Top Madeira Cooking Classes

Receive practical cooking lessons from a skilled local chef; Pick up easy-to-repeat at home techniques; Explore traditional flavors and uncover the history behind our cuisine.

Join Thomas, CEO and Lead Chocolate Maker of Madeira Chocolate, for a unique culinary event set against panoramic views of Funchal. Whether you enjoy milk chocolate, you are a seasoned dark chocolate connoisseur, or you love exploring complex flavors through fine wine, specialty coffee, and artisanal cheese, this guided tasting will help you better understand chocolate and flavor. During this tasting, you will be guided through tasting 10 different bean-to-bar chocolates made with organic/bio certified cacao from 3 different regions of the world (Asia, Africa, Central America). The chocolates range from 70-100% dark bars to drinking chocolate made with 100% dark ceremonial cacao. These chocolates have been handcrafted to bring out different flavors you may have never tasted from chocolate before (like banana, red fruits, etc.). At the end of the tasting, you will select a chocolate of your choosing to take home with you. This tasting is vegan-friendly.

Take a break from sightseeing and learn about Madeira's rich culinary heritage with this food-themed, small-group experience. To enhance your understanding of local ingredients, the trip starts with a visit to a local market that sells unusual fish, tropical fruits, seasonal vegetables, and exotic flowers. Continue to a hotel rooftop to make local dishes—such as fish ceviche—followed by a generous lunch with Portuguese wine and stunning views you won't find anywhere else.

Experience a modern tea ceremony in Madeira’s quiet nature. Taste specialty teas, learn mindful brewing, and reconnect with yourself - far from crowds, guided by a tea master. I’m a professional barista and tea master with over 11 years in the specialty coffee & tea world. Two years ago, I moved to the magical island of Madeira - and it changed the way I share tea. Now, I host mindful tea ceremonies in peaceful, non-touristy places that most visitors never find (but are totally safe & beautiful) This isn’t just about drinking tea - it’s about pausing, connecting with nature and being present. Whether you're into tea or just looking for a quiet reset, you’re welcome.

There’s so much to see and do in Madeira, but the other side of that coin means it can be hard to get a really good understanding of the local culture in the vacation time you’ve got. With this baking class, you get to not just try your hand at bolo do caco (a round flatbread), but you do it in the company of a local family in their home.

This activity is a great fit for foodies, families with kids, and anyone wanting a fun, creative break from normal sightseeing. You get real insider knowledge about how craft chocolate is actually made, and you leave with a delicious, handmade souvenir that you created yourself. During the workshop, you will learn directly from Thomas, the founder and lead chocolate maker at Madeira Chocolate. Instead of just listening to a standard tour guide, you get a fully hands-on experience. While you work on your personalized bar, you can relax and enjoy amazing views over Funchal.

This is a truly hands-on cooking class focused on tradition, not demonstration. Each guest actively prepares their own Madeira honey cake using a family recipe passed down through generations, guided by a local host in a warm and personal setting. The experience is relaxed, small-scale, and family-friendly, offering a genuine connection to Madeiran culture rather than a tourist-style class.