Muslim-friendly food in Macau can be hard to find but if you’re looking for pork-free or certified halal restaurants and have no idea where to go we’ve got you covered! Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. In reference to food, it is their dietary standard, as prescribed in the Qur’an (the Muslim scripture). By official definition, halal foods are those that are free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law (Shariah), including processed, made, produced, manufactured, and/or stored using utensils, equipment, and/or machinery that have been cleansed according to Islamic law.
Some Muslims include non-halal food in their diets, but there’s one thing you surely won’t see in a traditional restaurant or family table: pork. According to the Q’ran, “forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah.” We compiled a list we believe people might find interesting: it has everything from north-China Muslim specialties, to Indian dishes, but also Indonesian and Nepalese. So come on a gastronomic ride with us – we assure you that you will get plenty of halal courses!
INDIAN SPICE
(See featured image above)
Hidden amongst giants like the Macao Cultural Centre and Sands Macao, lies one of the city’s most well-known and frequented Indian restaurants. Indian Spice is a great option for Muslims, vegetarians, and other people who exclude pork from their diets. Browse through their menu to read more about Indian Spices’ delicacies.
Indian Spice 39, Alameda Dr. Carlos D’Assumpção, Vista Magnifica Court BG/RC, Macau (opposite shop-lot of the Kun Iam Statue on Macau Peninsula), +853 2872 2784, indianspicemacau.com
GOA NIGHTS
Goa Nights offers amazing food, familiar and welcoming staff and tasty cocktails – all of which make this restaurant one of the best places to go to if you are looking for pork-free and veggie dishes. Besides their mouth-watering fish curry (see image above), they also have paneer butter masala, chicken tikka masala and saag corn (spinach puree with sweet corn spiced with cumin and ginger), both of which are truly amazing.
Goa Nights’ cocktail list is original and crafted by the in-house mixologists. Named after cities – Lisbon, Cape Verde, Mombasa, Calicut, Goa – each one is made with ingredients that capture each place’s vibe and mood. The music is always on and with just the right volume for you to sing along, but also have a good talk with some friends and family. They don’t have halal certification, but there are some dishes that go along with the rules of halal food.
Goa Nights No 118 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa, Macau, +853 2856 7819, goanights.com
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LOU LAN ISLAM RESTAURANT
This is one of the few local eateries in the city located in the center, run by Chinese, and offering full-on halal dishes. The story of its existence is quite interesting: you might not know this, but China has a wide Muslim community, mostly originating from the north of the country, the Uyghurs.
The founders of Lou Lan Islam came from there and opened a restaurant that respects the Muslims’ diet: their menu is varied and consists of a combination of Chinese ingredients, condiments, and flavors with a strong flare of Middle Eastern tastes. Their specialty dishes include lamb, but there are also less strong-flavored choices, such as chicken or vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is named after Loulan ancient city, in Xinjiang.
Lou Lan Islam Restaurant Intersection of Avenida Almeida Ribeiro w/ Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Macau, +853 2853 0264
Also read: Interesting Asian Restaurants to Try in Macau
INDIAN GARDEN
Set in Taipa island, Indian Garden is a nice and usually quiet restaurant located on the ground floor of Nova Taipa Garden condos, in front of Taipa Park. It serves all-time favorite Indian dishes, an awesome and fluffy naan, and a freshly-fried paratha. They have it all: appetizers, an array of sauces to choose front, fish, prawn and meat curries, and lots of desserts. If you are looking for authentic and certified halal food, this is the place to go.
Indian Garden Shop 18 GF Block 27, Nova Taipa Garden, Rua de Seng Tou, Taipa, +853 2883 7088, www.facebook.com/Indian.Garden.Macau
Also read: Best Indian Restaurants in Macau
Loly Indonesian Food
A very popular restaurant in Macau when it comes to Indonesian cuisine, this place has all you can think of and crave, so be sure to head there with the will to experiment with new things! Indonesia has a huge Muslim population, so it’s natural for a restaurant with this kind of food to cater to this community. With no pork on its menu, Loly Indonesian Food is ideal for people looking for various delicacies. These chicken skewers were just on point, while other items–especially the fried ones and fish–are also super juicy. Lavish on all their peanut or chili sauces, but also the lemon-based ones. An authentic Indonesia feast, we tell you!
Loly Indonesian Food 33 Rua da Erva, Edificio Pek Hoi Kok, Macau, +853 2855 7318, www.facebook.com/indonesianfoodmacau
Also read: Great Authentic Indonesian Spots in Macau
Sambal Jawa Indonesia
Hidden on a typical Macau street close to the Ruins of St. Paul, this is a simply decorated and affordable eatery. With a vast indoor space and an outdoor table as well, it serves wonderfully platted items. All their dishes are Muslim-friendly (halal) and delicious, including their fried fish with rice and vegetables (plus incredible homemade tempeh) and chicken skewers, so typical from Indonesia as well. Take MOP $100 for your wallet and that’s all you’ll need to have a great meal with big portions to share among friends and family.
Sambal Jawa Indonesia 9A Rua de Tercena, Macau, +853 2870 3133, www.facebook.com/Restouran-SambaL-Jawa
CAFÉ PANORAMA AT GRAND COLOANE RESORT
Café Panorama also offers a wide range of halal dishes, certified and all. It’s a great option, especially if you’re looking for big buffet breakfast, but the dinner options are also awesome! They offer Indian, Mediterranean, and much more. Besides, you can choose to sit indoors or outside on the terrace, which has a nice view of the pool with a relaxing atmosphere as it’s close to the beach and sea.
Café Panorama Grand Coloane Resort, 1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane, +853 8899 1020, www.grandcoloane.com
