Could this be the most stunning coffee spot in the world, or at least in Europe?

​In this blog entry Oscar is escaping the grey January sky of London in search of some milder temperatures and a bit of sun on the island of Madeira, Portugal.
 
Oscar on Madeira
 
Mid January seemed like a perfect time for a little break away from London. The choice fell on Madeira, where temperatures would be around 20 degrees and the island also seemed to have plenty of activities to offer.
Coffee wise, I wasn’t expecting much, after not been able to find any on nearby Tenerife a few years ago (please comment below if you have found a good place on any of the Canary Islands) and made plans to take the Aeropress with me.

​However, after doing a bit of research online I found that right around the corner from our Airbnb apartment in the main town, Funchal, Madeira’s first specialty coffee shop called Legs Eleven Coffee Co. had just opened. This was looking promising and so I decided to give it a try before heading out to explore the island.

On my first visit I ordered a yogurt, banana and granola bowl and of course a flat white (coffee by Dark Arts Coffee), followed by a take away espresso.
We had a nice chat with owner Steve, who worked previously as a barista in Melbourne. Everything was spot and a visit to Legs Eleven became a must each day we were on Madeira before heading out on a tours or hikes.
You can find Legs Eleven on a cute cobbled street in Central Funchal, a short walking distance from the main sights. It’s frequented by both travellers and locals working nearby.
This certainly is the place to go for coffee in Funchal!

​Whilst exploring Funchal, we took the cable car up to Monte, a lush suburb in the hills 500m up from the Old Town. Here you can find the botanical gardens, a beautiful church and the starting point for the toboggan ride that brings you back down central Funchal!
At one end of the Largo Das Barbosas near the cable car station we found a cute but cool kiosk with the most awesome view. Unfortunately, we arrived late in the afternoon when they were about to close. They use a local roastery but as the coffee machine was already closed and cleaned, we couldn’t try the coffee. We opted for a beer instead and enjoyed the view!
Despite not having tried the coffee this place does deserve a mention as it is just stunning. The kiosk itself has a contemporary feel but in keep with its surroundings. Sitting on it’s terrace you’re overlooking one side of the island from the top. You could just sit there and see the all the way from the top of the mountains, through a green valley, all the way down to the ocean. Just wow!

​Oscar visited:
Legs Eleven Coffee Co., Rua das Prietas 88, Loja 3, Funchal, Madeira
Local Shop, Largo Das Babosas, Monte, Funchal, Madeira