Review Tabbaq - Dandenong

Had very bad experience here. Food was not fresh, Sitting area was dirty, staff was un professional. Not recommend.

Extremely disappointed with the experience. Firstly, the restaurant was completely empty but the waitress wouldn’t let us sit where we wanted to. Once the food arrived, I found hair in it. When I called the waitress, she didn’t even apologise and offered to replace the food as if she was doing me a favour. I would recommend going there if the staff lacks basic manners. Also the replaced meal arrived 20 minutes later. When making the payment, the waitress was playing games on her phone at the counter and didn’t have enough change to pay us back. Disappointing

Worst food I ever had .Called the restaurant to order some takeaway and the guy on the phone was rushing me and didn't want to listen to me. Got there after 20 minutes to pick up the food, told the girl at the counter what my order was and she went to the kitchen and came back and said they ran out of samosas. She said there'll be a 5 minute wait received the food after 10 minutes. I went home opened the container and the rice was extremely hot (microwaved)and the big piece of chicken in the middle was dry and the rice had no flavor to it. This is the first time I'm writing a review I have had bad food in the past but not to the extent that I have to leave a review I hope this helps the others I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to any of my family or friends.

Went to tabbaq with family last weekend . Really had a great time We ordered fish / mix plater / mutton biryani / nihari and chicken handi plus chicken achari.. food was awesome and staff was friendly too. Restaurant was busy but our order was on time we did not have to wait long. Keep it up guys definitely come back to try halwa puri and other dishes

DO NOT GO EVER TO THE COCKROACH BREEDING RESTAURANT The restaurant and specifically the owner/head chef (or whatever she was) tore down the experience we had on 22nd April 2018 around 8PM (specifics if somebody wants to verify what I am writing). We order the Couple Deal $32. The food comes in hot which was a positive. The Kebabs part of the deal tasted good and juicy. Me and my wife both liked it and will compliment the cook on doing the right job to the meal. But this is where it goes down: "THE TRUE BADS" 1) The 1/2 Karahi tasted only Tomato Puree and not Karahi at all. Quantity was half the real half you get at any other restaurant. No taste but we still take it. 2) The Biryani tasted dry and I mean it DRY!!! No taste, no spices and extremely low quality rice. Not the right rice for Biryani. People who cook would know the difference between Sela, Golden Sela and Toota Rice. Believe me Cheap quality rice and just cooked to be rice. 3) From nowhere a cockroach creeps up on Table. Yes, this is in Dandenong, Melbourne, VIC. We both jump up as the cockroach tries to jump up into our food. This was ridiculous. The neighbouring family asks us to take pictures and give it to him so that it can be taken to the council. We say let's be considerate of people. This is where we are wrong. 4) Despite all the noise, the owner/head chef (or whatever she was) doesn't come out. The serving lady comes out and when my wife says we need to speak to the owner/head chef (or whatever she was). She comes out. This is the extract to what she says, "this is not our fault if there is a cockroach. The neighbours are getting repair works done (their own roof was taped) and probably it is because of that. We do pest control and will do it again this week but we can't control the cockroach from coming." 5) This was not even done yet. The owner said. It doesn't matter if you want to pay or not that will not cost me much. The owner/head chef (or whatever she was) realised if it was taken to the council she would be torn down. But the attitude didn't even show that. Appalling customer service and probably the worst ever treatment to customers by giving excuses and the owner/head chef (or whatever she was) was not at all apologetic. The drinks we had on the deal were taken first and the only options Coke and Lemonade. That was still not a turn off as we were indifferent to the drink. I do a fair bit of reviews to any restaurant I go to and I will be candid in what I say. That is the reason it has all the specifics in it.

We were a group of 4 went for Iftar followed by dinner in this month of Ramadan. We had to wait 25-30 minutes before we could get into the buffet even though the break time of Iftar was well over! The food was great. However, lot of people (20-25) had to line up in queue and the food got finished by the time it's our turn to take the food. Therefore, we had to wait longer for the restaurant staff to bring in the foods in their tiny bowls to fill up the needs to customers (don't know if they intentionally brought foods in such tiny bowls to refill the foods or not!) This restaurant crew/sraff seriously need to be trained on professional delivery techniques and better preparation for buffet services.

