4 Best Restaurants in Macau, China

Originally a modest, traditional bakery opened by a young Englishman named Andrew Stow in 1989, Lord Stow's Bakery is now a culinary landmark in Coloane, just off the town square. Locals sit on nearby benches munching the signature hot and flaky pasteis de nata (custard tarts) straight from the oven. Inside the little shop, breads, muffins, cookies, flapjacks, and other homemade goods are on offer, but be sure to walk out with at least one tart. The neighboring Lord Stow's Café (853/2888–2174) has sit-down meals as does the outpost in the Venetian Macao (853/2886–6889).

Look for the small cow sign marking the out-of-the-ordinary Leitaria i Son milk bar. The decor is cafeteria-style and spartan, but the bar whips up frothy glasses of fresh milk from its dairy and blends them with all manner of juices: papaya, coconut, apricot, and more. Known for: silky steamed milk; cold milk custard with red beans; long lines at peak hours.

Not far off the main drag but somewhat hidden down an alleyway, Margaret's Café e Nata offers a cool—albeit increasingly crowded—place to sit, outside under fans and awnings, with some of the best custard tarts in town, plus fresh juices, sandwiches, homemade tea blends, and pizza slices. .

Walking toward the Ruins of St. Paul's, you will likely be accosted by salespeople forcing Macanese snacks into your hands and enticing you to enter one of the street's pastelarias. Competition is fierce, but Pastelaria Koi Kei is one of the oldest and best.