What to Eat and Drink in Macau
While Macau may be better known for its casinos than anything else, a visitor shouldn’t overlook the excellent cuisine that the city has to offer. Macanese cuisine is deeply steeped in the city’s history, and is influenced by both its traditional Chinese and colonial Portuguese past. Some of Macau’s best dishes can be found in its street food; some of the best food can sometimes be found in the most unassuming of local food stalls!
Egg Tart
An egg tart in Macau
The Portuguese egg tart is probably the most famous of Macau’s street food offerings. The egg tart has a long and delicious history in Macau, and while the most famous place to get a delicious, warm, fresh egg tart is at the iconic Lord Stow’s Bakery, they can be found for sale all over the city, usually costing around $10 per pastry.
Macau egg tarts for sale at a bakery in the city’s old town area
Pork Chop Bun
A pork chop bun in Macau bought at a street food stall
The pork chop bun is another favorite street food snack in Macau. A fried pork chop served in a sandwich with a hot, fresh baked bun is the perfect on-the-go snack in the busy city.
Sometimes referred to as a “Macanese Hamburger”, the pork chop bun is delicious and filling… but not necessarily a healthy snack! Pork chop buns can be found at street food stands and bakeries all over the city.
pork chop buns at a bakery in Macao
Xiao Long Bao Dumplings
xiao long bao soup dumplings in Macau
Xiao Long Bao, or Chinese soup dumplings, are a type of steamed dumpling that is very popular for a late-night snack in Macau. The tiny hand-made dumplings are filled with delicious hot soup, so you have to eat them very carefully! To eat a xiao long bao, pick up the top of the dumpling with your chopsticks, take a small bite, and drink the soup out of the dumpling. Then, eat the rest of the delicious, delicate xiao long bao. So good!
Macau Beer
A bottle of Macau Beer Golden Ale
Finally, wash down all the delicious food that you’ve enjoyed with the most popular drink in Macau… beer! The iconic Macau Beer is a craft-style golden ale, and in my opinion, one of the best beers in Asia. Surprisingly, it can be a little bit difficult to find! Chinese beers like Tsingtao are a lot more common. But don’t pass up the chance to try a Macau Beer whenever you can. Cheers!