For most of the year, the weather in Macao tends to be so hot and humid that the thought of spending time outdoors isn’t appealing. And that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, with 2023 going down as the third hottest year on record. The climate – in addition to arduous licensing requirements for restaurateurs – may be one of the reasons why al fresco restaurants aren’t common.
There are a few, however, and this is the time to enjoy them. The period from late autumn to early spring – with its blue skies and gentle weather – is the time for maxing outdoor activity in Macao, including dining. Here are some of the places we enjoy most.
Tyson BBQ
With a cluster of stalls at the northern end of the promenade, Hac Sa Beach is a well known destination for quick bites like pork chop buns and corn on the cob. But for a full-on, local-style barbecue experience, Tyson (named after boxing legend Mike Tyson) is the place to go.
The secluded location of this sizable eatery – you’ll find it just off Estrada de Hac Sa, the road connecting Coloane Village and the Grand Coloane Resort – make it a hidden gem. And if dining under the moonlight to the sound of waves crashing on the sand appeals to you, look no further.
The draw card of this no-frills eatery is its modest terrace. On weekends, the atmosphere is lively, with friends gathering for a night out over hot dishes and cold drinks. From squid to honey-glazed pork neck, the menu features dozens of options from land and sea, all cooked on the charcoal grill in the open-air kitchen located at the back of the restaurant.
Address: Estrada de Hac Sa 19, Coloane
Phone: (853) 2888 2298
Opening hours: 7 pm to 2 am; Closed on Mondays
Vic’s Portuguese Restaurant
With views stretching from the Macau Ferry Terminal to the Ponte da Amizade, Vic’s Restaurante at the Rock’s Hotel offers one of the best views of the estuary – and comfortably shaded al fresco seating to enjoy it from.
Part of its terrace is free of dining tables, providing convenient space for children to play as they watch buses cross the bridge, ferries sail off, not to mention the occasional helicopter touching down at the ferry terminal’s heliport, while parents lazily enjoy their meal. It’s also one of the few restaurants where you’re welcome to bring your dog.
Vic’s chef Martinho Moniz has designed an authentic menu featuring all the bacalhau (salted cod) and seafood specialties that Portugal is famous for. Be sure to try his stuffed Atlantic crab and monkfish rice with tiger prawns.
Address: Ground floor, Rocks Hotel at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Macao
Phone: (853) 8799 6355
Opening hours: 11:30 am to 11 pm; Closed on Mondays
Cais 22
There are a few reasons to love Cais 22 (和發碼頭美食). First, its location in the Inner Harbour area (near the Sofitel Macau at Ponte hotel) has an authentic, local feel that’s increasingly hard to come by. Then, there’s its affordable price point. Next is the open-air dining area – facing the channel that separates Macao from Zhuhai’s Zhuxian Park. Finally, there’s an extensive menu of local seafood specialties. No wonder Cais 22 is popular (and especially so with the Portuguese community).
[See more: Our pick of Macao’s best Portuguese restaurants]
Dining at this eatery means getting take-it-or-leave-it kind of service, a dining table covered with a disposable tablecloth, and no frills whatsoever (napkins are regarded as a luxury here). If you’re disturbed by the sight of shirtless, swearing cooks preparing your next meal, we’d also advise against peering into the kitchen.
However, if none of that deters you, gather a large group to enjoy some of the delicious dishes on offer. Don’t miss the oozy scrambled eggs with shrimps, steamed clams, spicy calamari and deep-fried noodlefish.
Though closed for lunch, food is served into the wee hours at Cais 22 – up until 5 am. On the hunt for a place to satisfy those late-night cravings? Look no further.
Address: Ground floor, Ponte Cais 22, Avenida de Demetrio Cinatti, Macao
Phone: (853) 2843 6709
Opening hours: 4 pm to 5 am
Terrazza Italian Restaurant
One of our favourite Italian restaurants in Macao, Terrazza Italian Restaurant sits inside one of Cotai’s largest integrated resorts, Galaxy Macau, and its terrace has become a natural choice for receptions, cocktail parties and fantastic meals.
