Macau Food Guide: 8 Must Eat From The City That Is Not All About Gambling!

Macau, a city that never sleeps that is also known globally as "The Vegas of China", actually has so much more to offer than casinos. Enriched with Portuguese colonial history for more than 300 years, this is a city where you can hear people speaking Cantonese inside Portuguese-named restaurants. Located at around 30-mins-ferry-ride makes Macau a great stop-over away from the hectic Hong Kong. Be it for sight-seeing or food-hunting or even gambling, Macau simply has everything you might be looking for. 

It might be better for some of you to acquire MOP (Macanese Patacas - Macau's currency) although HKD is also widely accepted by pretty much all businesses there. Usually, you will be charged at a 1:1 rate when making purchases in HKD (the usual exchange rate between HKD and MOP is more or less fixed at MOP1.03 to HKD1.00).

Now, without further ado, let's explore Macau especially if you only have half day to wander around:

1. Margaret's Cafe E Nata - Macau Peninsula

A visit to Macau is not complete without eating Portuguese Tarts (also called Pastel de Nata)! Slightly different from Hong Kong Egg Tart, Pastel de Nata is more custardy with less eggy taste and sweet caramelised brulee to. 

Quite hidden from the main street and still within walking distance from the Ruins of St, Paul's Cathedral, Margaret's Cafe e Nata is quite distinctive just by looking at the crowds queuing patiently in front of their store. 

Served fresh from the oven, these morning goodness are best eaten when they're still hot! What to expect? Definitely super flaky tart shell (can be very messy), buttery, with sweet, creamy, and caramelised egg custard filling.

Margaret's Cafe E Nata

Address:

Gum Loi Building, 17A Rua Alm Costa Cabral R/c, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro

(walk towards the direction of Senado Square, Margaret's is located near Grand Lisboa Casino)

Opening Hours:

8.30am - 4.30pm daily, Closed on Wednesday

2. Lord Stow's Bakery - The Venetian, Coloane Village

Lord Stow's the answer if you're asking which one do I like better! Lord Stow's pastry shell is more neat and uniform, less greasy, but still has that flaky crust. The custard filling is more caramelised with a slight burnt taste makes it more complex but still has the sweetness balance and texture.

Don't get me wrong, I simply like both! Margaret's will be the one if I'm staying around Peninsula and Lord Stow's if I'm wandering around The Venetian and/or Coloane Village.

Lord Stow's Bakery

Original Shop: 1 Rua do Tassara, Coloane, Macau (ORIGINAL SHOP)

The Venetian: K13, Shoppes at Venetian, The Venetian Macau

Opening Hours:

Original Shop: 7am - 10pm daily

The Venetian 2: 8am - 9pm daily

For other stores at Coloane Village, check the link here

3. Tai Lei Loi Kei - Macau Peninsula, Taipa Village, The Venetian

Tai Lei Loi Kei, one of this famous Pork Chop Bun store, is located a few doors away from Margaret's. Think about thick but lean pork chop marinated in house special sauce then grilled into perfection. The baguette-like bun is lightly toasted, soft, and nicely holds the grease from the juicy and tender pork chop. 

Tai Lei Loi Kei

Address:

Taipa Village: Rua Correria da Silva, No 35, Taipa Village, Macau

The Venetian: Shop 3005A, Food Square, Venice Grand Canal, Macau

As for the address for the Macau Peninsula store, I don't have the exact address but it's just a few doors away from Margaret's Cafe E Nata 

Opening Hours:

Taipa Village: 8am - 6pm daily

The Venetian: 8am - 10pm daily

4. Seng Cheong Restaurant - Taipa Village

If I have to choose one street to wander around at Taipa Village, it'll be Rua do Cunha (also known as Food Street). This narrow street has successfully drawn many people to the southern part of the island to enjoy the true taste of Macau. 

This Signature Water Crab Porridge from Seng Cheong Restaurant is one of them! The porridge was cooked with three different types of crab - it's smooth and tasty with a hint of sweetness. On top of that, the porridge also has bits of crab roe and crab meat (including my fave claws) waiting as you stir up the bowl.

Seng Cheong Restaurant
Address:
28-30 Rua Do Cunha, Taipa Village
Opening Hours:
12pm - 12am daily

5. Gelatina Mok Yi Kei - Taipa Village

Gelatina Mok Yi Kei is an old dessert shop famous for their Durian Ice Cream and Serradura (Sawdust Pudding). If you want to splurge more, go for their Musang King Ice Cream! Definitely creamy and bursting with durian flavor - literally like eating durian flesh in the form of ice cream!

Gelatina Mok Yi Kei

Address:

9A Rua do Cunha, Taipa Village, Macau

Opening Hours:

7am - 11pm daily

6. Koi Kei Bakery - Macau Peninsula, Taipa Village, Coloane Village

Established their first shop back in 1997, Koi Kei Bakery can easily be found at practically every corner. Currently selling over 300 varieties of products, their most popular items are usually the Almond Cake and Egg Roll (Phoenix Egg Roll is my fave!)

If you're looking to buy some for your family and friends, check their various locations and opening hours here.

7. Cheong Kei Noodles - Rua da Felicidade, Macau

Cheong Kei Noodle is located at Rua da Felicidade, also known as "Fook Long San Kai" - the best street to try Macau's food at its best! Be prepared for a long queue as this small noodle house is nominated by many travel guides as a must-eat in Macau!

As for the best seller, Prawn Roe Wanton Noodle (Har Zi Lo Mien), traditional bamboo stick is still used to knead the dough. Tossed together with Cheong Kei's special processed prawn roe, the noodle is so springy and has that interesting dried prawn aftertaste. Some people might find the overall taste is a little bit too dry, but they also serve soup with wanton in a separate bowl.

Another favorite of mine is this Deep Fried Golden Mace Balls. Coated with rice noodle and deep fried until golden brown, these balls are crunchy and flavorful!

Cheong Kei Noodle

Address:

69 Rua da Felicidade, Macau

Opening Hours:

12.30pm - midnight daily

8. Estab De Comidas Ngao Keo Ka Lei Chon - Macau

Ngao Keo Ka Lei Chon is a humble restaurant listed under Michelin's recommendation. It's a common eating spot for locals judging from the crowd when I dined there. Famous for their Crab Roe Noodles, this dish is rich, creamy with a delicate sweetness. Served with plump wantons on the side, I'd like it even more if they give more crab roe in proportion to the QQ noodle. 

Estab de Comidas Ngao Keo Ka Lei Chon
Address:
G/F, 1 Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro
Opening Hours:
8am - 2am daily

I must say there are still many things to be eaten and explored in this beautiful city. If you have extra time, go spend couple of days here and enjoy all the delicacies and sceneries they offer =)