5 Best Restaurants in Taipa, Macau

Overseen by the two Portuguese brothers/chefs behind Albergue 1601, this spot celebrates Macanese cuisine in a unique setting: one of the charming, century-old Taipa Houses. The menu revives heirloom recipes rarely shared outside family kitchens. Think turmeric-infused porco bafassá, port wine-kissed vaca chau chau parida (stir-fried beef with ginger and wine), and fragrant shrimp curry with okra. Surrounded by antiques and Macanese decor, you can savor dishes passed down through generations in a setting as storied as its cuisine.

Founded by local culinary legend Florita Maria Natália de Jesus Morais Alves, La Famiglia is one of the city’s best places to try Macanese food. Homestyle dishes like minchi (wok-fried pork and potato hash topped with a fried egg), capela (Macanese-style meatloaf), and stuffed shrimp sautéed with butter and garlic represent the fusion of flavors that define the cuisine. Order a lot to share, and when the weather is pleasant, dine with views of Taipa village on the third floor.

With its fresh Italian fare and sweeping views, Aurora is a local favorite for both business lunches and dinner dates. The menu focuses on seafood, spotlighting Patagonian toothfish, Hokkaido scallops, Boston lobster, and seasonal oysters, but there are also plenty of pastas and grilled meat dishes, plus excellent wood-fired pizzas made from 48-hour fermented dough. Pair it all with one of the hundreds of bottles of wine in the cellar as you admire Macau at night through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Next to Aurora and with the same stunning views of the peninsula, Kira serves quality Japanese fare. Its wasabi, for example, comes fresh and doesn't burn badly—truly sublime mustard is a sign that something fresh is taking place in the kitchen. Outdoor deck seating is a nice way to enjoy Kira's carefully cut sashimi, subtle seaweed soups, and fine cuts of wagyu beef. This is an excellent choice for entertaining guests and for family dining, but there are also private booths if you're in the mood for something intimate.

A busy little eatery in the heart of Taipa Village, O Santos serves up classic Portuguese fare without frills or fluff—but with a lot of warm and lively hospitality. Decorated with Portuguese soccer paraphernalia, the gregarious owner’s navy keepsakes, and global currencies tacked to the walls, it’s not a place for a romantic night out, but the food is great. Try the suckling pig, baked duck rice, and, to finish, the serradura (a Portuguese dessert containing cookies and cream).

The house-made sangria is terrific.