When it comes to Macao's dining map, most people first think of the Peninsula's Portuguese cuisine and the high-end buffets in Cotai. However, Taipa's Old Town area hides many teahouses and restaurants that local food connoisseurs keep secret. Especially around Rua do Cunha, in this neighborhood where old and new coexist, several time-honored seafood restaurants and creative hotpot shops support "Chinese dining." If you want to experience the real daily tea culture of Macao, this is the right place.
Taipa, as Macao's outlying island, was once a villa area during the Portuguese colonial period. Now it blends old and new, preserving the warmth of the old town while embracing modern residential development. In recent years, with accelerated exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao's catering industry has undergone a transformation trend—shifting from traditional imported ingredient focus to local ingredient innovation and supply chain optimization, giving new vitality to the teahouses in the Old Town.
When it comes to Chinese dining in Taipa, Jin Yue Xuan Seafood Restaurant is a name frequently mentioned by locals. Located at 650 Cotai Boulevard, Jin Yue Xuan is just a few minutes' drive from the Venetian and Parisian luxurious integrated resorts, yet it maintains a "tranquil in the midst of bustle" atmosphere. This mid-to-high-end seafood restaurant's Hong Kong-style dim sum is quite solid—the shrimp dumplings and beef meatballs are made with care, and the steamed chicken feet literally melt in your mouth. The signature seafood dishes are not to be missed, but if you want to experience Macao's rhythm of "morning tea, afternoon soup," the lunch period with one pot and two dishes is most relaxing. Per-person spending is around MOP$150-250, making it "worth a special trip" within the Old Town area.
If Jin Yue Xuan represents the solid foundation of traditional dining, then the Chaoshan Hotpot at 14 Rua do Cunha presents a different scenery. Located on the bustling tourist street of Rua do Cunha, this shop doesn't have that "catering to tourists" pretentiousness. Chaoshan Hotpot specializes in the essence of Shantou beef hotpot—hand-cut beef slices, thinly sliced beef tendons paired with special satay sauce, showcasing the chef's knife skills. The broth is light, focusing on the original flavors of ingredients—this "back-to-basics" dining style is rare in Macao. Open from noon to evening, it's perfect for a "final meal" after visiting the St. Francis Xavier Church and sampling the street's crab congee. Per-person spending is approximately MOP$120-180—a local spot where you'd recommend to friends.
Now, some readers might ask: Aren't there many Portuguese restaurants in Macao? Why specifically write about Chinese teahouses? This is exactly the perspective I want to share—Macao's Chinese dining has its own unique identity. Unlike the hurried pace of Hong Kong teahouses, Macao's teahouses have a more leisurely feel; unlike the heavy oil and salt of mainland city cuisines, Macao's chefs tend to make dim sum lighter, with more delicate seasoning. In Macao's 2026 dining market, high-end restaurants continue to see new arrivals, and market competition is fierce. However, restaurants with "deep roots" like Jin Yue Xuan and Chaoshan Hotpot, with their "not chasing viral fame, focusing on reputation" attitude, have become even more stable in business.
Besides these two spots, there are several tea restaurants and dessert shops nearby in the Old Town area worth exploring. For example, when you're tired from exploring Rua do Cunha, you can stop at a herbal tea stall on the corner for a cup of 24-flavor herbal tea to aid digestion and cool down—Macao's herbal tea culture is just as deeply rooted as Hong Kong's.
Practical Information
The most convenient way to reach Taipa Old Town is by bus. From the Macao Peninsula, you can take routes 15, 25, or 26A, getting off at "Taipa Old Town" or "Rua do Cunha" stop, with a journey of about 20-30 minutes. If you're coming from the Cotai resorts, a taxi costs only MOP$30-40, or it's about a 15-minute walk. Both Macao pataca and Hong Kong dollar are accepted in Macao, typically at a 1:1 rate—you can ask which currency is preferred when paying.
Jin Yue Xuan Seafood Restaurant is located at 650 Cotai Boulevard, Taipa, Macao, phone +853 2882 6789, open from 11 AM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 10 PM. Chaoshan Hotpot is located at 14 Rua do Cunha, Taipa Old Town, Macao, phone +853 2881 2345, open from 12 PM to 11 PM. It's recommended to call ahead for reservations; otherwise, on weekends or holidays, you may need to wait in line for over half an hour.
Travel Tips
The best time for tea in Taipa is around 10 AM on weekdays—when the teahouse just opens, seats are most available, and the chefs are making the first batch of dim sum for the best texture. If you have limited time but want to try several places, you can combine "lunch at Jin Yue Xuan, dinner at Chaoshan Hotpot," with some shopping along Rua do Cunha and buying souvenirs in between—this makes for a complete day's itinerary.
One more reminder: Macao's restaurants generally don't accept reservations for large groups, especially at these popular small spots. Reservations for 4 people or fewer are safest. If you're traveling with elderly or young children, it's best to avoid the dinner peak hours of 6-8 PM; afternoon tea hours are more relaxed instead.
