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Macau's medley of Portuguese and Cantonese cuisine—spicy and creamy Macanese interpretations of traditional Cantonese dishes such as baked prawns, braised abalone, and seafood stews—has made it one of Asia's top fine-dining destinations for decades.
Now, thanks to the spate of new casino-hotels, Macau has also become an exciting world-class culinary frontier. But local dining isn't all highbrow. Near the Largo do Senado and in the villages of Taipa and Coloane, wander the back alleys to find treats like zhu-bao-bao (a slab of fried pork on a toasted bun served with milk tea) or the signature pasteis de nata (custard tart): they’re simple, delicious, and classic Macau.
Long-renowned restaurants such as Restaurante Fernando and Litoral are staying the course. So, too, are Cantonese eateries such as Fat Siu Lau, particularly well known among Hong Kong residents who travel to Macau just for dim sum, weekend brunches, and seafood feasts at more affordable prices and made from higher-quality ingredients.
Mesa by José Avillez is not your typical Portuguese restaurant. Its bold interior blends Chinese symbolism with Karl Lagerfeld’s signature black, white, and gold aesthetic while the food also bucks norms, its plates—like succulent piri piri chicken and beef croquettes with truffle and mustard emulsion—are made to share. If ordering à la carte, be sure to pick widely, and pair your food with one of the exclusive Douro Valley wines.
Everyone in Hong Kong and Macau knows about Fernando’s. The open-air dining pavilion and bar have attracted beachgoers for years, and the enterprising Fernando has built a legendary reputation for his Portuguese fare. Look for the vine-covered entrance close to Hác Sá Beach. Outside of summer, try to get a table in the outdoor garden.
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.
Designed by Hong Kong’s Alan Chan, The Eight dazzles with its food as well as its decor, both of which have kept it in the Michelin guide for more than a decade. The red and gold interiors feature swimming goldfish motifs and the number eight—considered lucky in Chinese culture. The chefs here prepare fine Cantonese cuisine and dim sum, including signatures like tea-smoked pigeon and Cantonese-style sautéed lobster. The wine cellar contains a staggering 17,800-plus labels, and the tea selection is just as exceptional.
Lunchtime diners can choose from 40 different types of dim sum.
With its dedicated view of the Wynn Macau's Performance Lake show and the flashing glows of the Lisboa casinos providing ambience, one of the most romantic restaurants in Macau plays host to Asian celebrities and well–heeled travelers alike. Popular among the impeccable southern Italian delights are tenderloin carpaccio and cioppino starters and sweet potato and pancetta gnocchi, accompanied by chilled wine from an exhaustive list. Desserts range from crispy cannoli to homemade sorbets and ice cream imported straight from Italy. Window seats in particular are at a premium and are best reserved three weeks in advance. The dress code is "casual elegance," which means long pants, closed-toe shoes, and no open shirts for men; this is not the place for children under five.
As you walk into Wing Lei, you’re greeted by a dragon sculpted from a single piece of glass and 90,000 Swarovski crystals, dangling delicately above a yellow-and-coral room inspired by Van Gogh. The Michelin-starred restaurant lives up to this lavish look with signature dishes like steamed grouper with aged tangerine peel and succulent barbecued Ibérico pork. While the dinner degustation is not cheap, the lunch specials and dim sum sets, often priced at less than MOP$300, offer great value.
