Cafe O-Mai — Restaurant in Brisbane City

Just a note, below is my 2nd review of Cafe O'Mai from Dec 2023.

It makes me quite sad to write this. However, I must say this because I really love foods this place. Early Dec, I took my mum to dining here and we had the worst experience ever from the staffs. I just couldn't believe how rude they were to us. In fact, there was no ower of the restaurant, still, how the staffs treat customers was shocking. We arrived 1:45( we thought the restaurant close at 3, but it was 2), still, I asked them closing time and a staff answered, ' kitcken close at 2, so we'd better hurry to order' then took us a 'table'. Mind you, still, there were quite a lot of people in other tables. The male staff who led us to our seats threw the menu on the table and walked away silently. We noticed something quite 'off' in the behavior. Another staff who was serving the table was also curt like an angry person. I was embarrassed and confussed because I couldn't understand why they behave like that. When we started eating, the staff put chairs on the table and started cleaning from 2 o'clock. From then on, I felt that our existence was like a annoying uninvited guest to them. Another staff started sweeping the floor while we were eating. When he was about to sweep our back table, I had to ask him to wait a little bit because we're still in the middle of eating, and he finally stepped back without apology.

When I checked out, I expressed my disappointment how we treated by them, and my love about this restaurant. First they excused their closing time was 2 not 3 on that day. So I told them, then they should not let us in when I asked them closing time before they serve us, but they did! And treated like a garbage. Most sad thing was non of them simply apologised us. It was most unpleasant shocking dining out experience for me. This restaurant has been growing up by strong support from local community. Despite their foods are great, if they believe they can treat their customers like this in anytime in any reason, it will be hard to gain continuous support from the community. I am saying this because, later I found I am not the only one who had similar experience like me. ( yes, I've shared my experience with a few friends in Annerley, and they all have similar experience at Cafe O'Mai) It may sound harsh but I had to share my experience because I do care...

Nestled in the heart of the annerley, O-Mai offers an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience that tantalises the taste buds and transports patrons to the bustling streets of Vietnam. From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee and the warm hospitality of the staff.

The ambiance is reminiscent of a traditional Vietnamese coffee shop, with rustic wooden furniture, vibrant lanterns, and the soothing sounds of Vietnamese music playing softly in the background. Whether you're seeking a cozy spot for a leisurely afternoon coffee or a quick bite to eat on your lunch break, Omai provides the perfect setting.

The menu boasts a wide array of Vietnamese delicacies, from traditional pho and banh mi sandwiches to savoury rice dishes and refreshing rice paper rolls. Each dish is prepared with care and attention to detail, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and authentic recipes passed down through generations.

One of the highlights of Omai is undoubtedly their Vietnamese coffee. this rich and aromatic beverage is brewed using traditional Vietnamese drip filters, resulting in a bold and intense flavour that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning coffee connoisseur.

In addition to their delectable food and beverages, the service at O-Mai is second to none. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that every customer leaves with a smile on their face.

Overall, Cafe O’Mai is a gem that offers a true taste of Vietnam right in the heart of Annerley. Whether you're craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine or simply looking for a cozy spot to relax and unwind, this charming café is sure to delight your senses and leave you...

We thought we would try the cafe as it seemed very popular. Parking is not great here, and you do have to walk quite a distance to get to the cafe. We were greeted with a friendly staff member but did have to wait in a line for a table, so if you don’t want to wait there is a take away area which is seperate. The table we got was adequate (luckily got an inside seat rather than outside next to the line up) but it was quite hot as there is no air conditioning, but you do get a breeze from a fan. We had to wait a long time for service, when nobody came to our table I went up to the front counter to order but was quickly and rudely told to sit back down. When a server did arrive her attitude was very blunt and unfriendly. We were left with an impression of not being welcome. We ordered a a Bahn Mi Roll, Rice paper rolls and a Viet salad along with lychee frappe, our usual when trying Vietnamese restaurants. The lychee frappe was ok, but quite watered down and gluggy with an uneven consistency. Rice paper rolls lacked flavour (hoisin sauce was also watered down and not the level we would usually expect). Bahn mi was nice, but the roll was not crispy as a classic one would be. The Viet chicken salad was the nicest part, great tasting marinade chicken. We did feel it was quite fatty chicken and were left with an unwanted aftertaste though. When paying for the bill the staff questioned the table we were at but in the end we got the correct bill. Overall it does not live up to the name and there are better Vietnamese cafes around the Gabba and Kangaroo Point. We felt the staff in the most part could be more friendly and food could have more flavour. Maybe on a non busy day our experience would have...