Kicking off the new year, Macao serves up a compelling blend of well-known and the brand-new dining offerings.
From a tea house’s seafood venture to a Korean-inspired café taking root inside a sportswear shop, spicy hot pot, and authentic Portuguese egg tarts, the latest openings offer something for every taste.
[See more: Macao ranks 72nd on Taste Atlas’ 100 Best Food Cities in the World]
Read on for our list of venues to visit in Macao this month.
Ajar Home
Fans of tea and tea-based cocktails will know the Ajar Tea House at Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro. It recently opened an offshoot, Ajar Home, in an old building near Horta da Mitra Market.
Billing itself as a “platform to share local gastronomy culture,” Ajar Home mainly offers fusion-inspired dinners centered around seafood. There is no fixed menu. Instead, depending on what fresh, high-quality produce is available at the market that day, Ajar Home prepares different dishes such as fish soup, tempura, tartare, risotto, and sashimi.
[See more: Why free-spirited Macao artist Filipe Dores opened Ajar tea boutique]
The restaurant’s interior design is equally refined – soft lighting illuminating wooden tables, green sofas and walls adorned with artwork. There’s even a vinyl record player in the corner. Due to staffing limitations, Ajar Home currently only serves dinner, so be sure to make a reservation before heading over.
Lumi Cafe
Taipa has a new hotspot now that Lumi Cafe has opened its new branch at the trendy Unique X sportswear shop at Nova Mall.
A two-tiered seating area made of light wood greets you at the entrance. Perfect for socialising with friends or sipping after shopping, the cafe serves Korean-inspired drinks alongside several light bites revolving around Greek yoghurt, with a selection of yoghurt bowls and bagels. Lumi also has its own unique take on tiramisu, featuring earl grey and Jeju matcha flavours.
[See more: Whipped to perfection: The story behind local Macao institution Hon Kee Café]
The signature drinks are the Korean dalgona latte, peach iced tea with espresso, and the almond einspänner latte which is inspired by the Viennese coffee drink.
Exclusive to this branch is the black sesame collection – with black sesame incorporated in basque cheesecake, einspänner and other baked goods.
YGF Malatang (楊國福)
This famous Chinese spicy hot pot chain which has thousands of branches globally has opened on Rua Correia da Silva in Old Taipa Village.
Perfect for both solo diners and groups, it operates on a pay-by-weight system and offers a choice of three broths: the signature herbal bone broth, sweet and sour tomato base, or a rich curry base.
[See more: Best claypot rice eateries in Macao]
Customise your meal by selecting from a wide array of classic toppings such as beef, sausages, fishballs, vegetables and noodles. This straightforward hot pot experience is especially ideal for warming up during Macao’s colder weather.
Manteigaria
Good news for fans of Manteigaria’s Portuguese egg tarts: next time you crave them, you won’t have to go all the way to the peninsula, because a new branch has opened on Rua do Regedor in Taipa.
The new venue features the same large yellow sign and signature bronze bell, ensuring that passersby won’t miss it. The interior is decorated in cream and gold tones, accented with stone textures. Space has been reserved for customers to stand and enjoy their egg tarts sprinkled with cinnamon, while watching the open kitchen in action.
[See more: Bites of heritage: How do Macao’s egg tarts differ from Portuguese pastéis de nata?]
This is the second branch in Macao (and in Asia), but the network is set to grow. The beloved Portuguese bakery brand will be opening a branch in Hong Kong later this year.
–With reporting by Don Lei and Weng-U Pun
