Price Categories
Prices for a three-course dinner per person with one beer or glass of wine (MOP$ = patacas):
$ = under MOP$150
$$ = MOP$150–300
$$$ = MOP$300–500
$$$$ = over MOP$500
Macau is a great place for eating out. It’s cheap, and the local cuisine features elements from the far-flung Portuguese colonies of old, with African, Brazilian, Goan and Chinese influences combining with those from the European homeland.
Portuguese/Macanese
Clube Militar de Macau
975 Avenida de Praia Grande. Tel: 2871 4009. Open: L & D daily. $$$
This former officers’ mess dating from 1870 makes a wonderfully attractive setting, and the Clube Militar still attracts the cream of the city’s Portuguese and Macanese society. Truly Portuguese cuisine and an excellent wine list.
Fernando’s
9 Praia Hac Sa, Coloane. Tel: 2888 2531. Open: L & D daily. $$
At weekends, and on many weekdays, scores of diners queue for tables at this beachfront institution on the southern end of Coloane Island. Crispy African chicken, prawns in clam sauce and casseroled crab are all excellent, and even the salad is exceptional.
Guincho A Galera
3/F, Hotel Lisboa, 2-4 Avenida de Lisboa. Tel: 8803 7878. Open: L & D daily. $$$$
The first overseas outpost of Portugal’s Michelin-starred Fortaleza do Guincho restaurant, Guincho a Galera does authentic Portuguese fine-dining in stylish surrounds.
IFT-Educational Restaurant
Colina da Mong-Ha. Tel: 2856 1252. Open: L & D Mon–Fri only. $$-$$$
Exploring the north of Macau is a good excuse to visit this old fort where culinary and hospitality students at Macau’s Institute for Tourism Studies prepare international and Macanese favourites.
A Lorcha
289 Rua Almirante Sérgio. Tel: 2831 3193. Open: L & D Wed–Mon. $$
One of the best of Macau’s Portuguese restaurants, serving pork with clams, feijoda (pork-and-bean stew) and seafood rice.
O Manuel
90 Rua Fernão Mendes Pinto, Taipa. Tel: 2882 7571. Open: L & D Thur–Tue. $$
This unassuming but popular restaurant fully deserves its reputation. Portuguese treats include cod fishcakes, grilled sardines and calde verde (Portuguese vegetable soup).
Nga Tim Café
8 Rua Caetano, Coloane Village, Coloane. Tel: 2888 2086. Open: L & D daily. $$
Eat alfresco in Coloane village square at Nga Tim, with a straightforward menu of Portuguese and Macanese classics, like African chicken and garlic prawns.
A Petisqueira
15A & B Rua São João, Taipa. Tel: 2882 5354. Open: L & D Tue–Sun. $$
Fish and seafood are a must here: prawns, seafood salads, sea bass and Portuguese-style cod dishes.
O Porto Interior
259 Rua Almirante Sérgio. Tel: 2896 7770. Open: L & D daily. $$$
Enjoy fine Macanese classics in an attractive restaurant decorated with interesting prints and artefacts.
Pousada de Coloane
Praia de Cheoc Van, Coloane. Tel: 2882 2143. Open: B, L & D daily. $$$
The terrace alone at this family-run hotel is a reason to stop here. The bougainvillea-clad restaurant rustles up everything from grilled chorizo and African chicken to acorda (mashed bread with seafood).
O Santos
20 Rua da Cunha, Taipa. Tel: 2882 5594. Open: L & D Wed–Mon. $$
Tuck into filling fare such as stuffed pork loin and curried crab, surrounded by football memorabilia.
Asian
Star Hub Café
3 Rua Francisco H. Fernandes, NAPE. Tel: 2875 7733. Open: B,L & D daily. $–$$
This colourful, no-frills eatery delivers its promise of a “uniquely Singapore and Vietnam dining experience”, with tasty and inexpensive dishes.
Wong Chi Kei Congee and Noodle
17 Largo do Senado. Tel: 2833 1313. Open: L & D daily. $
Step off the main square to grab a bowl of wonton noodles and a seat in this traditional-style restaurant.
Nga Tim Café in Coloane.
© Ming Tang-Evans
French
Aurora
10/F, Altira Macau, Taipa. Tel: 2886 8868. Open: L & D daily. $$$$
Stylish Aurora mixes exquisite modern French cuisine with a relaxed Australian vibe. Lounge back on the sofas outside on the spacious terrace post-dinner and take in the bright lights of the Macau peninsula.
Aux Beaux Arts
1/F, MGM Macau, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, NAPE. Tel: 8802 2319. L Sat–Sun & D Tue–Sun. $$$
Modelled on the Parisian brassieres of the 1930s, this wood-panelled diner offers beautifully-prepared French delicacies such as pan-seared veal on pumpkin puree. There’s also a terrace for outdoor dining.
Robuchon au Dôme
43/F, Hotel Grand Lisboa, Avenida do Infante D. Henrique. Tel: 8803 7878. Open: L & D daily. $$$$
Joel Robuchon, lauded by the Parisian media as “chef of the century” began his Macau odyssey at sister hotel, Hotel Lisboa, winning three Michelin stars in the process. Now relocated to the Lisboa’s bigger, sister hotel, this is still one of Asia’s best restaurants. Fiendishly expensive for dinner; good value for lunch.