We went to TABBAQ last night and we ordered Chicken Karai, Chicken Roast, Mutton shinwari, PAYA curry yumm and best of all Chicken Malai boti. We had the best dine out ever. Restaurant was neat and clean, friendly staff and the food was just mind blowing, i would recommend everyone to try this restaurant. Now looking forward for their AFTAR Buffet.

I really wish that woud have gone through the google reviews before deciding to go for this pathetic place. Before opting for the main course we planned to order some snacks first, Golgappas and Dahi Bhallas. The lady at the front was lacking basic communication skills in english and was struggling to communicate apart from that she was even deprived of some basic manners as well and was very rude did not even offered water. After taking our order she eloped inside for ages and came back with some containers full of material needed to prepare our order and that also ON RECEPTION!!.I mean who the hell does that man! The place quite exposed to germs and basically meant to take the order and not to make it. This was quite unbearable. Then we were served with with a plate of 8 golgappas(semolina balls) along with a small bowl half filled with the tamarind water, after another half an hour, which wasn't at all enough to eat those balls with. Another surprise was Dhi Bhalla plate, another tasteless and not at all palatable dish which looked like Khichdi( mashed rice with lentils prepared under pressure). For these dishes you are paying 16 dollars plus the unhygeinic technique they are made with and the waitress attitude all these just added to our dissatisfaction and disppointed we came outside having decided against the maincourse! a big NOOOOOOO..

Found cockroaches on the walls, kitchen which is right next to the bathroom smells like sewage! Out of chicken lol and most of the things on menu! Go there at your own risk

Portion size is bad bad bad... i paid $16 fr chicken dish.. $5 wud be much better fr that portion size!! Taste was fairmm

Awesome i recommend everyone to go and eat their delicious food

I have been there the food are good and delicious in Melbourne

Awesome food ever in Melbourne

Food was good but sweet dishes n shashlik was worst.

Bad service. Tasteless food. Very disappointing experience. Would not recommend.

Great Pakistani food

Food was awful.

Got a chance to visit Tabbaq recently. When I reached there around 8:00 pm I was expecting it to be fully crowded but I was all alone in the restaurant so got a bit suspicious about the quality of food. Somehow I ordered Chicken Tikka Boti karahi, Seekh Kebab, and a Garlic Naan. I found the taste of all dishes awesome. I like to order a Kulfi there but couldn't due to generous portion size of the main course. I like to go there and try other things again. Recommended<br/><br/>Quality: 4.5*<br/>Portion Size: 4.5*<br/>Service: 3.5*

Service was average but the food was great.<br/>Like grandma's cooking! <br/>We ordered the shish kebab masala and butter chicken.<br/>Shish kebab dish was divine. Very generous servings

Ventured into this restaurant after some good reviews from mates. <br/><br/>Pros <br/>- ordered the dinner for 2 <br/>- biryani was delicious <br/>- shish kebab was delicious<br/>- serving was very generous <br/>- pricing was great<br/>- location great <br/>- hygenic <br/><br/><br/>Cons<br/>- ordered them extra hot.. it was barely even hot. <br/>- their menu is all over the place.. like seriously it was like reading a text book. Had no idea what to order.. not much description.. very vague. Also half the items they ran out. <br/><br/><br/>I would greatly recommend.

Tabaaq was long due because of all the reviews and it definitely did not sadden me... we went on a quite weekday ... quite late too ... with no one around we expected the service to be slow but not bad ... they brought in the food quickly in about 15 mins...ordered naan-garlic and butter,chicken Karachi,mutton hot chilli and chicken biryani..butter naan was awesome 10/10 but not too happy with the use of garlic in garlic naan...mutton hot chilli should get a 10/10,chicken Karahi 9/10,paaya could be better 7/10 ,biryani was a tad let down ...but overall experience was great...coming back again !!!!

