In October 2018, I was invited by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for a 5D4N media familiarization trip, as part of the year's 秋季美食 Fall Season Food Hunt, where I not only got to experience some of Macao's unique gastronomy offerings, but also got to visit Macao's UNESCO-listed heritage sites and key attractions. The entire trip was sponsored by MGTO.
My first time in Macao (which I later found out was spelt as Macao, and not Macau) and I was so excited to try everything!
To start things of, the Eat List below is probably not the most conventional list of all, covering a handful of famous street food places, a few popular local restaurants, and the rest being high-end restaurants located in hotels, with some even carrying Michelin Stars accolades.
While I may not be familiar with Macanese cuisine in general, there's actually plenty to learn. Here's a bit of introduction.
To start things of, the Eat List below is probably not the most conventional list of all, covering a handful of famous street food places, a few popular local restaurants, and the rest being high-end restaurants located in hotels, with some even carrying Michelin Stars accolades.
While I may not be familiar with Macanese cuisine in general, there's actually plenty to learn. Here's a bit of introduction.
Macanese Cuisine consists of a blend of Chinese Cuisine and Portugese Cuisine. The food that we, as Malaysians, are most familiar to, is probably the pork chop bun, portugese egg tart, milk pudding, and Nando's (maybe) to just name a few, leaning more towards the Chinese Cantonese side, a very tiny spectrum of Macanese cuisine to say the least. The food list below, showcases some of the local food eateries in Macao, namely Macanese, Portugese and Chinese, all of which had ingredients which were exceedingly foreign to my taste buds, but interesting in every way. Let's try something new shall we?
The exchange rate at the point in time was MOP10 at RM5.20.
1. Lord Stow's Bakery @ Coloane Town Square
A Portuguese Egg Tart Heaven
Chinese Name : 安德鲁葡挞
Opening Hours : 7am - 10pm Daily
Signature Dish : Portugese Egg Tart (MOP10/tart or MOP55 for 6 tarts)
Outlets : Coloane Town Square (the outlet I visited), Coloane Village, The Grand Canal Shoppes Venetian, Taipa
Official Website : https://www.lordstow.com/macau-outlet/lord-stows-cafe/
One of the local delicacy that I was really looking forward to tasting in this trip - Portugese egg tarts. I dropped by the original Lord Stow's Cafe, at Coloane, and had the best Portugese egg tart, ever, from the crisp pastry to the sweet egg fillings. It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
2. Cafe Man Kei @ Macao
A Traditional Hong Kong Style Eatery
Chinese Name : 文记咖啡面食
Opening Hours : 8am - 6pm Daily. Close Saturday
Signature Dish : Chicken Bun 花生鸡扒菠萝包 (MOP22)
Tucked between a sweet and crusty bun, a thick piece of pipping hot chicken chop. No pork chop bao for me this time round, but Man Kei's chicken version was a great substitute.
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
3. Yi Yan Tang Dessert @ Macao
A Dessert Place
Chinese Name : 壹燕糖甜品
Opening Hours : 12pm - 11pm Daily.
Signature Dish : Birds Nest Portugese Egg Tart 燕窝葡挞 (MOP15)
can never have enough of Portugese Egg Tarts. These had a sprinkle of birds nest on top!
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
4. Lei Hong Kei @ Macao
A Traditional Tau Fu Fah Place
Chinese Name : 李康记
Opening Hours : 11am - 3pm / 5pm - 11pm Daily.
Signature Dish : Tau Fu Fah 豆腐花 (MOP15/big & MOP9/small) & Soya Bean 豆腐水 (MOP10)
Tau Fu Fah, my favorite traditional chinese dessert. The local version was a tad different compared to our Malaysian version. It was smooth, slid right down my throat, but had slightly thicker, pudding like textures. It came soaked in unsweetened condense milk and the usual, liquified sugar.
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
5. Sab 8 Cafe @ Macao
A Modern Macanese Restaurant
Chinese Name : 拾8 咖啡
Opening Hours : 12pm - 7pm Daily. Close Tuesday
Signature Dish : Bacalhau Tart 马介休挞 (MOP20) & Sardine Tart 沙丁挞 (MOP18)
Just two basic tarts.
