Photo credit: Goa Nights. Nachos.
Taipa Village is one of Macau’s most diverse areas for food. Although it is generally known for its Portuguese vibe and quaint streets, these hide some well-kept dining gems suitable for all cultures and tastes. These are our picks of some of the best restaurants in Taipa Village!
Goa Nights
(See featured image above)
This is a must-try for many reasons. Food presentation, quality, staff service, playlist, and indoor decoration–they have it all. This Indian restaurant serves a fusion of flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Besides traditional Indian dishes like tikka masala and curries, Goa Nights offers a range of vegetarian and out of the box plates too which are good individually or for sharing. However, some people go there before dinner just for the drinks, because it’s hard to get a table without booking. Plus, the cocktails are out of this world. Goa Nights also features a brunch menu during weekends and it’s equally amazing!
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00pm–2:30pm, 6:00pm–11:30pm
Goa Nights 118 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa, +853 2856 7819, www.goanights.com, www.facebook.com/goanightsmacau
Also read: Goa Nights: The Newest Chill Spot in the Heart of Taipa Village
Photo credit: Ksenia Kuzmina
The Blissful Carrot
This successful vegetarian restaurant* is as cute and charming as its name. Besides ready-to-go and take out food, they also have a delivery service of fruit and vegetable baskets in different sizes. Regarding the food, there’s a bit of everything, but the cake slices right out of the oven are delectable. Their menu is quite varied, ranging from original salads, sandwiches, wraps and some hot dishes. Prices can be a bit higher than you’d expect, but bear in mind almost all their ingredients come from abroad and the food is homemade. Unfortunately, they only have a few seats and small standing areas, but why not grab a juice from their fridge, choose your favorite from the menu, take a cake slice and enjoy the sun and greenery at Taipa Houses-Museum nearby?
Opening hours: 10:00am–8:00pm (closed on Wednesdays)
The Blissful Carrot 79-85, Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, Taipa
*The Blissful Carrot is no longer operating as a shop. However, they still sell vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as their in-house-made pantry items such as coconut yogurt and kombucha via Aomi and MFood. If you have any questions, hit them up on Facebook and WhatsApp, but orders are to be placed via the delivery applications. For their Juice Detox program and private catering, contact The Blissful Carrot on Facebook or WhatsApp.
Also read: Alyson & Syen: Sustainability & Conscious Living with The Blissful Carrot
Also read: The Blissful Carrot: Vegetarian Food in Macau
Also read: Where to Find Mexican Food in Macau
Also read: Living La Vida Healthy: A Guide to Macau’s Best Salad Spots
Lagareiro Portuguese Octopus
O Santos
This place is a quirky little restaurant tucked away in Rua do Cunha, Taipa Village’s main pedestrian street. Besides its traditional homemade Portuguese food, this joint offers comfort like no other. The owner is also a football fan, so the restaurant is covered in scarves from Portuguese teams, mainly of his favorite, Benfica. This colorful restaurant is two floors high and has good wine. The portions are big enough to share between two or three people – try to not get too excited when roaming through the menu. O Santos is usually pretty crowded, so be sure to book a table if you are planning to eat here. Everyone there is friendly, which makes the experience even better. Breath the Portuguese tradition in and get yourself ready to eat some good old recipes made by someone who knows what he does.
Opening hours: Wednesday–Monday, 12:00pm–3:00pm, 6:30pm–10:30pm (closed on Tuesdays)
O Santos 20 Rua do Cunha, Taipa, www.taipavillagemacau.com
Also read: Santos: With Open Arms & Open Heart
Also read: Best Portuguese Restaurants in Taipa Village
Photo credit: Restaurant El Gaucho Macau Facebook page. Steak with vegetables.
El Gaucho Macau
This is an Argentinian restaurant serving amazing steaks. If you are a meat fan, you can’t let this one slip. However, prices are never under MOP $300 for each main meat dish, so prepare yourself to spend a bit more than you would in an average Chinese restaurant. The meat comes from abroad and it’s said to be the best in Macau. Some dishes are also created for sharing, but I’d recommend a bit of everything. Try some appetizers, such as the grilled cheese and the empanadas (Argentinian filled pastries), followed by your choice of steak paired with an Argentina wine. El Gaucho’s staff is really helpful, so be open to their suggestions. You won’t regret it.
