Cunha Street, also named as “Rua do Cunha”, which is a narrow pedestrian street in Macau. Cunha Street locates very near to the Casino Resorts, which exudes the old town a nostalgia feel. The street is 121 meters long, and 5 meters wide, which is one of the most important streets in Taipa Old Town area, and a good place for choosing the local foods and souvenirs in Macau.
Origin of the name
Rua do Cunha is the Portuguese name of the street. Some people think the street is named after the Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha. But according to the government of Macau, the street is actually named after Pedro Alexandrino da Cunha, who is a Portuguese navy captain, the 81st governor of Macau. He arrived in Macau in May 1850 but died 37 days later in July from cholera, which is one of the first victims of the disease in Macau. In 1884, the street was officially named by the government.
Must-see at Cunha Street
Entering Cunha Street from the east, the first shop on the south side of the street is the old store Cafe Veng Kei. It is a local coffee house for Hong Kong and Macau style food and bakery items. The house is decorated with painted food items and English signage, making it more approachable for foreign tourists.
On the north side is the famous old building, Feira do Carmo, and its surrounding buildings. It is an open building, supported by 10 Roman columns. It combines the traditional Chinese roof structure and the western building style. In the past, Feira do Carmo was a trading center and a place for social activities.
Moving forward then comes to the souvenir area. It is known for the shops selling almond cakes, phoenix egg rolls, coconut flakes, peanut candy, etc. People can also find famous shops such as Choi Heong Yuen and Koi Kei, which is a famous supplier of biscuits, sweets, preserved fruit, and dried jerky. It is probably one of the few things that Macau is famous for. Visitors can also find various Portuguese restaurants, including 'O Santos', which has been in business for 20 years, and 'O Galo'.
Every Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm, a local market is opened on the street. At that time, the whole street is crowded and lively, and the Taipa Old Town area is also vibrant and filled with European style.