Why Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau is a must-visit fine dining hub for foodies

As one of Macau’s leading Cantonese restaurants, Palace Garden certainly stands out for its elaborate interior. Upon setting foot into the venue, guests will be mesmerised by lush greenery in the restaurant’s entryway. At the heart of Palace Garden is a 35-metre-long traditional Suzhou-style embroidered mural depicting chrysanthemums and songbirds, as well as gorgeous private dining rooms decked out with Chinese-style vases and French crystal chandeliers.

However, what truly makes Palace Garden shine is chef Ken Chong’s exquisite Taishi cuisine offerings. Named after Guangzhou-based food connoisseur Jiang Kong-yin, this style of Cantonese fare was born from Jiang’s elaborate dinner banquets during the late Qing dynasty, where he served inventive dishes such as five-snake soup and ge zha, which laid the foundation for many beloved Cantonese classics. At Palace Garden, guests can enjoy contemporary takes on Taishi classics such as peony king tiger prawn, premium partridge bisque with assorted ingredients and 15-year-old tangerine peel, and plenty more.

Aside from its regular dishes, Palace Garden occasionally offers exclusive menus created in collaboration with global chefs. Most recently, chef Chong took part in Chefs’ Table: A Symphony of Senses four-hands event, where he worked with chef Luo from Guangzhou-based one-Michelin-starred Sichuanese restaurant, Yong. During the three-day-long occasion, diners were treated to a curated menu with Chong and Luo’s joint creations such as wok-fried chicken with Sichuan peppers, chilled geoduck with passionfruit dressing, and peony king prawn in fiery Kung Pao sauce, showcasing the best of both chefs' culinary expertise.

This commitment to standout culinary experiences can also be found just a few steps away at Don Alfonso 1890, the first Asian outpost of the renowned Italian restaurant led by the Iaccarino family since 1890. One of Italy’s longest-running restaurants, this legendary Italian restaurant from Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi has made a name for itself with its exceptional farm-to-table dining and friendly hospitality.

As soon as diners enter Don Alfonso 1890, they are immediately transported into an environment that embodies Versace’s glamorous image. With handcrafted terrazzo floor tiling and paintings contrasted with colourful Barocco patterns, this restaurant’s interior is nothing short of extravagant. What’s more, the Italian eatery is filled with bespoke furniture and plateware – created in collaboration with premium goods brand Rosenthal – that feature Asian elements such as dragons and auspicious colours like red and gold.

When it comes to Don Alfonso’s offerings, head chef Federico Pucci and his culinary team have created a menu full of contemporary takes on authentic flavours from the Amalfi Coast. Plates such as vitello tonnato, linguine ai gamberi rossi, paccheri, and semifreddo tiramisu highlight the restaurant's commitment to quality and creativity.

Just like Palace Garden, this opulent Italian restaurant has also garnered attention for its collaborative dining events, having had previously hosted two-Michelin-starred German restaurant Sühring for Chefs’ Table: A Symphony of Senses.

Additionally, the restaurant was also part of SJM Resorts’ recurring dining event: Michelin Star Table. During the event, Pucci joined forces with chef Andrea Migliaccio from Anacapri’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Olivo, and chef Iaccarino, current head chef and fourth generation of the Italian flagship restaurant. During each exclusive dining event, Pucci showcased his innovative flair and expertise by creating sensational Italian plates.

Grand Lisboa Palace Resort is not just a place to stay; it's a destination for culinary exploration that every foodie should experience. Whether you choose to explore the delicate flavours of Taishi cuisine at Palace Garden or want to savour Italian heritage at Don Alfonso 1890, guests at this resort are guaranteed to enjoy impeccable service and unforgettable fare when dining at the resort’s top restaurants.