So glad I went here... Small little shop on the main street of Dandenong. Offering Pakistany food. Menu was very cultured and had heaps of traditional dishes. Curries had an amazing aroma and were full of flavour... Love the use of Green Chilli through the dishes. The naan breads were perfectly cooked and loved the addition of seseme seeds. Layout needs work to attract more people... Also well priced at $40 for all of this plus doggy bag

Service is good and prices are cheap. My wife and I had the chicken handi, palak paneer and some naan. The Naan was really good. The other dishes were tasty but too oily. If less oil was used I would give this place a 5 star rating.

After quiet a few recommendations from friends, ventured out to Tabbaq. Had the Chicken Jalfarezi and Naan (Rotis weren't available) yesterday..<br/>The ambience of the place certainly can be improved and brightened up.<br/>The chicken was towards the sweeter side, my daughter preferred it.. That was a consolation.. <br/><br/>Nothing special...<br/>

Excellent Pakistani / Indian food. Been there many many times , and will keep going. Family meal is total value for money. Chappli kebabs are MUST to eat. Also to try on menu Payas and biryanis. Service is little slow but it can be happily ignored because the food is worth waiting for. If you are real Indian food fan - go here !

With a whole week in my beloved Melbourne over Easter, Hubby and I were on the search for a few interesting places to eat.  On a previous trip he had been out to Dandenong for lunch and discovered it was a thriving hub of indian/pakistani/afghani cuisine and had been promising to take me there.<br/><br/>So on Easter Saturday night we jumped on a train and headed out.  A quick check with Zomato threw up Tabbaq and so that's were we ended up.  What a find this place was!  It was a very quiet night with only three others tables dining, but we were welcomed warmly and menu's and water were quickly on the table.<br/><br/>Down to the serious business of deciding what to eat.  We ended up going with the Mutton with hot green chillis, dahl makhni, rice, raita and naan.  Perfect choice for a cool autumn evening - the lamb was to die for.  Beautifully cooked so that it forked apart with ease and oh that green chilli sauce - sublime.  The dalh was also one of the best we've had (and we eat a lot of dalh both in Australia and in India). Flavoursome, rich - simply delicious.  Every last bite was just perfection and we have been raving about it ever since.<br/><br/>With plans to move to Melbourne at some stage, we will definately be out in Dandenong a lot more and Tabbaq is now firmly on our favourites list.  Seriously go here!!!

At tabbaq , we had our first pakistani food. The food was the best pakistani food that we had in melborne. I have a soft corner for a family run place , they somehow have a great vibe. And mostly food does not have that factory made unpleasant taste to it. <br/><br/>Though the staff wasnt at-all welcoming , Strange. But , thats ok...as far as the food isnt a let-down , i am good. <br/><br/>** Pen marks , corrections and not available written on the menu is complete let-down at the first place.<br/><br/>Get a new menu printed. Make it clean and readable - looks classy and passes on a great vibe of the food and place. <br/><br/>These lil things can always be worked upon , the good part and most essential part of a restaurant is food - and you know it well. Shows on the plates - we licked every bit off them :) <br/><br/><br/><br/>Food - 4/5 <br/>Staff - 3/5<br/>Place - 3/5<br/>

Meal - First timer on Pakistani Food, enjoyed every dish we ordered. Will return to try other dishes.<br/>Price - Reasonable <br/>Portion size - OK.<br/>Service - Average.<br/>Ambience - The place has a more of a take away joint feel than a sit-down restaurant, having said that the place was neat and clean. Having a few high chairs for toddlers wouldn't hurt. We struggled to get through our meal with a 2 yo in tow, as there was no high chair available.

<br/>Decent Paki menu and a wide selection of grilled meats and delish rice dishes. <br/><br/>Great for a takeaway. Attentive staff whilst eating in as well altho the seating can be a challenge with creaky old seats - and less than optimal seating for kids if you require a kid seat. <br/><br/>Plastered with Amex signs but don't accept the card ..

