There are exciting new offerings this summer in Macao’s dining scene – from a neighbourhood takeaway serving up traditional Neapolitan pizza and Portuguese grilled chicken, to a new spot for specialty coffee at Lisboeta, a lofty ramen restaurant serving A5 wagyu, and two new alfresco cafes opening at Galaxy.
We’ve also got wind of a new whisky and Latin bar on the horizon, Pony & Plume, that will be opening very soon at the Capella hotel.
Read on for our list of restaurants to visit in Macao this August.
Brasa Pizza & Grill
This new takeaway in Taipa is adjacent to the Nam Sun neighbourhood on Avenida de Kwong Tung, and ambitiously specialises in authentic Neapolitan pizza and Portuguese grilled chicken.
Characterised by dark charred spots known as “leopard spots” and its classic chewy texture, Neapolitan pizza is prepared from scratch at Brasa. They make their dough with Italian “doppio zero” flour and ferment it for 48 hours. Premium ingredients, such as San Marzano tomato sauce, buffalo cheese and mortadella pistachio, are imported from Italy and the 30cm pizzas are cooked in a traditional brick oven. There’s an impressive range of traditional flavours with prices starting from 138 going upwards to 226 patacas. Pizzas are made fresh to order in about 10 to 15 minutes, or you can just show up and order by slice from the pizzas on the counter.
[See more: New restaurants to visit in Macao this June]
Brasa also specialise in juicy Portuguese grilled chicken, which is marinated for 24 hours before grilling for 45 minutes. Costing 88 patacas for half and 168 for a whole chicken, flavours range from original, lemon and herb, garlic to crazy and XX hot. Enjoy with a selection of lusitanian tipples, with Portuguese beer Quinas conveniently available in mini bottles and Lisbon’s AdegaMae white wine and rosé available in slim cans.
Gaga
China’s beloved café chain Gaga has arrived in Macao at Galaxy, marking its 99th branch and its first cafe outside of mainland China.
The philosophy of Gaga revolves around healthy food, art and chilling out – and this is apparent at their newest branch. The cafe is characterised by high ceilings, wooden furniture, green tiles and displays original art pieces from Chinese artists, making it reminiscent of an art gallery. There is also spacious outdoor seating, perfect for accommodating groups of various sizes.
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Gaga offers a range of healthy, Western-inspired cuisine ranging from all-day brunches, salads, sandwiches, pasta, freshly squeezed juice and fruit tea, which the chain is particularly known for. There are two special items on the menu that are only available in Macao – the shrimp paste seafood pasta (made using local brand Kwong Heng Long’s shrimp paste) and serradurra, both proud nods to Macao’s culinary heritage. Expect mains to cost north of 70 patacas and drinks to cost 40 patacas or above.
Don’t miss the ceiling mural by Shanghai artist Li Yanjie, and in case you were wondering, the trees that you see inside the cafe are real.
Casa da Rosa
Opened just last week at Galaxy, Casa da Rosa is an alfresco-style café that serves up Macanese and Portuguese flavours. The blue-and-white azulejo tiled café has a deli counter filled with pastries, croquettes, salads and Berliner doughnuts (“Bolas de Berlim”) that are commonly found in Portuguese cafes, perfect for those who want to just grab something on the go. Prices start from 38 patacas and average at about 90 patacas for mains.
[See more: The best Portuguese restaurants in Macao]
The new café is led by Andaz Kitchen’s Chef André Lai, and is a homage to his grandmother Rosa. Lai has curated a menu that includes Portuguese classics and family recipes. Among the latter are Grandma Rosa’s Portuguese tart. Other highlights include the signature duck rice, the Portuguese pork bun bifana and of course, good coffee.
Craving something cold, sweet and even closer to home? You can grab Lai Kee ice cream here as well.
Emdewbleu Coffee
A new local cafe brand devoted to specialty coffees officially opened at Lisboeta Macau’s H853 Fun Factory on 15 July. Emdewbleu’s interior is sleek without sacrificing warmth: the metallic bar and accent walls evoke futurism, while rounded furniture and the integration of natural materials such as wood and stone keep the design grounded.
The cafe has three signature coffees: the Pastel de Nata, which uses real egg yolk; the Triple Citron Cadence, a cold brew with citrus flavours and soda water; and the Earth’s Scented Shadow, a cold brew with unique notes of vetiver and patchouli and a layer of rose-infused rock salt cream foam. The signatures are undeniably picturesque, well-made and delicious, but 68 patacas per drink is a pretty steep price if you’re just looking for a pick-me-up.
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Emdewbleu do offer more classic options as well as teas and lattes with prices ranging between 40 to 50 patacas, and if you’re really into specialty coffee beans with esoteric notes like yoghurt or grapes, they also have a range of pour over coffees that cost 66 to 86 patacas. To sweeten the deal, students can enjoy an exclusive discount of 15 percent for the time being.
Rich 8 Ramen
Ramen lovers in Macao have a new culinary destination to explore. Rich 8 Ramen, located on the third floor of the Grand Lisboa, began its soft launch on 1 May and is already drawing attention for both its striking interior and flavorful offerings.
The restaurant’s design thoughtfully blends natural wood elements with Japanese Kumiko craftsmanship. Delicate lines and an impressive five-meter-high ceiling lend the space an airy and refined atmosphere, setting the stage for an immersive dining experience.
At the heart of Rich 8 Ramen’s menu is its rich tonkotsu broth – slow-simmered for eight hours to develop its full-bodied depth. The noodles are made with a low alkaline water ratio, giving them a satisfyingly chewy texture that perfectly captures the essence of the broth in each bite.
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Among the standout dishes are the A5 Japanese wagyu ramen, featuring premium beef delivered daily from certified Japanese farms, the pork cha-shu tonkotsu ramen, and a bold, Korean-inspired kimchi black pork belly ramen. Each bowl is served with a soft-boiled egg, adding another layer of comfort and flavor.
Beyond ramen, the restaurant offers a variety of tempura and sashimi, along with specialty draft beers such as Suntory and Sapporo.
During the soft launch period, Macao residents can enjoy an exclusive 20 percent discount by presenting valid ID. For even greater value, combo vouchers are available via MPay or AOMI. Priced between 128 and 148 patacas, these sets include a bowl of ramen, a pickled cucumber appetizer, house milk pudding, Rich 8’s vibrant signature soda, and a standout serving of crispy fried chicken.
– With additional reporting by Don Lei and Kayla Chan
