Casa Salgados Coffee Bar - Camacha

My parents were originally from the area close to this lovely little restaurant, and it was through speaking with locals that I heard of this place, tucked away in one of the oldest parts of the village on the side of a steep valley and just above the levada which leads to Caniço. What the owner has done here is created something truly special - returning to, converting and extending the small farm house he grew up in, he has created a lovely little boutique restaurant with spectacular views. The area is very much what Madeira and Camacha would have looked like 30 or 40 years ago, a real step back in time. Nowadays, most of the houses I think are empty, but the path which runs past the restaurant used to be the main thoroughfare to the village of Gaula and beyond that Santa Cruz before the roads came, which tells you a lot about what life used to be like here.I've seen this place described in some places as a cafe. It might do cafe bits I'm not sure, but we went for a late lunch and it is much more of a restaurant I would say. It was the case when we went that you had to book ahead for meals, as food was only made to order. What was available each day was set - you might have a choice between two or three dishes. I don't know if this continues to be the case. We had the Portuguese staple of bacalhau and the Madeiran classic espetada, but around that we were supplied with lots of different snacks and bits and bob to complement the meal. I guess you could call them something like Portuguese tapas perhaps. The food was fantastic. As a result of its made to order nature and small scale, prices are a bit higher than you might find at other restaurants in the area, but all the extra bits and the great warm and friendly service by the proprietor made it more than worth it. There is also a surprisingly large wine selection given the size of the place and one of the best wines we had in all of Portugal, let alone Madeira, was in this place.

A hidden diamond in the rough...however when you find it you will say WOW. Magnificent views, small restaurant the owner Sr.Inacio is superb andd the food is excellent however you have to order ahead. I had the lamb stew and it was the best that I ever had and everyone was very pleased with their selections ( Bacalhau and Octopus were outstanding. We will be back...

If you want a tourist hot spot this is not for you. If you don't mind stepping off the beaten track (and the last 100m to this restaurant is on foot along a traditional pathway) this restaurant is worth the effort. Don't be put off by the basic exterior, the interior has been tastefully remodelled. Once you get there the service is great, wine choice excellent and the food is as close to traditional country Portugese as you can get. We had great appetisers and a really excellent rice with duck main course. Four four people, 3 courses including 2 bottles of decent red wine and complimentary post dinner liqueurs was just under €100. Well worth the effort and great views along the valley out to sea too.

What a place to go and have a bottle of wine or eat lunch or dinner! If you want to impress your partner or go and relax with your friends, there is probably no place as charming as this in Madeira. The owner is a great host and the place has a jaw dropping view. My only regret is that it took me years to discover the place.It's difficult to get to, it's difficult to find and so it's quite exclusive as a result.If you want to eat - usually you'll need to book in advance. The food is simple country cuisine matching the locale with a good wine list.

If you want a true taste of Madeira you need to buy the Sunflower Walking Book, get the bus from Funchal to Camacha and follow Walk 8 to Assomada. This will take you down a steep footpath to the Levada Do Canico and then into heaven. Almost at the bottom of the steep decent you will fins signs to this coffee shop. It's been recently built and gives fantastic views across the valley. The host is very friendly (speaks a little English) but did know the words for "Apple Pie" and we were glass he did as it was absolutely gorgeous. After your coffee stop you have the incredible walk along the levada. It is truly stunning.