I may be biased, but our CNY banquet was tasty & enjoyable. Lobster & jelly fish (my favourite). Service was not only friendly, but helpful. My only negative was the sourness of the veg accompanying the jelly fish.
My husband and I had dinner here on our last night in Melbourne. It was Devine... we started with crispy duck pancakes best had in many many many years. We had as mains chicken black bean with a vegetable fried rice, this whole experience was best chinese we have had in years and we live in New Zealand. Staff very quiet but polite, service way amazing. The restaurant was booming so that is always a good sign. Would recommend and return when we come back to Melbourne.
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Unlike some of the harsh reviews Dragon Boat has been given, I really enjoyed my time here. My partner and I, once again, were walking around the city wanting somewhere to eat. We decided to go to Dragon boat as it was the first place in China Town that we saw and were intrigued by.
Food: We ordered a couple main meals to share. We got some Dim Sims to start. The flavours were beautiful, but I didn't like the chunky texture of them. It made me more aware of the fact that I didn't really know what was in them, haha. Then the Schezwan Beef. The sauce was really nice. After a few mouth fulls - it was a bit too spicy for my liking. But my partner loved it! We also got the Chilli and Salt Calamari. It didn't come in the traditional ring type calamari as usual, which I really liked. There was SO much on the plate, that I couldn't finish! They did let me take it home though. The flavour was really nice, but I feel like they forgot about the chilli part? I expected there to be some kind of heat, but they were just salted! That was the only let down.
Service: The staff were really lovely. When we walked in, there was a line waiting to be seated, but we only had to wait about 10 minutes. My partner and I have intolerances/allergies, and our waiter answered all of our questions and concerns confidently.
Ambience: I felt very comfortable. I'm not even sure there was music - but I was having a really good time with my partner, so I didn't take notice - which I would say is a good thing.
Price: It's a bit pricey. Maybe too pricey for my liking. I understand it's the city, but I could probably get the same quality food elsewhere and pay for less.
Overall, I'd come here again if I was visiting the city and wanted to go to a trusted restaurant in China Town!
I don't think so this place is that good but I believe they can improve by working out on their service which I found to be one of the biggest flaw. The food is pretty good though.
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Update: Came again last weekend (21st Jul) and they no longer put the price on the paper chit. I believed that price has increased (yes in just 2 weeks) as we ordered total 13 plates and I calculated the price using the previous cost of each plate and it shouldn’t come up to more than $100 even with the tea. Paid $110. Forgotten to ask for a receipt to take a closer look. Next time doubt will be here that soon. If I need a quick fix, I might just get from their dim sum counter at the side. Seems alot cheaper- each egg tart is at $2.40. The ones we were served, 2 in a plate was at least $6.80 (that was before any price change).
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Came here for dim sums with my family on a Saturday morning (10.30am). Crowd came in after 11am. Decent dim sum served. Didn’t manage to take a picture of all the dim sums i ate. It was generally good. Will be back again. Btw I do not know why there isn’t anyone in the review mentioning that they serve dim sums on push carts. It’s a hong kong dim sum traditional way of serving and it’s getting harder to find it in other Asian countries (other than Hk). Rare gem.
Standard dim sum : $5.80
Special dim sum: $6.80
Deluxe dim sum: $7.80
Dragon Boat provides decent yum cha in an environment fit for formal meetings or slightly-less-casual dinners. Presentation is precisely what incurs the price here, though; the food is not outstanding but is acceptable, and the staff are well trained and attentive.
Good service and everything you expect from a traditional Chinese restaurant. well prepared and quality ingredients. Duck was prepared well table side.
My partner and I loved the food and the service was impeccable, staff was always on hand and ready to serve. Will definitely be back 😁 reasonably priced maybe a bit pricey then others down the road but definitely worth it.
I like the fact that you can get take away or a quick snack at Dragon Boat outside the main restaurant. Also the fact that they open early and located at the hub of Chinatown is very convenient for those who like to have early start in the city. There's always a queue waiting for a seat in the restaurant but if want a simple snack and eating alone, you can get a table outside and have your order served in a takeaway tray, no wait! I enjoyed the siu mai and egg tart for a mid morning snack just before a meeting in the city.
Located china town , firstly the customer service not bad. Secondly dim sum choice lot selection , take your time to select it and food feel great and tasty not bad , lastly price reasonable. Thumbs up
The food was excellent with all the classic Chinese dishes being nailed. We had a birthday and the waiter was very nice and the service was great. I don't no why dragon boat has had such a bad wrap because I think it's great.
Only came here for the duck! Cannot comment on the rest of the food. Pricy enough for what seems like a cheap and cheerful restaurant but have to admit the duck rolls were seriously good! Made in front of you and you get large bite size parcels packed full of flavour. If you are craving duck rolls definitely the place to go!
Yum Cha throws a wonderful array of tasty dishes at the table, favourites included the spicy calamari and barbecue pork dumplings. On the downside the duck was more bone than meat, but just keep throwing spring rolls and dim sims at us to drown out that sorrow
An oldie but a goodie! We love this place...a Melbourne must do for my family...or we pick up a bun from their deli...good food and generous staff. Always a reliable go-to for yum cha in the city.
Every time I'm craving dimsum, I will pay dragon boat a visit, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Service may be crappy (rude) sometimes, but that happens 1/5 times. Anyway, I love the dimsum here so much that it just makes up for that 1/5 times!!!
Also, if you're looking for the right FLOWY, DRIPPING liushapao, this is the place to go! Love their toufufa as well!!
