I went on a free & easy foodie excursion and checked out a few picturesque places for the gram in Macau. Surely, the food in Macau did not disappoint. I had a mix of simple cha chaan teng food and extravagant meal at luxury hotels. Although it was a short stay, I have to agree that the city lives up to its name as a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’. Here’s a roundup of the food I ate:

Casa de Cha Lung Wah 龍華茶樓

Casa de Cha Lung Wah 龍華茶樓 is a traditional tea house that has been around since the 60s. It is located in a pastel-yellow building that exudes a charming old-school vibe. Everything in the tea house looked like a Cantonese movie scene.

Upon entering the restaurant which is located on the 2nd floor, you’ll be prompted to order your tea. While there are many types of tea to choose from, Heung-Pin tea is my favourite when it comes to Yum-cha as the subtle jasmine palette pairs well with any type of dim sum.

Next, grab a seat. The best seats, in my humble opinion, are the ones by the window and they are extremely popular. Once you are ready, you can then proceed to pick up your choice of dim sum at the cart. You may also order food from their Chinese-only menu. We tried the steamed glutinous rice and some stuffed tofu, both were excellent.

Casa De Cha Lung Wah 龍華茶樓
Lung Wah Tea House
3 R. Norte do Mercado Alm. Lacerda, Macau
罅些喇提督市北街3號

Portuguese Cuisine at António

I took a stroll at the charming Taipa Village which is a world away from the swanky casinos and chanced upon António, a Portuguese restaurant in the area. I had Pastéis de Bacalhau, which is Fried Codfish Cakes and Galinha à Africana com Batata Gratinada, African Chicken with Peanut and Coconut Spice Sauce and Gratinated Potatoes.

I haven’t been to Portugal and so I can’t really comment on the authenticity of the food, but I enjoyed the dishes, especially the Bacalhau.

António 安東尼餐廳
Rua dos Clerigos No.18-A – 18-B, Taipa, Macau
澳門舊城區木鐸街7號

Pace Coffee Macau

I was researching good cafes in Macau and dear Google brought me to Pace Coffee. Nestled in a shophouse around the quaint Guanye Street, Pace Coffee serves a wide array of coffee options. I really love the airy space with white and wooden elements. The shop is filled with the invigorating aroma of freshly brewed coffee and everything feels so calm and welcoming. We ordered an iced latte and iced americano, and enjoyed it to the last sip!

Pace Coffee Macau 
49 Rua dos Ervanários, Macau
澳門關前正街49號

Old House Bakery 

Old House Bakery 老房子麵包 is a bakery hidden in an alley near Guanye Street. Offering organic bread, pastries and cakes, this bakery is popular among locals. We enjoyed the mini canelé and matcha muffin and the old-school interior of the bakery definitely warrant a post on your Instagram!

Old House Bakery 老房子麵包 
R/C, 13 Patio do Amparo, Macau
關前後街顯榮圍13 號地下
https://oldhousebakery.business.site/

Palette Dessert Gallery

Tuck in this artfully presented apple tart “Pomme d’Amour” at Palette Dessert Gallery, a tart specialist in Macau. We are crazy over this apple tart with thinly sliced Fuji apple and salted caramel cheese mouse. The taste was divide, so crisp, so buttery, so elegant — Each bite was a true bliss!

Palette Dessert Gallery 
Rua Nova A Guia, No. 209 R/C, Macau
澳門東望洋新街209號地下
facebook.com/Palettedessertgallery/

Cafe Namping 南屏雅敘

Cafe Namping is a charming Cha Chaan Teng that serves classic, old-school cantonese fast food in Macau. We went there for a late breakfast. Upon entering the eatery, we see a wide array of freshly baked breads that reminds me of the traditional bakeries in Singapore. Their menu was extensive, with different kinds of sandwiches, french toast, macaronis, baked rice and drinks.

We had an Egg & Ham sandwich and it was filled to the brim. While the food was alright (nothing to shout about), I love that nostalgic atmosphere as if everything was straight out of an old Hong Kong movie. I’d recommend this place if you’d like to experience eating in an old-school Cha Chaan Teng in Macau.

