Macau: Portuguese Restaurant in Taipa Village, a Petisqueira

Restaurante A Petisqueira Macau is a small Portuguese restaurant on the island of Taipa in the former Portuguese enclave of Macau. It serves a varied menu of hearty Portuguese fare, ranging from tapas, fried clams, and octopus salad to spicy prawns, grilled meats, and all manner of codfish, the Portuguese national dish. It opens for lunch and dinner.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

IF l REMEMBER CORECTLY, Restaurante a Petisqueira Macau opened in 1993. I had recently relocated from Macau to Hong Kong, but since I still had several close friends living in Macau, I often returned for the weekend.

And this small Portuguese restaurant became one of our favorite dining destinations. In fact, one of my best buddies (who lived nearby) ate there almost every day. It was also very popular with the local Portuguese community.

A Petisqueira Macau is located in a back alley of Taipa Village, which – 30 years ago – still had only a small handful of tiny shops and small cafes.

 It was pretty much off the beaten tourism track. No more!

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When I arrived on a Sunday night looking for a place to have dinner, the village was awash with tourists snapping selfies and buying the freshly made almond cookies and beef and pork jerkies the village has become famous for.

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Blogger’s Note: A “petisqueira” is a casual Portuguese eatery specializing in petiscos — small plates or snacks similar to Spanish tapas. These range from simple bites like olives and cheese to more elaborate dishes such as clams, octopus salad, or codfish. The name signals informality, variety, and sharing.

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Peering down one of the alleys, I saw a large well-lit sign, indicating that A Petisqueira was still in business. Should I have dinner there?

I walked over, perused the menu, and it looked like the only thing that had changed was the prices.

There were small plates, such as fresh homemade cheese; roasted Portuguese sausage; and codfish cakes. Entrees ran from fried Portuguese steak and grilled codfish to grilled lambchops and spicey prawns with garlic.

Some of the more exotic items on the menu included stewed tripe, pig’s ear salad, and boiled codfish head. Thanks, but no thanks!

Unfortunately, my favorite dish – a veal stew – was temporarily out of stock.

Some things never change! If I remember correctly, it was a weekly special, and they often ran out. You always had to get there early.

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My Mouthwatering Dinner at Petisqueira Macau

Not to worry! I had other favorites! So I started with caldo verde (68 patacas), a typical Portuguese soup made of potatoes, thinly sliced kale, and one or two slices of choriço. It is usually topped with a drizzle of olive oil.

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The Main Course

For my main course, I ordered bifinhos com cogumelos (190 patacas), a thickly cut beef dish, which comes swimming in mushroom sauce with broccoli , carrots , and French fries on the side.

OMG!!! I had forgotten how good this dish was. It was absolutely amazing!!! I think it’s worth the trip all the way from Hong Kong just to sink your teeth into that mouthwatering beef!!!

But take it from me, with beef this tasty and this tender, make sure to order it medium rare!!! Your taste buds will thank you!!!

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Should I Have Dessert?

For dessert, there were chocolate mouse, serradura, pineapple, and pineapple in port wine. The photos looked tempting, but l resisted temptation.

I had overindulged on my main course. There really was enough for me to take home and have for lunch the next day. But I wasn’t going home. I was spending the night in a hotel. 

So I settled for an espresso. No Portuguese meal is complete without espresso!

Washed down with two glasses of house wine, one white one red.

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The Ambiance and Service at Petisqueira Macau

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A Petisqueira Portuguese Restaurant has hardly changed since I first frequented the place three decades ago. It’s cozy, informal, and unpretentious.

There is a small bar with a couple of tables for two and a larger dining area with tables for larger groups. Check out those red and white checkered tablecloths!

The staff were friendly and professional. Just like the good old days! 

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There’s a good selection of Portuguese and international wines and spirits. I started with a glass of house white wine and switched to the house red when my main course arrived. 

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Before leaving, I noticed a familiar face. Could that be Eusebio Tome – the owner, by any chance? I couldn’t be sure. After all, it has been a very long time. So I asked one of the waitresses, and she confirmed that it was.

I introduced myself. He remembered some of my friends and offered me a glass of Port. We had a pleasant chat. And – social media addict that l am – I suggested we take a photo outside by the sign that had attracted my attention an hour earlier.

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The Verdict

Restaurante A Petisqueira remains a cozy, authentic spot that delivers hearty Portuguese classics with consistency and charm. The food is flavorful, the atmosphere nostalgic, and the service warm — just as I remember it. I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up! 👍👍

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The Location

A Petisqueira – Rua de São. João, no. 15, A/B, R/C, Ihas, Taipa, Macau SAR, China

A Petisqueira is located on a back alley of Taipa Village, a former fishing outpost on what was once the island of Taipa, which is connected to Peninsular Macau by three bridges. Thanks to land reclamation, it is now contiguous with Cotai, where several of Macau’s most famous resorts and casinos are located.

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