Tao Dumplings Northcote — Restaurant in Melbourne

We all know we are looking for that 1 restaurant that ticks all of the boxes, this restaurant I gave all 5 stars as it beat any other restaurant in the surrounding areas

It were not another restaurant that served their cultural cuisine as slapped up as the others

The food presentation were inviting to the ears The flavours of every dish quenched every taste bud in the mouth, the sauces that flavoured the dishes, were not over powering and each bite melted in your mouth as you couldn't wait to try the other dishes ordered wanting that same succulent experience as the 1st

The service were wonderful, the woman who served us were polite and read back our order to be sure she had everything correct

The food came promptly one dish at a time, that before our eyes we were surprised at the volume of food on each plate The flavours were wonderful

The salt & chilli prawns were perfectly cooked, the prawns did not drown in batter like may restaurants do with their battered dishes, these prawns were lightly battered to give a crunch as you bite into it. The batter, salt & chilli, did not over power the main star of the dish, being the prawn

The sweet & sour pork dish (not being a favourite of mine) has changed due to how delicious this meal tasted. The pork were tender inside of the batter shell, again the batter were not thick as other restaurants tend to do with this particular pork dish...this pork dish I will definitely buy again but only from this restaurant

The Chinese vegetable dish were fresh with the sauce not overpowering the tower of green which melted in your mouth enhancing your taste buds wanting more

The peking duck pancakes, melted in my mouth and made a very satisfying entree as did the very delicious vegetable spring rolls in their crispy batter

The other dishes ordered by my friends, I did not get to taste, but according to the compliments they made about their dishes, they were equally satisfied as I were with mine

The whole cost of our meal (8 dishes in total incl drinks, some dishes not shown due to being eaten up lol) were very affordable and not over priced like many restaurants that serve terrible food, plus the amount of food we received per dish were very very generous!!

I encourage you all to try this restaurant out for yourself, I am sure you will be more than satisfied with the service, food quality & flavours! Book to be sure...

Would give it 0 stars if I could. Had a very disappointing dining experience.

I ordered some chicken and beef & black bean which was served to the table and was patiently waiting for fried rice to come out so I could eat the meat with the rice.

After 10 minutes of waiting I got concerned that they had forgotten the rest of our order (was also waiting for calamari) so I asked a staff member to see what was happening with the rice. The staff member never came back to update me so after 20 minutes, I asked another staff member what was going on with the rice so he went and checked and said that it will be ready soon.

At this point it was about 30 minutes since the meat dishes were served and obviously they were ice cold now.

I pointed this out to the staff member who said he would reheat the dishes. I told him that it was ridiculous that we come to a restaurant and pay to eat a hot meal and we end up eating re heated food and if anything it should be cooked again. The staff member just said he was sorry and he could only re heat the food.

So after nearly 45 mins since the mains were out on the table the fried rice, calamari and reheated mains were put back on the table lol.

Absolutely disgraceful customer service! Because you took 45 minutes to serve rice after serving the meat dishes, I had to eat reheated food!

Totally unacceptable! Avoid this place...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tao Dumpling is an absolute gem in Northcote! The moment I stepped in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Now, let's talk about the food – it's nothing short of exceptional. The dumplings are to die for, and you can tell they're made with the finest ingredients. Each bite was a burst of flavors that left my taste buds dancing with joy. I can't recommend the pork and chive dumplings enough; they're a must-try!

The menu is diverse, offering options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. The portion sizes are generous, and the presentation is beautiful. It's evident that the chefs take great pride in their craft.

The ambiance is serene, making it the perfect spot for a cozy date night or a get-together with friends. Tao Dumpling has a wonderful blend of traditional and modern décor, which adds to its charm.

To sum it up, Tao Dumpling is a hidden culinary treasure in Northcote. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must-visit. I'll be returning for more of those exquisite dumplings,...