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Macau's medley of Portuguese and Cantonese cuisine—spicy and creamy Macanese interpretations of traditional Cantonese dishes such as baked prawns, braised abalone, and seafood stews—has made it one of Asia's top fine-dining destinations for decades.
Now, thanks to the spate of new casino-hotels, Macau has also become an exciting world-class culinary frontier. But local dining isn't all highbrow. Near the Largo do Senado and in the villages of Taipa and Coloane, wander the back alleys to find treats like zhu-bao-bao (a slab of fried pork on a toasted bun served with milk tea) or the signature pasteis de nata (custard tart): they’re simple, delicious, and classic Macau.
Long-renowned restaurants such as Restaurante Fernando and Litoral are staying the course. So, too, are Cantonese eateries such as Fat Siu Lau, particularly well known among Hong Kong residents who travel to Macau just for dim sum, weekend brunches, and seafood feasts at more affordable prices and made from higher-quality ingredients.
Vastly popular A Lorcha (the name means "wooden ship") celebrates the heritage of Macau as an important port with a maritime-theme menu. Save room for serradura (Macau sawdust pudding, made with biscuits and whipped cream).
The first traditional American steak house in Macau serves premium-quality steaks and seafood in a space that evokes 1960s Las Vegas. A large fireplace that pops and crackles during the winter months blends in perfectly with the vintage chandeliers and celebrity photos hanging on the walls. Sip a cocktail at the bar and brace yourself for huge slabs of beef, grilled to juicy perfection before your eyes in the open kitchen. A 20-ounce cowboy wagyu steak from Australia tops the list at MOP$998. Other dishes include Norwegian salmon fillet and seared Hokkaido scallops when in season. For dessert, try the sinfully rich crème brûlée.
"Quirky" springs to mind when describing the colorful decor, with plastic monkey puppets and funky chicken toys hanging from the ceilings. The eclectic clientele includes graphic designers, gambling-compliance lawyers, and 10-year-old Cantonese kids celebrating birthdays.
Originally a modest, traditional bakery opened by a young Englishman named Andrew Stow in 1989, Lord Stow's Bakery is now a culinary landmark in Coloane, just off the town square. Locals sit on nearby benches munching the signature hot and flaky pasteis de nata (custard tarts) straight from the oven. Inside the little shop, breads, muffins, cookies, flapjacks, and other homemade goods are on offer, but be sure to walk out with at least one tart. The neighboring Lord Stow's Café (853/2888–2174) has sit-down meals as does the outpost in the Venetian Macao (853/2886–6889).
Occupying a converted two-story house with a small but pleasant balcony overlooking Coloane Village, this restaurant is Portuguese owned and has a Portuguese chef—so it’s no surprise that it is a favorite of Portuguese residents.
Everyone in Hong Kong and Macau knows about Fernando's, but the vine-covered entrance close to Hác-Sá Beach is difficult to spot. The open-air dining pavilion and bar have attracted beachgoers for years now, and the enterprising Fernando has built a legendary reputation for his Portuguese fare.
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