Ban-Na Thai Restaurant (Mackay CBD) — Restaurant in Mackay

I was quite disappointed with my recent dining experience. On the surface, this restaurant seems promising, but the service left much to be desired.

Upon arriving at 7:15 PM, we were met with unwelcoming stares from two staff members. There was no greeting or attempt to assist us, just awkward silence. I had to approach them to ask if we should seat ourselves or wait to be shown to a table. Instead of a warm welcome, I was asked what we were there for, which felt unprofessional. A simple greeting and offer of assistance would have made a big difference.

Despite this, we chose to stay, assuming some staff might have been in training. Once seated, our waiter promptly left without offering drinks or introducing the menu. Given it was a quiet Monday night, with only about 20 patrons and five waitstaff, this level of service was unexpected.

We had to flag down a staff member just to order drinks. I requested that the next round of drinks be placed in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, a straightforward ask. However, instead of accommodating the request, I was told that the drinks were already cold—a dismissive response that missed the point. After a brief discussion, we finally moved on to ordering appetizers.

When I inquired about which dishes were freshly made and which were pre-prepared, the staff seemed unsure. It took about 10 minutes for them to inform us that all the entrées were frozen and outsourced. This became clear when the food arrived, as the quality was noticeably lacking. The chili calamari, in particular, had a soggy, undercooked batter, which we sent back.

Our experience with the main courses was similarly underwhelming. The pork belly was dry and unappetizing. When I expressed my dissatisfaction, the owner insisted that this was "how it is." After politely declining to accept the dish in that state, a new, much-improved pork belly was brought out shortly after, showing that the first attempt was far from their best effort. It was disheartening to feel pressured to accept subpar food.

Throughout the entire meal, no staff members checked in on us, and we repeatedly had to flag them down, despite the restaurant not being busy.

In conclusion, this was a frustrating experience, and I would recommend saving your money. For a better alternative, I highly recommend Tim's Kitchen, where the staff is attentive, and the food is...

We are from out of town and I had been really excited to try this restaurant. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to expectations and the other good reviews which I had read.

The service here was totally unacceptable. My husband had booked a table and we were in the back corner of the restaurant which was a nice spot however the table was not clean when we went to sit down so the waitress told us to wait while she went to get a cloth to wipe it. She finally returned, cleaned the table but didn't replace the dirty cutlery which was left by the previous diners. We waited a long time for our drink order to be taken and they don't have sparkling wine by the glass on the menu. This seems like a very basic drinks menu item, particularly for a restaurant of this calibre (which I say lightly!)

We placed our order for entree (satay sticks) and mains (coconut rice, chicken pad thai and pork penang curry). The satay sticks were to share but they never offered us extra plates. I had to ask for these. We waited an hour for mains and during this time I had to call the waiters/waitresses over to ask for drinks and finally ask how long our mains would be.

As for the food, the satay chicken was very overcooked and dry but the sauce was pretty good. The mains were the same with the meat in both dishes overdone and the rice quite gluggy. The only saving grace was the flavour of the food which was really good, hence my 2 star review.

Lift your service game and this restaurant will be a winner! Such a shame for us as we will be in Mackay each week for the next 6 months and we won't be back...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ban Na Thai Restaurant, and it was a delightful experience! This cozy Thai restaurant offers a wonderful selection of authentic Thai dishes that are sure to satisfy any cravings.

The flavors at Ban Na Thai were truly exceptional. Each dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, resulting in a burst of deliciousness with every bite.

The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, creating a pleasant atmosphere for a relaxed dining experience. The staff members were friendly and attentive, ensuring that we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Their knowledge of the menu and recommendations were greatly appreciated, making our dining experience even more enjoyable.

If you're a fan of Thai cuisine or simply looking to explore new flavors, I highly recommend Ban Na Thai Restaurant. The quality of the food, the inviting atmosphere, and the attentive service make it a top choice for Thai food enthusiasts. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to savor more of their mouthwatering dishes!

Overall, Ban Na Thai Restaurant exceeded my expectations with its flavorful dishes and welcoming ambiance. Whether you're a Thai food aficionado or a first-time visitor, this restaurant is definitely...