A post on the online platform Reddit highlighted an "absurd situation in Madeira's restaurants" due to a sharp price increase, with the author suggesting Funchal is becoming one of the most expensive places in the country to dine out.
Data from the Regional Statistics Directorate of Madeira (DREM) confirms that prices for "Restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments" rose by 38.7% between 2014 and 2025, while the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the region increased by 22.9% in the same period.
The rise was even more pronounced in the last five years, with restaurant prices soaring by 32.9% between 2021 and 2025. During this time, the general CPI rose by 20.0%, and the average total gross remuneration increased by only 22.8%, indicating a loss of purchasing power for residents.
