Dakao Hoang — Restaurant in Melbourne

Old reviews are irrelevant here as the restaurant recently renovated and changed owners right after the most recent extended VIC lockdown. I have been to this restaurant numerous times in the past but after the new ownership I probably will not be going back. It used to be one of my favourite go-to restaurants in Springvale but it will be the last place I recommend in the whole of Springvale now.

Firstly the prices are more expensive than everywhere else in Springvale. Although the interior is nice it does appear to be quite gentrified if you are after the "authentic Vietnamese" vibe.

I arrived for a quick meal late in the evening and was ignored by waiters and finally after 5 minutes was given a menu. Eventually my order was taken and I sat waiting a very long time for my meal (much like the other reviews I have seen). A family of 4 who came 10 minutes after me received their meal before mine. I inquired about the whereabouts of my meal and was told "kitchen issues" and "lost my order". Then I was asked to get my meal for takeaway as it had past 9pm. Meanwhile the owner behind the counter was having a conversation with staff and friends all the whilst ignoring the concerns of the customers.

Horrible service and would give it 0 stars if I could. Food is okay but with Vietnamese restaurants the BARE STANDARD is quick delivery and affordable meals which in this case the restaurant misses the boat on both. Plenty of other restaurants in Springvale which deliver no frills...

At first glance the resturant seemed pretty good with the amount of people inside and it was very clean, unfortunately that was when our good impression has ended.

We ordered 4 main dishes and 2 drinks, and after around 45 minutes we still haven’t received our food and drinks. We decided to ask the waiter to check on our food and drinks and he acted all confused. After a few mins he returned without apologising and reassured us that the food “will be out in 5 minutes”.

We received the drinks after 2 mins, however, after around 15mins the same waiter returned without apologising again and told us that there was an “issue in the kitchen” and that’s why the food never arrived and that we need to take our food take away now because they are closing.

The waiter didn’t offer us an alternative or offered a compensation, he told us just straight up to take the food take away because of the problems in the kitchen. When we confronted him about him forgetting our order he made excuses and lied to our faces blaming that the kitchen “had issues” that’s why our FOOD and DRINKS both were effected from it.

Overall horrible service, no one came up to apologise nor inform us of the “kitchen issues” all while others received their dishes. No apology nor compensation were offered to us. We ended up leaving after over an hour of sitting there at 9:35pm without any food, hungry and frustrated. Would definitely not go their again nor recommend it to...

I so rarely leave negative feedback, but after experiencing the same inadequate service back to back, I have to update my review.

Ever since this place renovated a few years ago and the original owner returned, the food, service, and atmosphere have severely dropped.

The prices have increased, the portions are much smaller, and the food quality isn't really there anymore. Newer staff cannot properly note down orders or remember simple requests even during quieter days.

I had dinner with friends, and 3/4 of us received our dishes within 10-15 minutes. Waited for the last dish for more than 30 minutes and by then, it still hasn't come out. As 3/4 of us has already finished our meals, understandably our 4th friend had lost their appetite and asked for the dish to be a takeaway. By the time we went to pay, it still wasn't ready.

Sure, you can blame it on inflation and rising costs, but there's an abundance of similar asian restaurants in Springvale who are in the same boat, but are actually delivering on food quality and service.

You as a business should not hide behind these easy excuses. Take some responsibility, better support your staff, and just do better.

Until then, this once-loyal customer won't...