Hong Kong & Macau - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

TREAT YOURSELF

Less than two percent of the population speaks Portuguese, but Macanese food is still heavily

influenced by its colonial past, blending Asian, European and African influences. Here are two

of the most famous places worth splashing out on:

A Lorcha 289 Rua do Almirante Sergio T 2831 3193; buses #1, #5, #10. A local institution, “The

Sailboat” serves an extensive menu of expertly cooked Macanese dishes (mains from MOP$100),

such as oxtail stew. Standouts include the heart-stopping serradura , a spectacular cream-and-

biscuit dessert. Book ahead on weekends. Daily except Tues 12.30-3pm & 6.30-11pm.

Fernando's 9 Praia de Hac Sa, Coloane. An institution among local expats with the casual,

cheerful atmosphere of a Mediterranean bistro and great Portuguese dishes such as prawn in

clam sauce, pork ribs and grilled chicken (mains from MOP$80). They don't take reservations, and

even if you get there early (essential at weekends) you may still have to wait for a table. Situated

just 50m from the Hac Sa Beach bus stop; there's no sign so follow your nose. Daily noon-late.

★

NIGHTLIFE

Although drinking isn't a major pastime in Macau and can

be expensive, a cluster of new bars and night-time cafés

lies in the stretch of reclaimed land just southwest of the

ferry terminal and in front of the new Kun Iam statue

(follow signs to NAPE).

Casablanca Café 1369-1373 Rua Cidade de Tavira;

buses include #3, #3A, #5X, #8, #9, #10, #10A. This place

has a 1930s Hollywood theme. A covered colonnade and

wicker chairs protect it from the weather, and the terrace is

a good spot for people-watching. Inside, catch up on the

football or play pool. Things don't get going until around

midnight. Beer MOP$50. Daily noon-late.

Cinnebar Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE; buses

#8, #10A, #23. Amiable bar serving decent cocktails and

malt whiskies; choose from the refined indoor setting or

the relaxed outdoor area in the garden. Daily noon-late.

Moonwalker 1361 Rua Cidade de Tavira; buses #8, #10A,

#23. This is one of the larger bars on the waterfront,

with action spread over two floors and live music every

night except Tues from 10pm; open until 6am at the

weekends. Daily 1pm-late; daily happy hour 4-8pm daily.

Beer MOP$30.

3

meaty dumplings, dumplings in soup, fried dumplings and

more. Mains from MOP$30. Daily 11am-11pm.

Terra Coffee House Largo do Santo Agostinho 1; buses

#3, #6, #19, #33. Fantastic little coffee house where the

baristas really know their beans. Have your brew hot or

iced. Daily 11am-8pm.

Wong Chi Kei 51 Rua Cinco de Outubro; buses #8A, #18A,

#19, #26. At the original location of this smart noodle shop

you can munch on shrimp roe noodles, crab congee,

wonton noodle soup and more. The beer is also cheap and

there's a history of noodles on the place mat to educate you

while you wait. Mains start from MOP$32. There's another

branch at 17 Largo do Senado. Daily 8.30am-11pm.

TAIPA AND COLOANE

Galo Rua do Cunha 45, Taipa; buses #11, #15, #22, #30,

#33. A good place to sample tasty Portuguese food right

in the middle of Taipa Village; go for the fish in tomato

sauce, African chicken or the clams in garlic, and skip the

oily steak. They have another, more expensive, branch

called Dom Galo in the NAPE. Mains from MOP$60.

Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm & 6-10.30pm, Sat & Sun

11.30am-10.30pm.

Lord Stow's Bakery Coloane Town Square; buses #21A,

#25, #26A. A leading contender for Macau's best egg

custard tart (MOP$8). Either luxuriate in the a/c at Lord

Stow's Café just around the corner, or head down to the

waterfront with your tarts, still warm from the oven.

Thurs-Tues 7am-10pm, Wed 7am-7pm.

Nga Tim Cafe 1 Rua Caetano, Coloane; buses #21A, #25,

#26A. A busy family restaurant with gingham tablecloths

opposite St Francis' Chapel, serving delicious Chinese-

Portuguese food. Service is slow but the owner is quite

a character. Macau-style aromatic duck HK$68. Daily

noon-1am.

Pou Tai Restaurant Inside the Pou Tai temple; buses

#25, #33. Generous helpings of strictly vegetarian dishes

in an atmospheric temple setting. Mains from MOP$40.

Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 9am-9pm.