Roly's Bistro & Roly's Heated Terrace Restaurant, Cocktail & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Dublin

I took my mother and my sister to Roly's yesterday. I hadn't been to Roly's for at least 15 years. I grew up in the area so I had no doubt we were going to get a great brunch and and a good experience based on several years of excellent reputation.

Unfortunately this was not the case.... It was quite the opposite experience and we all left saying how disappointed we were.

We sat down on the enclosed terrace looking out at the old post office. We noticed there was a lot of empty but used tables still with all the dishes waiting to be cleared. There was no waiting staff around. After 20 minutes without so much as a carafe of water on the table I had to get up and walk out to the lady who takes telephone bookings. I explained that we were waiting 20 minutes and no one had come to assist us. The lady said she would send someone over.

The entire restaurant had about 10 people sitting at tables, so it was not busy for 11am on a Friday.

10 minutes later a gentleman from the bar came to take our order which was a without a notepad and seemed to be quite abrupt and as to say ' this is not my job but i'll take your order anyway'.

1 full Irish breakfast, tea 1 poached eggs avocado, sourdough bread, cherry tomatoes, tea 1 porridge, 1 pancakes which was requested together

After he took the order, the water arrived.

15 minutes later our food arrived but at different times.

Irish breakfast arrived, no tea, no toast poached eggs arrived, no tea porridge arrived, no pancakes

Again I had to get up after waiting 10 minutes and walk back over the the lady taking phone reservations and explain that we were waiting for tea, toast and pancakes.

It was as I was talking to her that I noticed, all the waiting staff are busy in the behind the takeaway coffee, sandwich and pastry area. I suddenly realised the same staff were doing 2 jobs. In an established venue like Roly's this should not be the case.

The tea arrived and finally the toast. The toast was like the texture of a cracker because the bread had been toasted some time ago and was sitting under a hot light for too long, definitely not fresh.

The meals were all fine, I thought the full Irish was a bit small for 17 euros and could have at least included an additional fried egg.

After we finished our dishes sat for at least 20 minutes before we got the attention of a girl who was clearing up breakfast menus to replace them with lunch menus.

We had a croissant, a scone and a very watery cappuccino.

Asked for the bill, waited 15 minutes in what was now an almost empty restaurant. No one came back so we put our coats on and walked up to the payment area.

The very girl I asked for the bill with was run off her feet making coffees and the Irish gentleman who appeared to be the boss pushed her to attend to our needs. Again a young lady trying to do 2 jobs which is not productive in the service industry and in an established restaurant.

75 euros for an extremely poor experience and a what was honestly a 40 euros meal else where.

In my opinion as someone who works in the service industry, this place needs much stronger organisation and stronger management.

A bit outdated, relying on less staff with less experience and just not very friendly or organised.

Very disappointed for a D2 establishment which has been around...

Hi there,

First I'd like to say congratulations on opening back up. The outdoor terrace is absolutely beautiful. Well done, what an amazing job! It looks unreal! It was a real treat to be back in Rolys. Long may your doors remain open!

I was in on Tuesday with two of my friends, who I haven't seen in forever! If I am 100% honest. I wasn't not entirely happy with everything that evening.

The service was amazing, that has not changed, you have maintained a beautiful flow of the waiting staff.Their friendly and polite. I could not and cannot fault them.

I love, love the new menu, change is always good. However the food did not hit the same high notes it used to hit, on other visits to Rolys.

To start with, the starters were yummy, we shared a large plate of sliders and they went down extremely well. Our main course arrived and it wasn't great. This is where the disappointment started. The chips were cold, to lukewarm the plates our food was served on were also cold. The chips were frozen, not fresh and not hand cut as stated on the menu.  The portion of chips on each plate varied on all 3 plates. My plate had gravy stains on it. It also had grains of cooked rice on the plate! No one on our table ordered rice! It really felt that attention to detail was absent to say the least.

Our food was lukewarm, not like Rolys of pre covid or when we dined in December. This was very disappointing. We had waited so long to return, and a long overdue meal on a plate and not in a box!

However, desserts were out of this world. Srumish, fresh strawberries were in fact fresh, that was a Rolys dessert!

The tea was, please forgive me substandard. It was tasteless and hard to brew.

My overall experience of Tuesday was to say the least well below the standard of Rolys. It did put a major damper on our evening.

On the note of covid, I felt it was tight when walking into the dining area and in my humble option one less table could have made a great difference.  I am not complaining, it's merely feedback. Constructive feedback.

I am so glad you are reopened and I'll definitely be back but I will wait till you open the bistro. Where I know the standard is just top notch.

I wish you all the success for 2021

The only reason why I'm posting this review is because not one person has replied to my email which sent the end of...

Excellent food. Lovely menu. Hence 3 * for lack of Service. Rude. Arrogant. Pompous Assistant Manager. No good evening. No Hello. Just 3 plates. Crossed my husband's face hot plate to serve my dish. Head up turned around gone. A joke. Lack of service from team with the exception of a lovely smiling young man Rashan. I think the name. I pointed him out to Khan as being the restaurants best asset. . We opted to eat here. First time for my new husband. Second time for me. After this rude experience. I recounted why I've never being back. Dinner for 2 @ 98 Euro. Purchased 2 vouchers for 49 each Donning. Ie. Great deal. I thought. Great food. Yes. Assistant Manager rude when I said we had vouchers. Oh suxh5 an inconvenience. Asked was all ok. I said No. Food great. Service Appauling. He called his superior. The Manager.Khan. Khan been here many years. I had informed Rolys re vouchers on purchasing and been booked by Empathy Marketing. My sis in law said vouchers upon arrival. When I arrived greeted down stairs. Name. Party. Informed the man. Immediately oh vouchers. Directed upstairs. Table 29. After dealing with Khan. Not impressed as in moi. We were given a Bulmers & a Heineken from our Bill free. My husband was asked if he would like a glass of wine. Whilst I was emailing vouchers from my phone to Rolys email via Khan. Then my glass of wine 7.95 when I went to pay it had a 10% charge on it. I was furious. ThoughtIt a joke. Said take it off. Then on leaving was asked if I'd like cake to take with me. Sorry. I was looking for no freebies. I was looking for a good service. Table service with class. Not here. Dined in Kites following night. Top service. Equally @ the Lobster Pot. They never fail. Treat all customers with respect. Equally too. With or without vouchers. You advertise to have vouchers during quiet times. No different as still paying woth our earned money. Re train & up skill the team. It goes a very long way. My job. Travelling. Dinning. Tasting. We at table 29. Ex top restaurant staff & proprietors of bars & restaurants in...