Cafe Namping 南屏雅敘
85A, 85 R. de Cinco de Outubro, Macau
新馬路十月初五日街85-85A號地下

渼味軒咖啡麵食之家 (Relocating)

渼味軒 is a restaurant that specialises in Macanese and Burmese noodle dishes. We randomly discovered the restaurant and it turned out to be one of the most memorable meals in the trip. We had the Garlic Chicken Chop Noodles 蒜香雞扒撈生面, and the garlic chicken chop was so fragrant, juicy and tender, and we love how springy the noodles were.

The staff also recommended their Cheesy Bun with Portuguese Sardine in Spicy Oil 葡國辣魚芝士包, as Portuguese sardine is one of the local delicacy in Macau. The bun had a generous spread of the spicy sardine that taste similar to our sambal chili and the thick layer of cheese slices adds richness to the dish!

It was a very satisfying meal and we’d love to go back but the eatery is relocating and is under a rebranding too. You may follow their facebook for further updates.

The Tasting Room 御膳房 (closed)

The Tasting Room was an elegant, French dining restaurant with 2 Michelin Stars. However, unlike my experience at Mingles in Seoul, I wasn’t entirely impressed with the food at The Tasting Room. While there were hits and misses, I’d say the plating and presentation were insanely beautiful, just like art pieces on the plate. The restaurant has ceased its operation in 2021.

This article was first published in 2019, and recently updated in 2022.

Despite its compact size, Macau’s diverse food scene, architecture, family and kids friendly facilities, rich culture alongside painstakingly preserved historical sites, make it an excellent destination for all.

1. Take A Photo at The Ruins of St. Paul 

The ruins of St. Paul is an absolute icon of Macau. So you can imagine how packed it is at any time of the day it is almost impossible to get a decent photo without being photobombed. However, if you take a different route from usual, you’d be able to discover this secret hideout for photos. Please clean up after yourself if you decide to eat here so the rest can enjoy the beauty of this place.

Here’s what I did: I started my day at Monte do Forte, then follow the park connector from Monte do Forte to the St. Paul’s. Take the stairs heading downward at the back of Monte do Forte, and you’ll reach a small park that is connecting the St. Paul’s. This particular photo spot located is right at the park, under a huge banyan tree. You can sit under the banyan tree and enjoy the rather fairytale-comes-alive view in Macau.

Ruins of St. Paul 大三巴牌坊
Rua de Sao Paulo, Macau. 

2. Soak in the Local Atmosphere at Casa de Cha Lung Wah

Start your morning early at this old-school Yum-Cha place when you are in Macau. This tea-drinking activity is one of the most iconic pastimes in Macau and Hong Kong. Locals enjoy having dim sum (a bite-sized portion of food served in small steamer baskets) with tea in the morning, and Casa de Cha Lung Wah 龍華茶樓 offers a one-of-a-kind Yum-Cha experience in Macau. The restaurant has been around since the 60s, and everything has a quaint, nostalgic touch – look at the panoramic window with the light green frames, mosaic floor and narrow seating arrangement, it is definitely a hidden gem in Macau!

Casa de Cha Lung Wah 龍華茶樓
3 R. Norte do Mercado Alm. Lacerda, Macao 筷子提督市北街3號紅街市側
Tel. +853 2857 4456

3. Visit the Iconic Grand Lisboa

Featuring odd-shape facade and gold windows, the Grand Lisboa Hotel is probably one of the most iconic hotels in Macau. Be it day or night; the unique hotel makes for an exciting picture! I also recommend wandering around the streets of downtown Macau. Don’t be surprised, any sight of the street at this lovely city might make a great photo.

4. Tuck in a Beautifully Crafted Apple Tart

This is the prettiest and tastiest apple tart I had in my life! Palette Dessert Gallery is a newly opened french patisserie in Macau that serves desserts not only pleasing to the eye but also your senses. I was in awe when I discovered this apple tart “Pomme d’Amour” on the shelf – thinly sliced Fuji apples artfully arranged into a shape of a rose. The taste was divine – from the crisp apple slices, buttery tart and the salted-caramel cheese mousse, each element complement so well. MOP 45 (SGD 8) for a tart, not the most economical but well worth every single penny!

Palette Dessert Gallery
209 R. Nova a Guia, Macao 東望洋新街209號泉同樓地下
Tel. +853 6223 9919

5. Music Fountain Show at Wynn Palace

Not everything grand and shinny comes with a hefty price tag. In fact, you can get yourself a feast in the eyes at almost zero cost in Macau’s most expensive hotel. Spending a night at Wynn Palace‘s luxurious hotel room could be a dream come true, but not all are ready to splurge. How about a music fountain show, right in front of this luxury hotel? The show starts early in the day until late at night, with a 20 minutes intervals in between. I recommend visiting at night for its beautiful light-up.

