Macau has grown at a mind-boggling rate over the last 20 years, so it’s reassuring to know that there are still corners of the city that feel like a long-lost Portugal. Case in point? The butter-yellow heritage buildings of the Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericórdia complex set amid the perfectly preserved streetscapes of the St. Lazarus quarter. What was once a home for elderly widows and World War II refugees is now one of Macau’s most charming spots, featuring a cobbled courtyard shaded by ancient camphor trees and two 100-year-old Portuguese mansions. In recent years a number of businesses have taken up happier residence. Most notable is Albergue 1601, whose classic Portuguese dishes—bacalhau à brás (salted cod with scrambled eggs), braised Ibérico pork cheek, pig’s ear salad—earned head chef Pedro Almeida a place on the Discovery list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Elsewhere, there’s a little Edwardian-style café, Ajar, which serves roast beef “yorkies,” Basque cheesecake, and affogato alongside floral teas and cinnamon apple negronis—best enjoyed in the courtyard on a sunny day. Opposite is a gift shop selling vintage-style soaps and fruity ceramics and the pocket-size Albergue SCM gallery, which showcases the work of local contemporary artists. —Lee Cobaj

macaotourism.gov.mo
+853 2852 2550
8 Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro, Macau

Albergue SCM

Macau Attractions

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