Palais Oriental — Restaurant in Montreux

Horrible Service with a Dollop of Racism!!!!

I have travelled to all continents except Antarctica and visited over 40 countries, and I have never experienced such bad service.

We called and reserved a table on the edge of the balcony. When I arrived with my Indian wife, mother-in-law, and newborn baby at a mostly empty restaurant, we were eagerly pushed to sit inside. When we insisted that we had reserved a place for 3 + pram on the edge of the balcony, we were given various excuses by the owner — such as the edge of the balcony being reserved only for groups of eight, or that we were lying about having specified we wanted the edge.

After being forced to sit at the back, the owner brought a waitress who claimed to have taken our reservation. She insisted that she could not have promised the balcony because they do not take reservations for the terrace. When I pointed out that we had reserved a table on the edge of the balcony (not the terrace), and that many tables on the balcony had “reserved” signs on them, she continued to insist that they do not take reservations for the terrace.

We sat down, ordered, and started eating, only to see groups of various sizes — many without reservations (as I overheard) — being seated on the edge of the balcony.

At the end of a very underwhelming lunch (the tabbouleh tasted like eating grass, and the rest of the dishes followed a similar trend), when the waiter came to clear the plates, I highlighted the blatant lie by the owner, who had insisted the tables on the balcony edge were only for groups of eight. The people who were seated there simply had a different style of dress — let’s put it like that.

The waiter quickly turned aggressive, telling me I didn’t know the restaurant business and that the owner could do whatever he liked, including refusing me as a client. I told him that would have been preferable — and that he should have done so when we called to make the reservation. I also told him that both he and the owner would greatly benefit from a refresher course at one of Switzerland’s hospitality schools, because they wouldn’t recognize hospitality if it slapped them in the face.

I had to beg the waiter to go get the bill so that I could pay and leave.

As I was leaving and trying to carry my baby’s pram down the front stairs, we had another exchange of words. At that point, he stormed at me in such an aggressive manner that two other guests jumped in to intervene. Complete insanity — I felt like I was in some parody universe.

In conclusion: do not waste your time or energy on this overpriced, tasteless food served by blatantly...

Appalling Customer Service – We Walked Out of Le Palais Oriental

Rating: 1/5 stars

Our visit to Le Palais Oriental was one of the most frustrating and disappointing dining experiences we’ve ever had — so much so that we didn’t even stay to eat. The service was not just poor; it was rude, dismissive, and left us feeling completely unwelcome. Worst of all, the way we were treated gave off a strong sense of discrimination.

We arrived as a group of six at 1:30 PM without a reservation. The restaurant was far from full — maybe 60% occupied — but instead of being made to feel welcome, we were led to a deserted, tucked-away indoor corner. When we asked if we could sit outside (where multiple tables were clearly available), we were told the area was “fully booked” and that the restaurant is usually reserved a week in advance. That sounded like a weak excuse, given how many empty tables were in plain sight.

Only after insisting and speaking to the manager were we allowed to move outside, but not without being told those tables were “reserved for 2:45 PM” — another flimsy excuse that made it feel like they were just trying to get rid of us.

After sitting down and ordering five starters (with plans to order drinks and maybe few mains) we were suddenly told that we had to order at least two starters or one main course per person. This was never mentioned before, not listed anywhere on the menu, and not a standard policy we were made aware of.

At that point, we had had enough. While we were still trying to make sense of these bizarre and inconsistent rules

The final straw was the clear difference in how other customers — who did not look like us — were being treated. They were welcomed, given better tables, and served without any strange conditions. We left feeling disrespected, singled out, and quite frankly, discriminated against. Whether it was racial bias or just a terrible attitude, the message was loud and clear: we weren’t welcome.

Major Issues: Rude and dismissive staff Conflicting and made-up rules No transparency or communication Discriminatory behaviour — or at the very least, highly biased service We were made to feel like a problem, not guests

We walked out without eating, and I honestly wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. A restaurant is more than just food — it’s about hospitality, respect, and basic decency. Le Palais Oriental failed...

In a world where businesses thrive on exceptional customer service, our recent experience at this particular restaurant perpetuated a stark contradiction. Unfortunately, our interaction with the staff reminded us of a grating reality-wrap where the romantic ideas of kind and accommodating restaurant staff were rudely shattered.

Despite a welcome environment proffered by the elegant ambiance and heavenly aroma of the cuisine emanating throughout the restaurant, the attitude of the staff sadly failed to emulate the same warmth. We were notably met with an air of condescension — a behavior that left a bitter taste, tainting our dining experience entirely.

Far from the expected courteous interactions, the staff, particularly one, seemed to revel in acting with an elitist air that left us feeling undervalued and disrespected. They spoke to us in a way that was demeaning, as if bestowing upon us a grand favor, an entitlement of enjoying a meal at their establishment equivalent to being seated in paradise.

This behavior was wholly unprofessional and truly uncalled for. Patrons visit dining establishments for an enjoyable and relaxing experience, and they certainly do not deserve to be talked down to. It was disappointing to witness a blatant lack of respect for the clientele this establishment seemed to cultivate.

A word of advice to the management - it’s worthwhile to invest as much energy into training your staff, as you do in crafting your menu. After all, it’s not just the food, but the whole dining experience that leaves a lasting impression on customers.

In conclusion, the flavor of a restaurant is not defined by its decor or cuisine alone, but the attitude of its staff plays a pivotal role. Until significant improvements are made in the area of customer service, we won't be recommending this place, nor revisiting in the...