Italian
Antica Trattoria
40–42 & 46 Avenida Sir Anders Ljuungstedt, NAPE. Tel: 2875 5103. Open: L & D daily, closed 2nd Tue each month. $$
One of three restaurants run by different members of the same Macanese–Italian family, Antica Trattoria is a Macau institution, serving up great pasta, pizza and Italian snacks.
Caffé Toscana
11 Travessa de São Domingos. Tel: 2837 0354. Open: L & D daily. $$
Small café with a mezzanine dining area. Stop off for pizza or focaccia while exploring the Largo do Senado area.
Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa
195 Rua do Regedor, Taipa. Tel: 2882 7128. Open: L & D noon–1am. $$
Established some 25 years ago, Pinocchio recently moved to a vast two-storey building close to Taipa’s main square. Food is classic Portuguese, with plenty of grilled meats and fish. Specialities include curry crabs, codfishcakes and mussels.
La Gondola
Estrada de Cheoc Van, Coloane. Tel: 2888 0156. Open: L & D daily. $$
Kick back by the beach in Coloane at this excellent Italian, hidden by the swimming pool. Pizzas, pastas, salads – it’s all good and another wallet-friendly Macau bargain.
Il Teatro
Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra. Tel: 2888 9966. Open: D only. $$$$
Classy southern Italian restaurant overlooking the lake where the choreographed fountains perform nightly.
Pizzeria Toscana
Calcada da Barra, 2A Edificio Cheong Seng. Tel: 2872 6637. aL & D daily. $$
Located in the Barra area near Moorish barracks. Great value. The clam linguine is recommended.
Cafes, pubs and bars
The Macanese are fond of coffee, and in contrast to Hong Kong, Macau has some great little traditional cafés serving good coffee (and tea) with delectable local snacks like pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart), or savoury varieties such as pork chop buns. There are several of these cafés in the Old Town around Largo de Senado and São Paulo, and Lord Stow’s Bakery in Coloane village can be singled out for special praise. Apart from the action around the 24-hour casinos, Macau’s nightlife also offers loud and lively bars in the NAPE area, sophisticated hotel bars vying to outdo each other, and some relaxed sports bars and pubs.
38 Lounge
38/F, Altira Macau, Avenida de Kwong Tung, Taipa. Tel: 2886 8868
One of the most spectacular views in Macau from the top of hotel tower. Outdoor terrace, open 24 hours a day. DJs Wed–Sun 10am–2am.
Al’s Diner
Block 1, New Orleans, Fisherman’s Wharf. Tel: 8297 2818
Lively Hong Kong bar brings US beer, burgers and music across the Delta.
Bellini Bar
Venetian Macau Resort Hotel, Cotai. Tel: 8118 9940
Located in a corner of The Venetian’s vast casino floor, the Bellini Bar has live music and is a neat nook to hang out in and watch the gaming action.
Casablanca
1369–1373 Avenida Dr Sun Yat-sen, NAPE. Tel: 2875 1281
One of the many open-fronted bars in NAPE, a good place to bar-hop.
China Rouge
Galaxy Macau, Cotai. Tel: 2888 0888
You’ll need a friend to get you in but this Shanghai-style private members club has live music by the likes of Kenny G and cabaret shows in a seductive setting. Closed Mon and Tue .
Flame Bar
Level 2, Hard Rock Hotel, City of Dreams, Cotai. Tel: 8868 3333
A “tiki” bar that overlooks the Hard Rock Hotel’s casino and serves its various rum concoctions in kitsch Pacific island-themed mugs. The “blue blazer” is particularly fun.
Guia Circuit Pub
G & 1/F, Building Zhu Kuong, Rua de Londres, NAPE, Macau. Tel: 2875 2199
Grand Prix themed bar, with memorabilia all over the walls and screens playing racing videos so you can enjoy Macau’s famous race every day of the year.
Macau Soul
31 Travessa de Paixão. Tel: 2836 5182
Superb little bar, 10 minutes walk from Leal Senado. Regular exhibitions and live music, with over 320 Portuguese wines by the glass, plus tapas and light snacks. Mon, Tue, Thu, 12:30–10pm, Fri–Sun 12.30pm–12am.
Old Taipa Tavern
21 Rua dos Negociantes, Taipa Village. Tel: 2882 5221
Pleasant pub in Portuguese-style building. Live music and sports screens.
Rascals
Rua do Regedor, Edificio Chun Fok San Chun, Bloco II. Tel: 2882 7051
Lively sports bar in Taipa village showing sports from across the globe.
Veuve Cliquot Lounge
MGM Grand Macau, NAPE, Macau. Tel: 8802 8888
As this is the first dedicated Veuve lounge in the world, the yellow-labelled bubbly is the best seller here.
Whisky Bar
16/F, StarWorld Hotel, Avenida da Amizade, Macau. Tel: 2838 3838
Almost 100 different whiskies, including 60-year-old malts, on offer at this sophisticated cigar lounge. Open until 2am.
