I Have a Secret Plan: To Eat Our Way Through Macau's Food Scene

📍 Macau · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 67 likes

For food lovers, one of the great joys of travel is satisfying the taste buds. Many busy people can sample delicacies on a trip that they normally wouldn't get to enjoy, and that’s part of the meaning of travel. Trying new things and getting to know a new city brings us many insights about life. What the food inspired in me was probably the resolve to eat well in the future, not waste food, and set a goal to improve my cooking skills. On my most recent trip, the city that truly awed my taste buds was Macau. Don’t be fooled by its small size—delicious food is scattered everywhere, with a huge variety of types and flavors. From hotel tea houses and fine-dining restaurants to street snacks, from local specialties to international cuisines, the culinary map is vast and has it all. Anyone who visits Macau will be captivated by its countless delicacies and can’t help exclaiming: It’s truly a paradise for foodies!

The Londoner Hotel makes me feel closer to the UK than ever before—it features icons like Big Ben, the Londoner Metro, London Bridge, phone booths, mailboxes, the Crystal Palace, and more. Many spots inside the hotel are like mini attractions, making you want to stop and snap photos. Besides the British-themed hotel, Sands Macao also offers The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, The St. Regis Macao, and other luxury hotels in various styles for you to choose from.

In the hotel lobby's Crystal Palace, there’s a fountain, a statue of Cupid, and lively song-and-dance shows. The check-in counter is right nearby. Walking along the British-themed street that leads to the shopping area, you’ll spot a giant teacup big enough to stand in—that shows just how huge it is! There are so many spots in the hotel worth capturing on camera; looking back on them later will be a joy~

The shops at The Londoner range from affordable to accessible luxury, and with the mall’s promotion happening now, many stores are offering great discounts. Whether it’s everyday clothes and shoes, or bags and jewelry that ladies love, everything is on sale!

I thought browsing gold jewelry stores would be boring, but the salesgirl was super chatty. Lukfook Jewellery’s selection is diverse, and some of the designs really appeal to today’s young people with their unique styles. Buying gold is no small expense, so you’ll want to stroll around, look carefully, and compare to find the best piece!

The Adventure Kingdom designed for kids is quite brain-teasing too, with multiple themed zones and dreamy, adorable settings. Inside there’s a large boutique with lots of dolls and handicrafts—decorating your own home with them would definitely feel cozy.

If you’re tired from shopping and want a bite, Churchill’s Table is the perfect choice. It’s located in the hotel lobby, facing the fountain, with an outdoor dining area. This newly opened British-style restaurant serves a rich breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Their "Fantasy Afternoon Tea" is only available on Saturdays and Sundays, so friends who plan to visit, don’t mix up the days! Since the restaurant is very popular, I suggest you book in advance just in case, so you won’t be caught in an awkward full-house situation.

The breakfast buffet combines Chinese and Western styles, balanced in nutrition and rich in flavor. You’ve got to go even if it means getting up early! The restaurant’s decor is vintage and elegant, and everyone speaks softly, creating a very comfortable dining atmosphere. The food tastes great, all ingredients are fresh, the cooking is unique, and the European flavors are authentic.

I must give a big shout-out to their buffet breakfast—so much variety and everything tastes delicious. Plus they had my favorite fruit; I grabbed a bunch of grapes, pure happiness!

The suites at The Londoner Hotel are brand new inside and out, and they even come with air purifiers. Friends who haven’t been here yet, can you get the joy of staying in such a luxurious suite through the photos I shared? I booked a Louis Suite, which is a spacious 75 square meters. Besides a plush bed and LCD TV, all the other room amenities are top-notch. The bathroom gave me so many surprises—apart from the automatic toilet, the toiletries are from high-end brands, and after using them, I couldn’t resist splurging on the same ones!

Rooms that make your heart flutter at first glance. If you have high standards for your sleeping environment, you must stay at The Londoner Hotel. The cleanliness is impeccable throughout, and the soundproofing is excellent.

Bei Fang Ming Yuan (Northern Ming Court) is a stunning restaurant specializing in northern Chinese cuisine, where you can enjoy all kinds of traditional northern dishes. Let me first show you the interior—the design resembles a Chinese noble mansion, with floral and bird motifs, and wooden carved screens, brimming with ancient charm.

I can rattle off a long list of their signature dishes: Spice-roasted organic whole lamb—it takes at least six people to finish a whole one. The crispy skin duck is similar to Beijing roast duck; the skin is very crispy. I even tried dipping it in sugar, which wasn’t really to my taste; it’s more flavorful dipped in sauce. The "Three Delights" dumplings have just the right wrapper thickness, a juicy filling, and taste wonderfully fragrant when dipped in vinegar and then chili sauce!

