1 week Ago By [email protected] (Dee Lukasik)
So when I came across a Madeiran restaurant tucked away in Lower Upnor, I didn’t hesitate to invite a few friends and book a table. I was curious to see if those sunny flavours had made their way to the Medway. Os’ Camacheiros is set in a whitewashed former pub in Lower Upnor, just a short stroll from the river and the historic Upnor Castle.
It was the latest project from mother-and-son team Fatima and Hugo, who brought decades of restaurant experience to this peaceful corner of Kent. They had previously opened restaurants in Westcliff-on-Sea, Rochford and Taunton. The name, Os’ Camacheiros, simply means people from Camacha—the village in Madeira where Fatima’s parents were born.
(And yes—Camacha also happened to be the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo’s mum.) From the moment we stepped inside, we knew we were in for a good night. Bright décor, Portuguese trinkets, a lively playlist, and the sound of happy diners created a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere.
For a brief moment, I half-expected Bonita Aurelia from Love Actually to appear at the top of the stairs, peeking around the corner in search of her Jamie. Gabi, one of those servers who instantly made you feel welcome, greeted us with a smile and took us to our table. My friend Kristina, our food expert (and the only one in the group who had actually been to Madeira), gave some helpful pointers.
We ended up choosing the house special - a complete experience with a starter, main, dessert and sides priced at £41 depending on the dish. To drink, several of us ordered the local Madeira beer, served in one-litre steins (£7.50) - a rare and welcome sight in Kent.
Sadly, there were only a handful of these large glasses available, so not everyone at the table got one, which was a slight letdown. The drivers stuck to non-alcoholic drinks, like iced tea (£3). There was also a tempting list of cocktails (from £9.
50) and a solid wine selection (from £6 a glass). We kept things simple this time, but the bar menu looked worth exploring in its own right. For starters, we were served a fiery dish - literally.
As part of the house special, the flaming Portuguese chouriço (normally £17) was brought to the table and set alight in front of us. Each of us grilled slices over the open flame using metal skewers, adjusting the char to our liking. Alongside it came bolo do caco, a traditional Madeiran flatbread with garlic butter (usually £6), and a bowl of olives.
All were included in the set. The starters were generous and satisfying, so when the mains didn’t arrive immediately, I didn’t mind one bit. I once heard Rick Stein say that food worth waiting for never turns up too quickly, and that has always stayed with me.
It gave us time to chat, sip our drinks, and soak up the atmosphere before the table filled with food once more. The main dishes arrived and were typical Madeiran espetada - skewers of grilled meat, fish or seafood hanging on tall metal stands. We ordered a mix: sirloin (£28 on its own or £44.
50 as part of the house special), lamb (£23.50 or £44.50 with the set), and two seafood options - king prawns with squid and mixed fish (both £38 or £54.
50 with the full menu). Everything was sizzling, well seasoned, and full of flavour. Sides included spicy rice, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob and coleslaw, served in rustic bowls and normally priced at £5 each.
The only sour note was the cost of extra sauces—£4 for mustard, £4.50 for peri peri. Everything was fresh and served in generous portions and it felt more like a festive feast than a regular dinner out.
Throughout the evening, Gabi looked after us with genuine warmth, sharing stories about the restaurant’s beginnings. Alongside her, Tilly, another waitress, joked with us, delivered plates with a smile, and always had a sharp remark ready, never unkind, always funny. From the first note to the last bite, live music wrapped around the room, lifting the mood and keeping the fiesta going.
Lucia Macedo, a talented performer with an easy stage presence, sang well-loved Portuguese and international songs. Then came a moment that sealed the mood: the entire restaurant joined in a spontaneous sing-along to Sweet Caroline. For a few minutes, we were all swaying, clapping, and laughing together like old friends.
If you’re after a quiet, candlelit meal, this might not be the place. But if you want to eat well, laugh loud, and soak up the joy of a real family-run restaurant, this is it. Desserts arrived even though we were already full, but we found room.
I ordered the pecan tart (included in the house special, or £7.50 if ordered separately). It was rich, sweet and just what I needed.
To finish, we were served shots of sweet liquor, which sparked a few debates over what the flavour was. When we asked Andre, the bartender, he just smiled and encouraged us to guess. We didn’t get it, but that didn’t matter.
By the time we left, we were full, relaxed, and already planning who we’d bring next time. Out of five: Food: Generous portions, great quality and full of flavour from flaming chouriço to sizzling espetadas. ***** Drink: Madeira beer in one-litre steins was a fun touch, and the cocktail and wine lists were tempting.
Just a shame not everyone got the big glass. **** Atmosphere: Live music, laughter, and sing-alongs created a fantastic vibe although maybe not one for those after a quiet night. **** Staff: Gabi and Tilly brought the energy, humour and heart.
Attentive, efficient and made us feel right at home. ***** Price: On the higher end, especially with the extra sauce charges, but overall worth it for the full experience. ****.