Recommended savoury dishes: charsiupao, sweet and sour pork, prawn dumpling, prawn rice noodle soup
Came here on sat - day prior to mothers day and got a seat for two within a few min surprisingly! Huge venue first time so i must say i was impressed.
Foods on the cart was plentyful. We had so many choices. Obviously they all spoke chinese to us but hey its all part of yumcha! Just point and eat!!
All the dumplings were perfectly steamed. The combination dumpling was crispy and had heaps of meat. The ginger prawn was soft and juicey. Prawn and avacado springroll was tasty and crunchy! My fav! The chicken feet could do we a bit more black bean sauce for me and the ha gow was a tad plain.
Overall great lunch date. Exxy from $6-9 a tray now. Inflation i guess haha!
We stumbled upon Dragon Boat whilst walking thru the street. The food was delicious, we had chicken, beef, and rice dishes to share. It was all nicely spiced, the meat very tender and the vegetables fresh. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Some of the best chinese food we've had in a long while. I will agree that the prices are a bit high, compared to other chinese restaurants, but was definitely worth it. We would definitely come back, if we didn't live interstate.
Getted poliyley as we entered, and served promptly. The fried flounder was superbly cooked however I found the special fried rice to be rather sweet. Drinks were topped up as needed and the table service was not timed poorly or harrasing. 4.5/5 for service 3.5/5 for food 5/5 for cleniness.
A traditional yum cha place, not kids friendly. They have steps in front of the restaurant, you cannot take your pram easily with you. And it is very crowded place ~ sometimes staff hardly pass by customers. When the restaurant becomes busy, staff becomes disorder .
Like the honey glazed beef with black pepper, dragon boat combination in birds nest basket, and garlic king prawns
Very prompt service and very reasonable price
A regular haunt on a Friday or Saturday night. The dim sims are great. I always find it hard to go past the deep-fried beef fillet in mandarin sauce and enjoy szechuan chilli beef although I usually ask for extra chilli which the waiters have added in. I also enjoy the barbecued pork with mushrooms and bean curd. Great ambiance and nice decor.
Surprised by the low rating.....! We popped in here at 12am after the Adele concert. The kitchen was still serving, and the place was about 1/3 full. They did not have the Peking Duck or Dumplings we wanted, but the Salt & Chilli Calamari & Szechuan Beef we ordered were both excellent, washed down by a bottle of wine. I'm going to try their Yum Cha next. Great service & atmosphere.
It's quite a bit pricier than other Chinese restaurants in the CBD but the food was very tasty. We had the chicken and mushroom hot pot, roast duck, beef with snow peas and beef with rice noodles. Service was speedy and attentive.
Came here for the egg tarts and it was okay, above average. Although the pastry was quite oily, the egg custard was yummy. Price wise, $2.20 each.
Melbourne Epicurean Juror
+4
Ventured into the CBD today to dine at the Dragon Boat and ordered their Scallops with ginger & spring onions for a very reasonable price of $32.80 (one of my personal Chinese favourites). The dish was full of flavour & I always love the contrast of the scallops (and they were generous in the number of scallops served), the numerous pieces of ginger along with snow peas etc. It was served within 15 minutes of ordering & considering how busy it was I thought it would have been much longer, the restaurant was abuzz with happy customers and around ¾ full. Staff were courteous and efficient and in considerable numbers thus the fast service.
The Juror's Verdict: Food 5/5, Service Provision 4/5, Will I return: Yes definitely.
Phill Jury (food critic & writer)
Great choice of food.We went at 1130 and every thing was freshly cooked.Good prompt service.Must remember to start with the congee next time!Will definitely be back!
My family and myself visit melbourne every year and find ourselves always making our way to dragon boat in china town. The food and service is great and its a awesome restaurant for families. I was quite suprised with the mixed reviews on this place as we have always been pleased when we go there
I haven’t dined at Dragon Boat for years because my family prefers Plume or Gold Leaf in the West side of Melbourne. Regardless of which Chinese Yum Cha restaurant we go to, my parents will still vocally complain about how bad the food is anyway. However Dragon Boat is my first choice when it comes to egg tarts as they use the flakey pastry, and it’s been a regular on my list before I even started blogging. I don’t like the biscuit pastry some bakeries use as it makes it too sweet and overwhelms the egg custard flavour.
So many restaurants to choose in Chinatown but so glad we chose Dragon Boat! A very comfortable restaurant with a good wine selection and menu including live seafood choices. Lots of choices made it hard to choose so we tried a few appetisers and mains. The service was very good and staff friendly. The food came quickly and everything was delicious. Definitely recommend the scallops and the crocodile. Standard choice of Asian desserts. Plenty of seating for couples, small or large groups. There are a few steps at the entry and restrooms are upstairs so not suitable for disabled access. All credit cards accepted including American Express. Highly recommended.
Fantastic Yum Cha restaurant in the heart of Chinatown! Well priced and extremely fresh, fast service. The Pork and Chive Dumplings were the standout though the BBQ Pork Buns and Pork Fried Buns were also delicious! I also loved how well priced everything was plus it was available after 3pm
Amazing experience. Pricey (everything over $25) but my god is the meat cooked to perfection. Vegetables are not with every meal either. Will have to come back for yum cha.
They handled the very big crowd extremely well
Food was good. Love the Liu Sha Bao! Service was good except for the grumpy looking auntie at the cashier; SUPER RUDE.
We experienced a fantastic morning in the restaurant. Yumcha is so good. Eating while talking to friend. I highly recommended oolong tea.
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