Come to the Macau Food Festival! Enjoy cuisines from around the world without leaving the country.
Recently, I traveled to Macau with friends and happened to catch the Macau Food Festival. As a food lover, I simply couldn't miss it. Upon arriving at the festival venue, I was absolutely amazed. It was the largest, most popular, and most diverse food festival I have ever attended. Without leaving the country, you can enjoy signature dishes from all over the world—what a great deal!
This year marks the 20th edition of the Macau Food Festival. It is also one of the large-scale food events held after Macau's COVID-19 situation stabilized. It is a global culinary feast, so if you are planning a trip to Macau soon, do not miss it.
The 20th Macau Food Festival is held from November 13 to 29 at the Sai Van Lake Square, right in front of the Macau Tower, a landmark of Macau. Anyone who has been to Macau knows that this area is iconic. The Macau Tower, together with Sai Van Lake and Nam Van Lake, forms the beautiful 'Two Lakes and One Tower' scenery. Enjoying food here is extremely pleasant and comfortable.
This year’s festival invited nearly a hundred local Macau specialty restaurants to participate. The venue is divided into five major food streets: Chinese Restaurant Street, European Food Street, Asian Food Street, Flavor Food Street, and Dessert Street. In the underground level of Sai Van Lake, there is a Japanese Food Street. Truly a global culinary event.
I went on a Sunday. From 3 PM onwards, the venue was already packed with people. By nightfall, it was absolutely crowded. The majority were local Macau residents. The dining area was full, showing its popularity and appeal.
Long queues formed in front of the Asian Food Street. Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, and Singaporean cuisines were very popular. Since we cannot travel abroad due to the pandemic, being able to taste representative dishes from various countries here instantly boosts happiness.
The Dessert Street, very popular among young people, offers a wide variety of desserts, including many innovative dessert experiences—tempting indeed.
The Macau Food Festival not only gathers world cuisines but also offers many entertainment options suitable for children and families. Dozens of fun activities for kids were very popular, making it easier for parents. After enjoying delicious food and various fun activities, we left feeling very fulfilled.
This 17-day food carnival not only allows visitors to experience Macau's rich and diverse food culture but also features cultural performances and lucky draws, creating a lively atmosphere.
Indian pancakes (prata) with various flavors such as scallion, banana, durian, mango, and pineapple were extremely popular.
Although there were many visitors at the festival, everyone wore masks voluntarily along the food streets, only removing them in the dining area. Everyone worked together to create a safe dining and travel environment, which was very reassuring.
From the festival venue, one can feel the richness and diversity of Macau's cuisine. This stems from Macau's unique geographical location, historical culture, as well as the city's inclusiveness and the warmth of its people. The longer I stayed at the festival, the more I came to love this city.
Festival opening hours: November 13 to 29, 2020
Monday to Thursday: 5 PM to 11 PM daily
Friday to Sunday: 3 PM to 12 AM daily
Transportation tips for the festival:
To facilitate visitors, the festival provides four free shuttle bus routes:
1) Nam Van International Plaza – Sai Van Lake Square
2) Black Sand Circle Market Street – Sai Van Lake Square
3) Taipa Central Park – Sai Van Lake Square
4) Portas do Cerco Square (left side of the entrance) – Sai Van Lake Square
