Casa Madeira

£15 / Portuguese, European, Mediterranean, Vegetarian options

46b Albert Embankment, London

Opening hours

12PM-11PM

Sunday 12PM-11PM
Monday 12PM-11PM
Tuesday 12PM-11PM
Wednesday 12PM-11PM
Thursday 12PM-11PM
Friday 12PM-11PM
Saturday 12PM-11PM

Authentic Natas, Cozy Portuguese Vibes

Stepping into Casa Madeira feels like entering a vibrant corner of Portugal right in the heart of London's Vauxhall. The charming eatery presents a delightful mix of traditional Portuguese dishes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Lush with an enticing aroma, this culinary haunt winds back time to simpler days where heartfelt cooking and genuine hospitality took center stage. Holiday light-inspired strings dangle whimsically over tables occupied by eager diners sipping potent caipirinhas while awaiting the main event: an ensemble of flavorful dishes as diverse as the bustling crowd itself. Whether one opts for their comforting arroz de marisco or concedes to the sparkle of a crispy pastel de nata, a masterclass of texture and flavor crafted lovingly beneath an awning of what could be mistaken for Madeiran skies. With each bite, it’s nearly impossible not to be whisked away to sun-drenched shores that inspired these beloved meals.

Though vibrant, endearingly eclectic, and honey-laced in nostalgia, the experience is slightly conditioned by the minor humdrum of railway chatter from overhead, reminding diners they're still very much rooted in London—a small price for authenticity in food so refreshingly untouched by pretension. Service can waver between attentiveness and mild bewilderment, particularly during peak hours when flavorful marinara and buoyant seafood come marching impromptu from the kitchen with theatrics rivaling that of its ocean-absent cousins. Nevertheless, the congenial staff mix with earnest sincerity, leaving behind a trail of chuckles that tastes nearly as good as it feels, and softens the day's occasional service misdemeanors. Standing as a testament to familial warmth and gastronomic immersion, Casa Madeira remains a pillar of Portuguese fare in the capital—a lively retreat soulfully cluttered and deliciously endearing. — Jasper Griddle