Your Family Friendly Guide to Taipa Village in Macau

guide to taipa macau - family friendly travel

Through the enchanting alleys of Taipa Village…

We’ve already done an overarching family guide to Macau, so this time we’re zooming into Taipa Village, a great day trip destination if you are looking for something for every member of the family! It’s located close to the Cotai strip (casino central) and yet it’s a charming, rustic neighbourhood that retains a real historical feel. The enchanting alleys of Taipa Village are filled with traditional Chinese shops, beautifully coloured colonial villas, stunning churches, ancient temples and huge amounts of restaurants and a very vibrant snack street.

For first-time visitors looking for some typical Macau street food, Rua do Cunha in Taipa Village is a great place to start and is the main street that runs right through the centre of the village. It’s a closed in street for foot traffic so taxis and buses pull up nearby, then it’s a short walk. It’s the busiest street in the village but where you will find some of the most amazing local finds. Intrigued? Join Macau expert, Sally Victoria Benson as she shares what to eat, see and do in this unusual part of Macau…

What to do:

EAT! No trip to Taipa village is complete without sampling many of the delicious local snacks on offer. Most are made on the premises and there is something for even the smaller members of the family.

Read more on Sassy Hong Kong: The Macau Foodie Bucket List: Dishes You Have to Try

Curry Fish Balls

In Rua do Cunha, ‘Hou Mei Mei’ (literal translation- ‘very delicious’) is located right behind the Rua do Cunha bus stop. Grab some curry fish balls and wash it all down with fresh sugar cane juice.

Pork Chop Bun.

The iconic Macau snack! The delicious but simple Pork Chop Bun or “Chu Pa Bao” as we locals call it. Although you can find pork chop buns on almost every corner of the city and few places in Taipa Village, Tai Lei Loi Kei, is allegedly the origin of this genius invention, is one of the more famous stalls and well worth the short line up. Don’t worry, the line moves quick and its delicious!

Tai lei Loi Kei, 35 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa Village +853 2882 7150

Portuguese Egg Tart

The famous Lord Stow’s Bakery has opened up a storefront situated on the main drag Rua do Cunha —grab some egg tarts to nibble on while you walk or buy a few boxes to take with you as presents for those back home. No seating available.

Lord Stow’s Bakery, www.lordstow.com

Coffee Shops

Taipa village is home to many coffee shops and hipster, coffee-themed hangouts. While Macau is not typically known for its ‘coffee culture’, Taipa village is now home to some great places, well worth a short detour while you explore the village. Most don’t have places to sit, so it’s more of a takeaway coffee option, whilst navigating the crowds with kids. Some of my favourite spots are The Blissful Carrot, which is home to many vegan and vegetarian lunch and beverage options and some great coffee – it’s also my vegetarian pick for the area. They have cashew, almond and coconut milk varieties available as well as fresh juices.

Fong Da Coffee and Quarter Square located opposite each other are home to not only tasty coffee but you could pick up great pieces as gifts for those back home. Kafelaku Café located on Rua Da Cunha, serves one of the most expensive cups of coffee, It is brewed from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian palm civet or other related civets and then collected after digestion.

The Blissful Carrot, Rua de Carlos. Eugenio 79-A. Edf. Goio Fai Kok RC/B. Taipa, Macau, +853 6298 8433, www.facebook.com/blissfulcarrot

Fong Da Coffee, No. 15 Largo Maia de Magalhães, Taipa, Macau, +853 6683 0098, www.facebook.com/ao.m.dian

Kafelaku Cafe Rua Do Cunha, No 8, RC Taipa, Macau, +853 2888 2338, www.facebook.com/pages/Kafelaku-Coffee

Quarter Square, 89 Largo Maia de Magalhães, Taipa, +853 2857 6914 or +853 6290 5138, www.facebook.com/quartersquare

Top tip: Do the rounds and stock up on snacks and food for the family before making your way over to the Taipa Village Houses. Grab a seat overlooking the lake. It’s free and there are a few tables and chairs around to sit on.

What to see:

The Taipa Village Art Space

This is a wonderful venue showcasing local and international artists. It acts as a cultural platform to promote Macau and its thriving art scene. There are beautiful pieces that you just might want to take home with you too. They often have exhibitions on and interesting collaboration with local artists.

Taipa Village Art Space, 10 Rua dos Clerigos, Taipa, Macau, Tue – Sun 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Off on Mon) +853 2857 6118, www.taipavillagemacau.com/directory/taipa-village-art-space-2

Museum of Taipa and Coloane History

You cant miss this bright blue/greenish building located right opposite one of the main bus stops. It’s a small Museum but worth a look. It is open daily, except for Mondays, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Free admission for everyone.

Museum of Taipa and Coloane History Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa, +853 2882 5631, +853 2882 7103, www4.icm.gov.mo/cotaimuseum

Taipa Houses Museum

These are not only a wonderful part of Macanese history built in 1921 but also a great place to take some photos or sit down outside and enjoy the snacks you have bought. It faces out over the Cotai strip and it’s a different way to view the casinos in the distance.

Taipa-Houses Museum, Avenida da Praia, Carmo Zone, Taipa, Macau, +853 2882 7103 or +853 2882 7527

Our Lady of Carmel Church

This Church is unique because it stands on a hill overlooking Taipa Village right above the Taipa Houses Museum. Together with the lovely garden that surrounds it, it’s a great place to snap a few instagram pics or wander around. Admission is Free.

Our lady of Carmel Church, Avenida De Carlos Da Maia, Largo Do Carmo, Taipa, +853 2882 7566

Tin Hau Temple & Pek Tai Temple

The Temple of Tin Hau is the oldest temple of Taipa, built in 1785 during the Qian Long Reign. Built in 1844, Pek Tai Temple is one of the large-scale temples in Taipa. It’s dedicated to Pek Tai, Va Kuong, Goddess Kam Fa and Wealth God. Admission is free to both.

Tin Hau Temple, Rua Gov Tamagmin Barborsa, Macau

Pek Tai Temple, Largo Camoes, Taipa Village, Macau

Where to eat:

Taipa Village is home to a great selection of authentic Portuguese restaurants that have been around for decades. If you feel like a sit down lunch you cant go wrong at Portugalia, O Santos, A Petisqueira or Antonio’s. All delivering delicious Portuguese flavours such as seafood rice, duck rice, octopus salad, grilled chicken and caldo verde (a traditional soup).

If you fancy a bit of Macanese food then head over to Café Litoral for its African chicken, Minchi and various fusion dishes, they also serve up Portuguese food. There are plenty of Asian food options such as Hot pot, Ramen , Sushi and Korean BBQ all spaced throughout the village area but If Italian is what you feel like, La Cucina Italiana is a great family friendly option for fussy eaters.

Antonio 7 R. dos Clerigos, Taipa, +853 2899 9998, www.antoniomacau.com, www.facebook.com/AntonioRestaurantMacau

O Santos, 20 Rua de Cunha, Taipa Village, +853 2882 7508

A Petisqueira, 15 Rua de S. Joao, Taipa , +853 2882 5354

Café Litoral, B4 Wai Chin Ko, 53/57 Rua do Regedor, +853 2882 5255

La Cucina Italiana, 6-12 Rua do Pai Kok, Chun Fok Village, Taipa +853 2882 7818