A wonderful restaurant, excellent food and Fado. This is Portuguese 'singing' - although it is quite mournful to hear. The owner has been there many years, and when he not busy cooking the food joins in the singing - he has a lovely deep voice.

We came for the fado and left charmed by the people and in love with the food and wine. We came two nights running and mostly had the fish which was fresh, varied and beautifully grilled. To drink we had the white Quinta da Lixa...- which had a wonderful hint of fizz and sharpness - perfect for the fish. The singing was great too - with almost a family feel. The female singer had her baby with her and the male singer was likely a piratical Salvador Dali. Best of all was the chef who would interrupt his fish grilling to join in the singing in a wonderful bass that would counterpoint the lighter voices of the main singers. 15 February 2020More

There's stiff competition for you custom with the Zona Velha restaurants and we find it got a little tiring fending off waiters and waitresses trying to lure you in. It may have been a coincidence that on arriving at Arsenio's (having read the favourable reviews)...we had to go an find a waiter - no hard sell whatsoever. We like to try a new place every night we are on holiday but with Arsenio's we made an exception, coming back a second time after a delightful seafood dish to try the espetada, which certainly didn't disappoint. We sat in the outside (although enclosed) area which we found just right for the nightly fado - close enough to hear but not overpowering to the extent of making small talk difficult, as we found elsewhere. All in all a lovely experience - and very good value too.More

We last visited Madeira in 2001 and ate several times at this restaurant. With only a vague memory of the location we were very pleased to rediscover it. We had two late lunches during our stay and enjoyed the food very much. On the first...occasion they were going to have the staff Xmas party that evening so did not trouble them with anything too long to prepare. On the second visit we enjoyed a wonderful seafood Cataplana. Would recommend and they also have fado music in the evening.More

Love this restaurant. The food is very good but mostly we come for the Fado. Two singers on this visit + the chef joining in with his lovely deep voice.

We’ve been coming to Madeira since our honeymoon in 1996. We always have dinner and or lunch here. Says it all really. One of our favourite restaurants on the island. Warm welcome, great fresh fish skewers and atmospheric Fado every night.

After strolling the Old Town and being accosted by so many waiters hawking their restaurants, it was pleasing to find this little gem. There is no waiter trying to entice you in, nor a published menu outside nor any of tacky laminated pictures of the...dishes. Just a little sign saying there is live Fado - local folk music. I asked the chap on the outside steak grill for a menu and there was no pressure to some in. What a lovely place and quite authentic - most of the tables were eventually filled - something in November in the Old Town is rare. The lights dimmed and two musicians and a singer struck up - quite different and entertaining - though the second chap singing did have the better voice! Lovely food - we had the chicken breast on a skewer - marinated and charcoal grilled. My wife had Poncho - a local punch to drink whilst I stayed on local beer Coral. We had caramel pudding for afterwards - lovely! There was no pressure to leave and encouraged to stay and enjoy the music. Afterwards, I saw that Michael Winner gave this place a review many years ago - that is an accolade! If you are in the Old Town - this one is definitely worth a visit.More