Cafe Mao - Dun Laoghaire

Usually very good delivery. Every order we include the Singapore duck. This week it was extremely dry, mostly skin and barely edible. Very disappointing

Not suitable for a quick bite; most things on the menu are quite expensive. As said by many other reviews, the service here can be horrible (waitress telling you to wait all the time and you being ignored a lot); my order was taken just before my patience ran out (at the same time five+ customers were waiting by the door to be taken to their seats while a lot of the seats here were not occupied and yet no waiters saw to them at all actually that made me feel I should be grateful that I was seated&had got a menu in my hands)

I had been wanting to return to this restaurant for a while. The last time I visited, I enjoyed a delicious beef stir-fry dish. However, my recent experience left me quite disappointed. I started with spring rolls, which were decent and included butternut squash, but the main course was a letdown. I ordered pad Thai, and it didn't meet my expectations. The chicken was tough and there wasn't much of it. To be honest, this has put me off, and I doubt I will return. If I wanted a bowl of noodles, I could have just bought a pack of Koka.

The main dining area is vibrant and eclectic, making it an excellent choice for a Sunday lunch. It handles crowds well, making it a great place if it's busy, and it's especially accommodating for families with children. The portion sizes at Mao are generous, so be sure to come with an appetite. I highly recommend the nasi goreng, which is also available in a smaller lunch portion. Other fantastic options include chicken satay, five-spice chicken, and Malaysian chicken. Don't forget to try the garlic naan bread, which is sure to fill you up too. The staff is consistently fast, friendly, and helpful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the menu. They also cater to those with celiac disease and offer a budget-friendly menu. On a sunny day, there's nothing better than dining outside, a rare treat on our often damp little island.

Mao Asian Kitchen is located right across from the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire. The photos on Yelp seem to show a different place, perhaps due to a recent renovation. The food here is fantastic, and the service is excellent as well. You should definitely give it a try! I'm not sure why it has received any negative reviews— the atmosphere is lively and refreshing, and the Tom Kha soup was outstanding. The kids' menu offered a wide variety, and the children enjoyed their appetizers. The main courses were also very good. We really wish this restaurant had a location in the US!