Tasca Literária Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe

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Review

731 reviews

#99 of 808 Restaurants in FunchalRR - RRR, Portuguese, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

+351 291 220 348+ Add website

Hours

Sun

11:00 - 23:00

Mon

11:00 - 23:00

Tue

11:00 - 23:00

Wed

11:00 - 23:00

Thu

11:00 - 23:00

Fri

11:00 - 23:00

Sat

11:00 - 23:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

731 reviews

#99 of 808 Restaurants in Funchal

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Portuguese, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

“We had Green mussels and Black scabbard fish with passion fruit and banana sa...”

“... mushroom and veggies and i had a salad We both had chocolate cheesecake,v...”

“Had Limpets (Lapa’s) and prawns as a starter and the Scabbard once in a tradi...”

“... of four side dishes to chose two from, potatoes, chips, salad or vegetables.”

Location and contact

Rua Santa Maria 77, Funchal, Madeira 9060-291 Portugal

+351 291 220 348

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Does this restaurant accept bookings?

Yes

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Details

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PRICE RANGE

R 285.00 – R 571.00

CUISINES

Portuguese

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music

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4.5

731 reviews

Excellent

415

Very good

223

Average

Poor

Terrible

Krystelle K

London19 contributions

Wonderful dinner & service

Feb 2020 • none

I recommend the fish sharer platter for 2 which comes with 4 different pieces of fish each (good sizes) and a choice of 2 sides (fries, veg, salad or potatoes). Very reasonable prices for great quality food and a lovely setting. Our bill came to around 50 Euros with the platter, a shared dessert, bread to start and a half bottle of wine. We sat outside in February next to the outside heater - there are also blankets if you want them. The live music was a really nice touch too!

Written 16 February 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TJ_and_PC

Wakefield115 contributions

Really friendly and efficient staff

Sept 2020 • none

This restaurant is on a lively street packed with other restaurants. So why did we pick this one? On our first day in Funchal we were looking at the menu outside and heard a couple sitting on one of the tables talk to a waiter; we could then tell they came from the UK, more specifically, Yorkshire - like us. We chatted to them and they said how good the food was, complementing the octopus, something we both enjoy. While we talking the waiter brought us a complimentary glass of wine! So, with a recommendation and the kind gesture we decided to book a table for that evening. The food was excellent, the service faultless and the atmosphere good. so we booked for a few days time, this time ordering a kid dish that require 24 hours notice; again, delicious. Another night I just wanted grilled sardines, probably the cheapest dish on the menu, the service and attention was just the same. We got to know the front of house was called Igor, he always had time to chat. I can thoroughly recommend the place.

Written 10 October 2020

Richard45732

London97 contributions

We ate here twice on a week’s

Mar 2020 • couples

We ate here twice on a week’s holiday as we enjoyed it so much. Excellent fish restaurant and the two best meals we had in Funchal. Friendly staff and we were impressed that on our return visit the staff even remembered what we’d had to eat and drink on our previous visit. Highly recommended.

Written 13 March 2020

Scott N

3 contributions

Early Dinner

Jul 2022 • family

My mother and I had a lovely day exploring the old town of Funchal on a beautiful sunny day with temperatures reaching 31 degrees. We decided to eat again on, Rua De Santa Maria as it has such a great environment and not too busy. When we were walking along looking at all the different menus, Dona Joana Rabo-de-Peixe’s offered a range of local and Portuguese dishes, the head waiter described the dishes we were looking at, my mum is quite a fussy eater, but he said that they would adapt any dish for her. I ordered the fillet steak a la tasca and my mum, the king prawns, she was then given the choice of how they were cooked, she went for white wine, garlic, butter and slightly spiced. We were then offered a choice of four side dishes to chose two from, potatoes, chips, salad or vegetables. We opted for the chips and vegetables. When the meals arrived the portions were huge and both dishes were presented beautifully, they also tasted wonderful, the steak melted in your mouth and the prawns and ham served alongside were delicious and the kings prawns were large and juicy and not too spicy. As for the side dishes (chips and carrots, broccoli and corgettes) we were unable to finish due to the size of the portion. Least to say it was the best meal we had whilst in Madeira and truly recommend this restaurant. All the staff were friendly and considerate and the total meal including drinks and tip came to less than €45.

Written 9 July 2022

japplet0n

Warrington197 contributions

Good food, nice choices

Aug 2022 • couples

Lovely restaurant, great food with a few different dishes on offer as most restaurants along the old town streets appear to offer virtually the same choices. Staff are friendly and quite attentive for a busy place, we've been here twice in our 2 week stay and would recommend it. The only warning we have is if you pay your bill in cash don't expect any change if you don't have the correct amount in full. We have paid cash in all the restaurants we've been to and it seems that it is now expected that the restaurant automatically keeps any over payment. We always tip for good service but like to do so on our terms so if you do overpay in any restaurant beware not to do so by too much or you may leave a much bigger tip than you intended.

Written 22 August 2022

Karolina R

Vilnius5 contributions

Odd perception of grilled

Nov 2021 • friends

I can't understand how this place could be among top rated/trip advisor awarded. My friend ordered a grilled fish, got a fish fried on a pan, oily. I went for grilled octopus and received it drowning in oil. The waiter went explaining that it's how they do grill, and we should have explivitly said that we want plain grill. Really? Since when there are different types of grilling? Vegetables were virtos and watery... 🤢 the staff did not seem to be very apologetic. At least they gave us a discount but only after us suggesting this.. starters were ok but overall do not recommend.

