Too full for dessert? Don’t be silly.
If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat (and when are we not?), take yourself to the Cotai Strip – Macao’s mecca for dessert lovers. The culinary hotspot is brimming with world-class restaurants and fun cafés where confectionary creatives bring their wildest dessert dreams to life.
This summer, be sure to embark on a sweet adventure through Cotai’s best dessert spots, where a sugary smorgasbord awaits, from classic Chinese treats to flambéed French crêpes and Macao’s iconic egg tarts.
Plan your next trip by checking out the dessert offerings at these five restaurants at Sands Resorts Macao:
1. Royal indulgences at Churchill’s Table
Calling all chocoholics! Don’t miss the Crown, an impossibly indulgent chocolate-laden showstopper at Churchill’s Table at The Londoner Macao. A dessert fit for royalty, the sculptural confection was modelled after St. Edward’s Crown, worn by British monarchs at coronations since the 13th century.
It starts with a crunchy hazelnut crumble base topped with a light chocolate sponge made from hazelnut and almond flour, layered with zesty blueberry-lime jelly, and an indulgent mousse made of 70 percent dark chocolate and heavy cream.
Once chilled, the dome-shaped gateau is sprayed with cocoa butter tinted with royal hues. Lastly, a white chocolate crown, sprayed in gold, is carefully placed on top, with a thin marshmallow coating and shredded coconut on the crown’s trim.
“This is an extraordinary dessert that requires the delicate hand of a chocolatier and features layer upon layer of fantastic textures,” explains Igor Ávila, pastry chef at The Londoner Macao. “It’s made in limited quantities daily, so once the Crown sells out, it’s gone!”
Got a super sweet tooth? Go all out on the restaurant’s Dessert Tasting Journey. This decadent gustatory adventure offers three or five courses of specialty desserts, where molecular gastronomy comes to the fore. Highlights include the Queen of Hearts – a “card trick” that reveals a tropical fruit and meringue confection – and the nitro mango sago soup, served in an otherworldly orb.
2. A sugary spin on a Chinese classic at North
Although it’s known for its hand-pulled noodles and energetic live kitchens, North at The Venetian Macao is also home to one of the most memorable desserts on the Cotai Strip: fried banana with pulled sugar. The dish holds significance for many from northern China who enjoyed it growing up. It is typically eaten as a dessert entree and served with ice water to harden the hot syrup, explains The Venetian’s Executive Chef Fung Chan.
“Our culinary team at North wanted to innovate from the dish’s traditional form and show its versatility as a sweet course. We’ve added pulled sugar for a touch of sweetness and used a special batter to make the bananas crispier and fluffier.”
Served on a constellation of skewers, the warm banana – which can be substituted for purple potato, if guests prefer – melts into the golden coating with each bite as, the crispy hand-pulled sugar dissolves on the tongue for a surprisingly subtle, not-too-sweet dessert.
An Instagram-worthy presentation takes this dish to the next level. When the towering dessert arrives at your table, a bed of dry ice creates an ethereal mist for an undeniable wow factor.
3. Taste French traditions at Brasserie
Sorry, kids. Over at The Parisian Macao, Brasserie’s flambéed crêpe a la banane et nutella is for grown-ups only.
This classic French delicacy features a velvety-soft crêpe stuffed with generous lashings of Nutella and bananas infused in a Grand Marnier-infused caramel sauce. The chefs fold and sear à la minute and serve the dish with an orb of French vanilla ice cream on top.
For Brasserie’s Executive French Chef Daniel Brolese, the dish is a nod to his upbringing in France, where his eldest sister would prepare it for special occasions using rum and orange blossom water.
“It’s a dish that brings up many memories for me,” he shares. “I’ve stayed true to my family’s recipe because I don’t want to mess with that tradition – it’s part of my culture and something I’m happy to share with our guests in Macao.”
4. Sweet Southern specialties at Imperial House Dim Sum
Imperial House Dim Sum, another popular eatery at The Venetian Macao, is best known for its authentic Cantonese cuisine. However, this gem also boasts a few menu items that showcase Hong Kong’s penchant for sweet treats.
First up is the classic Hong Kong teatime indulgence: thick slabs of French toast and chunky peanut butter, drizzled with syrup and a big slice of butter on top. This cheeky treat feels like a dessert, but many enjoy it as a morning kickstarter or afternoon pick-me-up.
Next to try is the bean curd with yellow ginger sugar. This traditional Chinese dessert combines soft tofu’s smooth, silky texture with the aromatic flavours of yellow ginger-infused syrup. It’s a delicate dessert that’s ideal for the long days of summer.
5. Must-try Macao-style egg tarts at Market Bistro
A trip to Macao wouldn’t be complete without the quest for a perfect egg tart. Look no further than Sally’s flaky egg tarts, sold exclusively at Market Bistro in The Parisian Macao. The restaurant sells hundreds daily and well over 1,000 during holidays.
Why are they so popular? Crispy and brûléed on top, with a silky, wobbly filling, these egg tarts are the ultimate Macanese dessert experience. While there are plenty of other great egg tarts in town, Sally’s stands out thanks to their exacting standards, ensuring a perfect bite-sized treat every time.
“The egg tarts are made freshly throughout the day by a dedicated team here at The Parisian, allowing us to maintain high quality standards that other bakeries might not be able to,” explains The Parisian’s Executive Chef Jose Lei.
Armed with this list of must-try desserts, you’re ready for your next sweet sojourn in Cotai!
