Luso Gusto

Real Portuguese

Though it’s been open for just six months, Antonio’s (3 Rua dos Negociantes, Taipa, 2899-9998) is a petite but popular restaurant for real Portuguese fare. Tucked down a quiet alleyway, it has the air of a provincial taverna with its heavy wooden chairs, flamboyantly friendly staff and a leg of cured ham tucked away in the corner. Try the grilled sardines as recommended by the waiter and of course, the ever-popular African chicken, richly flavored, tender and filling. Stick around to watch chef Antonio Neves Coelho flambé crepes for dessert, watch out for the flames from the liquors leaping high and savor the aroma of caramel filling the restaurant.

Hitting it Old School

Hidden away on a side street behind a bicycle repair shop, Espaço Lisboa (8 Rua dos Gaivotas, Coloane Village, 2888-2226) fulfils the first requirement of any good local restaurant: it’s hard to find. This traditional Portuguese eatery is located in a two-storey house just off the central square of Coloane Village, the southernmost island in Macau. Coloane is refreshingly traditional and more rural than the casino-laden areas of Macau and Espaço Lisboa hits all the right notes. Specialties include the clams with garlic, or an entire wheel of melted goat’s cheese covered in honey and served on a thick slice of wholemeal. The tender Portuguese-style steak is delicious, covered in its juices and served topped with Parma ham and a fried egg. Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends; ask for a table on the second floor balcony.

Budget Bites

So you’ve lost all your money at the roulette wheel and can’t afford a meal? Luckily, Macau’s more down-to-earth establishments are where you’ll find some of the best meals in town. One of the more famous is Cheung Kee (68 Rua de Felicidade, 2857-4310), a favorite of Chief Exec Donald Tsang. Try the fried noodles with shrimp roe or deep fried fishballs. If you’re craving good ole’ cha chaan teng chow, visit Nam Peng Café (54 Rua de Cinco de Outoburo, 2892-1205), whose colossal egg sandwiches are legendary. If you’re gripped by late night hunger pangs stumbling between casinos, pick up a cheesy crepe from La Comedie Chez Vous (Avenida Xian Xing Hai, 2875-2021). It closes at 2am and is rife with chilled out couples snuggling on the soft couches.

Cool Down

Wandering around Macau is bound to get you hot under the collar, so why not stop and get an iced coffee from Jumping Bean (Shun Tak House, Senado Square, 2838-9118)? Originally from Japan, story goes that Stanley Ho was so taken with the café that he upped and moved it over to Macau. Some people have all the fun. We recommend the coffee jelly and mocha ice cream dessert, bittersweet and guaranteed to give you a mid-afternoon jolt.

Macau at Home

On a blacklist for card-counting in every casino? Barred from China for being a Tibetan activist? Suffer from violent seasickness? Whatever the reason, if you can’t make it to Macau, you can seek it out here instead. Find the late Lord Stow’s famous Portuguese egg starts at the EXpresso Coffee Bar in the Excelsior Hotel (281 Gloucester Rd., Causeway Bay, 2837-6777), where two of the famous pastries and a coffee will set you back a very reasonable USD$5.

Like the look of those? Try these!

There are just too many good restaurants in Macau. But we’ve talked to our local sources and the consensus is these are the best of the best. Print out, bring it on your next trip, and try any one of these places—you won’t be disappointed.

A Lorcha (Portuguese)
289 Rua do Almirante Sergio, 2831-3193

A Petisqueira (Portuguese)
15 Rua S. João, Taipa, 2882-5354

Ali Curry House (Asian)
Av. da República, 2855-5865

Café Madeira (Portuguese)
L1 Macau Tower Convention & Exhibition Centre, Av. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 2896-3399

Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei (Macanese)
Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, Taipa Village, 2882-7150

Casa de Pasto Seng Choeng (Chinese)
3- Rua do Cunha, Taipa, 2882-5323