At 12 noon, the fountain in the front of the Meeting Pavilion was reflecting dazzling light under the scorching sun. Tourists were queuing up under their parasols to take pictures, but I avoided the crowd and entered a quiet alley on the side of the square. At the end of the alley, an unremarkable Portuguese-style coffee shop emitted the aroma of baking. In the window, freshly baked Portuguese egg tarts were steaming, with golden and crispy pastry layers like a multi-layered tower.
I ordered an egg tart and a cup of iced coffee. The filling of the egg tart was hot, and a small pit collapsed in the pastry when I gently poked it, with the rich milk aroma mingling with the slightly bitter caramel flavor spreading instantly in my mouth.
The interior decoration of the store retained the Portuguese style from the 1990s, with green window frames and white walls, and several old maps hung on the walls. There were two young people in the store, and on the table was Macau Golden Beer, quietly watching the people coming and going outside. It is said that this store has been in operation since 1996, and like Macau Beer, it has witnessed the changes before and after Macau’s return.

過量飲酒危害健康
CONSUMIR BEBIDAS ALCOÓLICAS EM EXCESSO PREJUDICA A SAÚDE
EXCESSIVE DRINKING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IS HARMFUL TO HEALTH
禁止向未滿十八歲人士銷售或提供酒精飲料
A VENDA OU DISPONIBILIZAÇÃO DE BEBIDAS ALCOÓLICAS A MENORES DE 18 ANOS É PROIBIDA
THE SALE OR SUPPLY OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IS PROHIBITED