Serra de Água · Madeira · 1000m above the sea
Boca da Encumeada
A family table perched on Madeira's most dramatic mountain pass — espetada off the grill, poncha in hand, and a view over both coasts at once.
A family table perched on Madeira's most dramatic mountain pass — espetada off the grill, poncha in hand, and a view over both coasts at once.
A family-run bar and restaurant, perched right at the highest point of the road linking Madeira's two coastlines. Poncha is what we're known for — traditional, muddled to order, the proper way — though plenty of visitors say the espetada and the view give it a run for its money. We're a regular stop for jeep tours and road-trippers crossing the island's interior: about 40 minutes up from Funchal, or 15 minutes over the ridge from São Vicente.
Boca da Encumeada is the mountain pass where Madeira's two coastlines come into view at once — laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage woodland, rolling away on every side. It's a natural stopping point for anyone crossing the island, and the trailhead for some of Madeira's best-loved levada walks, including the Vereda da Encumeada and the Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal.
We've set up right at that viewpoint — a terrace of wooden tables under the awning, the mountains dropping away on both sides, and a kitchen turning out the kind of food that makes people pull over a second time on the way back down.
No printed menu online yet — call ahead for today's specials and prices. Here's what regulars come back for.
Skewered beef, grilled over the open fire the traditional way. Reviewers have called it the best on the island — we're not going to argue.
Madeira's traditional muddled spirit, made to order — the way to toast a mountain view. Fresh passion fruit juice too, for the non-drinkers.
A hearty pepper steak, and a cheese fondue that keeps coming up in reviews — good sharing food after a levada walk.
Chicken and steak sandwiches, tomato and fish soup — simple, generous, made for hikers coming off the trail hungry.
Coffee done properly — galão and café chinesa — next to a slice of homemade cake. Best excuse to linger over the view.
Menu changes with the season and the catch. Give us a call before you make the drive up.
Call +351 291 952 319
"Best espetada I have ever had. Cheese fondue is excellent."
"Very nice place to stay for a moment when you are thirsty and hungry. Great tap beer, delicious food, friendly staff."
"Fresh & delicious soups — and the fresh passion fruit juice was to die for!"
"Amazing sandwiches and great view."
"The cake was homemade and delicious and the galão and chinesa coffees were very good."
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