Dragon Boat Restaurant, Knox

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  7     

Our (extended) family has been there for Yum Cha a number of times over the past few years and we have always enjoyed ourselves. We lunched there today (19/3/11) and the food and service were excellent. Can recommend this restaurant.

Mar 19, 2011 

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

We went out for a special family dinner to Dragon Boat, which we visited a few times before. That evening our son was rather grumpy, making a few noises, etc. which to our surprise irritated another family with two children sitting next to us. The father apparently complained to the senior staff, and requested to be moved. We thought that was rather rude knowing they too have two grown-up children, but what happened next was totally unexpected.

The senior staff came to our table and said "You'd better keep the child's voice down or else..." My immediate answer was "Or what, you can't have families with kids like us dine in your restaurant." Ten seconds later, we got out of the restaurant appalled by the level of service of an otherwise a decent restaurant with a good quality food.

The whole night was entirely ruined to say the least, and our daughter was crying after seeing the whole incident, and watching his brother became the object of that unprofessional service of the senior staff.

If you are a family with kids, avoid this restaurant! There are other equally good Chinese restaurants in the area that do not mind kids who behave like kids.

Jun 13, 2010 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  3     

Had eaten there several times but never again. Maitre d' at the counter was more interested in adding up their dockets than looking at us when we asked for a table at 7:30 pm on a Saturday night. When the drinks came, my glass was broken and sharp on one side. When I asked the senior staff for my drink in a glass that wasn't broken, not only did he not apologise but he didn't say anything. Just took the glass and walked away.

Needless to say, we walked out. Paid for a single drink on our way out without even being asked why we were leaving. The food was never good enough to put up with that. Disgusting.

May 17, 2010 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Been here many times for yum cha and a la carte lunch/dinner. Not the cheapest and can have too much msg sometimes. Should book, especially on weekends and special days.

Overall great personal service. Couple of the staff can be too curt but other waiting staff can remember the patrons even after an absence, and are tolerant of younger kids. Had my dad's birthday here once, complete with Chinese sword for the cake we brought, it was fun!

Yum cha variety ok, could be more but not bad. A la carte dishes are tasty and authentic. One of the better chinese restaurants this part of the city. Love it!

Apr 21, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  9     

The dragon boat represents good value for money with large sized dishes of your typical Chinese meals. Some of the meals are particularly good while others being a little bland, takes a few times to this place to work out which is which. The Yum Cha on the other hand is a fun morning with a good variety at it almost seems a different chef during yum cha to the regular times with the food being much better. Recommend you don’t have your birthday there unless your organizing it for another person in which case go crazy as the song and cake cutting ceremony can be considered a little excitable with a large blunt sword being brandished.

Aug 14, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

Just brilliant. Four friends and I went on a Sunday evening, two had been there previously and recommended the black pepper beef. Mysteriously my partner decided to also order black pepper lamb, we had a mixed bird's nest and pork with plum glazed walnuts (sticking to the rule that you should order one less dish than the number of people eating.

The meal came out very quickly, all the dishes at once, everything was hot and the flavours were fantastic. It was the perfect amount of food and every dish contained broccoli, which suited me well.

For dessert we all had crepes suzette, prepared by at waiter at the table. While I'm no afficionado, I can't imagine crepes done much better than these. A satisfying sized portion for people who were already quite full. The meal (including some beers, a cocktail - $12.50 - and rice enough for all) was about $165.

I will definitely be going back. Definitely one of the best Chinese meals I've eaten in Melbourne. The restaurant itself is quite big, high ceilings and well spaced tables, lots of handy parking (though no doubt packed on Fridays and Saturdays), ATMs nearby.

Jul 26, 2009 

6 Average

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  5     

The Yum Cha is excellent but the service is pretty average. Some dishes unique and not found at most Yum Cha places. Would recommend.

Apr 19, 2009 

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  5     

I've eaten here a couple of times and it doesn't seem to matter what night of the week, it is they always want to rush you through. The staff are quite rude and the food is average.

Apr 15, 2009 

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  2     

We have been twice to this restaurant. The first time was on a saturday night and the food was really good. Service was also ok. However, Mothers day was ruined by the restaurant. We queued to get in for final yum cha session despite booking. All the food delivered was tepid to cold. We waited 3/4 hr for drinks which were wrong when delivered to the table and had to be sent back. Twice we had to send cold food back to the kitchen and refused to pay for it.

It is obvious that there was not enough staff on for the huge numbers of bookings taken. We witnessed at least 5 complaints and walkouts in the hour we were unfortunately there. We eventually left and ate at a fast food chain nearby. Staff were overly stressed. Do not go.

May 15, 2008