Days Inn by Wyndham Zhuhai Qinglv Road

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.

This busy shop next to the Chun Lei pier still kneads the noodles with a bamboo pole like in bygone days. The owner’s wife then cooks them perfectly, thus explaining their bouncy texture. The broth simmered with an array of seasonal fish boasts depth and sweetness. Dried prawn roe sprinkled on tossed noodles is toasted by the owner himself, imparting umami and aroma. Also try the crab congee and deep-fried wontons with crispy dace balls.

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.

The yellow façade of the century-old building contrasts well with the splashes of red adorning the stylish interior. The Portuguese chef specialises in no-frills classics, using mostly ingredients from his home country. Start with petingas fritas, or deep-fried whole baby sardines, followed by leitão assado, or crispy-skin roast suckling pig with orange, and fried potato rounds in a spicy sauce. Try also the Portuguese white wine brewed by the chef himself.

Since 2011, this simple shop has been serving rice rolls made and steamed to order. His spring onion and whisked egg rice roll is simple but delicious, boasting bouncy texture.

Apart from the signature cold or hot tofu pudding and soy milk, it also provides tofu products, squid and noodles.