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Casa de Abrigo do Poiso — restaurant in Madeira
Mountain shelter restaurant at the Poiso pass, 1,412 m up on the road to Pico do Arieiro. Hearty traditional Portuguese food, a roaring fireplace in misty weather, and the classic Madeiran starter of fresh cheese with honey and walnuts.
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About Casa de Abrigo do Poiso
Casa de Abrigo do Poiso is a mid-range portuguese and traditional restaurant in Camacha — Poiso
If you only order one thing, make it the fresh cheese with honey & walnuts; octopus — it's what the kitchen is known for and what regulars come back for.
Poiso sits at the saddle between Ribeiro Frio and the climb to Pico do Arieiro, and the Casa de Abrigo is exactly what the name promises — a shelter. When the cloud rolls over the ridge the fireplace is lit, and there are few better places on the island to wait out the mist over a long lunch.
The menu is generous and traditional: octopus is a standout, and the fresh cheese drizzled with honey and scattered with walnuts is the starter almost every table orders. It makes an ideal lunch stop on a Levada do Balcões walk or a Pico do Arieiro sunrise trip. Book or arrive early at weekends — phone +351 291 102 171.
What to know before you go
- Walk-ins usually work outside the 20:00–21:30 peak; arrive before 19:30 or after 21:30 for the best table.
- Cards accepted. Tipping ~5–10% on the total is appreciated but not expected.
- Indoor only, so the room can get warm in summer evenings; ask for a table by the door if you like air flow.
- Lunch service is typically 12:30–15:00 and dinner from around 19:00; many Madeiran restaurants close between services.
- Address: ER103, Poiso, Via Pico do Arieiro, Camacha, 9135-140 Madeira.
Best time to visit
Year-round. Dinner reservations are tightest from late April to October and over Christmas / New Year; lunch is easier almost any day.
Location
Camacha — Poiso, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.69220, -16.86670
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Frequently asked
What is Casa de Abrigo do Poiso known for?+
Casa de Abrigo do Poiso is known for its fresh cheese with honey & walnuts; octopus, plus a wider portuguese and traditional menu.
Do I need to book a table at Casa de Abrigo do Poiso?+
Reservations are not strictly required, but they are sensible at peak dinner hours (20:00–21:30) and on weekends.
How expensive is Casa de Abrigo do Poiso?+
Casa de Abrigo do Poiso is rated €€ — mid-range. Expect a typical dinner main to reflect that band, with Madeira wines and bottled water added on top.
Plan around Casa de Abrigo do Poiso
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Where Casa de Abrigo do Poiso fits
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