Dine on everything from Portuguese dishes to cuisine from China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. Local Macau food is spicy, a unique combination of Chinese and Portuguese cooking methods with influences of Indian and African spices. Portuguese red and white wines and sparkling vinho verde, as well as port and brandy, are usually offered. There are no licensing laws.

Regional specialities:
• Bacalhau (baked, grilled, stewed or boiled cod).
• Caldo verde and sopa a alentejana (rich soups).
• Spicy, grilled Galinha Africana (African chicken).
• Galinha a portuguesa (chicken baked with potatoes, onions, eggs and saffron).
• Minche (minced meat with fried potato and onion).

Legal drinking age: There is no legal drinking age in Macau.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is added to most hotel and restaurant bills. A small tip should also be left.

Most nightlife is centred on the hotels and casino resorts, many of which have nightclubs with cabaret, Portuguese folk dancing, lively dance bands, discos, international menus and bars. Nightclub music often has local touches, with international pop sung in Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai and Japanese. In summer, there are several open-air esplanadas serving soft drinks. Locals tend to relax in the evening in some of the many lively restaurants. A lively bar strip has developed along Avenida Dr Sun Yat-sen, near the Kun Iam Statue, with many bars offering live Filipino cover bands each night.

Gambling is a big attraction for visitors to Macau. Casinos are open 24 hours, providing famous entertainers, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and Chinese games like fantan and dai-siu (big and small).

At Cineteatro, international and Chinese films can be seen.

Popular buys are jewellery (particularly gold and jade), Chinese antiques, porcelain, pottery, electronic gadgetry, cameras, watches and beading work. Also Chinese herbs and medicines, dried seafood, abalone, pastries and locally-made knitwear. 

There is no sales tax because Macau is a free port. Bargaining is expected. For antiques, gold and jewellery, use officially-recommended shops. Always ask for a warranty and receipt. 

The main shopping area is located along the Avenida do Infante D Henrique and Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, São Domingos Market, Rua de Palha, Rua do Campo and Rua Pedro Nolasco da Silva. Find unique gifts in Macau's flea market around Rua das Estalagens (near St Paul's Ruins). There is an Artisan's Fair every Saturday evening in Santo Agostinho Square. Several glitzy luxury goods malls have sprung up around several of the new casino resorts, including Wynn Macau and The Venetian.

Shopping hours: Generally daily 1000-1900, though some of the new luxury brand malls are open until 2100. Some shops may close on the first day of every month.