Albergue 1601 (Macau, CHINA) ★★★★☆

Ranked among the best Portuguese restaurants in Macau including CNN Travel's 5 top spots for Macanese and Portuguese cuisine, Albergue 1601 has always been considered a great destination for a casual dinner vintage style. The restaurant is housed inside one of the most storied premise in the city called Albergue SCM which was once known as ‘Shelter of the Poor’ and the ‘Old Ladies House’ (婆仔屋). The place also served a lot of different purposes in its long history including time as an orphanage. But nowadays, it's becoming a cultural hub for local art and creative design exhibitions.

Situated at a quiet corner of Calcada da Igreja de S. Lazaro (瘋堂斜巷), Albergue SCM features a small courtyard and two century-old Portuguese buildings where Restaurant Albergue 1601 is located. 



The two-storey restaurant is a very popular destination for tourists.



The waiting room on the ground floor still features a vintage look with wooden doors, throwback style leather sofa and classic chandeliers.

 

On the second floor, a much more spacious dining area is divided into smaller rooms, each with a slightly different theme.




There are many signature dishes from Albergue 1601's kitchen and their salted codfish cakes (5 pc) (MOP73) are definitely on top of that list.



Crispy on the outside, moist and delicate inside. Perfect especially for a potato freak like me.



I looovvve the Portuguese style duck rice and Albergue 1601 has one of the best (MOP138) in the city.



They are serving it in a traditional clay pot which helps to keep the rice hot and moist. Love the spicy sausage and look at those duck meat in the middle. Absolutely mouthwatering although slightly heavy if you're just sharing it between two people.



Roasted suckling pig (1 quarter) (MOP228) is another house specialty here but my advice is not to bother with it. Love the special flavors from the herbs but a little too much fat in my opinion.



Of course, we had to end it the way we usually did, with their sawdust frozen pudding (MOP78). Unlike other sawdust puddings in Macau, this one feels a lot more like having ice cream. Still one of the best in the business. 



The picturesque St. Lazarus District is home to many historic landmarks in the city, which is the reason why it's attracting so much attention from the photography lovers these days.





Both the St. Lazarus District and Restaurant Albergue 1601 are not to be missed for anyone visiting Macau for the first time, or second, third time.....




Food Rating: 6/10
Price: $$$
Address: 8 Calcada da Igreja de S. Lazaro, Macau
Tel: +853 2836-1601
Website: www.albergue1601.com