Your trip to Macau isn’t complete without a visit to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. This iconic landmark is situated at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macau, where you can immerse yourself in the city’s rich Chinese and Portuguese heritage. Stroll along cobblestone streets, navigate narrow alleyways, admire ancient Chinese and Western architecture, and discover hidden gems.
Upon arriving at the landmark, you’ll be greeted by the stunning façade at the top of a long stone staircase. This façade is the remains of the original Church of Mater Dei, which once stood next to St. Paul’s College, the first Western-style university in the Far East. Sadly, both structures were destroyed in 1835. Today, this tourist hotspot is nestled between the historic Na Tcha Temple and the Mount Fortress, showcasing Macau’s unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures.
The city’s culinary scene is equally captivating. Close to the landmark, you’ll find a variety of local flavors, including cha chaan tengs (Hong-Kong style cafés), Western-style cafes, dessert shops, noodle restaurants, and emerging specialty coffee houses. Join us for a quick tour of five eateries near this historic site.
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Lok Kei Noodles is a go-to spot if you’re craving authentic local Cantonese flavors. In one of the city’s oldest areas, Patane, this eatery sits in a once bustling community district. Take a stroll along the charming old buildings and visit the beautiful Patane Library nearby to catch a glimpse of Macau’s history.
Lok Kei’s signature dishes include shrimp roe noodles, crab congee, rice noodles with fish balls, deep-fried wontons with crispy dace balls, and braised chicken feet, which are highly popular. The restaurant still uses traditional methods to make its jook-sing noodles, kneading the dough with a bamboo pole to give them a chewy texture. You can enjoy the noodles sprinkled with sautéed shrimp roe or topped with lard, for an aromatic experience.
Thanks to Macau’s rich seafood resources, Lok Kei’s crab congee is also a standout dish, boasting a creamy texture and incredibly fresh flavors.
RELATED: Best Cantonese Restaurants in Macau
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If you find yourself in Macau during the summer, try the delicious Japanese-style gelato at Kika, just steps away from the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady and Senado Square.
The owner, hailing from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, opened the eatery in 2016 and quickly earned a spot in the MICHELIN Guide the following year. She uses the finest, high-quality ingredients, including crown melons from Shizuoka and 3.6% milk from Hokkaido. Tea lovers can try the hojicha, wakoucha, genmaicha, and jasmine teas, plus various intensities of matcha green tea.
If you’re in the mood for gelato classics, try the strawberry, bursting with fresh fruit sweetness, or the salted caramel, which perfectly balances sweet and salty for a delightful treat. Alternatively, if you’re a yoghurt fan, the cherry, blueberry, and rose are not to be missed.
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Lun Kee Rice Roll is a cozy hole-in-the-wall located on a slope in Rua Do Tarrafeiro, a historic street in Macau. Run by local chef Lam Won Lun, who spent years in hotel kitchens before opening his shop in 2011, this eatery proudly boasts a sign declaring: “Macau’s number one duck congee.” However, its bouncy rice rolls are what earned it a spot in the MICHELIN Guide.
With seating for no more than ten people, the eatery features two large steamers where customers can watch Lam prepare the rice rolls using a permeable cloth. Various flavors are offered, including black truffle with prawns and sweet corn with char siu. However, the simple yet delicious rice rolls with eggs and scallions truly established Lam’s reputation.
What distinguishes Lam’s rice rolls is their tender texture. Although they are thicker than typical rice rolls, they remain delightfully bouncy. Enjoy them as they are, or for an additional kick, drizzle the dish with sweet, spicy or sesame sauce. Still hungry? Try the homemade duck congee for something more substantial.
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Nestled at the end of Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Ngao Kei Ka Lei (meaning Ngao Kei Curry) is your go-to spot for a satisfying meal of rice, congee, and noodles in the historic town of Macau. This intimate eatery serves a delightful array of dishes that will please any palate, from stirred noodles generously topped with crab roe to rich crab congee, savory beef brisket curry, coconut chicken curry, and crispy pan-fried cuttlefish patties.
Since its establishment in 1997, Ngao Kei has been popular with food enthusiasts, evident from its frequent bustling crowds. The restaurant exudes a charmingly unpretentious vibe, with casual mismatched furniture that feels both nostalgic and welcoming.
The eatery has expanded with another store on the same street to cater to its loyal patrons. However, for an authentic experience, the original store, steeped in nearly two decades of history, is worth the wait.
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As you explore Rua da Tercena, which is dotted with fruit vendors and antique shops, you’ll easily pass by an unassuming eatery, Ving Kei. This family-run eatery has been a beloved local fixture for nearly seventy years.
Originally a trolley that sold tofu, noodles, and tofu puddings run by a couple from the neighborhood, this family-owned business was passed down to their two sons in the 1980s. Today, it continues to delight locals with the same time-honored dishes with customizable toppings, including deep-fried pork ribs, chicken wings, squid, and fish balls.
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