If you’re craving a burst of Singaporean–Portuguese fusion while in Madeira, look no further than Makan Madeira in Funchal. This cozy spot serves up inventive dishes that balance comfort with exciting flavor twists, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our trip.

We started with the Chicken Shay, a plate layered with savory peanut sauce, fresh cucumbers, and crisp onions for that satisfying crunch. You can opt for chicken or beef—we went with the chicken, and it was fantastic 9/10. 10/10 for the peanut sauce.

Next up was their Tosta de Kaya Jam, an absolute showstopper. Kaya jam is a traditional Malaccan treat made from pandan, coconut milk, and palm sugar, here paired with Madeira’s own bolo do caco. The buttery, coconutty richness was unforgettable—10/10, I’ll be dreaming about this jam for a long time.

The star of the meal was the Nasi Lemak, a traditional Malay dish turned into the perfect all-in-one experience. Served with blue-tinged rice (naturally colored with butterfly pea flowers), roasted peanuts, fried egg, cucumber slices, ikan bilis, and sambal, it offered both balance and punch. We tried spice levels 1 and 2—let’s just say level 2 is not for the faint of heart! If you like a kick, go for it, but level 1 already brought plenty of flavor 10/10.

Dessert sealed the deal. The Sago Gula Melaka—delicately cooked sago pearls with coconut milk, purple yam, butterfly pea flowers, and palm sugar drizzle—was creamy, floral, and just sweet enough. Another 10/10 dish. We also tried the churros with kaya jam. While delicious, I personally preferred the kaya jam on the bread—still, a solid 9/10.

And let’s not forget the cocktails—they were just as impressive as the food. Refreshing, creative, and beautifully balanced. The basil cocktail in particular was a must-try, the perfect pairing to cool things down after the spicy sambal.

💡 Don’t leave without dessert—the soba pearls with coconut and the Sago Gula Melaka are absolute musts.

Overall, Makan Madeira delivered 10/10 food and drinks across the board. Creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented—it’s the kind of place that makes you wish you had more days just to go back again.