Vila do Peixe

Vila do Peixe sits in Câmara de Lobos, the fishing village a short drive west of Funchal that Winston Churchill once painted, and it is widely regarded as one of the most respected seafood houses on the island. The kitchen works entirely off the day's landing — whatever the boats bring in that morning is what appears on the menu — and fish is grilled whole over an open wood fire, then weighed and priced at the table before cooking, a transparent, old-fashioned approach that regulars point to as proof of the restaurant's honesty about freshness. Wood-grilled tuna steak and grilled black scabbardfish are the two dishes most requested, both priced by weight rather than as a fixed menu item. The dining room is simple and unfussy, with an emphasis on the open wood grill and a view toward the harbour where much of the catch is landed, and the atmosphere favours the food over decor. Because pricing is by weight, the final bill can vary from the printed reference range, and portions run generous. Given its reputation, Vila do Peixe draws diners from across the island, so reserving ahead is recommended, particularly for dinner and weekend visits, when tables can fill an hour or more before service peaks.