With floor-to-ceiling glass panel walls, a central pond featuring running water and a two-metre-tall flower vase filled with fresh lilies, Naam, the Thai restaurant at the Grand Lapa Macau, is sure to stun guests as they are seated in the brightly lit dining room. With the high ceilings that help to keep noise levels down and tables that are generously spaced from each other, Naam has created the perfect setting for those seeking an intimate dinner. This poolside dining facility features wooden furniture and high-quality bamboo table settings giving guests the sense of stepping into a Thai resort hotel.

To start, our server recommends the shrimp cakes with sweet and sour dip and they do not disappoint. The salty crunchy outer crust gives the shrimp cakes a different texture that pairs perfectly with the rich sweet and sour sauce. The spicy prawn soup with lemongrass burst with Thai spices and with three different sizes offered for all soups and curries, it is a great dish to order for any size party. More disappointing is the steamed fish with assorted Thai herbs, although seasoned beautifully in a fish broth, the fish itself is not particularly fresh. However to make up for our slight disappointment, the real showstopper at Naam is the stir-fried lobster with onion, capsicum and black pepper sauce – the dish features a full lobster cut in half with tender lobster meat perfectly seasoned without being too salty. The mango and sweet sticky rice completes the meal: fresh mangos served against coconut sticky rice that is balanced enough to satisfy those with a sweet tooth and not overwhelm those that aren’t dessert lovers. While the dish is certainly ubiquitous, Naam’s version still manages to leave a memorable impression.

Naam has an extensive wine list with champagnes, whites and reds from a wide range of regions, including a good selection of red wines from Portugal. The long list is supported by descriptive tasting notes for those wines available by the glass.

With wait staff dressed in traditional Thai dress and all possessing a strong knowledge of the items on the menu, their recommendations are worth a try.

Dinner for two will come up to MOP500 per person and up, excluding wine. With authentic dishes and friendly service, the meal is well-worth the money.