Best Places for a Healthy Meal in Macau

There is a health movement in Macau that keeps on giving and growing. Whether you’re trying to lose, gain weight, or simply improve your lifestyle, eating smart is the best way you can achieve a healthier outlook towards life in general. We tracked down these special spots to help you begin a wellness journey that will transform your dining habits in Macau.

 – All about health –

Healthy Habits Superfood Cafe

(See featured image above)

With an obvious name for this article, Healthy Habits Superfood Cafe is a no brainer when it comes to healthy culinary options. Low on sodium, sugar, and preservatives, their food is savory, homemade, and balanced. There has been an ever-growing demand for food catering to different ways of eating: be it health issue or personal choices, dietary restrictions are a real thing nowadays and Healthy Habits knows it: besides vegetarian options, there are gluten-free, paleo, raw, low carbs and high protein as well.

A meal here might not satisfy your guilty pleasure cravings, but your belly will surely thank you for choosing to follow this “habit”. There is also a comprehensive list of beverages (protein shakes, dietary drinks, freshly squeezed juices) and desserts (homemade healthy cakes, chia pudding with fruit, among others). To check more, head to their Facebook page, where menus are up-to-date. They also have a delivery service throughout Macau.

Opening hours: Daily, 11:00am–10:00pm

Healthy Habits Superfood Cafe 203 Avenida Comercial de Macau,R/C A, Edifício La Bahia, Macau, +853 2859 3386, www.facebook.com/healthyhabitscafe

Also read: Best Places for Food Delivery in Macau

Fit in the Box

What if you are willing to step on the fitness path but lack cooking skills or simply free time? There is a place in Macau that targets people like you, it is called Fit in the Box. Basically, their menu includes strictly healthy well-balanced dishes like salads and drinks such as smoothies. Our favorite feature here though is their customized “three-step” boxes. By choosing protein, carbs, and vegetables of your liking you will get a guilt-free meal for a tempting price. Their boxes look appetizing and taste even better. Moreover, they deliver all over the city, so you can hit the gym and order your healthy fuel while on a treadmill. By the time you finish, the food will be waiting for you!

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00am–8:00pm; Saturday–Sunday, 11:30am–7:30pm

Fit in the Box 253 R. de Roma, Macau, +8536881 5960, www.facebook.com/fitintheboxmacau

Habitbox

Nutritionists argue whether breakfast is, in fact, the most important meal of the day or it is merely a beautiful saying. Nonetheless, anyone will hardly argue that if you do have breakfast, might as well have a delicious and healthy one. For that, head to Habitbox, a tiny takeaway shop with a few seats on vibrant Rua dos Ervanarios. Choose a smoothie bowl from their list (açai bowl is highly recommended) or combine what you love the most and customize your own. But it’s not only smoothie bowls they offer. For lunch and dinner, they do healthy and colorful boxes packed with nutrients and minerals based on your preferences or fitness goals. Even their sandwiches are on the healthy side, top it up with hot soup and a cold press juice, and you are all set.

Opening hours: 11:00am–8:00pm, Monday–Saturday; 12:00pm–8:00pm, Sunday

Habitbox 44, Rua dos Ervanarios,+853 6586 8613, www.facebook.com/habitboxmacau, www.instagram.com/habitboxmacau

Also read: Start Your Day Right: Best Places for Healthy Breakfasts in Macau

Naked Foods

Among a plethora of gastronomy locations at Taipa Village, there are not that many with a healthy concept. Luckily, another spot opened in June 2020 that is all about food that is good for you. Naked Foods features a minimalistic design and their food is equally simple and pleasant to look at. A majority of the dishes here are vegan and vegetarian, but there are some bowls and salads with animal-based protein as well. Try their zucchini zoodles, a healthier alternative to pasta packed with vegetables. If you love chickpeas, all the falafel options are worth the try here, especially the falafel bites paired with in-house-made onion sauce!

Naked Foods 79 R. de São Joao, Taipa Village, +853 2875 3487, www.facebook.com/NakedFoodsMacau

– Vegetarian and Vegan –

The Blissful Carrot

Located at Old Taipa Village, this bohemian style spot with welcoming warm colors and shades of a paradise feel is where you go to chill out and eat healthily. Enjoy a wide variety of beverages with numerous health benefits, including cold-pressed juices, kombuchas, and smoothies. The menu is extensive and diverse and includes rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, pasta, wraps, tacos, all-day breakfast, and an open display of their raw and healthy bakery goodies. They regularly introduce seasonal and limited-time dishes to try out, so there is no way to get bored with the selection here.

