Nowhere is Macau’s exquisite Cantonese cuisine better experienced than at The Eight. Hidden inside Grand Lisboa Hotel, this heralded restaurant is accessed via a hidden corridor that features relaxing water curtains and virtual swimming goldfish.
Seating up to 164 guests, the main dining room delivers subtle nods to traditionally lucky figure-eight motifs and a sophisticated black and red palette. At lunch, indulge in elegant dim sum, meticulously prepared by executive chef Joseph Tse and his skillful knife-wielding team.
Evening turns a spotlight on contemporary Cantonese dishes, known for their seasonal ingredients, delicate flavors and fresh seafood.
No matter what time you visit, be sure to peruse the 16,800-label wine menu — shared by all of Grand Lisboa Hotel’s restaurants — that traverses both Old World chateaux and surprising newcomers. The menu, presented as a heavy book, could take years to digest, but The Eight’s sommelier will point you toward a great pairing in a matter of minutes.
- The secret entrance sets a mysterious tone for The Eight, which
continues to impress with every step. From the crystal chandelier to the warm
hand towels before the meal, this is the crème de la crème of Cantonese dining
rooms.
- Conceived by Hong Kong talent Alan Chan, the entire design concept
is based on the fortuitous No. 8. In Chinese culture, it signifies wealth and
luck — appropriate for this casino city.
- The dim sum menu comes highly recommended, featuring more than 40
types of small bites and sharing plates. Don’t miss the hedgehog-shaped char siu bao (barbecued pork buns),
lobster and truffle dumplings, steamed rice flour rolls with Sicilian prawns,
or juicy crystal blue shrimp-stuffed har
gao dumplings, molded to resemble the venue’s signature goldfish.
- In addition to the enormous wine menu, you will also find a
selection of premium pu’erteas. This
is the Chinese tea of choice for rich dim sum, since the earthy, fermented
flavors are thought to aid in digestion.
- The chef’s version of mango soup — a traditional Cantonese dessert
— is marvelous. It tastes surprisingly light, thanks to chunks of fresh mango,
pomelo and strawberry.
- Reservations are a must at the Macau restaurant. Plan weeks in
advance to avoid disappointment, particularly if you’re visiting on a weekend.
- If you're dining with a small group or extended family, consider
booking one of the six private rooms. Each space includes dedicated serving
staff and an en suite bathroom.
- Portions of dim sum run on the small side compared to more casual
Chinese restaurants, so plan to order a mix of six to eight dishes for two
people.
- Be aware that a few items must be ordered at least 24 hours in
advance. These highlights include the special beggar’s chicken (traditionally
wrapped in lotus leaf and baked underground), Peking duck and braised eight
treasure goose (a deboned goose filled with eight traditional ingredients:
abalone, barbecued pork, lotus seed, lily bulb, mushroom, conpoy — or dried
scallop — taro and salted egg yolk.
- While there’s no enforced dress code, we’d treat a visit to this
restaurant like a special occasion. At a minimum, trousers for men and
casual-chic for ladies.
- The chef’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the dim
sum menu. Each bite has been crafted by hand, to order, with precise
presentations and world-class ingredients.
- Dinner can be approached in one of two ways: either order what you
like à la carte — with more than 150 different dishes on offer — or opt for the
set menu to taste a little bit of everything. The latter is a great way to try chef Tse’s signatures.
- Adventurous eaters may feel inspired to order traditional
appetizers such as jellyfish head with vintage black vinegar, thousand-year-old
egg or pig’s trotter.
- If you win big at the casino, have a go at a celebratory Chinese
classic, such as bird’s nest and abalone.
- Roast specialties are not to be missed, particularly the suckling
pig (for sharing), poached pigeons, honey-glazed barbecued pork and roasted
pork belly.
- The Cantonese restaurant’s namesake number takes many subtle forms
here, from the sparkling crystal ball suspended over a pool in the middle of
the dining room casting a figure-eight reflection, to the curvaceous furniture
arrangements.
- Symbolizing good energy and abundant vitality, hand-stitched silk
goldfish appear to swim across the back wall in the main dining room.
- Hugged by water curtains, the entrance has been designed with some
of the same symbolism in mind. A projector creates virtual goldfish swimming
underfoot as you walk into this new world, far removed from the busy city
below.
- Look for various jade and bronze coins placed around the dining
room as a continuation of the auspicious symbolism.
Breakfast
Brunch
Business casual
Dinner
Gluten-free options
Kid friendly
Lunch
Private dining
Reservations required 
Self-parking
Valet parking
Vegetarian options
