Diners delight

Macau’s eating out scene continues to improve. There are fine dining restaurants, informal bistros, intimate cafes and - for a slice of Macanese life - bustling street markets, where the locals say some of the best food is to be enjoyed.

Here is an overview of some of the newer eateries that are taking the former Portuguese enclave by storm.

The Broadway Macau is home to Macau’s first indoor hawker-style street market, offering an authentic ambience and taste of a traditional Macanese street market, but with a cleaner environment and the comfort of air conditioning.

The bustling venue has more than 40 food stalls serving the street foods of Macau and other parts of Asia. A few of the stalls are operated by Michelin starred restaurants. You can literally eat your way around Asia without leaving Macau.

However, you shouldn't miss some traditional Macanese style street dishes such as bean curd soup noodles, boiled beef brisket, fish soup rice noodles, deep fried crispy crab cakes and sea crab congee.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss the almond and walnut soup with coconut juice. There are also festive street performances and shops selling Macanese souvenirs.

Website: http://www.broadwaymacau.com.mo/en/macau-restaurant/restaurant-directory

At the other end of the scale is Lai Heen, one of four food and beverage outlets at the new Ritz-Carlton, Macau, where Cantonese cuisine is literally taken to new heights.

The sophisticated eatery is on the hotel’s 51st floor and affords breathtaking views of Cotai, Taipa, Coloane and Macau. The dramatic décor complements the breathtaking view. There are five private dining rooms and a cigar lounge.

The menu features regional Chinese cuisine. The emphasis is on Cantonese, with a contemporary spin. Don’t be surprised to see modern takes on traditional dishes, with signature dishes from barbecued Iberian pork with honey to deep fried chicken in lemon sauce, steamed crab claw with egg, and sautéed lobster and porcini mushrooms and coriander in superior sauce. 

A tea master can help you select the perfect pot of brew to accompany your meal, and a wine sommelier will help you pair dishes with the most appropriate vintage from the restaurant’s extensive wine list.

Lai Heen, 51/F, Ritz-Carlton, Macau. Open for lunch and dinner. Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Macau/Dining/Lai-Heen/Default.htm

If Cantonese chefs pride themselves on using the freshest seasonable ingredients and enhancing the natural flavours, some of the best Cantonese chefs man the kitchens of Fook Lam Moon Chinese restaurants, whose original outlet dates back to 1948.

With a deep commitment to maintaining tradition, Fook Lam Moon is the highest ranked Chinese restaurant on “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. You can expect a stellar wine list to go with the mouthwatering Cantonese dishes.

Fook Lam Moon, 2/F, Galaxy Macau.

Website: http://www.galaxymacau.com/en/macau-restaurant/restaurant-directory/chinese/fook-lam-moon

When it comes to Italian cuisine, diners in Macau are spoiled for choice. The Galaxy Macau alone has two fine dining Italian eateries.

Terrazza Italian Restaurant features a cheerful dining room and a thoughtful menu. Signature dishes include Hokkaido sea scallops with lemon-celeriac puree and salt baked fennel and squid ink emulsion. The seafood platter is recommended for seafood aficionados.

The restaurant has an excellent wine cellar and expert sommelier.

Terrazza Italian Restaurant, 2/F, Galaxy Macau.

Website: http://www.galaxymacau.com/en/macau-restaurant/restaurant-directory/international/terrazza

Downstairs from Terrazza is 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, which doesn’t need an introduction. Its flagship restaurant in Hong Kong is the world’s only three star Michelin restaurant outside Italy. The menu is relatively brief.

The signature Tajima beef tongue and beef cheek braised in red wine with blackberry spices compote is highly recommended. The degustation menus are also popular. It goes without saying that the restaurant has an excellent wine list.

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, 1/F, Galaxy Macau.

Website: http://www.galaxymacau.com/en/macau-restaurant/restaurant-directory/international/otto-e-mezzo-bombana

Acclaimed Thai chef Siriluck Lekkwan heads the kitchen at mezza9 Macau, the latest addition at the Grand Hyatt Macau, whose other show kitchens include Macanese, The Grill, Sushi and Sashimi, Wok, Steam Basket, Deli and Pâtisserie.

Diners can order a la carte or set menus, with dishes ranging from home style cooking to Bangkok street food and royal Thai cuisine.

Thai royal chicken dumplings and deep-fried sea bass with chilli tamarind sauce are among the most popular dishes. Save room for dessert. The fresh mango sticky rice with home-made Thai tea ice cream is recommended.

Mezza9 Macau, 3/F, Grand Hyatt Macao.

Website: http://macau.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/news-and-events/news-listing/Thai_Kitchen.html