Lai Heen at The Ritz Carlton

A 5-star with comfort food: The Cotai strip spells glitz. Go all out here with the Ritz Carlton – shoot up all the way to the 51st floor, for fine dining at the Lai Heen, which is the highest Chinese restaurant in Macau. Opt for dinner to catch a glimpse of the golden lights as they shine over the strip that never sleeps thanks to its many casinos.

While the view is mesmerising, it’s the food that wins you over. Lai Heen offers traditional Chinese dishes with a hint of the modern. Scour the menu to find steamed crab claw, double boiled chicken soup, dumplings and more. But don’t miss the chef's special: braised pork belly with preserved vegetables, a classic dish that’s a staple in every Chinese home. It’s what locals think of as ‘mama’s cooking’ wherein preserved vegetables are stewed with braised pork. The chef adds a modern twist by dehydrating the deep-fried mui choi, and finishing with a dash of sugar. The pork has an even distribution of fat which ensures that the dish isn’t heavy. This attention towards achieving a perfect balance is what characterises Cantonese cuisine.
If you’re looking to pair your food with drinks, the Lai Heen has curated an eclectic menu of wines and spirits, including a rich French Bordeaux selection dedicated to special vintages and a well-stacked Portuguese wine cellar.