Abrigo do Pastor

Abrigo do Pastor sits in the hills above Monte, on the road toward Poiso and Madeira's mountain interior, and it specialises in game meats rarely found elsewhere on the island's restaurant scene — wild boar, rabbit and venison, grilled or slow-stewed depending on the cut. Wild boar stew and grilled rabbit with garlic are the two dishes most ordered, both prepared in a rustic, home-style manner rather than with refined technique. The dining room leans hard into a hunting-lodge aesthetic, with a wood fire, mounted trophies and heavy wooden furniture, giving it a distinct character among Madeira's largely seafood- and espetada-focused restaurants. The atmosphere is warm and countryside in feel, particularly appealing on cooler days in the mountain interior where the wood fire is a genuine draw rather than decoration. Because game dishes and the mountain setting are relatively unusual on the island, the restaurant draws diners specifically seeking this style of cooking, and weekends see the steadiest demand. Reserving ahead is recommended, particularly on weekends; the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.