Street Food and Snacks in Taipa Village, Macau
As first-timer to Macau, the snack street, Rua do Cunha, should be the first thing on your radar. In my opinion, the snacks here are mouth-wateringly irresistible, earning its rightful place at the top of my ‘Best snacks in Macau’ list. Located off the main street, Rua do Cunha, also known as Goon Ya Gai, runs to the heart of the village. A closed-in street for foot-traffic only, it’s a mere stone’s throw away from where the taxis and buses park. As the village’s busiest street, you will find many local trips that taste indescribably amazing. No trip to Taipa village is complete without sampling many of the delicious local snacks on offer. Most snacks are made on the spot and there are plentiful snacks to whet your appetite.
Curry Fish Balls
Located along Rua do Cunha, there are crowds and snaking queues throughout the day at ‘Hou Mei Mei’ (literal translation ‘very delicious’). Famous for their tantalising fish balls, it’s time to blend in with the locals and get in line. While there are other options, the winner’s crown still goes to the fish balls. Grab your fish balls, top them with any sauce you’d like (our personal favourite is curry). To top it all off, gulp down some fresh sugar cane juice or iced lemon tea. This gourmet treat is served in an easy takeaway bowl but there is no seating available, but there are benches nearby if you would like to sit or you can eat as you walk.
Pork Chop Bun
Everyone knows about this iconic Macau snack! The exact epitome of ‘never judge a book by its cover’, don’t let the ordinary-looking Pork Chop Bun or “Chu Pa Bao”, deceive you. Unlike its nondescript appearance, the taste is heavenly! Found at virtually every nook and cranny of the city and a few places in Taipa Village, this is indeed a local snack not to be missed. The origin of this delicious street snack stems from Tai Lei Loi Kei. It’s been around since my childhood days and it’s the first place I tried way back in 1992. It has now become a destination of its own, with throngs of visitors lining up each day to try one. Don’t worry – the line moves quick and it’s delicious, making it a well-worth wait.
Tai Lei Loi Kei, 35 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa Village +853 2882 7150
Portuguese Egg Tart
Some piping hot egg tarts from the famous Lord Stow’s Bakery would hit the spot. What’s even better is, it finally has a storefront situated on the main drag Rua do Cunha! You can also buy boxes to take home with you as presents for those back in Hong Kong, and that’s if you somehow manage the Herculean feat of resisting the tempting aroma of freshly baked egg tarts. There is no seating available, but a short stroll will find you with plenty of benches to rest on.
Old Taipa Tavern (OTT)
Are you dead beat after a long, exhausting day of sightseeing in Taipa Village? Stop by Old Taipa Tavern (OTT) and sip a happy hour drink, grab some pub food or watch some live sports. This is where most of the local Macau expats come to hang out and catch up with friends. Boasting a large indoor seating area and some outdoor seating, a rare find in the old village, the OTT helps you recharge after a tiring day.
Old Taipa Tavern, 21 Rua Dos Negociantes, Taipa Old Village, +853 2882 5221
Bubble Tea
The bubble tea invasion has taken on Taipa Village. The ubiquitous
commodity needs no introduction, and it’s a great alternative if you aren’t a
coffee fan. The best part is, you can bring it on-the-go. If you have visitors
with you, you can even liken it to a rite of passage to try one on a trip to
Macau. You can take your pick from the different options available in the
village, but we love the Macao Imperial Tea branch.
G/F 49 Rua Correia da Silva, Old Taipa Village, +853 2857 6371
Coffee Shops
Home to many coffee shops and hipster, coffee-themed hangouts, Taipa village has steadily built up its reputation. While Macau is not typically known for its ‘coffee culture’. A stark difference from the past the many aesthetic coffee houses are worth a shot while you explore the village. Most don’t have places to sit, so it’s more of a takeaway coffee option. Some of my favourites include The Blissful Carrot, which has many vegan, vegetarian lunch and beverage options. On top of that, it serves great coffee – it’s also my vegetarian pick for the area. It has cashew, almond, and coconut milk varieties available, as well as fresh juices. Fong Da Coffee and Quarter Square are located opposite each other and are home to noonly tasty coffee, but you can pick up gifts for those back home. Kafelaku Café, located on Rua Da Cunha, serves one of the most expensive cups of coffee – it is brewed from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian palm civet, or other related civets, and then collected after digestion.
- The Blissful Carrot,Rua de Carlos. Eugenio 79-A. Edf. Goio Fai Kok RC/B. Taipa, Macau, +853 6298 8433,
- Fong Da Coffee, No. 15 Largo Maia de Magalhães, Taipa, Macau, +853 6683 0098,
- Kafelaku Cafe Rua Do Cunha, No 8, RC Taipa, Macau, +853 2888 2338,
- Quarter Square, 89 Largo Maia de Magalhães, Taipa, +853 2857 6914 or +853 6290 5138,
