5 Macau dessert spots you need to try

From humble beginnings, Cacao is now a serious force in Macao’s dessert scene. Its three takeaway stores showcase beautiful cakes that change daily, as well as picture-perfect (and perfectly made) macarons and flaky, buttery pastries.

Various locations inc 75 Rua da Barca, Macao, +853 2855 7227

Choux your cravings away at this streetside stall in Costa. Eclairs (all $20) and mini-puffs (all $10) are the go here, with a creative range of both that rotate regularly. Try the milk tea mini-puff with milk tea syringe for extra flavour, pistachio cream puff topped with fresh watermelon, or a classic chocolate eclair topped with brownies.

9 Rua da Madre Terezina, Macao, +853 6683 9984

This downtown Taipa spot is a consistently popular dessert café. It’s easy to see why. The cakes in this bright, airy spot are as pretty as they are tasty. The house specials are constantly changing layer cakes made with premium ingredients, and you can indulge further with fluffly waffles or dessert toast. Pair it with tea by Parisian brand Mariage Frères.

152 Rua de Braga, Taipa, +853 2882 0086

Step back in time at Lai Kei, a 1960s-designed retro cool dessert house worth it for the photo op alone. Ice cream at this family-run spot is handmade daily – flavours include peanut, taro and coconut (all $12) – while the ever-popular ice cream sandwich ($16) sees a daily rotating range of flavour combinations encased in crunchy wafer biscuits.

12 Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Macao, 2837 5781

Vanille feels like it was made for Instagram. The fact that it’s located within a lifestyle concept store, En Masse, only strengthens our suspicion. Regardless, the homemade ice creams here are rather special, from single scoops ($38) to sky-high combinations ($58) topped with homemade cookies, sauces and other sweet surprises.

2B Rua de Luis João Baptista, Macao, 6268 2677