Golden Pagoda Chinese Restaurant

This is the worst Chinese food I have ever eaten. And i've eaten a lot of Chinese food! There was absolutely no flavour to any of the dishes not even the sweet and sour. Even adding salt did nothing. We complained, they didn't bother to apologise and charged us full price despite us not eating any of it.

Do not bother going here.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 05, 2013

OK So lets be honest the decor, service and general physical restaurant is not flash.. We actually laugh about the service. If you get a happy waiter we jokingly say he wont be there long.

However, the YUM CHA is hard to beat. I'd be lying if I said we had eaten at many of the restaurants around Chinatown, because there are dozens and dozens, but we have eaten at quite a few and let me say this tops them all by miles. This like anything else is subjective.

But we have taken many british fiends and overseas visitors and everybody thinks it amazing. (you only have to see them eating to know and re ordering lol)

Lets just say this is a fav, have been there probably 20+ times over 4 years, never get recognised or acknowledged. But we don't care. foods good, cheap and generally pretty happy. theres plenty of occasions we want better ambience or service etc for whatever reason so we dont go here. Simple.

But for my money hard to pass for the food.
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marley - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Disappointing food

Off hand service and mandatory 12.5% service charge

If you want to enjoy your London experience the i suggest you avoid
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Dave Downer
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Sunday, November 04, 2012

Visited with my family a few days ago and unfortunately chose this restaruant. First we had to ask for our order to be taken - 3 tables of people early evening - 5 waiters doing nothing but talking. That should have been our cue to leave but we didnt. Anyway next up 3 of the 4 drinks arrived, the other was in the hands of a waiter talking to his mate. Again we had to ask that they serve first, talk later. Then one of the dishes came up and one of my party asked if it was prawns as she doesnt like them. The answer, without a word of a lie "What do they look like?". At that point I told them that there was no need to be rude and that they would not be receiving a tip.

The food itself was actually quite tasty but for an overall experience I would not touch this place with a barge pole. I am well aware that the Chinese can be brusque but this is by far the worst Chinese restaurant I have ever eaten in, here and abroad.
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Helen
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 16, 2012

Terrible restaurant. Tired and run down with holes in the tablecloths. Very off hand service with food being prepared next to the toilets. The food was not that good either. Take my advice and go elsewhere.
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Alan Smith
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, May 07, 2012

Service with a scowl !! Began clearing dishes when we hadn't yet finished eating, and did not stop when I showed disapproval; waiter grunted and carried on! Not a smile from anybody just grunts and finger pointing. Food was average. Just an apalling restaurant and spoilt the day out with my 8yr old daughter. Leave well alone people !
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2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 4
Monday, August 15, 2011

I have eaten at most chinese restaurants serving dim sum (which is many of them) in chinatown and this is my favourite.

The selection is far and above the usual standard (which isn't usually much better than the frozen stuff you can get to heat up at home). A special mention for their Siu Mai (b/f's fave) which, unlike some places contains proper chopped pork and not that sausage-like sludge some places do. The quality was comparable to my stay in HK a few years back which makes sense as apparently thats where the chef came from.

Their Dim Sum prices are reasonable, we're usually pretty full on £10/12 a head.

I can't say I've ever had a problem with their service- it's quite brusque but mostly polite. We're recognised regulars though so maybe this affects our treatment? One of the waiters does have the habit of sitting and reading the paper but we find that quite funny and not unusual in chinatown.

I do though wonder how often those complaining of rude/bad service eat in chinatown. It's almost renowned for it so if it bothers you that much it might not be the place to eat as 99% of the restaurants (certainly the affordable ones) won't give you the service you're after. I've been eating there for years and honestly don't really notice. So long as it's relatively efficient, I'm happy.

One thing that does bother me a little; their air con always makes the restaurant feel a bit chilly, even in summer. Not great when you're trying to have a relaxing lunch.

As for their a la carte menu- I can't really comment on that as I've never eaten from it. I can well believe it's not up to much- that's not unusual in chinatown. When you find a good place (which I have) you should stick to it. Oddly i find that the cheaper places are often best (I've been going to Wong Kei's on Wardour Street for years for non dim sum eats and Jen Cafe on little Newport street's fresh beijing dumplings are fab!) Stay away from the all you can eat buffet's for a start!
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Daniela - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 05, 2011

Visited this restaurant during the Chinese New Year festivities. We were given a table immediately, albeit up quite a few stairs! The staff were very friendly and helpful, helping us with our choice of food. The food was really good and great value for money. We will be back for more when next in town.
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Brain Smith - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My wife and I had been there last weekend for lunch. TERRIBLE!

While we were studying the menu outside a chinese girl ran out of the door and urged us to come in. At this time we should have been leaving (this was the last chance to escape).

While we were sitting inside and visited all the other poor tourists she "catched" this way I had the imagination she was a funnel-web spider.

The staff was terrible rude. The beer was served in cans(!) I went for the toilet to wash my hands: The toilets are dirty and no towels to dry the hands.

On the way to the toilets you have to pass a narrow passage where the food lift is located. Everybody walking to or from the toilet passes your meal that waits to be lifted downstairs...

During we were "enjoying" our meals (fatty duck) the waiter sat lazy behind us reading his news papers and snuffled occasionally.

After the meal noone asked us if the meal was ok. Better so! We paid immediately and were happy that this whole torture from the arrival to the departure only took 30-45min.

What does it teach us? Never go into a restaurant where they "catch" you outside and urge you to go in!
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John
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Visited this restaurant today at lunch time with my wife. She wanted to try Dim Sum. Wish we hadn't bothered. staff could not manage a smile food delivery was haphazard. when I asked if there was a dessert menu. we was left sitting there until someone rudely took away the paper tablecloth. HOW RUDE!

I have read a review where the staff was friendly and helpful. Perhaps they was not at work today.
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Stephen
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 28, 2010