Restaurants

Restaurante Cabrestante

4.1 621 reviews 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM R. da Pedra d'Eira 4, 9200-045 Machico, Portugal

Discover this place

Cabrestante is a local restaurant situated in Machico, Portugal, offering a variety of traditional Madeiran dishes. Its menu features seafood specialties such as grilled limpets (lapas grelhadas), squid skewers (espetadas de lulas), and shrimp prepared in the signature Cabrestante style. Other notable items include fishermen soup, francesinha, and espada com banana, showcasing the island’s unique culinary blends. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, suitable for a relaxed meal after outdoor activities, with views that complement its beachside location. The restaurant serves generous portions and straightforward presentations, focusing on fresh, regional ingredients. Alongside seafood, options like chicken Caesar salad and garlic bread add variety to the menu. Cabrestante is recognized for its simple yet authentic approach to local cuisine, making it a practical choice for both residents and visitors seeking a taste of Madeira in an unpretentious setting.

Photos

Amenities & More

Service options

Outdoor seating
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights

Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Great wine list
Rooftop seating
Sports

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Dining options

Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

Casual
Cozy
Quiet

Crowd

Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Restaurante Cabrestante before visiting.

Reviews for Restaurante Cabrestante

4.1

621 reviews

100%

51%

21%

14%

Review highlights

Based on 621 reviews

Cabrestante is widely appreciated for its friendly and attentive staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the dining experience. The restaurant consistently receives praise for its seafood offerings, particularly the octopus dishes and shellfish, which are highlighted as flavorful and satisfying. Portions tend to be generous, accommodating both casual diners and those seeking a more substantial meal. While some dishes like the octopus salad receive mixed reactions, overall the food quality is regarded as fresh and well-prepared. The scenic location near hiking trails and the beach adds to its appeal, making it a favored spot for both quick meals and leisurely stops. Though the restaurant may not be described as exceptional by all patrons, its combination of good food, pleasant service, and inviting ambiance ensures it remains a popular choice in the Machico area.

Andrey Kravchenko

Apr 25, 2025

Super friendly and helpful staff, delicious clams & octopus, nice view. Loved it. Excellent spot if you are hiking nearby and looking for a pit stop spot.

Yasmin

Apr 12, 2025

Super friendly stuff and delicious garlicy shrimps! The octopus salad was okay

Tomek Kołodziejczyk

Apr 12, 2025

The Maderian style octopus is very very tasty. Simple dish served with fries. Small option is still quite big. Mussles a la casa a masterpiece. Most important the people are amazing. Must see.

Anna Er

Apr 09, 2025

We loved the food and the service, thank you very much!!!

Peter Lusis

Mar 08, 2025

Large portions. I had grilled veggies and I took sweet potato as a side dish. Friendly staff. Nothing exceptional but a lovely place to get a quick meal by the beach

Jorge Ferreira

Feb 05, 2025

Excellent restaurant with great food. We had the fish soup and also the tomato soup (both were fabulous). Then we had Lapa, Sword fish with banana and passion fruit, Tuna steak, squid corkscrew and mista de peixe. For dessert we had passion fruit cheesecake, fruit salad and Nutella cheesecake. The price was fair except for the water which we found overly expensive. Staff was very nice. Finally the location and views were really good.

Tomáš Rychetský

Jan 31, 2025

We were here on a lunch. Very tasty fish and warm-hearted welcome from restaurant waiter. We can recomend. And also goood coffee. Muito obrigado. …

Ste Betz (stb)

Jan 27, 2025

Good seafood, very welcoming service..