Restaurante O Polar
A local institution serving up legendary Espetada and roast chicken with simple charm.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Restaurante O Polar
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A local institution serving up legendary Espetada and roast chicken with simple charm.
"Absolutely incredible skewers! Worth the wait and the visit."
Arrive Early
The restaurant gets crowded quickly, so arrive before opening to secure a table.
Payment Methods
They may not accept all card types; cash or Portuguese bank cards are recommended.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Portuguese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+351 291 944 442
Address
Rua do Pico da Torre 26, 9300-004 Câmara de Lobos, Portugal
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Espetada
Juicy and tender beef skewers grilled to perfection, a must-try for meat lovers.
Flavorful Roast Chicken
Succulent and perfectly seasoned roast chicken, a simple yet delicious classic.
Iconic Bolo do Caco
Don't miss this traditional Madeiran flatbread, often served warm with garlic butter.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early
The restaurant gets crowded quickly, so arrive before opening to secure a table.
Payment Methods
They may not accept all card types; cash or Portuguese bank cards are recommended.
Authentic Meat
Order meat dishes like beef espetada medium-rare for the most authentic taste.
Shareable Portions
Generous portions are ideal for sharing, making it a great value for couples or groups.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early
The restaurant gets crowded quickly, so arrive before opening to secure a table.
Payment Methods
They may not accept all card types; cash or Portuguese bank cards are recommended.
Authentic Meat
Order meat dishes like beef espetada medium-rare for the most authentic taste.
Shareable Portions
Generous portions are ideal for sharing, making it a great value for couples or groups.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Restaurante O Polar is highly praised for its authentic and delicious Espetada (beef skewers) and roast chicken, served in generous portions. Diners rave about the friendly service and the overall great value. While the menu is simple, the quality of the food is consistently a hit. Some visitors note that the restaurant can get very busy, and it's important to check payment methods as not all cards may be accepted.
"Highly recommend to everyone!
We came right at opening time, so we got a table easily, but it quickly filled up with people.
We ordered two full espetadas for two people (it wasn’t too much) – they were absolutely incredible! The traditional garlic bread was just as amazing.
The staff was lovely, and we left very happy.
Just a heads-up: they only accept cash or Portuguese bank cards."
Veronika Khvastova
"We ate at this restaurant three times during our stay in Madeira, and each time we left with a big smile. All the food was incredibly delicious — the skewer was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The homemade fries were absolutely legendary! The poncha was nice, but I thought the sangria was outstanding. The staff were very kind and helpful, which made the experience even better. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll definitely have to wait, but trust me — it’s totally worth it!"
Burcu H.
"Felt like a family run restaurant. Very friendly and quick service.
Restaurant basically only had 2 main dishes, chicken and beef espetada.
Was only there for a snack, so only had the beef skewers, while they were very good prepared and tasty in general, I didn't quite like the seasoning and/or the after-taste. (but wasn't bad because of that)"
Duc Anh Nguyen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant primarily serves two main dishes: Espetada (beef skewers) and Roast Chicken. They also offer sides like french fries, fried maize (milho frito), salad, and bolo do caco.
Reservations are not typically taken. Due to its popularity, it's advised to arrive early, especially around opening times, to avoid long waits.
Espetada is a traditional Madeiran dish of beef skewers, typically grilled on a bay leaf skewer, known for its tenderness and flavor.
It's recommended to check beforehand, as they may only accept cash or Portuguese bank cards. Not all types of credit cards might be accepted.
Yes, the portions, especially the Espetada and Roast Chicken, are quite generous and are often shared among diners.
Popular side dishes include the bolo do caco (Madeiran flatbread), milho frito (fried maize), and french fries.
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The best restaurants for typical Madeira skewers
This restaurant’s menu is very simple and without artifice (just like the uncluttered décor): it serves only two dishes – frango (chicken) and espetada (kebabs). The espetada portion is quite generous, with each skewer holding around ten large pieces of meat and costing €11 (perfect for two people who couldn’t eat a horse). It comes with chips, the ever-popular Madeiran fried corn and bolo do caco (Madeiran flat bread).
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Bolo do caco was a regular on almost every meal in Madeira so I can recommend some places where I tasted great “bolos do caco”: Taberna São Vicente (Santa Cruz) | Abrigo do Pastor (Camacha) | O Polar (Câmara de Lobos) | Maré Alta (Ponta do Sol)
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O Restaurante Polar é principalmente conhecido pela a sua Espetada e Frango. Horário de funcionamento: Segunda-feira a Domingo - 12h00 às 15h00 e das 18h00 às 23h00. Fica situado no Pico da Torre, nº26, 9300-004 – Câmara de Lobos.
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If you are looking for true and blue Portuguese food you are going to love Restaurante O Polar. Here you will find just two main dishes perfectly grilled up on an open fry. Take your pick between beef skewers or a half chicken.
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Restaurante O Polar: We were able to walk from our Airbnb to this traditional Portuguese spot, where we had a generous portion of steak kebabs and, of course, Portuguese wine.
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29/06/2025: A espetada estava excelente e o milho frito perfeitamente crocante. O serviço foi profissional e atencioso. Uma escolha sólida para uma refeição local.
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For a traditional take, go to Câmara de Lobos restaurant O Polar and eat your espetada with milho frito (fried polenta) and freshly baked bolo de caco bread.
What to Eat & Drink in Madeira, Portugal
There are only two dishes on the menu, chicken and espetada, served in large portions with chips, fried maize and bolo de caco.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit