"Luís Pestana's one-star Madeiran tasting menu over Funchal bay is the island's most romantic table — reserve it for a proposal."
About William Restaurant
William Restaurant is the fine-dining room at Belmond Reid's Palace, perched on the clifftop above Funchal bay. Named for William Reid, who founded the hotel in 1891, it cooks Madeira's produce through a contemporary lens and has held one Michelin star since 2017. It is a dinner-only, tasting-menu restaurant, and the view over the Atlantic is part of the meal.
On an island whose only two-star table is its near neighbour, William is the headline fine-dining choice for an occasion. For other Funchal rooms, compare Il Gallo d'Oro and UVA.
The Kitchen
Chef Luís Pestana built the menu around Madeiran ingredients and earned the restaurant its Michelin star in 2017 — the dated proof of the kitchen's standard. The black scabbard fish (espada), a deep-water species the island is known for, is the Madeiran centrepiece; the kitchen also leans on local tuna, exotic fruit, Madeira wine and bolo do caco bread.
The format is two tasting menus — the William and the Discovery — rather than à la carte, so you come for the full sequence. Expect classic technique applied to produce that says, clearly, where you are eating.
The Room
The room is elegant and classic rather than modern, with the focus pulled out to the floodlit bay and the Atlantic. Tables are spaced for conversation and the service is formal in the old hotel manner, which is exactly what makes it a special-occasion table rather than an everyday one.
Best for a proposal
William is the island's table for a proposal or an anniversary: a clifftop room, a one-star tasting menu and the bay below. The setting and the standard also make it a confident choice to impress clients visiting Madeira.
Not for
Not for a casual dinner, a quick à la carte plate or a tight budget — this is a dinner-only tasting menu from roughly €165, best given a full evening.
Frequently Asked
Does William Restaurant have a Michelin star?
Yes. William Restaurant at Reid's Palace has held one Michelin star since 2017 for chef Luís Pestana's contemporary Madeiran cooking.
Who is the chef at William Restaurant?
Luís Pestana is the chef who earned and built William's Michelin star, cooking Madeira's produce through modern technique.
How much is dinner at William Restaurant?
It is a tasting-menu restaurant from roughly €165 per person before wine, with two set menus — the William and the Discovery.
What is the signature dish at William?
Black scabbard fish (espada), the deep-water species Madeira is known for, is the kitchen's Madeiran centrepiece.
Do I need to book William Restaurant?
Yes. It is dinner-only with limited covers; reserve ahead, particularly in high season, and note the smart dress code.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at William Restaurant
Reservations via Belmond Reid's Palace; dinner only, smart dress.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressEstrada Monumental 139, Reid's Palace, Funchal
NeighbourhoodEstrada Monumental, Reid's Palace
CuisineContemporary Madeiran
PriceTasting menus from ~€165
Dress CodeSmart · jacket preferred
SeatingDinner only; intimate room
ReservationEssential; high season books out
