Top Restaurants in Macau

An edited version of this article was published in Happy Trips  (Times Internet)

Macau, the gambling capital is well known for its gaming scene but not many know about the wide variety of cuisines that one gets to savour in this little region. Once a Portuguese colony, today this Special Administrative region of China has strong influences of both these cultures. One can savour a varied platter of Portuguese, Cantanese and Chinese cuisines when in Macau. Macau is continuously expanding by reclaiming land from sea. It is made up of the Macau peninsula and two islands Taipa, Coloane which are connected by landfill called Cotai. Here are some of the restaurants in Macau which are a must visit.

• Restaurant Litoral

Prawns in Tomato Sauce at Litoral

This quaint restaurant specialises in Macanese cuisine and is a great place to dig into African chicken; prawns cooked in tomato sauce and baked duck rice. The different kinds of warm bread served with the starters are fresh, soft and spongy. The restaurant serves a wide variety of mousse like chocolate, tender coconut, mango of which the biscuit mousse is a huge hit. Locally called Serradura or the sawdust pudding it is a Portuguese desert made of whipped cream and crushed Marie biscuit (Serradura). The different variety of Porte wine are a perfect accompaniment to the various dishes cooked in their kitchen. If you prefer some beer, do not forget to try the Macau beer with your meal.

Cuisine – Macanese

Address – Rua do Almirante Sergio, 216-A r/c, Macau

Opening hours: – 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Tel: +853 2896-7878

www.restaurante-litoral.com

• A Lorcha

Semi freeze home-made chocolate at A Lorcha

This diner serves the best Portuguese dishes in town. The char-grilled Portuguese chorizo sausage, tiger prawns cooked in olive oil and butter with a dash of garlic, fried clams, chicken curry cooked in coconut base, Portuguese fried rice and the semi freeze home-made chocolate are a must have when you visit this place. Sip into a bottle of Sumol a Portuguese soft drink of Macau which is available in different fruit flavours like orange, pineapple, passion fruit and mango. The courteous staff is sure to help you choose the dish of your choice. No wonder the restaurant is termed as ‘the restaurant that serves the best Portuguese food outside Portugal.’

Cuisine – Portuguese

Address – 289A Yua do Almirante Sergo, Macau Peninsula

Open daily except Tuesday

Opening hours: – 12:30-3:00pm; 6:30-11:00pm

Tel: +853-2839-3193

www.alorcha.com/en/home/

• Antonio

Crepe Suzette being prepared at Antonio in Macau

This little restaurant in Taipa with Azulego tiles on its walls is cosy and perfect to have a meal with your friends and family. Book your table in advance lest this Michelin star restaurant run out of space. The paintings on the walls are sure to draw your eye, specially the one with a lady listening to a Fado. Goat cheese with acacia honey and Portuguese olive oil served on toast, lettuce and balsamic vinegar, the roasted homemade Portuguese sausage, flame-grilled in a clay dish and the absolutely mouth-watering crepes suzette are a must have in this Portuguese restaurant. This desert named after a lady by the name Suzette is made right in front of your eyes with generous helping of orange zest, Portuguese brandy on a copper frying pan. Don’t complain of the extra fat piled around your waist as this sweet cannot be missed for anything.  Wine is poured through a decanter before serving on your table. At times along with your meal you might get to experience some live Portuguese music with an artist strumming the guitar. If luck favours you, you might get to meet chef Antonio at the diner.

Cuisine – Portuguese

Address – Rua dos Clerigos No. 7, Old Taipa Village, Taipa, Macau

Tel: (853) 2888 8668 / (853) 2857 6573

Open daily

Opening hours – 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 10:30pm

http://antoniomacau.com/

• Taipa Food Street

Almond cookies being prepared at Taipa Food Street

One of the islands of Macau, Taipa village has developed over the years with some luxury hotels peppered in this area. If you are interested to try something very regional a narrow pedestrian lane in Taipa called Rua da Cunha serves some of the local delicacies that are definitely worth a dig. Many shops sell the Crispy Pork Chop Noodles, pork chops with toasted bun and egg tarts. The Koi Kei bakery serves crunchy almond cookies, seaweed shredded pork, Pork jerky slices, beef jerky slices and egg roll with seaweed. Another famous snack is the peanut candy, most of these are carried back home as souvenirs and gifts for friends by tourists. You can actually watch the kitchen staff in action as they prepare the almond cookies.

• Antica Trattoria

Italian specialities at Antica Trattoria

After trying out the various oriental specialities in town you can head to Antica Trattoria for some comfort food. This rustic and warm restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and serves the best Italian and Portuguese wine in town. Savour the thin crust pizzas and the different kinds of pastas like the clams with penne pasta and some innovative salads. The portions are large and fit for a king. You and your near ones are bound to head home completely satiated from this authentic trattoria.

Cuisine – Italian

Address – Avenida Sir Anders Ljungstedt, Edificio, “Vista Magnifica Court”, No. 40, 42, 46, Macau

Tel: +85328755102 / +85328755103

Opening hours: – 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Lord Stow’s Bakery

Lord Stow’s Bakery

Opened in 1989 this patisserie has brought Macau on the world map of gastronomy thanks to an amazing innovation called the Portuguese egg tarts by the Englishman, Andrew Stow. Today these tarts are fast selling and also quick to disappear into your mouth. Head to their Coloane outlet the birthplace of this drool worthy tart. Andrew was once married to Margaret Wong but when she separated from him she set up another bakery close to Senado Square called Margaret’s Café. The egg tarts from this bakery might be the closest rival to Andrews in whole of Macau. There are numerous outlets of Lord Stow’s bakery across Macau and few franchises across Asia.

Address – 1 Rua do Tassara, Coloane Village, Macau

Tel: (+853) 2888 2534/ (+853) 2888 1066

http://www.lordstow.com/