A small petiscos house in Funchal's old town, A Confraria serves regional cheeses, cured meats and small plates of espetada bites designed for sharing over a glass of local wine.
A Confraria is a small petiscos house in Funchal's old town serving regional cheeses, cured meats and bite-sized skewers designed for grazing over a glass of wine rather than a formal sit-down meal. A mixed petiscos sharing board and an espetada bites skewer — smaller portions of the classic Madeiran beef skewer served as a starter-sized plate — are the two dishes most ordered, and the format encourages ordering several small plates across the table. The setting is intimate, with the old-town's narrow-street character reflected in the compact dining room, close seating and rustic decor. It functions as much as a wine-and-snacks stop as a dinner destination, and the atmosphere leans social, with regulars and visitors alike settling in for a slower-paced evening of small plates and local wine rather than a quick single-course meal. Because A Confraria is compact and part of the busy Rua de Santa Maria restaurant cluster, weekend evenings can fill quickly; reserving ahead for weekend dinners is recommended, while weekday visits are generally easier to walk into.
| Price | €€ (€14–€26 / $15–$28 per person) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 12PM–3PM, 6:30PM–11PM Tue–Sun |
| Reservations | Recommended on weekend evenings |
| Address | Rua de Santa Maria 70, 9060-289 Funchal |
Signature dishes
- Petiscos Sharing Board — €15 (~$16)
- Espetada Bites Skewer — €9 (~$10)
Good to know
- Known for
- Sharing-style petiscos in the historic old town
Weather through the year in Madeira
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Madeira.
Location
Rua de Santa Maria 70, 9060-289 Funchal
32.6474, -16.9090 View on map
Highlights
- Petiscos sharing board of regional cheeses and cured meats
- Espetada bites skewer, a starter-sized take on the classic dish
- Intimate old-town setting on Rua de Santa Maria
- Sharing-style format suited to grazing over local wine
Tips for visiting
- Order two to three petiscos per person to share across the table
- Reserve ahead on weekend evenings
- Weekday visits are generally easier to walk into without a booking
- Pair the sharing board with a glass of local Madeiran wine
Accessibility
The restaurant is in a compact old-town building typical of Rua de Santa Maria; seating is close-set and may be tight for wheelchair access during busy hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is A Confraria suited to a full dinner or a light bite?
Both — the petiscos format works for a light snack with wine or a fuller meal by ordering several sharing plates.
Does it need a reservation?
Recommended on weekend evenings, though weekday visits are usually easier to walk into.
What are the opening hours?
12PM to 3PM and 6:30PM to 11PM, Tuesday through Sunday.