BEST FOOD EVER !! GREAT FOOD GREAT PRICES

Average. My first visit was good experience,<br/><br/>but second time was not same, i ordered the same food as first time, but the food didnt taste good,<br/><br/>No consistency :-(<br/><br/>some of the dishes are too oily,<br/><br/>But u can try, may be ur lucky, if a good cook is on the shift,<br/><br/><br/>-----11 Jan, 2015-----<br/><br/>Magical Food. Hi <br/><br/>I am a chef at Crown melbourne. 11.01.2015 Today i had dinner at Tabaaq for the first time.<br/><br/>Food is mind blowing. I had<br/>Chicken handi, mutton lahori and butter naan. It was pretty awwsummmm. <br/><br/>Chicken Charga was not nice as it was dry and Chicken biryani was just allright. But the rest of the food i ordered was great.<br/><br/>Overall i am very happy with food and service. Food came quick and waiters were friendly as well. <br/><br/>Dont hesitate to eat there. You will love it.

Best Pakistani food ever I have tried in Melbourne..we had Seek kebab Chapli kebab mutton biryani and chicken Karachi.. Keep it up <br/>Best of luck for new branch in sunshine we don't have to come all the way to dandenong.

Bad experience. We tried mutton karahi. Mutton was dated tasteless. Same with chicken as well. Too much oil in food.wont come back again

Bad food, bad service! Chicken was dated in both dishes and when we complained, we were asked if we're Pakistani coz that's how it's supposed to taste!! Why does that matter if the food is bad?? She even agreed that the chicken was microwaved!! The naan was flat and tasteless too. We left behind 80% of the food, got charged full price and no apology.

Went here last night for a last minute dinner. Wasnt sure what to expect - however I was totally satisfied. Samosas were good with mint sace. The lamb on bones called "White" (Tabbaq special) was a curry with minimal gravy, very creamy and aromatic however not spicy hot, nor sweet lile butter chicken. The Chicken Biryani my partner ordered was quite good, a huge portion and full on flavour. Naan bread with butter was probably some of the best I have ever tried, went down perfect with my Lamb dish and topped off by a mango lasi (Freshly made I might add!) - We were very happy with the flavours and quality. This was our first time making pakistani food and I was extremely impressed - this place is great for a first introfuction!

Excellent food!. Come here regularly, and hasn't disappointed yet.

Awesome food and great service .<br/>I like there mutton karahi and chargha..<br/>Will be back soon ..<br/>Highly recommended..

Poor service and poor quality of food. Owners partner is totally rude won't pay attention to your order and while we are ordering she will make us rush<br/>food was not worth the $$<br/>please please avoid

One of the best restaurant in the town or not wrong to say best in Melbourne. Great food, specially palak paneer.<br/>Best food, best service <br/>Highly recommended

Had a lovely meal well balanced flavor, fresh ingredients. Staff were attentive and very helpful. Prices are pretty good too. We will be back.

Below average. Just another restaurant. ..nothing special. .I ve had better food than this

Authentic Paki food :D. My cousins told me I have to go to this place, so we (the whole family) did. The food was better than good. I usually don't eat Palak Paneer but one bite had me on it. Been back a few times, doesn't disappoint. Every dish has it's own spice combination unlike some places which use a base for every dish and it all ends up tasting the same. Also been there for the breakfast....yum. I missed those morning halwa puri breakfasts until that morning. I wish the portion sizes for the channa and halwa were slightly more (it's that good). The Paya is very good too. Dessert is good too kulfi and gajar ka halwa. I hope they get Kheer on their menu soon.

Amazing food! We had a selection of tandoori foods and curries. Nice naans. Desserts were really tasty too. <br/><br/>Service isn't too bad. We were, however, impressed with the advice on child friendly options. Our toddler scoffed the malai boti kebab up. It's the best malai tikka I've ever had!!<br/><br/>Definitely a new family favorite.

First time experience was great. Food was really nice. Professional Service. Will definitely be back :)