D'Lepak — Restaurant in South Dublin

I don’t usually leave bad reviews, especially for this restaurant, because it has always been one of my favorite places to come with my friends. We come here often, we enjoy the food, the vibe, and in the past the service was always great. But after my experience today, I honestly don’t even know if I want to come back.

First of all, as usual, we came in and asked for our usual sitting place. We were told it was closed because we came late. Okay, fine, I can understand that, but since we’re regular customers and always sit there, we politely asked again. Instead of handling it kindly, one of the servers turned to my friend and said, “Yeah, I’m a regular too, I’ve been here since day one.” The way he said it came off as smart, rude, and honestly unnecessary. That immediately killed the mood. Is this how you talk to customers who are here all the time and spend money in your restaurant?

Then, when we sat down, we were told the kitchen would be closing soon so we had to order quickly. Again, I get it — it was late — and we didn’t mind ordering fast. But the problem started while we were still eating. Not even halfway through our food, the same server came back to our table and said: “I don’t mean to be rude or rush you guys, but we’re closing, we have catering tomorrow, so would you guys mind packing the food to go?” Excuse me? We were still eating! That was honestly one of the most disrespectful things I’ve ever experienced as a customer.

I lost my appetite right then and there. I asked him to just pack my food because I didn’t even feel like finishing anymore. My friends continued to eat, but imagine how uncomfortable it was when the staff started putting chairs on the tables right beside us and literally closing the shutters while we were still inside. It felt like they were basically saying: “Get out, we don’t want you here.” That’s how we were made to feel.

I know what it’s like to work in a restaurant. I’ve worked in one before, and I completely understand that staff want to go home, or that they might have to prepare for catering the next day. But there’s a way to handle it. You NEVER tell customers, in the middle of their meal, that you’re closing and want them to pack up their food to go. That’s just basic hospitality. You let the customer finish, especially regular ones who support your business. If it was too late to serve us properly, then don’t take the order in the first place. But don’t serve us food only to push us out the door before we can even enjoy it.

This was embarrassing, frustrating, and honestly left a really bad taste in my mouth — and I’m not talking about the food. I always recommend this place to people, I always bring my friends here, and I always thought the staff were nice. But today’s experience was borderline disrespectful. If this is how regulars are treated, then maybe it’s time for me to look for another...

The staff here are truly amazing, incredibly helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The restaurant offers an excellent selection of authentic Malaysian food and drinks, making it a standout dining experience. The atmosphere inside is cozy and comfortable, with thoughtful touches like padded benches that add to the overall charm. The lighting along with the decor is perfect, creating a warm and inviting ambiance, and it’s an ideal spot for anyone who enjoys taking photos.

The place is impeccably clean, and the staff clearly takes pride in maintaining a spotless environment. I tried the Mee Goreng, a weekend special, and the beef and chicken satay. The portion sizes were generous, and the pricing was very reasonable. I also had the opportunity to try Teh Tarik, a drink that was new to me. The staff were more than happy to explain what it was and how it is made, which I really appreciated.

I cannot recommend this place enough. It’s a must-visit for anyone who enjoys great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service. I’m already looking forward to...

Newly opened Malaysian cafe. I ordered lamb and beef satay, which I enjoyed (protein💪🏼🗿). Close to authentic flavour considering the limited resources available in this foreign land, to which I applaud the cook.

The lady owner is very friendly (perhaps excited upon seeing other fellow Malaysians)

The atmosphere is lovely and peaceful. The locals love it from what I can see. Quite a few of them ordering “their usuals” from what I can eavesdrop on

The location has great reachability, you can easily navigate your way via public transport and private vehicles. There were plenty of parking spots around as well

Definitely will recommend this place to others, and definitely will come back to try other...