Must-try foods and recommended restaurants when travelling to Macau
Macau is not only a charming travel destination but also a special place that has long maintained its reputation as a “culinary city”. Thanks to its unique historical background blending Chinese and Portuguese cultures, Macau cuisine has naturally absorbed the strengths of both nations, creating its own distinctive flavours. Though compact in size, the city boasts an immense variety of restaurants, cafés, and bakeries, with hidden gems tucked away in every alleyway, making culinary exploration a major highlight of any visit. Most eateries and cafés are tourist-friendly, with English-speaking staff ensuring travellers can enjoy their meals with ease. This article introduces Macau's must-try signature dishes and locally beloved recommended restaurants, presented through the eyes of a local guide.
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1) Macau Egg Tart — The First Culinary Experience of Your Macau Trip
The food that immediately springs to mind as representative of Macau is undoubtedly the “egg tart”. Combining Portuguese pastel de nata with Chinese pastry techniques, it is characterised by the harmony between a crispy pastry shell and a smooth custard filling. The exterior is deliciously baked to a crisp, while the interior is moist and melts in the mouth – it's said that once you start eating them, you simply can't stop. Macau's egg tarts vary subtly in size, texture, and sweetness from shop to shop, making it fun to compare and sample different ones.
✔ Recommended Bakery
● Lord Stow's Bakery ( Coloane)
Located on Coloane Island, this original shop is hailed by locals as “Macau's finest egg tart”. Their freshly baked, warm tarts achieve an exceptional balance of softness and crispness.
● Andrew's Bakery (Cotai)
Part of the Lord Stow's group, it's renowned for a slightly different texture. Its proximity to Cotai hotels makes it highly accessible.
2) Macau-style Portuguese Chicken — A harmony of spices and chilli oil
One of the unique dishes you can only taste in Macau is “Macau-style Portuguese Chicken”. This fusion dish combines traditional Portuguese chicken with coconut milk, curry, chilli oil, and herbs, resulting in a superbly spicy and savoury flavour. The tender chicken is generously topped with a fragrant sauce, making it perfect to enjoy with rice. It's also popular as a family meal locally and is frequently found on menus in local eateries. It's a quintessential “Macau-style” dish that tourists can try without hesitation.
✔ Recommended Restaurants
● A Lorcha
Within walking distance of Senado Square, it is renowned as a specialist in Macau-style Portuguese cuisine.
● Camoes Portuguese Restaurant
Popular with both locals and foreigners, its Portuguese chicken with coconut cream is particularly famous.
3) Portuguese-style Seafood Dishes — Deeply Flavoured Marine Cuisine
As befits a coastal city, Macau excels in seafood dishes. Portuguese-style seafood dishes, featuring octopus, prawns, and mussels cooked with olive oil and herbs, are characterised by their deep flavour and exceptional freshness. In Macau, these dishes can be enjoyed in various ways, from simple appetisers to main courses. Options range from spicy styles to those emphasising herb aromas, allowing you to choose according to your preference.
✔ Recommended Restaurants
● Fernandes Portuguese Food
A Portuguese home-style restaurant where you can sample a variety of seafood dishes at reasonable prices.
● O Santos
A renowned restaurant in Taipa Village, particularly popular for its fragrant seafood platters and octopus dishes.
4) Macao-style Minced Beef Rice — Local Soul Food
A quintessential dish enjoyed daily by Macao locals is “Minced Beef Rice”. It features minced beef stir-fried in a soy sauce base, served atop soft, moist rice. Characterised by a mild yet deeply savoury flavour, it carries a subtle sweet onion aroma, making it a universally enjoyable taste. This dish is easily found even in local eateries within tourist-heavy areas.
✔ Recommended Restaurants
● Chan Kong Kei
Renowned for its soy-based chicken and beef dishes, with minced beef rice being the signature offering.
● Niu Ji Beef
A locally famous eatery, perfect for a simple, uncomplicated meal.
5) African Chicken — A Macao Original
African Chicken is one of Macao's signature fusion dishes. Its flavour blends Portuguese, Chinese, and African spices, creating a unique taste where spicy notes, a hint of curry, and peanut sauce harmonise. The chicken, marinated for a long time to deepen its flavour, is tender, and the rich sauce pairs perfectly with rice. As a unique menu item only found in Macau, it is particularly popular with travellers.
✔ Recommended Restaurants
● Solmar
A traditional Portuguese-Macanese restaurant long cherished by locals.
● Henri’s Galley
Conveniently located not far from Senado Square.
6) Wonton Noodles & Barbecue — Cantonese-Style Local Flavours
Macau cuisine also retains a strong Cantonese (Hong Kong) influence. Wonton noodles are appealing for their combination of soft dumplings filled with prawn or pork and thin noodles. Barbecued pork (char siu) or soy-glazed chicken can also be enjoyed widely, from upmarket restaurants to local eateries. The light yet deeply flavoured broth makes for a perfect combination for a light meal during your travels.
✔ Recommended Restaurants
● Tak Seng On
Conveniently located near Senado Square for a quick visit, renowned for its soup dishes.
● Heng Kei
A spot brimming with local atmosphere, popular for its barbecue rice bowls.
7) Macau Desserts — Egg Rolls, Coconut Desserts, Mango Pudding
Macau boasts such a diverse world of sweet treats it's often called a dessert paradise. Egg rolls are famed for their crispy texture, while desserts using coconut milk offer a smooth, fragrant flavour. Mango pudding is also popular among travellers for its sweet and refreshing taste. Easily found in cafés near tourist spots, they make a perfect post-meal treat.
✔ Recommended Cafés
● Yeng Kee Bakery
Famous for its egg rolls and various traditional pastries.
● Honolulu Café
A relaxed spot to enjoy mango and coconut desserts.
Conclusion of Macau's Culinary Journey
Macau is a destination perfectly described as a “small city with a diverse array of flavours”. Based on the fusion of Portuguese and Chinese cuisine, Macau has developed its own unique gastronomic culture. From egg tarts to Portuguese chicken, seafood dishes, and African chicken, a wide variety of menus are available, allowing travellers to explore foods tailored to their tastes. Above all, renowned restaurants are conveniently located near tourist attractions, making it exceptionally easy to plan your culinary journey.
The foods encountered during a trip to Macau transcend mere taste; they embody the city's history and culture. Actively incorporating culinary exploration into your itinerary will undoubtedly enrich your travel experience, making it deeper and more fulfilling.
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