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
6. K.Dessert @ Macao
A Hong Kong Dessert Kiosk
Chinese Name : 糖阁甜品
Opening Hours : 11am - 11.30pm Daily
Signature Dish : Coconut Pudding 原个椰皇布丁 (MOP28)
For chilled coconut pudding.
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
7. Ching Kei @ Macao
A Classic Chinese Noodle Place
Chinese Name : 凤城珍记
Opening Hours : 11am - 11.30pm Daily
Signature Dish : Deef Fried Fish Wanton & Sui Gao 炸鱼角水饺 (MOP110)
An overdose of deep fried fish wantons done right, too much to go about the 3 of us really.
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
*This restaurant is part of the 13 listed restaurants under my recent participation in the Macao Food Hunt, and is also listed under the Macao Gastronomy Map. Watch the Video on my Instagram account Here.*
8. Chou Kei @ Taipa
A Traditional Hong Kong Style Restaurant
Chinese Name : 青洲灶記咖啡
Chinese Name : 青洲灶記咖啡
Opening Hours : 7am - 7.15pm Daily
Signature Dish : Beef Noodles (MOP40), Pork Chop Bun (MOP27), Pineapple Bun (MOP15), Peanut Butter Thick Toast (MOP32)
Quintessential breakfast at Chou Kei, just 10 minutes walk from Galaxy Macao. This was quite a local treat, away from the hotel buffet breakfast that I have been having in the past couple of days.
9. Lei Ka Choi @ Broadway Macao
A Michelin Guide Shunde Chinese Hotpot Restaurant
Chinese Name : 李家菜
Opening Hours : 11am - 3pm Daily
Signature Dish : Braised Lamb Brisket (MOP248), Beef Brisket in Broth (MOP108), Deep Fried Shrimp Wanton (MOP48), Deep Fried Pork Intestine (MOP55), Deep Fried Fishball (MOP55)
Official Website : https://www.galaxymacau.com/en/dining/restaurants/lei-ka-choi/
Official Website : https://www.galaxymacau.com/en/dining/restaurants/lei-ka-choi/
As part of the Broadway Macao Hotpot Sensations, an ongoing promotion running from 1 Oct 2018 to 28 Feb 2019, I had a hotpot feast at Lei Ka Choi, one of the many hotpot restaurants located along Broadway Food Street. Try the braised meats!
10. Tromba Rija @ Macao Tower
A Portugese Buffet Restaurant
Chinese Name : 皇家葡萄餚
Opening Hours : 12pm - 11pm Daily
Signature Dish : Bacalhau (Cod Fish)
Price : MOP170 Lunch (12pm - 2.30pm) / MOP370 Dinner (6.30pm - 11pm) Friday & Saturday
Official Website : https://www.macautower.com.mo/dining-experience/tromba-rija/
Price : MOP170 Lunch (12pm - 2.30pm) / MOP370 Dinner (6.30pm - 11pm) Friday & Saturday
Official Website : https://www.macautower.com.mo/dining-experience/tromba-rija/
11. La Famiglia @ Taipa Village
A Traditional Macanese Restaurant
Chinese Name : 葡意之家
Opening Hours : 12pm - 10.30pm Daily
Signature Dish : Portugese Suckling Pig (MOP988), Assorted Macanese & Portugese Snacks (MOP208), Duck Rice (MOP128), Baked Cod Fish in Carrot and Cream Sauce (Bacalhau), Sauteed Vegetables (MOP68), Coconut Panna Cotta with Mango Puree (MOP48), African Chicken (MOP138)
Official Website : https://www.taipavillagemacau.com/directory/la-famiglia/
La Famiglia was one of the favorites of my trip and possibly the best Macanese restaurant in Macao. Apart from the mouthwatering Suckling Pig, the Cod Fish was an unexpected delight, rich and creamy, so much so that it reminded of mashed potatoes. I also liked the Macanese classic African Chicken, that was grilled, baked, then served in a special chili sauce. I'd highly recommend dropping by!