Written 27 November 2021

Barry C

Leeds25 contributions

Great Food Great Service Great Ambiance

Mar 2022 • couples

We visited this restaurant as we wanted “Cataplana” and wow did they deliver ! It knock spots off a previous restaurant’s offering with so much fish. The wine they recommended was perfect and not overpriced plus the waiting staff were all brilliant including a bit of humour with the bill (he folded it in to a minute size then said tonight you have a small bill) We returned two nights later and has exactly the same experience with different food I had the grilled mixed fish and my wife the tuna both were delicious. With so much choice along the street they are on it is difficult to choice but we made the right one and definitely recommend

Written 23 March 2022

RobertMBE2014

London269 contributions

A favourite. Gaviao Novo Chef and Head Waiter work their magic here

Jan 2022 • couples

We had always found Gavião Novo to be the most reliable restaurant for fresh fish, but when Ignacio and the chef moved to Dona Joana, we had to follow Always friendly. Fish perfectly cooked. Preferences (chicharros, trigger fish, parrot fish) remembered And available to cook dishes such as a stunning rabbit stew on prior request. We will return each time we are in Madeira

Written 9 January 2022

Tuomo N

Turku57 contributions

Delicious food, excellent Portuguese wines!

Aug 2021 • couples

Really can recommend this restaurant: menu is wide and so far everything we’ve had has been well prepared and really tasty! First time to have a trigger fish, it was grilled and sooo delicious! Prices are reasonable and price/quality ratio TOP! Very friendly staff! You can try your luck and not book on beforehand (like we did first time when discovered this place) or just give them a call to ensure your nice table outside (I guess inside there will be better chances to get a table). And as a cherry on top of the cake, the wine list is very good, all the best Portuguese wine regions are represented. In this restaurant I’ve had probably my best fish meal ever!

Written 21 August 2021

angelataylor76

Watford9 contributions

Nice restaurant but….

Sept 2021 • couples

The food was really good and two of the waiters were friendly and helpful. However, one waiter (an older man with grey hair) we found to be quite rude and unwelcoming. When we asked if we could order our starters first and decide on our mains later his negative response made us feel like we were being told off! Not an experience I’d expect as paying customers. It’s a shame one individual tarnished our memory of the evening.

Written 5 September 2021

W12ELS

Bromley106 contributions

Amazing food

Aug 2022 • couples

As a well travelled foodie lover, over many parts of the world, I would like to say that this restaurant’s quality of food and service is up in my top 10. We visited this restaurant 4 times during our 2 week stay in Madeira, this year, for lunch. It is in one of Funchal’ most iconic streets ( rue de saint Maria- with painted doors) The food was amazing, the attentiveness of the friendly, hospitable staff was outstanding, nothing was too much trouble. We even asked for dishes not on the menu and, if preordered the restaurant will do you proud. Igor the manager went to market and sourced fresh lobster for us especially. Ferdinand even invented his version of Peach Melba- “Mango al a Madeira” because that’s what I desired for dessert . It should be on the menu as would order on every visit. My Husband wanted to try the traditional Scabbard fish, but was not confident in ordering , just in case it was too unusual in flavour combinations, for him. So, Ferdinand suggested he would ask the chef to make a small fillet with banana as a starter just for him to try this Madeiran traditional dish. The dish was cooked to perfection, as are all of the dishes we ate at this wonderful restaurant. We would like to thank Igor and Ferdinand for making our experiences delightful and outstanding. We can’t wait to return to Madeira and visit this incredible, quaint traditional restaurant in the heart of Funchal.

Written 24 August 2022

Chris van den Bos

20 contributions

Great sea food

Apr 2022 • solo

A very nice restaurant. The Service thinks along with you if you travel alone and still want to have something of the two-person dishes. They serve out pretty quickly and the quality is good. If you are looking for a nice fish restaurant in Funchal, you will certainly find it at Dona Joana Rabo-De-Peixe!

Written 30 April 2022

Julia

Warsaw27 contributions

Best paella, excellent service

May 2022 • friends

So far the best food we had in Madeira. We chose a paella with seafood and it was as good as the ones served in Spain. Additionally we took some garlic bread to have with the paella sauce, and the combination was perfect. Apart from great food the restaurant has a great service - the waitress told us everything about the local cuisine and shared with us some useful tips about places in Funchal. Would recommend to everyone!

Written 26 May 2022

Sarah

Ljubljana36 contributions

Delicious fresh sea food

Apr 2022 • solo

In a street crouded with restaurants I have obviously choosen the right one. Very good food and professional service. The fish soup was tasty, with some vegetables and small picies of variety of fish meat. The fish was fresh and served with steamed vegetables. Tasty and healthy food.

Written 12 April 2022

Swarf_the_Traveller

Woking107 contributions

Still Great

Sept 2022 • none

Having had a great meal here last year we came back for a return visit - we were not disappointed. The menu is varied but we both opted for the fish, I had Scabbard fish and my wife had the fish skewer. Both were excellent, and we also saw some very tasty looking meat dishes going out which we may try next time. The vegetables served with the fish were very simple, but very well cooked and extremely tasty. This is not a fancy restaurant, but it serves really tasty food that is well cooked. It's one of the busier places on Rua Santa Maria so we always ask for a table inside were it is much more peaceful and you can see all the to and fro from the kitchens. A place that we will definitely come back to again next time we're in Funchal.

Written 22 September 2022

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