Decent grub outside of the casinos? Adam White and Sarah Fung hit the streets for some Macanese flavor.

Real Portuguese
Though it’s been open for just six months, Antonio’s (3 Rua dos Negociantes, Taipa, 2899-9998) is a petite but popular restaurant for real Portuguese fare. Tucked down a quiet alleyway, it has the air of a provincial taverna with its heavy wooden chairs, flamboyantly friendly staff and a leg of cured ham tucked away in the corner. Try the grilled sardines as recommended by the waiter and of course, the ever-popular African chicken, richly flavored, tender and filling. Stick around to watch chef Antonio Neves Coelho flambé crepes for dessert, watch out for the flames from the liquors leaping high and savor the aroma of caramel filling the restaurant.

Hitting it Old School
Hidden away on a side street behind a bicycle repair shop, Espaço Lisboa (8 Rua dos Gaivotas, Coloane Village, 2888-2226) fulfils the first requirement of any good local restaurant: it’s hard to find. This traditional Portuguese eatery is located in a two-storey house just off the central square of Coloane Village, the southernmost island in Macau. Coloane is refreshingly traditional and more rural than the casino-laden areas of Macau and Espaço Lisboa hits all the right notes. Specialties include the clams with garlic, or an entire wheel of melted goat’s cheese covered in honey and served on a thick slice of wholemeal. The tender Portuguese-style steak is delicious, covered in its juices and served topped with Parma ham and a fried egg. Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends; ask for a table on the second floor balcony.

Budget Bites
So you’ve lost all your money at the roulette wheel and can’t afford a meal? Luckily, Macau’s more down-to-earth establishments are where you’ll find some of the best meals in town. One of the more famous is Cheung Kee (68 Rua de Felicidade, 2857-4310), a favorite of Chief Exec Donald Tsang. Try the fried noodles with shrimp roe or deep fried fishballs. If you’re craving good ole’ cha chaan teng chow, visit Nam Peng Café (54 Rua de Cinco de Outoburo, 2892-1205), whose colossal egg sandwiches are legendary. If you’re gripped by late night hunger pangs stumbling between casinos, pick up a cheesy crepe from La Comedie Chez Vous (Avenida Xian Xing Hai, 2875-2021). It closes at 2am and is rife with chilled out couples snuggling on the soft couches.

Cool Down
Wandering around Macau is bound to get you hot under the collar, so why not stop and get an iced coffee from Jumping Bean (Shun Tak House, Senado Square, 2838-9118)? Originally from Japan, story goes that Stanley Ho was so taken with the café that he upped and moved it over to Macau. Some people have all the fun. We recommend the coffee jelly and mocha ice cream dessert, bittersweet and guaranteed to give you a mid-afternoon jolt.

Like the look of those? Try these!
There are just too many good restaurants in Macau. But we’ve talked to our local sources and the consensus is these are the best of the best. Cut this column out, bring it on your next trip, and try any one of these places—you won’t be disappointed.

• A Lorcha (Portuguese)
289 Rua do Almirante Sergio, 2831-3193

• A Petisqueira (Portuguese)
15 Rua S. João, Taipa, 2882-5354

• Ali Curry House (Asian)
Av. da República, 2855-5865

• Café Madeira (Portuguese)
L1 Macau Tower Convention & Exhibition Centre, Av. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, 2896-3399

• Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei (Macanese)
Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, Taipa Village, 2882-7150

• Casa de Pasto Seng Choeng (Chinese)
3- Rua do Cunha, Taipa, 2882-5323

• Clube Militar de Macau (Portuguese)
975 Av da Praia Grande, Macau, 2871-4000

• Comidas Portuguesao “Porto Exterior”  (Portuguese)
Alameda Dr. Carlos D Assumpcao, 606H-606G, Ed. Chong Yu, Loja L, 2870-3898

• Cozinha Pinocchio (Macanese)
4 Rua do Sol, Taipa Village, Taipa, 2882-7128

• Estalagem (Portuguese)
Estrada Gov. Albana de Oliveria, No. 410, Edif.Nam San, Bloco 1, 2882-1041

• Fat Siu Lau (Macanese)
Av. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, 2857-3580

• Fernando’s (Portuguese)
9 Hac Sa Beach, Coloane, 2888-2264

• Golden Court Chiuchow Restaurant (Chinese)
3/F, New Yaohan Department Store, 1579 Av. a Amizade, 2872-5577

• Henri’s Galley (Macanese)
4 G-H Av. da Republica, 2855-6251

• IFT Educational Restaurant (Macanese)
Pousada de Mong-Ha, 2856-1252

• Loja de Sopa de Fitas An Hei (Chinese)
7 Rua de S Domingos, 2832-3516

• Long Kei Restaurente (Chinese)
7b Largo do Senado, 2857-3970

• O Manel (Portuguese)
20 Rua da Cunha, Taipa, 2882-5594.

• Restaurante Birmanes Arimatico (Chinese)
27 Rua da Fernão Mendes Pinto, 2852-8129

• Restaurante Dumbo (Macanese)
Rua do Regedor Loja A, Hei Loi Tang Kong Cheong, Taipa,  2882-7888

• Restaurante Espaco Lisboa (Portuguese)
Rua das Gaivotas, Coloane, 2888-2226

• Restaurante Litoral (Macanese)
261A, Rua do Almirante Sergio,  2896-7878

• Restaurante Praia Grange (Portuguese)
10A, Praca Lobo D’Avila, Av. da Praia Grande, 2897-3022

• Solmar (Portuguese)
512 Rua da Praia Grande, 2888-1881