Their Blissful Carrot cake will surely tempt you every time you visit. It’s even harder to say no because it’s guilt-free and healthy, as most of their flavorsome dishes. Ready for a piece of good news? The Blissful Carrot is crafting its own homemade dishes with the newest “vegetarian meat” in town: Beyond!

Opening hours: Daily, 11:00am–8:00pm

Blissful Carrot 79 Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, Taipa Village, +853 6298 8433, www.facebook.com/blissfulcarrot

Also read: Best Vegetarian and Vegan Places in Macau

Veggie Macau

Tucked away behind Tap Seac Central Library, Veggie Macau is a great option for everyone looking for something light yet fulfilling. Veggie Macau offers vegetarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and vegan choices. Their menu features a mix of national cuisines with dishes like tofu tikka masala, pineapple, and vegetarian “meat” quesadilla, baked vegetarian bolognese spaghetti with cheese. The cafe even makes its own soybean cheese and sauces. If you still have room for desserts after this feast, go guilt-free with their vegan chocolate walnut brownie or raw chocolate cake.

Opening hours: Wednesday–Monday, 12:00pm–9:00pm

Veggie Macau 1-3 Rua do Tap Seac, +853 2872 3751, www.facebook.com/VeggieMacau

Puffin Café

Easily a winner of Macau’s cutest eateries contest, Puffin Café is every vegetarian’s dream come true. With a wide list of vegetarian and vegan options, there are also a few delicacies for those greens’ deniers. So head there with friends and family and confirm what’s been said about it: it’s great for everyone, their juices are some of the freshest in town – and have some original flavors – and the plant-based burgers are delicious and juicy. We also suggest trying the spinach quesadillas and one or two of their desserts. Not everything is meant for someone who’s dieting, but it sure has several options for all kinds of people with or without dietary restrictions.

Opening hours: Thursday–Tuesday, 11:00am–9:30pm

Puffin Cafe 16A Rua de Santo António, Macau, +853 2883 6663, www.facebook.com/puffincafebaron

Urban Tribe

Ever wondered what’s like to arrive in Macau and be able to have an all-organic meal? Now stop wondering and head to Urban Tribe, the city’s coolest organic food spot. Founded by two Azores naturals, the restaurant is also a shop selling several articles–organic Portuguese wine, coffee, condiments (pepper, salt), vinegar, olive oil, fresh coconut-based yogurt, and an array of other delicious things. Their forte? Salads and quiches! Notably, the cakes are also a must-try, so be sure to get in hungry.

Value for money is a respected expression here, with an entire meal – the deliciously homemade soup of the day, plus a homemade ice tea and a salad or other main – costing less than MOP $120. We guarantee you it’s going to be hard to find such a complete lunch for this price. Some other places are great too, but you’ll for sure leave with your pockets a bit lighter than from Urban Tribe.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00pm–7:00pm

Urban Tribe 1 Calçada da Rocha, Macau, +853 6555 8067, www.facebook.com/urbantribemacau

– Plenty of healthy dishes –

Communal Table

Does healthy food always mean no carbs, no added sugar or salt, no fish or meat? Well, we don’t believe so. That is why Communal Table is included on this list: with fresh and savory ingredients, it crafts simple and tasty dishes, that get your belly some comfort. Accompany their salmon and pasta salad with a coffee-based drink, which you can order with a milk substitute, by the way.

Their menu is not as vast as some other restaurants listed here, but the food sure is good, and the location is perfect. A few minutes away from Leal Senado square and some seconds from Rua do Campo, it’s ideal for a quick healthy fix without sauces, salt, or other heavy ingredients getting in the way of mealtime.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 7:45am–6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am–7:00pm

Communal Table 29 Rua Formosa, Macau, +853 6677 9985, www.facebook.com/communaltablecoffee

Larry’s Place

With a name taking us back to someplace with a sense of home, that’s precisely what Larry’s Place offers: homey and comfort food without being heavy. From veggie burgers to rice bowls, there are lots to try. The owner, Larry, also organizes a series of themed food parties, like Mexican, where tacos and burritos are a must, with variations of vegetarian ingredients as well. The bowls and salads are a must-try but don’t stop there: because it’s cheap and easy to access, head to Larry’s Place and try everything on their menu.

