Best-of Guides Macau

The Best Places to Enjoy Macanese Cuisine in Macau

5 Restaurants
The colonial era played a pivotal role in shaping Macau's distinctive urban landscape and firmly establishing Portuguese culinary traditions in the region. Over time, these influences integrated and evolved to give rise to the authentic flavours that define Macau today. Whether you're on the main island of Macau, Coloane, or Taipa, you'll find a plethora of delectable dishes that truly encapsulate the unique food culture that Macau has to offer.
Updated on 09 January 2024

Strolling through the historic streets of Macau, one encounters exotic architectural gems at every turn, each bearing the indelible marks of the former Portuguese colony's history. Those colonial times played a pivotal role in shaping the city's distinct urban character, firmly establishing Portuguese culinary traditions that have since blended and evolved, ultimately giving rise to the authentic flavours that define Macau today.


IFTM Educational Restaurant
Pousada de Mong-Há, Colina de Mong-Há, Macau, Macau
$$ · Macanese

As the sole educational restaurant in Macau, the quality of the dishes served here is far from lackluster; in fact, it rivals the standards of high-end hotel dining. The menu offers an extensive selection, with a particular emphasis on local Macanese delicacies. Consider savouring the Macanese stir-fried minced pork for a delightful experience of aromatic flavours. Equally impressive is the Tamarind Pork with Macanese Shrimp Paste and Pressed Rice, featuring an impeccably prepared sauce and a wealth of fresh, rich ingredients.

O Castiço
65B Rua Direita Carlos Eugénio, Taipa, Macau
$$ · Portuguese

Despite its unassuming façade and a limited number of seats, this restaurant's Portuguese home-style dishes have captivated the palates of all who dine here. Even within Taipa, where numerous Portuguese eateries abound, it maintains a distinguished reputation. The menu is concise, with the made-to-order Pastéis de Bacalhau (salted cod fritters) as a standout. These feature a delectable fusion of a crispy outer layer enveloping a luscious combination of potato purée and fish, resulting in an exceptional taste. Additionally, the stir-fried clams with stewed pork, enhanced by diced potatoes and a special sauce, deliver a delightful and savoury experience.

A Lorcha
289 Rua do Almirante Sergio, Macau, Macau
$$ · Portuguese

For over three decades, this family-operated Portuguese restaurant has been serving up authentic dishes prepared with time-honoured techniques. Their specialty — golden and perfectly crispy deep-fried salted cod fritters — boasts a delectably soft and savoury filling, delivering an exquisite taste and delightful texture. Situated in close proximity to the renowned Barra Temple, which is why visitors from around the globe flock to this establishment to savour the exquisite flavours of Portuguese cuisine.

Lord Stow's Bakery (Rua do Tassara)
1 Rua do Tassara, Coloane Town Square, Coloane, Macau
$ · Street Food

Portuguese tarts hold a well-deserved position as one of Macau's most iconic and authentic snacks. Their production techniques have even been recognised as a local intangible cultural heritage, underscoring their significant cultural importance. Lord Stow's Bakery, situated on Rua do Tassara, is a venerable bakery widely known to locals. Their flagship store graces the urban area of Coloane. The daily-baked Portuguese tarts are the true gems of the establishment, filled with a luscious combination of egg and milk. These fillings, velvety and delicate, provide a delightful contrast to the crisp outer layer, rendering them simply irresistible.

Manuel Cozinha Portuguesa
90 Rua de Femão Mendes Pinto, Taipa, Macau
$$ · Portuguese

Since the 1990s, this restaurant's Portuguese proprietors have diligently sourced premium seasonal ingredients from the market on a daily basis, employing traditional Portuguese culinary methods to craft timeless dishes. For instance, their stir-fried clams with lemon, enhanced by spices like garlic and coriander, are impeccably complemented with a zesty lemon juice infusion, resulting in an exceptional flavour profile. In addition to the items featured on the menu, be sure to take note of the daily specials presented on the blackboard.