Whether you’re a visitor or local, Macanese food is definitely a must try. Macanese food is an amalgamation of the best of both Eastern and Western culinary delights. From Chá Gordo (Fat Tea, in English) to minchi, of course Macau is where to find the best Macanese food. Here’s our guide on the best Macanese food places in Macau.
The Manor
(See featured image above)
This elegant restaurant in St. Regis Macao has everything you need to be a true Macanese when it comes to food. Every Saturday, they serve a Chá Gordo with an all-you-can eat buffet starting at MOP $148 per person. It includes Portuguese, Cantonese and true Macanese dishes prepared by a local and experienced chef who had Chá Gordo as a family tradition. Sink your teeth into turnip cake, milk pudding, cornstarch cookies, pork and salted radish rice flour dumplings or minchi. Check their full menu here. Check their website for further information on Chá Gordo.
Opening hours for Chá Gordo: Saturdays: 3:00pm–5:30pm
For bookings, email [email protected].
The Manor 1/F, The St. Regis Macao, Estrada Do Istmo, S/N, Cotai, +853 2882 8898
Noite e Dia Café
Hotel Lisboa is known for some of the best Macanese food in town for many years. It’s even the favorite of some some local politicians and other people of note. Noite e Dia Café’s menu is full of yummy traditional dishes, including minchi, but also tacho (traditional Macau stew with chicken, pork, Chinese sausage, basil sauce and steamed rice)! Codfish fried rice and Macanese style prawns are also a local must have! The restaurant is open 24/7, so there’s no excuse skipping this wonderful eatery. Browse through their menu and start drooling! For booking and more information, check their website.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Noite e Dia Café Lobby Level, Lisboa Tower, Hotel Lisboa, 2-4 Avenida de Lisboa, Macau, +853 8803 3140
Source: Gosto restaurant website
Gosto
Gosto is the Portuguese name for “taste” and this place is surely a must-try! Set in Galaxy Macau, it has a wide and complete menu offering lots of Luso dishes, from traditional Portuguese cuisine, to Macanese gastronomy. At Gosto, it’ll be hard to not try everything they have, but do start with a tapas board, full of tasty appetizers. There’s also seafood rice, curries, codfish cooked several ways, amongst many other delicacies! They also have caldo verde – a creamy potato soup with cabbage and chorizo – a homemade spicy sauce and much more. See their full menu here and prepare your taste buds for a gastronomic trip to remember! For more information, check their official page.
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 12:00pm–3:00pm, 6:00pm–11:00pm; Friday-Sunday and Public Holidays: 12:00pm–11:00pm
Gosto G/F, G011, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, +853 8883 2221
A Vencedora
Established on one of the city’s most busy street in 1918, A Vencedora (The Winner, in English) has rightfully earned its place. It is talked about in travel guides, foreign magazines, newspapers and all over the internet as one of Macau’s most traditional and best restaurant. The place is always full of patrons which is a good indicator of a restaurant’s quality! Their minchi is exquisite but do try their beef steak and Portuguese style boiled codfish. Although A Vencedora is crowded and noisy, it is also cheap with friendly and helpful staff.
Opening hours: Wednesday–Monday: 11:30am–11:00pm
A Vencedora 264 Rua Do Campo, Macau, +853 2835 5460
Credits: Keith C.
APOMAC
APOMAC is a local association for the elderly residents of Macau who worked for the government. Being so, it’s usually populated by older people who enjoy hanging out in a familiar environment close to their former colleagues and friends. They don’t call themselves a restaurant, but more of a canteen. Though initially intended for the elderly, it is now frequented by people of all ages. APOMAC has some of the best Macanese dishes in town, including tacho and minchi for a cheap price! Its steak is also well-known. Bear in mind that APOMAC is usually packed at lunch during weekdays, so do book a table or your dishes, at least. For more information, check their website.
Opening hours: daily, 10:00am–10:00pm
APOMAC GF 49B Avenida de Sidónio Pais, China Plaza Building, Macau, +853 2852 4325
Source and credits: IFT Educational Restaurant website
IFT Educational Restaurant
IFT Educational Restaurant’s staff is known to have a love for food like few do. This could be because they are still training or their careers are just budding. The Macanese food here is just as good as their Portuguese and Cantonese offerings too. Choose from lacassá (vermicelli soup with prawns and homemade shrimp paste) and capela (meatloaf with pickles and red currant sauce), to minchi and an African chicken with a couscous twist! To see what they have to offer, browse through their online menu here. For more information, check their website.
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 12:30pm–10:30pm
IFT Educational Restaurant Colina de Mong-Há, Macau, +853 8598 3077
Litoral’s Milk Bebinca
Restaurante Litoral
This restaurant was founded over 100 years ago and has some of the most traditional dishes available in town. This includes bebinca (milk pudding), regular minchi or with curry, African chicken, porco báfasá (Macanese saffron pork with steamed rice) and porco tamarindo (stewed pork with shrimp paste). For more information, check their Facebook page for their full menu.
Opening hours: daily, 12:00pm–10:00pm
Restaurante Litoral 53–57 Rua do Regedor, Taipa, +853 2882 5255
Source: A Lorcha website
A Lorcha
This restaurant was recently reopened with revamped decor, menu and better food! At A Lorcha, you can expect hearty Macanese food in a cosy space where you can have a relaxing time with friends and family. Set in one of Macau’s oldest and most quirky neighbourhoods – Inner Harbour – it’s the perfect example of a local eatery in a local spot. Head there if you are looking to take a break from walking in the city. Appreciate the silence and immerse yourself in some good old Macau vibes! For more information, check their website and browse through their menu here. For reservations, email [email protected] or call.
Opening hours: Wednesday–Monday: 12:30pm–3:00pm, 6:30pm–11:00pm
A Lorcha 289 AA R/C Rua do Almirante Sergio, Macau, +853 2831 3195
