Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [263]
A PETISQUEIRA Map Portuguese $$
2882 5354; 15A-B Rua de São João; starters MOP$25-85, mains MOP$98-198; noon-2.30pm & 7-10.15pm Tue-Fri, noon-2.45pm & 7-10.15pm Sat & Sun
‘The Snackery’ is an amicable place with a myriad of Portuguese choices set in a little alley that is easy to overlook. It serves its own queijo fresca da casa (homemade cheese). Try the baked seafood with rice.
LA CUCINA ITALIANA Map Italian $$
2882 7818; 6-12 Rua do Pai Kok; starters MOP$38-88, mains MOP$88-188; noon-10pm Wed-Mon
This low-key restaurant in Taipa Village is full of locals in the evenings, drawn by carefully prepared pastas and toothsome tiramisu. It has a great selection of Italian wines that go perfectly with the fresh seafood dishes.
AMAGAO Map Macanese $$
2882 7627; Rua Ho Lin Vong; starters MOP$38-84, mains MOP$78-185; 6-10pm Thu-Tue
Make your way to Amagao and let the chef heal you if you are sick of flash eateries and crying out for a good honest meal. Located down a side alley off Rua da Cunha, this 10-seat family style Macanese restaurant is probably the best in Macau. The fabulously flavourful Portuguese chicken (MOP$98) is exceptional.
O MANUEL Map Portuguese $$
2882 7571; 90 Rua de Fernão Mendes Pinto; starters MOP$40-56, mains MOP$78-154; noon-3.30pm & 6-10.30pm Wed-Mon
A family-run restaurant, though a bit isolated from Taipa Village, it still attracts both locals and expats alike with its splendid Portuguese dishes such as grilled bacalhau.
KAPOK CANTONESE RESTAURANT Map Cantonese $$
2883 3333; 60 Rua de Hong Chau, Hoi Yee Garden; mains MOP$60-150; 11am-3pm & 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat, 9am-3pm & 5.30-11pm Sun
This crowd-pleaser behind the Crown has quality dim sum in a more casual setting. It’s always full during lunch hours and on the weekends.
COZINHA PINOCCHIO Map Macanese $$
2882 7128; 4 Rua do Sol; starters MOP$68-88, mains MOP$65-168; 11.45am-10.30pm
After moving back to its original location in a newly renovated building, Cozinha Pinocchio’s food has improved a lot and its size doubled. On the weekends it’s packed with tourists enjoying the stir-fried curried crab.
GALO Map Macanese, Portuguese $$
2882 7423; 45 Rua da Cunha; starters MOP$35-65, mains MOP$56-148; 11am-3pm & 6-10.30pm
You can easily recognise this place by the picture of a red-combed galo (rooster) above the door. The food is adequate and the service flawless.
POU TAI TEMPLE RESTAURANT Map Chinese, Vegetarian $
2893 0321; 5 Estrada Lou Lim Ieok; dishes MOP$36-55; 11am-8pm Mon-Sat, 9am-9pm Sun
If you get tired of the meat-laden Portuguese cuisine, this strictly vegetarian restaurant, set in a Buddhist temple in northern Taipa, is a great find for the health conscious. No frills here.
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Coloane Island
ESPAçO LISBOA Map Portuguese $$
2888 2226; 8 Rua dos Gaivotas; starters MOP$89-250, mains MOP$120-350; noon-3pm & 6.30-10pm Tue-Fri, noon-10.30pm Sat & Sun
Located in a charming village house with white stuccoed walls, the ‘Lisbon Space’ restaurant is perfect if you want a quiet, romantic evening with your partner. Get a table on the balcony and try the carefully prepared Portuguese dishes such as grilled sardines.
MIRAMAR Map Portuguese $$
2888 2663; Zona Norte de Praia de Hac Sa; starters MOP$40-98, mains MOP$118-248; 7-11pm Tue-Fri, noon-11pm Sat & Sun
Miramar is one of the best kept secrets among the Portuguese community in Macau. Just next to the Westin, this seaside restaurant serves magnificent Portuguese food with a Mozambique flavour. Try the curry with shrimp and wash it down with vinho verde.It has indoor and outdoor dining areas, and is equipped with shower facilities for beachgoers. The restaurant is really out of the way. Call for a free pick-up service from anywhere in Taipa.
KWUN HOI HEEN Map Cantonese $$
8899 1320; 3rd fl, Westin Resort Macau, 1918 Estrada de Hác Sá; rice & noodle dishes MOP$40-89,