May 25, 2008
Margaret's Café e Nata
Just before I returned to Taiwan, there was a massive craze for Portuguese egg tarts. Celebrities sunk big bucks opening splashy bakeries in prime locations selling nothing but. Of course, like most Asian fads, the trend died out quickly and now I can't find any decent Portuguese egg tarts here. And no, the sad excuse of an egg tart they sell at KFC doesn't count.
I've been a big fan of the egg tart ever since Mom would bring back pink boxfuls of freshly baked goodies from the famous Golden Gate Bakery on her SF Chinatown outings. But they were the Hong Kong style with the smooth yellow egg custard filling. The more historical Portuguese-style egg tart, as inherited by Macau, features lovely dark caramel bits along the top of the egg custard, which is more creamy than the HK-style filling.
Margaret's Cafe is one of the more famous purveyors of Portuguese egg tarts in Macau. Located in an unassuming alley near the Lisboa casinos, with only a small sign along the main boulevard to point the way. Nevertheless the small bakery was packed with tourists and visitors scarfing down the egg tarts hot out of the oven, which is obviously the best way to have it. An iced milk tea went along nicely with the rich tarts, especially during the hot and stifling daytime.
The canopied seating area outside in the cobbled back-alley plaza gives it an European flair. The bakery also offers sandwiches which would make for a decent light lunch. Meanwhile, the locals dodged all the tourists and bought the more conventional breads to go. Considering all the butter that must have gone into the flaky crust, 7HKD per tart isn't all that expensive. And it's right along the conventional touristing route making it a good way to experience a local specialty.
Margaret's Café e Nata
瑪嘉烈葡式蛋塔
Edifício Kam Loi, Nam Van
南灣金來大廈
Macau
+853 2871 0032