What to eat?
About 400 years ago, Portuguese traders brought capsicum, curry, shrimp paste and pickled lings from Africa, India and Malaysia to Macau when they first set foot there. When, these exotics were blended with native vegetables and seafood the local people created the singular taste of Macanese cuisine the like of which can be found nowhere else in the world. The popular local dishes include Bacalhau (dried codfish, a Portuguese favorite), African Chicken, Galinha Portuguesa, Linguado Macau, Paella and Clam Stir-fried with Garlic. Wine and good food brings out the best of each other and Portuguese wines are an excellent accompaniment to the delicious local food. Serradura is a famous after dinner sweet that is considered to be a favorite with a majority of the local and visitors.

Dim Sum in Macau
Dim Sum in Macau is particularly well-known in South China. There is a full range of Dim Sum choices for either teatime, buying as gifts or as a choice when dining in the city. Pastéis de Nata (egg tarts), these are a Portuguese-style egg tart that actually originated from Coloane here in Macau. The delicious custard tart has become a featured snack of the city, just like the Roast Duck of Beijing. Margaret's Café & Nata and Lord Stow's Café, to be found on the Macau Peninsular and Taipa Island respectively are the two best places to buy these tarts. Tourists often buy some as gifts for friends and families.

Yum Cha (tea drinking)
All kinds of dim sum ranging from almond cake, chicken cakes, cashew cookies, sesame crackers, egg and cheese rolls are served in the many Portuguese café in the area surrounding the main square, Largo do Senado. In the area close to Rua de Cunha at the south end of Taipa Island, there are also many dim sum bakeries. The almond cake of Choi Heong Yuen and Koi Kei are favorites among many foreigners. Most pastry shops open from the early morning to the noon when people queue in a long line. For the Senado Square, you can take and Buses TCM 11, 21, 21A and 22 or TRANSMAC 28A, 33 and 34 reach the Rua de Cunha at the south end of Taipa Island.

Serradura
Serradura, a dessert made of crème, cracker crumbs covered with soft egg white. It is served with fruits and different flavors of chocolate, coffee, mango or sweets are added to create a rich savor. It is a popular dessert in most restaurants. The best place to try it is Serradura (the restaurant) on Av. Coronel Mesquita, No.15 r/c, Edf. Tin Fok. Pork Chop Sandwich is deep-fried pork tenderloin served on a bun. It is popular throughout the Macau and Hong Kong regions. Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei in Taipa sells the best from 15:00 to 17:00.

Bacalhau (codfish)
This is probably Macau's most famous Portuguese dish. Bacalhau is actually dried codfish slices imported from Portugal. It is an essential part of Portuguese cuisine and there are many of ways of cooking it. Before cooking, the fish slices are soaked in water for 20 hours to get rid of salt. It can then be served baked, grilled, stewed or boiled. The popular dishes made of Bacalhau include Fried Bacalhau Balls, Streamed Bacalhau with Seafood and sometimes it is served with rice. Most restaurants in the city offer this well-known dish.

African Chicken
This special chicken dish is a result of borrowing ideas from both the African and Indian traditions of using spices. The chicken is first seasoned with a piquant sauce made with garlic and capsicum together with Cola a Portuguese spice and then baked in the oven. The finished chicken is seasoned with the sauce again before serving. The recipe for the sauce is the secret of Chef Yang, who invented this dish. The best place to try it is SOLMAR on AVENIDA DA PRAIA GRANDE.

Paella - Portuguese Seafood and Rice
This is the same as the traditional dish that is so popular in Portugal and Spain although the rice content betrays its oriental origins. Rabbit, chicken, shrimps and other sea food, both red and green peppers as well as garlic are cooked with olive oil and rice to which is then added saffron to give the dish its familiar color and flavor. Covered and allowed to simmer, the rice absorbs the liquid and the result is a mouth watering inexpensive dish.

Clam Stir-fried with Garlic
Fresh clams are steamed with minced garlic and Portuguese cilantro, the leafy part of the herb the seed of which is coriander. This finished dish should retain the original fresh taste of clams.

Galinha Portuguesa
This tasty offering is chicken baked in the oven together with potatoes, onions, egg, saffron and curry.

Linguado Macau
These are fresh and tender Macau soles that are fried and usually served with green salad together with cheese, shrimps and other seafood.

Vegetable Soup
This soup is made of potatoes, vegetables, Portuguese sausage and olive oil. It is a popular traditional Portuguese soup and served in most restaurants.

Where to eat?

SOLMAR
It is the oldest Portuguese restaurant in the city and the best place to taste the authentic African Chicken, cooked by Chef Yang, who has established his recipe for African Chicken as a special local culinary delight.
Address:Rua Da Praia Grande No. 8-10, r/c e s/loja
Recommended: African Chicken (authentic)

O Santos [Taipa Island]
It features popular homely Portuguese dishes.
Address: 20, Rua de Cunha
Recommended: Bacalhau, Pawns Fried with Garlic and a special vegetable salad

COZINHA PINÓCCHIO
A well-known century-old Portuguese restaurant
Address: 4 Rua Do Sol 
Recommended: Bacalhau, Pawns Fried with Garlic

CAFÉ MADEIRA
Located in the entertainment center of Macau Tower, it offers both authentic Portuguese cuisine and Cantonese dishes. Both the food and river view are fantastic.
Address: Novos Aterros Da Baia Da Praia Grande Lote 1, zona D, Centro de Diversões da Torre de Macau, 
Recommended: Bacalhau served with salad and rice, African Chicken

PLATÃO
Address: Tra De S. DOMINGOS No.3, r/c 'B', edf. Jardim Lok Va
Recommended: Bacalhau, grilled lamb, duck rice, It is not open on Monday.

Clube Militar de Macau
This Euro-style building was originally a Portuguese military officers' club and is now open to members of the public following repatriation of the troops. It is very popular with western diners.
Address: 975 Avenida Da Prais Grande
Recommended: antipasto (Portuguese sausage, ham, vegetable), African Chicken, Stewed Pork, Bacalhau

Alorcha
Address: 289 Rua Do Almirante Sergio, close to A-Ma Temple
Recommended: Paella, the Portuguese Seafood Rice and Clams Stir-fried with Garlic these each have earned it a great reputation. For the sweets, try Serradura.

Ask Questions ?