(Last updated: August 22, 2026)
One valid complaint about the Macau dining scene is that there aren’t enough good French restaurants. Outside of the viciously overpriced Robuchon Au Dome and the Parisian’s Brasserie, I struggle to think of any.
That’s what makes La Santé so intriguing. Hidden away in the St. Lazarus district, it’s a small six table joint offering a single set menu that changes monthly, running just $590 per person.
The meal began with a Beef Cheek Ravioli amuse-bouche. The broth tasted a little watery on its own, but improved once you got some ravioli into the spoon. Not a standout, but a decent start.
The Crème de Petits Pois with Scallop Soup followed. Smooth and creamy, with some sweetness from the carrots, it was perfectly good. However, I kept waiting for a bit more flavour that never came. 3.5 stars
Next came the Puff Pastry with Escargots and Mixed Mushrooms, and it was excellent. The pastry was light and crisp, while the mushrooms and snails underneath were rich, earthy and full of flavour. One of the best dishes I’d had in a while, regardless of venue. 5 stars
The Lobster with Pumpkin and Haricots Verts was another strong plate. Pumpkin and lobster shouldn’t necessarily work together, but they did. Quite nice. 4.5 stars
Dessert leaned on red fruits, mainly strawberry, with sorbet, lemon biscuit, and meringue. Light, clean, and easy to finish. The handmade coffee at the end was a nice touch. 4 stars
All in all, La Santé isn’t perfect. The tight quarters mean you’re very aware of your neighbours, and the opening soup could have used a bit more punch. But there’s enough here to make you curious about what next month’s menu brings.
Ever since Guillaume Galliot left the Tasting Room for Caprice almost a decade ago, I’ve been waiting for another French restaurant in Macau to step up. With La Santé, that search might finally be over.
***Update***
Indeed, indeed, indeed! A return visit in April 2026 confirms La Santé wasn’t a one-off. The food was richer, more memorable and much closer to the kind of French cooking I want to eat.
The Salmon with Caviar amuse-bouche got things moving in the right direction. Fresh salmon, salty caviar and no unnecessary distractions. Simple, but done properly.
The Asparagus Soup with Clams was excellent. Smooth, lightly creamy and substantial enough to feel like proper soup, with the clams adding a salty kick at the end. 4.5 stars
The Lobster Ravioli didn’t skimp on the lobster. The skin was thin, the filling actually tasted of shellfish and the whole thing ate more like a refined Chinese dumpling than classic pasta.
My only complaint? We got one. 4 stars
The Spring Chicken was the standout. Chicken rarely delivers steak-level satisfaction, but this came remarkably close. The leg was tender, the skin properly rendered and even the quinoa pulled its weight by soaking up the sauce. Very high level cooking. 5 stars
Dessert is where they really close it out. The Pistachio Soufflé arrives properly hot and incredibly soft, almost collapsing into itself the moment you break into it. Add a little cold ice cream to each spoonful and you’re off to the races. A magnificent dessert. 5 stars
La Santé served up a much better meal the second time around. The dishes had more richness, more cohesion, and far fewer moments where you were waiting for extra flavour that never arrived.
Macau might finally have the French restaurant it’s long been missing.
***Update***
Three visits in, and La Santé still hasn’t missed.
August’s menu leaned into brighter, more refreshing summer flavours than the previous two visits. You’re definitely not going to be pounding back plates of Boeuf Bourguignon and Foie Gras here, then end up lying on your bedroom floor an hour later wondering where it all went wrong. (Unlike a friend of mine after Fernando’s Favas and Clams.) Think summer, not winter.
The amuse bouche was some cheesy thing, perhaps goat cheese. I plead the 5th here, and have no comment. I downed my whole glass of red wine afterwards to wash all the textures and residue away.
The Scallops with Caviar and Herb Oil got things moving nicely. The dill and herb oil gave it a fresh finish and the whole dish just felt right for a hot August evening. 4.5 stars
The Provençal Vegetable Tian looked beautiful. Lots of fresh flavours, plenty of juice and really nice texture, although maybe just a touch subdued. 4 stars
The Cod en Croûte was easily the best dish of the night. Outstanding textures, beautiful pastry, and real depth to the sauce underneath. Even the table beside us couldn’t stop talking about it. 5 stars
Dessert finished exactly the way the rest of the menu had been heading. The Red Fruit Sorbet was refreshing, beautifully balanced and left a wonderfully clean finish. 5 stars
Three visits in, I’m still waiting for the letdown.
The menus keep changing, but the standard doesn’t. Every visit has produced at least one dish I’d happily order again, and I’ve yet to walk out of La Santé feeling disappointed.
