To have an authentic cultural experience in Macao, you’ve got to look beyond the blinding lights of the Sands Cotai Strip. Venture down the meandering streets for a bite of true Macanese food. While the options out there might seem overwhelming, we’re here to offer you guidance on what to eat and where to find them.
Hei Lin Café
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What might look like a hole in the wall has all the Cantonese standbys you seek. From Cantonese toasties, roasted pork chop buns to a variety of chow meins and fried rice, this is the place for a hearty breakfast or an afternoon snack.
RMB50. Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm. B84, Rua de Fernao Mendes Pinto (+853 2882 7733).
Lord Stow’s Bakery
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Your Macao jaunt will not be complete without munching on freshly baked egg tarts at Lord Stow’s. That might sound like a cliche, but just wait until you’re biting into these decadent custard-filled pastries with flakes falling out of your mouth. Stay for the food, along with a scoop of the story behind the invention of these “Macanese” egg tarts.
RMB28 per person. Open daily 7am-10pm. 1 Rua do Tassara (+853 2888 2534).
Luk Kee Noodles
If a late-night snack captures your fancy, swing by Luk Kee Noodles for a hearty bowl of beef curry noodles or fish ball congee. While many local restaurants serve these dishes, few can do justice to the flavors quite as well as Luk Kee. The space is crammed with locals and tourists, but the upside is you can take a nice walk down the ferry terminals and soak in the night views after dinner.
RMB80 per average meal per person. Open daily 6.30pm-2.30am. Shop D, G/F, 1 Sha Lei Yan Mo Avenue (+853 2855 9627).
Restaurante Escada
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Escada prides itself on serving authentic Portuguese cuisine, which means there’s no running away from salted cod here. The deep-fried salted cod potato cake and grilled sardines are especially memorable, and you can take those onto the breezy veranda to savor over a glass of sangria.
RMB200 per average meal per person. Open daily midday-3pm, 6-10pm. 8 Rua da Sé (+853 2896 6900).
Tou Tou Koi
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This authentic Cantonese house is perfect for those looking for dim sum baskets and char siu meats. Seafood is also their forte, and deep-fried crabs and steamed abalone are among the most popular orders. Boasting proximity to St Paul’s Ruins and a mention in the Michelin Guide, seatings are bound to be on scarce, so make sure you book well in advance.
RMB390 per average meal per person. Open daily 9am-3pm, 5-11.30pm. 6-8, Travessa do Mastro (+853 2857 2629).
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