Why Madeira, Portugal Needs to Be on Your Travel List
Local, Michelin-Starred Chef José Diogo Costa’s Favorite Spots on the Island
The Relisher is where the world’s top chefs reveal their favorite spots in their home cities. This week, I met with José Diogo Costa’, the Creative Executive Chef at Michelin-starred William Restaurant at Reid’s Palace, a Belmond Hotel in Madeira, Portugal.
“Madeira has an unbelievably lush, scenic nature just minutes away from the city. I love how you can be deep in a forest, perfect for outdoor activities, within just 10 minutes of leaving the city center. The island is also home to world-class wineries and a unique cuisine with a rich heritage found nowhere else.
For chefs, Madeira is especially a dream as we have four distinct microclimates. In my opinion, there’s so much to do here that you could easily spend a week exploring.”
Chef José’s experience spans some of the world’s top restaurants. He has worked alongside Gaggan Anand at his two-Michelin-starred Gaggan in Bangkok, as well as at one of Portugal’s top restaurants, the two-Michelin-starred Il Gallo D'Oro.
Below, the local chef shares his favorite spots in his hometown of Madeira including restaurants, wineries, and more. (Note: A Google Map with all locations listed is provided at the end of the interview.)
