Take a Tasca Tour

There are so many popular spots to visit; however, the best encounters are always those among the locals. That’s where to find the most authentic experience on the ’Pearl of the Atlantic’.

So if you’re looking for spectacular views with great food, that is something beyond the overstated hiking and off-roading, or the expensive restaurants in the city centre, Tasca Tours are the new popular way to discover the island that’s as real as it gets.

Traditional taverns

These "tascas” are traditional taverns where locals gather for home-style meals at affordable prices. They are known for their casual, family-friendly atmospheres and are typically found in older neighborhoods, out of reach from the tourist traps. Madeira is where these Tascas flourish and there are a growing number of tour operators that share this true taste of the island with friendly conversation and hospitality.

You can expect the day in itself can feel like reconnecting with old friends since the Portuguese approach to hosting feels more buddy-buddy rather than tour guiding. After gathering everyone in a vehicle, there are introductions to get acquainted and prepare the group to have fun together! Then, your first stop will secure a table at a bar that was most likely a family grocer back in the day. They’ll serve up some signature cocktails like the famous Madeira poncha along with great food.

What they call “dentinhos” are small appetizers of homemade dishes that accompany your drinks. You may have a taste of fried black scabbard, cow tongue, and even tripe, all of which can be exotically tasty. On other days, they might have beef stew or chicken wings. It all depends on the menu of the day, which makes it all the more special.

At that point, your group will be having a great time before moving on. The next stop will be another bar, where there is a serene ambiance that may include family photos and interesting wall art. You could potentially meet some fishermen and taste their special poncha pescadore served with something like a tuna or balcalhau (cod fish) dentinho.

Remember, there will be locals flocking the space and partaking in friendly conversation. There may even be dogs and cats hanging out. Everybody will be approachable and safe. It will actually be surreal and poetic to take in, like there was a party in your mouth and everyone was invited.

Depending on your tour guide and your propensity for food and drinks, there could be a couple more stops along the way before capping off the journey with an authentic dinner to soak up all the alcohol in your stomach.

That’s when you reach another spot where you’ll be served a traditional dinner of bread, salad, milho frito (fried corn meal), roasted chicken and espetada (steak on a skewer) with, of course, more drinks. By the end of it all, you will be walking on a cloud with a full belly and laughing with new friends before realizing there is one more thing!

Madeira wine

The best tour operators will bring you a special treat to wash everything down. Madeira wine is the perfect digestif for such an occasion. However, if you’re really lucky, they will bring you to a vintage cellar where you can taste genuine wine from family casks. Ingesting something so exquisite and hearing about the local history behind the old traditions will be the cherry on top of an already amazing experience.

Tascas are a cultural staple in Portugal that Madeira elevates on every level. Regardless of where you find yourself, there’s a nearby place with hearty meals. That’s what makes the island such an attractive destination: the best adventures with good food and the greatest people. It’s a paradise that welcomes everyone as their own and Tasca Tours are the best way to see the true nature of Madeira.

If you want more quality over quantity, and if your friends are taking you around the town rather than paying for a sterilized, cookie-cutter tour, make sure you book your dates in advance. These unique offerings tend to fill up quickly and are only getting more popular.

Devin Meireles is a creative nonfiction writer in his thirties. He was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where growing up around the Portuguese diaspora had a profound effect on him. 

Devin Meireles