The Downtown Area: The Battlefield for Macau's Portuguese Egg Tarts
If there is one place in Macau where people are willing to queue for twenty minutes for an egg tart, it is the Downtown Area. This district, spanning from Nova Avenue to the Ruins of St. Paul's, is the most densely touristed core zone on the Macau Peninsula, and also the area where Portuguese-style pastry shops compete most intensely. The names Margaret and Andrew are practically household names here, but the differences between them—and what other notable options exist in the surrounding area—rarely get fully explained. This guide organizes everything clearly from a local's perspective.
Core Highlights: The "Divorce Egg Tart" Legend of Margaret and Andrew
Café e Nata Margaret's
Address: 17G Rua do Comandante, Novo Tinha, Macau
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 08:30–16:30; Sat, Sun 10:00–18:00; Closed Wed
The story of Margaret's egg tarts begins with a marriage. Founder Margaret and her husband Andrew once ran a Portuguese egg tart business together. After their divorce, each went separate ways—Margaret opened this café, while Andrew continued running Andrew's Bakery. This background isn't a marketing gimmick; it explains why there's only one Margaret's location across all of Macau: she deliberately chose not to expand, prioritizing quality instead.
Margaret's Portuguese egg tarts cost MOP 11 each. The crust is made using a thousand-layer puff pastry technique, resulting in a noticeably caramelized exterior with a crisp, flaky layers that exceed those of typical Portuguese egg tarts. The custard filling is balanced toward a buttery richness with restrained sweetness—so you won't feel腻 (cloyed) after the first one. It's about a 10-minute walk from the Ruins of St. Paul's to Margaret's. Arrive before 2 PM—they close once they sell out.
Andrew's Bakery
Address: 1 Rua de Ka Ho, Coloane (Flagship Store); Also has locations on the Macau Peninsula
Hours: Approx 07:00–22:00 (varies by location)
Andrew's flagship store is in Coloane, but they have branches on the Macau Peninsula for easier access by tourists. Andrew's egg tarts feature a crust more similar to shortcrust pastry, giving a heartier, denser texture compared to Margaret's. The custard has higher moisture content with a subtle cinnamon aroma. There's no "more authentic" argument between the two—they simply represents the evolution of the same original recipe under two different hands. Choose Margaret for crispy, multi-layered crust; choose Andrew for a richer, custard-forward profile.
Portuguese Pastry Street Around the Ruins of St. Paul's
Walking from the Ruins of St. Paul's toward the Holy House of Mercy building, you'll find within about 200 meters several small Portuguese pastry shops, some longstanding local establishments and others newer cafés that have opened in recent years. This area generally follows a "bake-on-demand" approach for Portuguese egg tarts, with quality varying. When choosing, observe whether the oven is in operation and whether the tarts have fresh caramelized tops—these two factors directly indicate freshness. Don't be swayed by promotional signs at the entrance; check the oven first before deciding.
CuppaCoffee (Cathedral District Branch)
Address: Multiple locations on the Macau Peninsula; check official social media for the nearest branch
Hours: Generally 08:00–22:00 daily
If you're looking for more than just an egg tart—and want to sit down with a proper cup of coffee—CuppaCoffee is the most reliable option in the Cathedral District area. They offer handcrafted Portuguese coffee pastries and specialty coffee drinks, freshly baked throughout the day. Their croissants and Portuguese pastries are of higher quality than typical cha chaan tang (tea restaurant) offerings. Not a "must-visitpilgrimage" destination, but as a mid-itinerary stop, it offers excellent value.
Lobby Area Egg Tart Tour: Timing and Strategy Comparison
| Location | Best Visit Time | Crust Type | Price (MOP) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret's Egg Tart Shop | Within 1 hour of opening (morning) | Multi-layer puff pastry, crispy layers | $11 | Best for souvenirs and Instagram posts |
| Andrew's Bakery (Peninsula Branch) | All day, avoid weekend lunch hours | Short crust, thick with egg aroma | Approx. $10–13 | Eat while walking, quick snack |
| Ruins of St. Paul's Pastry Street | 3–5 PM (freshly baked peak) | Varies, judge on-site | $8–15 | Exploratory, budget-conscious |
| CuppaCoffee | 9–11 AM (breakfast hours) | Paired with coffee, not the main egg tart | Set menu approx. $50–80 | Need to sit down and recharge |
Practical Tips: Things to Know Before You Go
- Margaret's is closed on Wednesdays, which is the most common reason people miss out. Confirm the day of the week before heading out—don't rely on map app information; it's best to check the official social media announcements.
- Egg tarts don't keep well, they're best eaten the same day for optimal texture. If bringing them back to Hong Kong, let them cool down first, then seal in an airtight container. Upon arrival, reheat in the oven at 150°C for 5 minutes—this restores about 70-80% of the crust's crispness.
- Macau egg tart custard follows a "British-style" recipe, which is smoother and less sweet compared to the Pastel de Nata from Lisbon, Portugal. If you've tried the original in Lisbon and found it too sweet or heavy, you'll likely find the Macau version more palatable.
- The Ruins of St. Paul's area gets extremely crowded on weekends, so it's advisable to plan your egg tart visit for a weekday morning, or shorten your time at the ruins and head straight to Margaret's first before returning. Going against the flow of traffic makes a huge difference.
- Cash is preferred, as some smaller pastry shops don't accept credit cards or Alipay—bringing Macau pataca cash is safer. Margaret's and Andrew's accept most payment methods, but smaller shops may require confirmation.