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00pm–3:00pm and 6:00pm– 11:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm–11:30pm
El Gaucho Macau 135-139A R/C Rua Direita Carlos Eugénio, Taipa, +853 2882 7015, www.facebook.com/elgauchomacau
pad-sew
Chiang Rai Kam Ok
Few people know that this is one of the best Thai restaurants in town. Located close to Taipa Village’s main street, it offers traditional Thai dishes such as pad thai, morning glory, minced beef with lettuce and so much more. You can also ask for Thai beer or fresh juices. The price is not as low as you’d expect in a joint like this, but the food is worth it, so don’t pass on it. This is probably one of the best Thai restaurants in town right now.
Opening hours: 11:00am–11:00pm
Chiang Rai Kam Ok G/F, 30 R. das Virtudes, Taipa, www.facebook.com
Also read: The Best Thai Restaurants in Macau
Portugália signature beef steak
Portugália
Hailing from Portugal, where it’s known for having the best steak in town, it finally arrived at Macau in 2015 to bring some of the best Portuguese food to the city. If you are looking for a place where true tradition and taste merge in with the local environment, be sure to check this stop. Have a classic: Portugália steak with sauce, which usually goes with french fries and a beer. Their wines list is comprehensive as well, by the way. If alcoholic beverages are not your thing, worry not: there are several other options. This is not the cheapest restaurant in this list, but it sure is the one delivering some of the most authentic Portuguese dishes.
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00pm–10:00pm
Portugália 5 Rua dos Mercadores, Taipa, +853 6280 3992, www.portugalia.com.mo, www.facebook.com/PortugaliaMacau
Photo credit: Don Quijote Restaurant. Paella a la Valenciana.
Don Quijote
Spanish tapas, cabbage rolls, tortilla española, and seafood paella are some of this spot’s signature dishes. With authentic Spanish food, this is a to-go place when looking for a different, exotic flair in a city full of Asian delicacies. When in search of western dishes, besides Portuguese restaurant, also head to Don Quijote and experience what great Spanish cuisine tastes like.
Opening hours: Monday, 6:00pm–10:00pm; Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00am–10:00pm
Don Quijote 23-31 Rua do Regedor, AA E AB R/C, Wai Heng Kok, Taipa Village, +853 2882 5028, www.facebook.com/donquijotemacau
Photo credit: Pho Mak Mak. Thai Style Noodles
Pho Mak Mak
Resting in the Taipa Village area, it’s a great place to go for easy-going dishes and comfort food. Mainly serving Asian food (with vegetarian options), the is a fulfilling tom yum soup and a dish not so easy to find in Macau: Thai steamed sea bass with lemon and chili sauce. They also serve Vietnamese food and a good quality delicacy from this country: coffee. With modern decor, it’s nice for families with children, but also a group of friends looking for a wallet-friendly and still a high-quality meal.
Pho Mak Mak 245 Rua do Regedor, Taipa Village, +853 2882 5088, www.facebook.com/Pho-Mak-Mak
Suckling pig with fries and salad
La Famiglia
Macanese chef Florita Alves makes sure every single customer feels at home when entering La Famiglia. With an array of local dishes to offer, the menu features some of the best Macanese dishes which you won’t be able to find in many places. Capela (similar to a meatloaf), minchi, bebinca, and some other specialties fill the tables, showing people this cuisine is rich, structured and has loads of history behind it. Food is certainly made with love because eating at La Famiglia is a true experience. Head there if you are looking for a true taste of savory and sweet recipes from this region.
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00pm–10:00pm
La Famiglia 76 R. dos Clérigos, Taipa Village, +853 2857 6131, facebook.com/famiglia.macau
Also read: A Magical Macanese Menu at La Famiglia by Chef Florita Alves
Also read: How Florita Alves is Keeping the Macanese Cuisine Alive
Also read: The History of Macanese Cuisine in Macau
Also read: Great Places to Eat Minchi in Macau
Photo credit: La Cucina Macau. Napolitan Pizza
La Cucina Italiana
This is a great place if you are looking for authentic relaxed Italian food. While there are many Italian dining options in Macau, Cucina Italiana does it particularly well and they have a cozy vibe to boot. From pizzas to veggie lasagna, risottos, and several kinds of pasta, they have it all. Ask for the wine menu for pairing–you’ll find it difficult to choose from their vast array. This is not an expensive restaurant, which is rare in this area of Macau. Don’t miss the bruschettas as a starter–really tasty.
