A rustic countryside restaurant in Faial on Madeira's north coast, O Tosco serves espetada cooked over an open hearth and grilled corn bread to travellers touring the Santana and Porto da Cruz area.
O Tosco is a rustic countryside restaurant in Faial, on Madeira's north coast between Santana and Porto da Cruz, serving traditional espetada to travellers touring the island's dramatic northern road. The beef skewer is cooked over an open hearth and typically hung above the table on an iron hook, a presentation style associated with the island's rural restaurants, and is served alongside bolo do caco flatbread finished with garlic butter. The setting is deliberately simple — stone walls, wooden tables, and a working hearth visible from the dining room — reflecting its role as a countryside stop rather than a formal restaurant. The atmosphere is unhurried and rural, popular with drivers and small tour groups making their way along the north coast route through Santana's thatched-roof houses and Porto da Cruz's coastline. Portions are generous and prices are modest compared with Funchal's restaurants, in keeping with the countryside setting. Because O Tosco sits along a popular touring route and draws both independent travellers and organised groups, weekend lunches can be busy; reserving ahead for a weekend midday visit is recommended, and the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
| Price | €€ (€14–€24 / $15–$26 per person) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 12PM–3PM, 7PM–9:30PM Wed–Mon (closed Tue) |
| Reservations | Recommended for weekend lunches |
| Address | Estrada Regional 101, Faial, 9225-100 Santana |
Signature dishes
- Espetada de Vaca (beef skewer, hung over the table) — €14 (~$15)
- Bolo do Caco with Garlic Butter — €3 (~$3)
Good to know
- Known for
- Hearth-grilled espetada on Madeira's rural north coast
Weather through the year in Madeira
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Madeira.
Location
Estrada Regional 101, Faial, 9225-100 Santana
32.7833, -16.8667 View on map
Highlights
- Espetada de vaca hung over the table on an iron hook
- Bolo do caco with garlic butter, cooked fresh
- Rustic countryside setting on Madeira's north coast
- Popular stop along the Santana–Porto da Cruz touring route
Tips for visiting
- Reserve ahead for weekend lunches, when tour groups often stop through
- Combine a visit with a drive through nearby Santana's traditional houses
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Order the bolo do caco fresh alongside the espetada
Accessibility
The restaurant is in a rural setting with a ground-level dining room; parking is nearby but the surrounding countryside terrain is uneven in places.
Frequently asked questions
Where is O Tosco located?
In Faial, on Madeira's north coast near Santana, a common stop on the island's northern touring route.
Is it busy with tour groups?
Yes, weekend lunches can be busy with both independent travellers and organised tour groups.
What day is it closed?
O Tosco is closed on Tuesdays.