You might also order some home-style dishes. The hot and sour shredded potatoes are perfect with rice; the big mixed vegetable salad’s success depends entirely on the sauce, and we lucked out—it was spot on. The vinaigrette dressing was just right, the greens were fresh, and we finished it off within minutes of it hitting the table.

Lotus Palace Restaurant is on the 3rd floor of The Parisian Macao. Even the waitstaff are in suits and ties, creating a very formal atmosphere. Their seafood hot pot is quite famous, but this time we came for Cantonese cuisine. The setting is very Chinese retro, a stark contrast to Western restaurants.

The main dining area has many tables and feels a bit crowded. Since it wasn’t peak meal time, we went without a reservation and it wasn’t full. On busy holidays, I’d suggest heading out to eat at off-peak times to avoid long waits. The cured meat char siu is a classic Cantonese dish with rich sauce, a glossy red color, and a sweet-savory taste. The pomelo honey, crispy skin hand-shredded chicken: the chicken comes already pulled, with fresh pomelo underneath. Wrap the meat and pomelo in the chicken skin, and the layers of texture immediately pop. Then there’s cucumber butter prawns—exquisite presentation and unique flavor, making it my favorite dish of the meal. For dessert, go for the mango pomelo sago; the sweetness is perfectly balanced, the fruit is fresh, the texture is smooth, and it has a light, refreshing fragrance.

Can’t make it to France? No worries—just head to The Parisian’s French Restaurant on the third floor for a refined dinner, and you’ll experience authentic French flair. With fewer tourists now, there are plenty of tables, so no reservation is needed. The unique flavors of French cuisine will leave a lasting impression, and the plating is a work of art; you can sense the chef’s passion. The bread was a bit hard but not inedible, and it had a special charm when eaten with butter. The pan-seared foie gras was not greasy; it was a large piece served on red wine-braised apples, giving a refreshing taste. The French-style baked snails were a dish I’d always wanted to try but was too afraid—until my friend encouraged me, and I finally took a bite. The snail meat was fresh, tender, and chewy, with a rich garlicky sauce that tasted great. Also, the mushroom tart and the Hokkaido scallops were dishes we wiped clean in no time.

If you want to combine shopping with sightseeing, head to the Grand Canal Shoppes on the third floor of The Venetian Macao. The streets are beautiful, with an endless artificial sky that changes colors, and bridges over flowing water that make you feel like you’re in Venice itself. You can also take a gondola ride; the gondolier’s lovely singing will unconsciously have you humming along. The scenery here rivals any outdoors—rather than rushing around to multiple spots, just soak in the views right in front of you.

Lord Stow’s Bakery and Cafe, founded in 1989, is a time-honored food spot in Macau. Besides the classic Portuguese egg tarts, they also sell European-style pastries, bread, and drinks. It’s easy to find—just ask anyone. The tarts are big, with a thin and crispy outer layer.

For souvenirs, look no further than Koi Kei Bakery inside the Grand Canal Shoppes—there are more pastry varieties than you can count. Almond cakes, phoenix rolls, long egg rolls, almond flakes, and more; their almond series is always a top seller. Tourists leave with big and small bags, smiles on their faces, because they’re taking away not just food, but the joy of sharing.

If you’ve been in the hotel too long and want some fresh air, check out Rua do Cunha. Though it’s not long or big, it’s lined with plenty of local flavors. There’s also a hidden Rainbow Street, where the houses are painted in bright colors—so pretty, and perfect for photos. It’s basically a free outdoor photo studio.

Some specialty snacks are so famous that many celebrities have tried them, and the shops even have photo keepsakes. Sei Kee Coffee’s clay pot coffee and milk tea are rich in flavor; the pork chop bun can be a meal in itself, with a huge, juicy piece of meat in a soft bun—somewhat like a burger. Ice cream is a lifesaver in the heat—you must try the king of fruits, durian flavor, so good you’ll want unlimited refills.

As I write this, my stomach is already rumbling. It seems my appetite has gotten even better after this trip to Macau, hahaha. The featured restaurants I’ve shared are just the tip of the iceberg. To get more food tips, I suggest following some travel bloggers—their experience is not only rich but also super useful! Traveling to Macau now is very convenient; you can choose from sea, land, and air, and there’s no quarantine upon arrival. Just jump right into a happy trip of eating and drinking—what are you waiting for?

Travelogue Contents

1. Nice to meet you, please take care

2. Restaurant list

3. Strolling through Rua do Cunha

Travel Information

Hotel Index

Guide Index

Flight Index

Site Navigation

Travel Index

Cruise Index

Corporate Travel Index