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00pm–11:00pm
La Cucina Italiana AD-AF store R/C Wai Heng Kok, Chun Fok Village, Rua do Pai Kok 6-12, Taipa, www.facebook.com/LaCucinaMC
Scallop ceviche with beetroot, corn, avocado, & strawberries
Barcelona Macau
With a modern and fusion-like approach to food, Spanish chef Hector Fernandez crafts both light and also more wholesome dishes for all to lavish on. Keep Spain’s flavors untouched, presentation and novelty are key in this place. At Barcelona Macau, you’ll be able to sip cocktails at the terrace, while having tapas or even full-sized dishes which are very nice to share with other people. Besides classics such as paella or suckling pig, chef Hector offers a fresh take on appetizers, like their ceviche–a very popular Spanish dish–made with scallops, an all-time favorite ingredient amongst locals and expats living in Asia. Also, this spot is open till late, allowing you to head there just for cocktails as well (although we bet you won’t resist ordering some tapas).
Opening hours: Daily, 12:00pm–2:00am
Barcelona Macau 47 Rua dos Clérigos, Taipa Village, +853 2845 5168, www.facebook.com/barcelonarestaurantmacau
Also read: Barcelona: True Catalonian Food at the Heart of Taipa Village
Lobster bisque
Tapas de Portugal
Yet another restaurant celebrating the beauty–and easiness–of appetizers and entrées, this one is dedicated to spreading the word on the best there is when it comes to Portugal. Truth be said, they also have an extensive list of mains: be it codfish based or vegetarian, there’s something for everyone here. Soups are also great, and we’d also go for the salmon or shrimp tartare, the cheese platter, the scrambled eggs with fresh asparagus, bacon, and Iberico sausage, among others. Besides lots of indoor seating, they also have a very cute outdoor terrace upstairs.
Tapas de Portugal 9 Rua dos Clérigos, Taipa Village, +853 2857 6626, www.facebook.com/tapasdeportugal
Minchi
Restaurante Litoral Taipa
Nestled on one of Taipa Village’s main streets, Litoral Taipa is the brand’s second and most recent branch. Mainly serving true, traditional Macanese food, there are also some Portuguese recipes thrown in their menu, as well as some new creations. Here, you can experience the whole Macanese food culture: with a great minchi, the comfort of tacho, or the Macanese saffron pork with steamed rice. There are also some rare dishes, like ox tripe stew, curry beefcakes, or pig’s ear salad, ideal for a summer’s day!
Restaurante Litoral Taipa 53–57 Rua do Regedor, Taipa Village, +853 2882 5255, www.facebook.com/RestauranteLitoralTaipa
Also read: Filipe Ferreira: Macanese Food and Keeping It Authentic
Also read: Best Portuguese Restaurants in Taipa Village
Also read: Best Places for Coffee in Taipa Village
Also read: Cool Cafes in Taipa
Photo credit: Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau
Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau
Right at the heart of Taipa Village, just steps away from Pak Kai Temple, Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau is the most recent addition to the exciting dining scene in Taipa Village, which keeps on getting more international! With a laid-back vibe and modeling a traditional Munich beer house, this place is one of a kind as it is a pioneer in presenting Macau guests with the best of Bavarian cuisine. If you are a stranger to this gastronomy, take our word and have a try. It focuses on heart-warming dishes and generous sharing platters, making this wirtshaus (which translates into tavern or pub) perfect for a friend’s meet-up after work or over the weekend.
The menu features a wide selection of Bavarian specialties including the Paulaner “Brotzeit” Platter (a board of cheese, cold cuts, and dips great for sharing) roasted whole pork knuckle, chicken schnitzel, “bräuhaus” Goulash soup, roast chicken Oktoberfest style, and the Paulaner “bäuhaus” platter, which is no less than a lavish showcase of different roasted meats, sausages, mashed potatoes, and potato dumpling, sauerkraut and flavorsome sauces that is meant for sharing. Naturally, the classic German fare is matched with a curated selection of the uber-famous beer Paulaner. Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau serves unique signature beers, without forgetting a non-alcoholic version.
The restaurant features two terraces, one of which offers a view over Galaxy Macau. Meet up with your clique, have a freshly-tapped beer, pair it with a perfect baked in-house pretzel for starters, sit back and enjoy the stunning view.
Paulaner Wirtshaus Macau 41-43 Rua dos Negociantes, Taipa Village, +853 2838 1038
This article was written by Leonor Sá Machado in October 2018 and updated in February 2021.
