如家酒店中山坦洲

Though slightly out of the way, Lou Kei is a firm favourite among locals for a simple, good value supper. For over 20 years, its sizeable selection of tasty noodles, congee and Cantonese dishes has won the hearts of countless diners. With heaps of crispy fried garlic and chilli bits, the typhoon shelter-style deep-fried Bombay duck is delicious. Claypot rice with eel in black bean sauce boasts firm, oily fish on crispy scorched rice.

Part of the Macao University of Tourism, this restaurant was set up to train the future talents of Macau’s hospitality industry. The menu features European and Macanese dishes using herbs from their own garden; to sample local flavours, check out the Macanese menu's specialitie, such as galinha à portuguesa, and assorted Macanese starters. Macanese semi-buffet is offered at Saturday lunch. Oenophiles should check the wine list, which features a nice selection of Portuguese labels.

A family business since the '70s, this noodle shop sticks to its roots and its thin, fine noodles are pressed by bamboo pole in its own factory nearby. Their soup is cooked with dried prawns and dried plaice for 8 hours. The noodles with dried shrimp roe are great, but also try their wontons and dace balls that are served deep-fried or blanched; the fermented clam sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the dace balls.

Since 1979, Son Tak Kong has been jam-packed with happy regulars, lured by its no-frills, authentic Shun Tak cuisine. A Shun Tak native himself, the owner hires chefs for whom the secrets of Cantonese and Shun Tak food have no secrets. Their signature creamy fish soup calls upon exquisite knife work, first-rate ingredients and rich, slowly simmered fish broth. Also try the sticky rice with Sakura shrimps and pine nuts in a cast iron pot.

Business is booming at this friendly restaurant near Barra Temple with a retro nautical theme – locals and tourists just can't get enough of its hearty Portuguese fare. Start with the obligatory salted cod fritter. Besides barbecue dishes cooked over a charcoal grill, the extensive menu includes specialities such as sautéed pork and clams Alentejo style, mixed seafood rice, and Macanese coconut and turmeric chicken. Reservations recommended.

The chef rolls out a neo-French score with unorthodox ingredients from around the world, such as marble goby confit in a herb butter that is stuffed with mashed potato and topped with caviar. Beads of tangy champagne sauce are piped around the fish to cut through the richness. To experience the chef’s artistry and creativity, order the 6-course tasting menu; even better with the well-curated wine pairing. Certain items need pre-ordering.

Don’t judge a book by its cover because the underwhelming signs outside reflect neither the quality of the food nor the service in this friendly, well-run noodle shop. The key draw is the swimmer crab congee – crabs are dressed on the spot and burst with seafood umami, while the creamy congee is rich in crab roe aromas. Curried beef brisket, noodles tossed in crab roe sauce and springy pan-fried cuttlefish patties are other standouts.