Mango Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Sabah

Give this is a hard pass! We were staying only 1 night and were told the restaurant opened at 7pm-8:30pm. We arrived at 7:05pm to be told by a staff member that it was going to be buffet style for 38.85 RM/pp (incl tax), instead of the a-la-carte menu. We went to get food, to find that out of 5 of the meat/veg/noodles dishes, most of the food was FINISHED or very little was left. We informed the staff, who blatantly knew this, as the entire hotel staff (minus the kitchen staff) were eating off to the side. I have never seen before, as this gives more homestay vibes, rather than a professional eco-lodge. They were reluctant to cook more food, insisting there was the one lemon chicken and rice left. This is the most ridiculous attitude I have ever gotten from restaurant, no matter the location.

Mitigating circumstances? There was a group of 34 people, clearly belonging to a special group, who clearly arrived earlier and had finished most of the food. If the staff knew this, they could have told us at check-in to inform us buffet dinner would begin earlier. Or ask if we were planning on eating dinner at the restaurant, if they were anticipating cooking for a limited number of people.

We then informed the same staff member that the soup was cold. We reiterated the limited food options, and they finally agreed to make more food, and heat the soup—after great insistance. Plain pasta with no seasoning or toppings were added, along with a beef dish that was mediocre in flavour. The same staff member was nice enough to inform us when the additional food was ready.

When we went to pay, the total was 77.70RM, as expected. I gave them 78RM, not expecting change. The staff member said, since she didn’t have change, that the 0.7RM was on them…like they were doing us a favour…lol

This entire experience was absolutely ridiculous! I am saying again: do not come here, unless you want overpriced, cold, and limited food options--5mins...

Cute little open air restaurant that is part of the Nature Lodge Sepilok. They have a good selection of classic Malay foods and some Western dishes like hamburgers and pasta. I had the Ayam Penyet, which was awesome. The Fried Mee Mamak was pretty good. They also have Tiger beer for about 6 ringgits. Prices were very reasonable with most of the main dishes between 12-23 ringgit. Everything good was except the waiter disappeared when we finished and we had to walk back to the kitchen to pay after waiting quite awhile for him to come back.

They also have decent set menu (with a couple of mains to choose from)...

We were staying at this lodge so ate dinner the 3 nights we were here. It was not a buffet in the evening for us. We had a menu which can be adapted to vegan. We tried to veggie fried rice (no egg), Veggie noodles (no egg), the veggie curry and the oil chilli pasta which is usually served with prawns however the chef changed it to veggies. All the food was very nice and tasty. Reasonable price too (under 20rm) per dish. Cheapest beer, wine and soft drinks we've seen around the area too. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable so able to help. We enjoyed our time. Defo...