There are more things to do in Macau beyond going to the casinos! We’ve found the best restaurants, coffee shops, and attractions for your next trip to the 853.
While our neighbour Macau is known for its casino empire, we think there’s an understated cultural side of the city that often gets overlooked. From the art galleries to the family-friendly hotels and the cafés in Macau, it’s a diverse place that is changing very regularly. So we have found some things to do in Macau that you may not know about. Just jump on the ferry and get stuck in with our guide to Macau.
Things to do in Macau: Your ultimate guide to Macau
Things to do in Macau: Best restaurants in Macau
1. IFT Educational Restaurant
Part of Macau’s Institute for Tourism Studies, IFT Educational Restaurant is a special eatery where you can get top-notch services from hoteliers in training. Not only does the restaurant serve an array of Macanese cuisine and desserts, it’s also a big supporter of sustainability in the F&B industry – which gets a thumbs up from us! The restaurant grows most of its own herbs, salad leaves, and vegetables, while recycling food waste as fertiliser. IFT’s efforts towards sustainability have even earned it a Michelin Green Star.
IFT Educational Restaurant, Pousada de Mong-Há, Colina de Mong-Há, Macau, p. +853 8598 3077
2. Lou Kei
Scouting for quick and affordable eats in Macau? Lou Kei is your best choice. This local Cantonese eatery offers a menu of down-to-earth classics. Give its claypot creations a try – we’ve heard some incredible things about the Crab Congee and Sizzling Yellow Eel in Claypot!
Lou Kei, Shop H&M, G/F, Vang Kei Building, 12 Avenida Da Concõrdia North, Macau, p. +853 2856 9494
3. Restaurant Litoral (Taipa)
A visit to Macau isn’t complete without sampling the city’s Portuguese fare. Restaurant Litoral in Taipa is a great place to start if this is your first time. This restaurant made it onto the Micheline’s Bib Gourmand list in 2024, which means you’re guaranteed the best for less here. Must-try items include Sauteed Clams with Diced Pork; Stuffed Suckling Pig; and Portuguese-style Baked Fish. With such mouthwatering fare, it’s no wonder this restaurant made it to our guide to Macau.
Restaurant Litoral (Taipa), Shops 53-57, Block 4, Wai Chin Kok, Rua do Regedor, Taipa, Macau, p. +853 2882 5255
Things to do in Macau: Best cafes and bars in Macau
4. Blooom Coffee House
Refuel for your excursion in Macau with a coffee from Bloom Coffee House. This local coffee roastery offers a great selection of beans from across the globe, all freshly roasted in-house. When it comes to the ultimate coffee shop in the 853, it can’t get much better than this!
Bloom Coffee House, 5 Rua de Horta e Costa, Macau, p. +853 6666 4479
5. Rethink Coffee Roasters
Much like Hong Kong, Macau has many independent coffee shops around its vibrant street corners. Rethink is one of our faves that deserve a spot on this guide to Macau. This local craft coffee shop sources top-quality beans and roast them in-house. You’ll find a wide selection of caffeinated drinks on the menu, with non-dairy milk options available upon request.
Rethink Coffee Roasters has multiple locations across Macau.
6. Beetles Coffee Roasters
Another local coffee roaster in Macau we love is Beetles Coffee Roasters. This cafe roasts its beans in-house, infusing quality java with a rich spectrum of flavours. If you’re arriving in Macau early, Beetles serves a mean breakfast that is sure to keep you energised throughout your day.
Beetles Coffee Roasters, Edificio Chuen Heng, Calcada do Amparo, Macau, p. +853 6566 6568
7. Dilligaf
In addition to charming coffee shops, Macau also has a vibrant nightlife scene, fuelled by a variety of local bars and lounges. Dilligaf is one of our faves. Take your pick between artisanal cocktails, craft beers, and more. The cosy atmosphere in Dilligaf makes it the ideal spot to wind down after a day of exploring Macau.
Dilligaf, 61 Rua de Sao Joao, Macau, p. +853 6331 1247
8. Spacebar Cafe
If you’re not a fan of fancy and elaborate cocktails, consider heading to Spacebar Cafe for a simple drink instead. Its menu features a series of classic cocktails like Cosmopolitan, Singapore Sling, and Bloody Mary. You can peruse over Spacebar’s signature cocktail offerings for something different, too.