Wynn Palace 永利皇宮 
Avenida Da Nave Desportiva, Cotai, Macau. 澳門體育館大馬路.

6. Free Cable Car Ride 

The Skycab at Wynn Palace is another great way to soak in the city’s grandeur at night. It is free of charge, and all you need to do is to follow the signboard in the hotel to the cable car, get in the queue and enjoy the bird’s eye view of the brightly lit hotel, its surroundings, the grand music fountain and the pool from its fully air-conditioned cable car. There are two stations to start with: One within the hotel, the other at the fountain. I recommend to start from the hotel station and alight at the fountain to enjoy the show, before taking the cablecar back to the hotel again.

7. Walk Around Guanye Street in Macau

A historical street with interesting cafes, old-school bakery, fusion Macanese restaurants and traditional craft shops tucked in the alleys, Guanye Street is probably the best place to get lost in Macau. Watch the stories of Macau unfold as you comb through the cobblestoned streets with beautifully painted murals. Then, grab a cuppa at Pace Coffee, try out the Balcahau Tart or Spicy Sardine Tart at Sab8, before continuing your adventures at the downtown of Macau.

Guanye Street 關前老街
Rua do Cunha, Macau.

8. Visit a Beautifully Restored Mansion

One of my favourite places on my Macau itinerary was the Mandarin’s house (Casa do Mandarim 鄭家大屋). It is one of the largest residential complexes in Macau that has been painstakingly restored. The house features a fusion of architectural influences of Guangdong’s residences and western characteristics. It boasts 60 rooms in total – one of the most enormous, and exquisitely built private residences in Macau. I love the comprehensive radio guide tour which provides an exclusive peek into the private lives of the wealthy in the 1860s.

Mandarin’s House 鄭家大屋
Macao Antonio da Silva 10 Travessa de 龍頭左巷10號(亞婆井前地對面)
Opening Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Daily.

9. Relaxing By The Pool

Almost all hotels in Macau comes with a pool. Still, Sheraton Grand Macao beats all by having a cluster of pools for those who prefer a variety of different views – the “Eiffel Tower” at The Parisian and “Ponte Rialto” at The Venetian. Be sure to stay till dark as you will be able to see the light-up of the surrounding buildings!

Sheraton Grand Macao 
S/N, Estr. do Istmo, Macao 澳門喜來登金沙城中心 

10. Enjoy a Tipple at Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge

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The only bar in the city made it to Asia’s 50 Best Bar List – Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Macau should already warrant a visit for any cocktail aficionados. Checking out the posh interior while sipping a Gin (yes, this bar specialises in Gin.) would be one of the must-do here. We love the fact a trolley filled with all sorts of ingredients, from flowers, fruits and spices will be pushed to our table for us to customise our favourite gin. I recommend to visit during the afternoon for their boozy afternoon tea and check out the dreamy views of Cotai just before the sunset.

Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge 麗思酒廊
Macao, 51/F, The Ritz-Carlton, MacauEstrada da Baía da Nossa Senhora da EsperançaMacau.
澳門路氹城「澳門銀河」綜合渡假城澳門麗思卡爾頓酒店51樓

11. Shop Till You Drop

I know everyone has different priority and values in terms of spending, and Macau certainly understands that well. For non-gamblers, you may choose to do some shopping, and they have a massive lineup of brands for shoppers. I especially love Shoppes at Four Seasons Macau, as it is not too crowded, and that I get most of my favourite brands including Moynat, Celine, Dior and Loewe, and I must say the outlets here are really well stocked! I also like the more affordable options available at Cotai Central – such as Zara, Lululemon and Oysho.

12. Eat All You Can 

From the affordable street delicacies to fancy Michelin Star Restaurants, Macau offers a wide variety of food selection that fits in any budget. It is a cosmopolitan city with Chinese, Portuguese and Macanese influence, which makes the culinary experience in the city exceptional. During my stay, I tried out fine dining at The Tasting Room, which I’d probably talk about it in another blog piece, Macanese restaurant the Restaurant Antonio, also, street food and Portuguese Tarts, Pork Chop Bun at Cha Chaan Teng and I love them all! The food scene is so diverse here. I am sure you will find anything that suits your palette.