Italian fare flies out of the kitchen, where executive chef Rafa di Sabbaco and and his team master a comprehensive menu spanning regional cuisines from Milan to Naples, coupled with a wine list that celebrates the depth and diversity of the country’s vintages.
Don’t leave without trying Terrazza’s signature carpaccio di fassone (beef carpaccio) with freshly shaved parmesan. The calamari and the linguine alle vongole with chilli are also don’t-miss items. To wrap up your meal, try the perfect tiramisu – prepared table side as you salivate.
Address: Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai
Phone: (853) 8883 2221
Opening hours: 6 to 10 pm, daily
Café Esplanada
With a loyal clientele of corporate professionals working nearby, Café Esplanada’s offers a luxurious al fresco dining terrace surrounded by a lush garden. It’s a tranquil setting that almost makes us forget we’re in the heart of the city.
The diverse menu transports diners from the West to the East through staples like French onion soup, Indonesia’s nasi goreng and delicious salads, with the Niçoise being one of our go-tos for a satisfying healthy lunch. A menu of Macanese specialties curated by Raymond Vong, chef and owner of Henry’s Galley, is also available and his epic African chicken is one of the featured dishes.
[See more: Raymond Vong: Cooking up the future of a Macao icon]
We especially love breakfast at Esplanada, however. There are few better ways to start your day than with cinnamon and nutmeg French toast and Americano coffee on the verdant terrace, when it’s extra quiet.
Address: Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macao
Phone: (853) 8986 3663
Opening hours: 7 am to 10:30 pm, daily
Nga Tim
Helmed by charismatic owner Vong Iu Tong, Nga Tim is a Coloane institution, and it’s easy to see why. Set beside the butter-yellow Chapel of St Francis Xavier, the eatery features an outdoor terrace inside the square’s picturesque colonnades just steps away from the waterfront promenade. In short, this decade-old cafe exudes an old-world charm that you won’t find elsewhere.
As for its menu, expect a mix of influences from near and far. While some dishes are clearly inspired by Portuguese cuisine, like the charcoal grilled bacalhau, others are straight up local – think sweet and sour pork or sizzling beef chow mein noodles or the Macanese-style crab curry.
As you tuck into a delicious meal, you’ll appreciate the slow-paced atmosphere that invites you to linger longer. With any luck, Vong might even treat you to a Cantonese rendition of an oldie hit on his guitar.
Address: 8, Rua Caetano, Coloane Village
Phone: (853) 2888 2086
Opening hours: 12 pm to 1 am, daily
Splash
After a temporary closure every winter, Splash at the Four Seasons hotel in Cotai springs back into action to welcome the warmer months. When it comes to poolside luxury, it’s hard to beat the cafe’s terrace seating surrounded by manicured greenery.
In a city where Mexican cuisine is hard to come by, we particularly love the Latin American influences on the menu. The cafe’s tacos, enchiladas and burritos served alongside various moles go down easy, as does the signature Wagyu cheeseburger.
There are health-conscious options too, such as the “Super Greens” salad with avocado and cucumber or the seasonal strawberry salad with smoked haddock.
Address: Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macao
Phone: (853) 2881 8833
Talay Thai
Located within Fisherman’s Wharf, Talay Thai is a firm favourite for Thai food and unobstructed views over the delta. Bursting with tropical, bright flavours, the cuisine pairs well with the laid-back vibe and large open terrace.
Soak up the views as you enjoy Thai staples like tom yum kung soup, deep-fried shrimp cakes and pineapple fried rice (a dish you’ll see served on nearly every table) alongside buckets of cold beer. If the experience evokes memories of sun-drenched beach getaways in Thailand, you’re not the only one.
Address: Shops 3-5, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Macao
Phone: (853) 2872 7207
Opening hours: 12 pm to 2 am, daily
