(Last updated: May 7, 2026)
Palace Garden at Grand Lisboa Palace recently picked up 1 star in the 2026 Michelin guide. As the name suggests, it’s going for Forbidden City vibes, the kind of food reserved for emperors and empresses, concubines and consorts, a lofty goal that requires lofty execution.
The room matches that grand vision in spades. Designed by industry heavyweight Alan Chan, it’s all lacquer, gold tones, silk panels, and dramatic lighting, built around the idea of a Suzhou-style garden. There’s a huge embroidered mural running along one side, private rooms that feel properly grand, and just enough theatrical flourish to remind you this is meant to be an experience, not just a meal. Without question, it’s one of the more impressive dining rooms in Macau, full stop.
The best deals at these kinds of restaurants usually come at lunch, where we tried a 5 course set that ran just $688. The tea supplement was an extra $188, while wine was a pricier $208.
An amuse-bouche of Sour Plum with Cherry Tomato and Coriander opened the meal. A strange combination on paper, but mellow, refreshing and considerably better than it sounds.
Dim sum came next and was easily the strongest part of lunch.
The Abalone and Pork Dumpling was excellent: delicate, full of flavour, and properly put together. One of the best bites here. 5 stars
The Italian Red Prawn and Crystal Blue Shrimp Dumpling finished just behind it. The thin skin gave way to a soft, almost melting centre with plenty of natural sweetness. The texture really carried it. 4.5 stars
Then everything dropped off.
The Alaska King Crabmeat and Fish Maw Dumpling in Supreme Broth was introduced as something like a Shanghai xiao long bao. It wasn’t even close. Oversized, awkward to eat and remarkably short on flavour, it released far too much hot liquid without giving you much in return. Essentially, a large bowl of bland soup trapped inside a dumpling. 2 stars
The fried dim sum that followed didn’t improve matters.
The Crispy Seafood and Vegetable Glutinous Rice Dumpling had a sticky, glossy coating that attached itself to my mouth and refused to leave. Not my style, and certainly not what I expected from a Michelin-starred kitchen. 2.5 stars
The Taro Puff with Crabmeat was slightly better, but still off. Way too hot inside, it didn’t take me anywhere I wanted to go. If I came back and saw it on an a la carte menu, I wouldn’t order it. 3 stars
At this point, I started to think about the Eight at Grand Lisboa, and how I never really had a bad dish there. Perhaps that’s the Chinese restaurant everyone should try first??
Palace Garden finally recovered with the Slow-Stewed Beef with Wild Honey. The meat was beautifully tender, while the honey added sweetness without turning dinner into dessert. One of the few dishes that completely justified the surroundings. 5 stars
The Noodles with Barbecued Pork Loin were a bit frustrating. The pork was excellent, but the noodles felt incomplete on their own. Once we added the XO and Sichuan pepper sauces, though, everything came together. 2.5 stars on their own, 4.5 stars with sauce.
Dessert brought lunch crashing back down. The Mango and Passion Fruit Cream with Ginger Ice Cream was so sour that I couldn’t finish it. Anyone who enjoys extremely tart desserts may have better luck. I did not. 1 star
Some complimentary petit fours followed. The chocolate Moutai was mildly interesting. The macarons were not.
Before leaving, we toured two private dining rooms. The first leans heavily European, with dark wood, walls packed with artwork and a chandelier hanging low over the table. It also has outdoor seating with killer views of Macau’s glamorous new prison in Ka Ho.
The second is far more Chinese in style, cleaner and calmer, with a Suzhou garden mural dominating one wall. The same money has clearly been spent, but the room doesn’t strut about as loudly.
Expect the minimum spend to start from around $5000.
Palace Garden produced two brilliant dumplings and an excellent beef dish. Unfortunately, too much of the remaining meal ranged from forgettable to genuinely poor. At $688 before supplements, inside a dining room this grand, that matters.
I walked out doubting I would ever return.
Sadly, the Michelin star doesn’t feel deserved.
