Delícia das Sopas

Delícia das Sopas is a small soup bar at Rua da Queimada de Cima 17 in the Sé district of Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal, close to the La Vie shopping centre. The concept is simple: a counter offering five soups in daily rotation, served with bread. Soup is a staple of Portuguese home cooking, and the format gives visitors an inexpensive way to sample it, in contrast to the island's grill houses and fine-dining rooms. The best-known deal is a large soup with bread and a glass of wine for about €6 (~$6.90), placing the venue firmly in the budget price bracket, the lowest tier among Funchal's restaurants. The room is small and informal, with communal seating when full, a quick turnover, and an atmosphere aimed at local workers, shoppers and budget-conscious travellers. There is no dress code and no formal service, and noise levels rise at midday when the queue forms. It is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00AM to 11:00PM, a long schedule that covers breakfast through to a late supper, though it is closed on Sundays. Arriving before 12:30PM helps visitors avoid the lunchtime queue. No reservation system, telephone number or website has been confirmed, and given the counter-service format booking is not normally needed. The location, a short walk uphill from the cathedral and the Zona Velha, fits well into a day of sightseeing in central Funchal, whether as a quick lunch before visiting the nearby Mercado dos Lavradores or as an inexpensive dinner after a long day of walking.