town. If you are looking you can book a table looking out through the battlements onto the sea where cannons must once have been. This is a fine dining experience and a very good one.
The bar and Restaurante Cidade Velha immediately before you enter The Fort Entering the old town district of Funchal offers a shaded patio area overlooking the sea as well.
