A local top spot, Kam Lei is a casual dining venue serving bowls of noodles topped with homemade sauce and soup. The most popular sauce is chicken curry which, in our opinion, is best mixed with the braised beef sauce which can be topped with cuttlefish balls along with a generous dollop of chilli oil crisp. Kam Lei is a bustling venue that both locals and tourists frequent so it does get busy but, thankfully, the lines move very quickly. They also have a few branches across Macau including Taipa, Santo Antonio and more.

Kam Lei, Avenida de Guimarães, No 463, Edifício Imperial Mansion, R/C, Taipa, Macau; +852 2884 1029

The City of Dreams' award-winning Chinese restaurant, Jade Dragon, is led by Hong Kong-born chef Kelvin Au Yeung and offers exquisite Cantonese dishes in modern presentations. Highlights include crispy suckling pig topped with caviar, chilled cherry tomato marinated in avocado oil and plum wine jelly, barbecue Iberico pork pluma and dim sum—the bright green Alaskan crab and prawn har gao is a must-order. 

Jade Dragon, 2/F, The Boulevard, City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau; +853 8868 2822

Macau's famed pork chop bun can be found at almost every corner of the city but one of our favourites can be found at Sei Kee Café. The variation with thick and creamy egg omelette matches well with the savoury meat and crispy yet fluffy bun. There is, however, often a queue for this local cafe and takeaway spot so you may want to head there as soon as they open at 11am as there are only a few seats inside. The small venue offers a few other snacks including toasted bread cubes with condensed milk, peanut butter and crunchy biscuit bits which go well with their signature milk tea and claypot brewed coffee.

Sei Kee Cafe, G/F, 1 Largo dos Bombeiros, Vila de Taipa, Macau; +853 6569 1214

Restaurante Fernando, fondly known as Fernando's, on Hac Sa Beach is well-known for its Portuguese dishes. The restaurant has an alfresco area and garden, lending cosy Mediterranean vibes to your dining experience. Menu highlights include the suckling pig with chips, clams with garlic and tomato, stuffed squid with potatoes in a claypot and more. The service here is friendly but relaxed, so expect to be asked to look at the options of wine on the shelf yourself. In close proximity to the beach, you may even enjoy a walk on the black sand before or after the meal.

Restaurante Fernando, 9 Hac Sa Beach Coloane, Praia de Hac Sá, Macau; +853 2888 2264

Considered Macau's national dish, it would be remiss not to mention where to try minchi. The traditional dish consists of minced beef or pork with diced onions seasoned with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and molasses, and is usually served with fried potato, white rice and a fried egg. Based on a traditional family recipe, Restaurante Litoral's rendition is comfort on a plate with savoury mince balanced out by crisp cubes of potato and a runny yolk that adds a little creaminess. There are two branches located on the Inner Harbour and Taipa village that offers minchi. Other Macanese highlights at this restaurant include African chicken as well as Portuguese-style clams and seafood rice.

Restaurante Litoral, 261 GF-A Rua do Almirante Sérgio, Macau; +853 2896 7878
Or 53-57 Rua do Regedor, Block 4, Wai Chin Kok, Taipa Village, Macau; +853 2882 5255

While Lord Stow’s egg tarts are currently available in Hong Kong at the Mandarin Oriental (until December 2023), there is something about visiting the original shop in Macau which was established in 1989. There are five other locations in Macau including outlets that offer more pastries, breakfast and lunch options. In contrast to the Hong Kong egg tart, Lord Stow's are of the pastel de nata (or Portuguese egg tart) variety. The homemade pastry shell is crispy and flaky with a smooth custard filling and caramelised top. Some argue that the egg tarts from a smaller shop: Margaret's Café e Nata, opened by Stow's ex-wife, taste better, so you may want to check it out for yourself.

Lord Stow’s Bakery, 1 Rua do Tassara, Coloane Town Square, Macau; +853 2888 2534
Or Margaret’s Café e Nata, 17B Rua do Comandante Mata e Oliveira, Macau; +853 2871 0032

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