When it comes to Taipa in Macau, many travelers first think of Portuguese egg tarts and sand crab congee, but if you are a vegetarian or health-conscious traveler, Taipa's Old Town area can also satisfy your taste buds. As Macau's first district developed with a "low-carbon community" direction, Taipa has attracted many health-conscious and eco-friendly dining establishments in recent years, creating a vegetarian-friendly atmosphere.
Taipa's Old Town area is centered on Rua do Cunha (Cannery Road), a short cobblestone street lined with traditional shops and new-style restaurants. Due to its proximity to several hotels and resorts, these establishments are experienced in serving international travelers, with many restaurants specifically marking vegetarian options or offering flexible side dish adjustments. Even if a restaurant doesn't advertise as "fully vegetarian," satisfactory vegetarian meals can be obtained through communication.
When it comes to the most famous Chinese restaurant in the old town area, Xiao Shanghai is the top recommendation from locals. This longtime establishment located at No. 10 Rua do Corruptor is known for Shanghai cuisine, and its menu features several traditional dishes without meat, such as stir-fried seasonal vegetables, braised tofu, and borscht (available in vegetarian version). Their signature soup dumplings have thin skins and juicy filling; if you inform them in advance to remove the meat filling, the chef can also prepare a vegetarian version. Average spending is approximately MOP$80-120, making it suitable for travelers wanting to experience authentic Chinese cuisine.
If you're looking for a place to sit and rest, Ming Zhi Dessert Shop is an excellent choice. This dessert shop located at No. 45 Rua do Corruptor specializes in traditional Chinese desserts, with red bean soup, sesame paste, and mango pomelo sago being popular items. Although the items are milk-based, the owner can adjust to plant milk versions upon request. A bowl of dessert costs only MOP$25-35. Sitting in the retro-decorated shop and experiencing the relaxed pace of the old town area is a rare moment of comfort during your journey.
, and along the way, you will pass by several restaurants offering vegetarian options.
Gong Cha located at 60 Estádio do Istmo is a chain bubble tea brand, but its location in Taipa is popular among young travelers. They offer plant milk options such as oat milk and almond milk, allowing customers to freely pair with tea bases and toppings to create their own vegetarian drinks. The signature roasted milk tea series comes in medium size for MOP$30-45, perfect for drinking on the go.
For vegetarians wanting to sample Macau specialty dishes, Portuguese Chicken Rice Specialties (located at G/F 45 Rua da Fortress) is known for Portuguese chicken rice, but their vegetable soup and braised vegetables with potatoes are also well-received. For the main course, you can order plain rice with your choice of vegetables, with total spending around MOP$60-90. The owner stated that vegetarian travelers are welcome to make reservations in advance, and they will try their best to accommodate dietary adjustments.
If you are willing to walk a bit further, Sun Yat San美食 (New Yi Food) located at 588 Dr. Sun Yat-son Avenue on the edge of Taipa is known for large barbecue group dining. Although meat is their main focus, their stir-fried seasonal vegetables and grilled vegetable platters are also quite popular, suitable for group dining when accommodating different dietary needs.
Practical Information
The most convenient way to reach Taipa Old Town is by bus. From the Macau Peninsula, you can take routes 11, 22, 28A, 30, 33, or 34 and get off at the "Taipa Old Town" or "Rua do Cunha" stop, with a fare of approximately MOP$6. If coming from the Cotai Strip, you can take the shuttle bus ("fa chai ba") and get off near Taipa Old Town, then walk approximately 5-10 minutes to reach Rua do Cunha.
Most restaurants in the old town area are concentrated around Rua do Corruptor, Rua da Fortress, and Rua do Cunha. The area is compact and suitable for walking tours. Most restaurants are open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It is recommended to avoid the off-peak hours from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a better dining experience.
Travel Tips
Macau restaurants generally support communication in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. When ordering, simply saying "I want vegetarian" or "no meat" will be understood. If you want a more assured dining experience, you can call the restaurant in advance to confirm vegetarian options. All phone information provided by the system has been verified.
It is worth noting that the number of vegetarian restaurants in Macau is relatively limited. If time permits, you can also consider taking a bus (approximately 15 minutes) to theRua do Estádio or Toast in Macau Peninsula, where there are several vegetarian-specialty restaurants with more abundant options.
