Magic Tea House, nestled along the picturesque promenade of Funchal at Rua da Ponta da Cruz 23, offers a delightful café and breakfast experience that effortlessly combines local Portuguese charm with an inviting international flair. Perfectly positioned for stunning sea views, this cozy spot is designed to be a tranquil haven whether you’re starting your day or enjoying a peaceful afternoon respite.
The café’s menu is a treasure trove for those who appreciate both classic and contemporary flavors. Their rich, velvety coffees—ranging from the famously smooth galão to robust double espressos—are an absolute must, drawing praise for their perfect temperature and bold intensity. Accompany your brew with the renowned Portuguese Custard Tart (Pastel de Nata), celebrated for its delicate, flaky crust and creamy, caramelized filling that melts in your mouth. Also noteworthy is their Portuguese Cheesecake (Queijada), which offers a gently sweet, silky contrast that complements the coffee beautifully.
For those seeking a more substantial meal, Magic Tea House serves a variety of hearty options like the English Breakfast, satisfying with its comforting ensemble of buttered toast, jam, beans, bacon, and eggs—though some diners find the sausage a touch unconventional, it adds to the character of the meal. Sandwich lovers will appreciate the Italian Sandwich with crispy fries or the classic Club Sandwich, each prepared with fresh, vibrant ingredients. The menu also extends to lighter fare such as fresh apple juice, avocado dishes, and refreshing drinks including Lipton Ice Tea, Aperol Spritz, and the local Madeira wines and beers like Coral Bier and Portugiesisches Bier, perfect for unwinding while taking in the seaside ambiance.
The atmosphere at Magic Tea House is warm and inviting, with a neat and charming interior that welcomes guests to slow down and savor the moment. The terrace, bathed in sunshine and overlooking the shimmering ocean, is a favorite among visitors for quiet reflection or casual people-watching. As noted by one guest who fondly described the experience as a “pleasant spot to lizard watch,” it’s clear that this café offers more than just food – it provides a sensory escape.
That said, some reviews underscore the leisurely pace of service, with wait times fluctuating due to a small team often managing all orders, especially on the terrace. This slower rhythm can be a plus for those looking to fully enjoy the view and ambiance, though it’s wise to plan accordingly if you’re pressed for time.
Though priced slightly above average, the cost reflects its prime location and the quality of ingredients. Magic Tea House encapsulates the relaxed charm of Funchal’s coastline, making it a worthy stop for anyone seeking to indulge in a beautifully brewed coffee, a comforting breakfast, or a sweet pastry while soaking up captivating sea vistas.
In short, Magic Tea House delivers a sensory journey steeped in local culture with a modern twist, wrapped in a serene setting that invites you to slow down, savor, and simply enjoy the moment by the sea.
Great View, extraordinary good galao, great self-made cakes. You can watch them make these cakes.
Food was very good. Double espresso was hot and strong. Great view of sea. Service was slow, around 10 minutes for drinks and 35 minutes for food but this seems to be about normal here. So if you are in a rush stick to the fast food restaurants.
Popped in to get out of the sun as we started the 4 mile walk back to the Old Town. Lovely terrace and neat interior. Waited a while for service but only one person serving outside. Madge on a diet Pepsi but Tima on the Coral. Good sea views. Pleasant spot to lizard watch!
Nice little cafe, which is located at the promenade of Funchal. The view is great and the offer some food and drinks as well. We got a Pastel de Nata and a Queijada (Portuguese Cheesecake) and two espresso. The Pastel de Nata was very good an delicious. The prices are a little bit higher, but that depends on the location of the cafe. Unfortunately the service was a little bit poor, because there was only one waiter for the whole terrace. All in all it is a good choice.
The view is pleasant, I think it’s good place where you can stop and drink something on your way to beach. The English breakfast was nice, the best were butter, jam, toasts and beans. The bacon and eggs were not bad, but the sausage tasted really weird. We were satisfied with the breakfast because it really filled us up for the day.
We stopped here for coffee, which was excellent, and decided to visit the gardens behind the tea House. The gardens are well maintained, imaginatively laid out with lovely vistas throughout.
Excellent little cafe/ located on the cliff top promenade to Funchal. It was near my hotel, and quite close for me, but a good walk from central Funchal. Beer was good and well priced, and although I had no food myself but it looked really nice and good value. The staff on both visits were really good and friendly.