Spacebar Cafe, Shop D, G/F, Block 4, The Serenity, Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque, Macau
Things to do in Macau: Best attractions in Macau
9. Ruins of St Paul’s
One of the must-see places in Macau is the Ruins of St Paul’s. Consisting only of its Southern stone facade, the remains of this 17th century Catholic religious complex is a spectacular historic landmark. Upon closer examination, you’ll find beautiful carvings of Jesuit images with Oriental themes on the walls. It’s no wonder that this attraction has made it onto our guide to Macau.
Ruins of St Paul’s , Santo Antonio, Macau
10. Pin-to Livros & Musica
As Pin-to is a loose phonetic spelling of the Cantonese term for “where” (邊到), the name of this store denotes “where there’s books, there’s music”. Book lovers and vinyl collectors will absolutely adore this place. From the popular L’Etranger by Albert Camus to Mark Frost’s The Secret History of Twin Peaks, this shop has a vast selection of novels and non-fiction for you to browse through. As for its vinyl collection, you’ll find some of the best underground bands and musicians. Have fun digging and discovering new favourites here!
Pin-to Livros & Musica, 47 Rua de Coelho do Amaral, Macau, p. +853 2833 0909
11. Live Music Association
Experience Macau’s vibrant local music scene at Live Music Association. As one of the most popular live music venues in the city, this underground venue is known for inviting international bands and musicians to perform. You’ll find acts performing a variety of genres, with everything from rock to indie to electronic music.
Live Music Association, 11B, 50 Avenida do Coronel Mesquita Freguesia de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Macau, p. +853 2875 7511
12. Livraria Portuguesa
Scouting out bookstores is one of our favourite things to do in Macau. While there are many stores that make it onto our personal guide to Macau, Livraria Portuguesa is worth mentioning since it’s the only bookstore in the city that sells Portuguese books. Of course, you’ll also find a significant number of English and Chinese selections here. Away from the hustle and bustle, its cosy ambience makes the shop a haven for bookworms.
Livraria Portuguesa, 16-18 Rua de São Domingos, Macau, p. +853 2837 8014
13. Cinematheque Passion
Cinematheque Passion is an interactive platform for artists, filmmakers, and frequent moviegoers in Macau. Not only do they offer day-to-day film screenings and occasional foreign film festivals, there’s also book-reading service, including all the ultimate guides to Stanley Kubrick and Wes Anderson, local film materials, clips, periodicals, and magazines.
Cinematheque Passion, 13 Travessa da Paixao, Macau, p. +853 2852 2585
14. Skypark by AJ Hackett
Fancy doing something a little wild while you’re in Macau? Prepare yourself for a thrilling fall at the Skypark by AJ Hackett, home to one of the highest bungee jumping experiences in the world! If you want to push your limits even further, then conquer the 100-metre flight of stairs to reach the top of the tower. Alternatively, walk around the outer rim of the tower and take in sweeping views of Macau. Whatever you choose to do, the friendly team at Skypark will definitely make your trip a memorable and exciting one.
See the full story on Skypark by AJ Hackett.
Skypark at AJ Hackett, Adventure Zone, Level T2, Macau Tower, Macau, p. +853 8988 8656
15. Zipcity Macau
Immerse yourself in Macau’s cityscape by flying through the air on a zipline! Located in the Lisboeta Maca, Zipcity lets you zoom through the Cotai area with ease. You can ride with up to five people each time, making this the perfect activity for families and those travelling in groups. Get your adrenaline pumping on one of the world’s longest urban zipline, complete with a light show and groovy music.
Zipcity Macau, Shop R100, 1/F, Lisboeta Macau, 128 Rua da Patinagem, Cotai, Macau, p. +853 2888 6785
16. Future Bright Amusement Park
For an affordable yet no less exciting experience, head over to the Future Bright Amusement Park. This is the ultimate game centre in the whole of the 853. Complete with a bowling alley, arcade, and a dedicated children’s playground, there’s no shortage of fun for everyone.
Future Bright Amusement Park, Praca Luis de Camos, Macau, p. +853 2895 3399
17. Visit Taipa Village
No guide to Macau is complete without a mention of this scenic neighbourhood. Taipa Village is home to some of the best preserved historical buildings in Macau. With a cultural village and endless sites for you to explore, this location deserves a day or two in your Macau itinerary.
Get more inspiration for your time with our guide to Taipa Village!
Taipa Village, Taipa, Macau