12. Le Cesar @ Old Taipa
A Traditional Portugese Restaurant
Chinese Name : 凱撒餐廳
Opening Hours : 12pm - 11pm Daily
Signature Dish : Wet Monkfish and Prawn Rice (MOP398/2 pax), Grilled Black Pork with Chips or Creamy Spinach (MOP178), Cod Fish Cakes with Black Eye Bean Salad (MOP58), Portugese Pata Negra 24-month Smoked Ham (MOP118), Portugese Styled Sauteed Clams in White Wine (MOP108), Portugese Styled Octopus Salad (MOP108), Dessert
The Wet Monkfish and Prawn Rice reminded me of the traditional risotto, but a tad wetter, best eaten on a rainy night. The Smoked Ham too, I can dare say that I can polish the entire plate up. The restaurant is also huge on it's wine list.
13. Five Food Road @ MGM Cotai
A Elegant Sichuan Restaurant
Chinese Name : 蜀道
Opening Hours : 11am - 3pm / 6pm -11pm Daily
Signature Dish : Marinated Fresh Snow Crab Leg / Sichuan Style
Sliced Pork Roll / Argula with Tian Ma Mixed In Sweet And Sour Wasabi Sauce, Double Boiled Bamboo Shoot Soup With Matsutake Mushroom / Sauteed Wagyu Beef / Dan Dan Noodles / Chilled Nicandra Jelly
That evening, I had the pleasure of savoring Five Foot Road's specially curated menu. Expect big and bold flavors here.
14. Bar Patua @ MGM Cotai
A Bar with a Macanese Blend of East and West
Chinese Name : 百話廊
Opening Hours : 11am - 3pm / 6pm -11pm Daily
Signature Dish : Patua Penicillin (MOP95) - Portugese inspired cocktail consisting of dark rum, scotch, lemon, ginger, honey syrup, fresh herbs
Official Website : https://www.mgm.mo/en/cotai/dining/bar-patua
15. Le Buffet @ The Parisian Macao
A European Buffet Restaurant
Chinese Name : 巴黎人自助餐
Opening Hours : 6.30am - 10pm Daily
Signature Dish : Foie Gras, Grilled Lobster, Roasted Meats, Fresh Seafood
Average Price : MOP208 (Breakfast 6.30am - 10.30am) / MOP248 (Lunch 11am - 1pm / 1pm - 3pm) / MOP408 (Dinner 6pm - 8pm / 8pm - 10pm)
Average Price : MOP208 (Breakfast 6.30am - 10.30am) / MOP248 (Lunch 11am - 1pm / 1pm - 3pm) / MOP408 (Dinner 6pm - 8pm / 8pm - 10pm)
Official Website : https://www.parisianmacao.com/macau-restaurants/le-buffet.html
Possibly the best buffet I've had in awhile, and one of my favorites in this trip. The halloween inspired dessert spread were fabulous. Are there any other buffets that serves foie gras and lobsters? This one do.
16. Golden Flower @ Wynn Macao
A Michelin Star Fine Dining Northern Chinese Restaurant
Chinese Name : 京花
Opening Hours : 11.30am - 2.30pm (Lunch) 6pm - 10pm (Dinner) Daily
Average Price : MOP1,500/person
It was an evening culinary artisan, where I had my first taste of many Chinese ingredients that I was not accustomed, yet interesting on every tastebud, featuring a variety of Tan, Lu and Sichuan dishes. Having the rare sea cucumber and bird's nest simply added a touch of luxury to the overall experience.
17. La Chine @ The Parisian Macao
A Chinese French Fusion Restaurant
Chinese Name : 巴黎軒
Opening Hours : 11am - 12am Daily
Signature Dish : I'arc-en-ciel Parisian (MOP68) - Butterfly pea tea, roselle syrup, fresh melon uice, lime juice, sugar syrup
I did not have any food here however, just drinks.
18. Terrace Restaurant @ Hotel Okura
A Contemporary Semi Buffet Restaurant
Chinese Name : 和庭餐廳
Opening Hours : 7am - 11am Daily
Average Price : HKD209/adult or Complimentary with Room.
I had breakfast here every morning. The restaurant have a decent buffet spread.
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