It might not be an extensive one, but it sure is one made with lots of dedication and love for the city and its people. Larry has Macanese blood and his genuine friendliness can be seen for afar. Check out the freshly made juices as well. Combos are great to take away or order for delivery (it might take a bit, so be sure to do it by calling or requesting on the website sometime before lunchtime). Take lunch to a garden and eat it with your loved ones or grab a quick bite at the office amongst colleagues.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00am–8:00pm, Saturday: 8:00am–4:00pm

Larry’s Place 2C Beco do Gonçalo, Macau, +853 6528 9786, larrysplacemacau.com, www.facebook.com/larrysplacemacau

Also read: Larry’s Place: Healthy and Happy Food

Café Esplanada 

A charming cafe with an alfresco seating area surrounded by lush gardens, Café Espalanda is located at the stylish Wynn Macau. However, its popularity spreads beyond Wynn’s guests. While there are some guilty pleasures such as juicy burgers and fluffy pancakes on the menu, there is a wide variety of healthy choices, as well. Go for their fresh and colorful salads or hearty soups for a balanced lunch. If you are aiming for Asian cuisine, there are healthy oriental dishes that will satisfy your cravings. Moreover, there are vegetarian and vegan menus that feature plant-based dishes, including traditional recipes like pad thai, but without any animal protein.

Opening hours: Daily, 11:30am–10:30pm

Ting Ting Cafe

Close to the heart of town, it has a good range of healthy choices for burgers and drinks. Reasonably priced and adequate space for open-air lunch and light snacks, Ting Ting Cafe has two spots: the first one to open is smaller in size and has no outdoor area; the second is a tiny kiosk located opposite to the Old Court Building in a public park.

You can easily grab and go or enjoy your meal al fresco in the park. Popular with locals within the area, do expect long queues during lunch hours. Along with fresh juices, Ting Ting’s offerings include chestnut sushi and several variations of veggie burgers. All satisfying, all vegetarian and all reasonably priced.

Opening hours: Ting Ting Café Kiosk – Monday–Friday, 8:30am–7:00pm; Saturday, 9:30am–7:00pm

Ting Ting Café – Monday–Sunday, 10:00am–10:00pm

Ting Ting Café Kiosk Praça de Jorge Álvares, Macau, +853 6387 7345, www.facebook.com/TingTingCafe

Ting Ting Café 4 Beco das Caixas, Macau, +853 6698 3483

Also read: Ting Ting Café: Homemade Vegetarian Burger in Macau

Cha Bei 

Cha Bei at Galaxy Macau has been all over Instagram since its opening as their desserts look as cute as their collection of teacups. Even though they do focus on tea with cakes, pies, echolocate and all the calorie-packed treats, there is enough on the menu to not feel guilty in front of your personal training for. Check their poke bowl, brown rice topped with fresh vegetables, edamame, tobiko, and pickled cabbage. So here you have your protein, carbs, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals well-balanced in one dish. Apart from this Hawaiian dish, you will find plant-based burger and spaghetti Bolognese, quinoa salad, and comforting miso soup. Whatever they cook, Cha Bei’s team is dedicated to making the order look fantastic and taste delicious. For your daily portion of antioxidants and vitamins, have one of their fruity teas, smoothie, or cold-pressed juice.

Opening hours: Daily, 11:00am–6:00pm

Cha Bei 1047, 1/F, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, +853 8883 2221, www.galaxymacau.com/cha-bei

Also read: Where to Get Poke Bowls in Macau

Lobby Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Macau

Combining the best of Asian and Western cuisines, the selection of dishes at Lobby Lounge is anything but boring. Following the healthy diet trend, the chefs here often introduce new dishes that will make your doctor proud of you. On a side note, even those of us who love meat would not miss it here, thanks to Impossible meat specials such as Dan Dan noodles or Avocado burger. The latter is made with a juicy plant-based patty and avocado “buns” instead of bread, what a brilliant substitution to a traditional beef burger! If meat, real or not, doesn’t make your mouth water, there are several other things to try out, like soups and salads.

Opening hours: Daily, 9:00am–10:00pm

Lobby Lounge Mandarin Oriental, Macau, 1/F, 945 Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, +853 8805 8888, www.mandarinoriental.com/lobby-lounge

This article was originally written by Bel Faustino in August 2016 and updated by Leonor Sá Machado in August 2019 and by Ksenia Kuzmina in August 2020.

Photo credits: Healthy habits Superfood Cafe, Greens Kitchen & Juicery Facebook page, Fit in the box, Larry’s Place website, Ting Ting Café Facebook page, Veggie Macao Facebook page, Communal Table Facebook page, Ksenia Kuzmina.

Tags

• dishes
• healthy food
• light food
• nutrition
• organic food

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