Mao

I decided I would like to see how their pad Thai tasted and while the service was fine the food was overwhelmed by the chillis and there was not enough vegetables. Bean sprouts are fine but I was expecting some pak choi and scallions but they were in scarce supply so it felt like I was eating a big bowl of udon noodles. There was sufficient chicken but only 3 prawns in the dish.
It was nice though to see how many calories are in my dish and brilliantly the pad Thai has the lowest of calories.
Prices weren’t too bad for the South inner city and they do a takeaway for around 7.95 per dish. Portion size enough to fill me for a few hours.

I’m Mad for Mao… Isn’t that the radio ad? Well I’d totally agree with that! This weeks date night we decided we’d try somewhere we hadn’t been before and why not choose somewhere that’s been around for a couple of decades?
Lovely feel to this place.
Great menu. For starters I chose Wasabi prawns — butterfly prawns in a spicy wasabi sauce served with a mango salsa. It had a little kick but not overly spicy. Really yum!
I also had my first taste of squid here — the chilli squid. It was OK but much better when dipped in the accompanying sweet chilli sauce.
For my main course I had the Thai green chicken curry. This has got to be the best one I’ve had yet — the sauce was spicy, plenty of chicken and I actually liked all the veg etc they added to the curry (yellow peppers, red peppers, red onion, fresh chilli, spring onion & button mushrooms)
For wine we chose a Pinot Grigio — lovely peachy flavour and I loved the glasses.
Really nice feel to the place.
The only reason this didn’t wasn’t a five was because I was far too warm!

Good meal there recently with your little one though I must agree with previous reviewers, and its the same for the dundrum location, it really lacks atmosphere and feels a bit clinical. Just something in the design that feels too efficient and not like efficient good, more again, clinical. Not somewhere to lounge or enjoy a meal, but to grab a bite on the go.

Located very conveniently just off Grafton Street and while I know the area well I still had to be directed.
Upon arriving we were seated beside George Hook and for those that say who? Then please read on. I didn’t disturb George but I cannot say the same for the table beside us. Anyway to the food .
The wasabi prawns were very good but tepid to taste which was due to the mayonnaise dressing. My squid tempura was a little too greasy but it was quite nice and served with a good sweet chilli sauce. Vampires beware as it is loaded with garlic.
I am a Ramen virgin so I tried the chilli chicken ramen and it was delicious. Spicey healthy and full of flavour. If this was bad ramen for the connoisseurs then show me where to go. Next time I have a cold I will make this as it is so wholesome
No room for desert and all washed down with a well priced pinot grigio.
Service was with a smile. Good job for a chain restaurant.

The food is pretty good, but the restaurant lacks atmosphere. I got the bang bang chicken which was tasty, nice amount of heat and fresh ingredients. Service was good, but the restaurant feels clinical.

Really cool place. The menu mixes a nice selection of different Asian cuisines and the prices are great. Really enjoyed the Lemongrass chicken and Mongolian beef dishes. Sometimes I find Asian food way too oily but these dishes were much lighter and tasted fresher.

I quite like Mao. They have different offers on like early bird menus or certain dishes for 9.90Euro before 4pm. It’s cheap and cheerful, they have cocktails and an outside seating area as well.

Mao was always my go to for lunch and dinner whenever I’m in town and want something really tasty, that’s quick and good value. The staff in the Chatham Row location are lovely.
They do a great deal for a lunch bowl, € 9, which gives you a selection of dishes to choose from that are usually just under double the price. They also have a great 3 course early bird (now € 21), but sometimes what I really want isn’t on this option so I’ll just go for two courses.
I would highly recommend trying the the black pepper beef or the Mongolian beef. Both delicious. Great size potions and never a disappointment. The kung po wings are also a must try. Other dishes I would recommend include the bang bang chicken and the Singapore noodles.
Cocktails are great there too — love the Woo Mao Mao. As for the brownie…
Unfortunately, they upped their prices quite a bit recently. It used to be such a go to place for my friends and I in the evenings, but now it’s just that little bit too pricey for what you’re getting. Don’t get me wrong, the food is great and I adore it, but I find myself just going there for lunch rather than dinner nowadays.
Great for couples and groups of friends or colleagues.

Not bad, not great but Mao satisfied my craving for Asian food. It’s a franchise in Ireland… Asian fusion that is seemingly predominantly Thai /​Malay with a hint of some Singaporean and Chinese. Seems like they’re just trying to cater to the masses. Anyways. I got the 3 course early bird special which is from Monday to Sunday 05:00 PM — 07:30 PM for EUR 21.50. Not bad considering most of the entrees on the menu are about EUR 15 on average.
The Vegetarian Tom Kai Gai was very tasty. Bean sprouts were set to the side and you can add it into your soup if you please. It has a slight hint of spicyness to it, so if you have very, very low tolerance for spice, this may be a tad bit spicy for you.
Hati Ayam was a bit of a disappointment. The flavor was there, but the chicken was so freaken dry. All white meat. :c Thank goodness there was sauce because if it weren’t for the sauce, this would be a very, very bland and dry tasting entrée.
I had the two scoops of ice cream. That was good, fairly standard, tasted like what I would get out of a Dreyer’s carton of vanilla bean ice cream.
The girl that served me was fine, but the overall wait between each course took way longer than it needed to. Took me over 10+ minutes just to get my 2 scoops of ice cream!!! Wut der… how long does it take to scoop 2 scoops of ice cream…? The wait time could definitely make some improvements.

I recently went to Mao for the second time with my girlfriend. We were seated at a table firmly cushioned between two other tables of diners, which was a little uncomfortable. But other than that the experience was great, as was the food. Being quite frugal, the early bird menu was perfect. I wouldn’t go outside of the early bird times though as the prices steeply rose thereafter.

It was a nice sunny day and this was the first place that had room on their outside patio so we pounced on the chairs like our lives depended on it. I got a margarita which was too sweet. My fiancé got the Long Island which was very nice. We just got the duck starter which was too dry… And € 16?! I feel ripped off. Service was on point. I might come back to try some more things though… To see if it can earn some more stars. Another table ordered the spring rolls and it looked so delish I will order it next time. I expect to be wowed!

I ate here tonight for a friend’s birthday celebration. We were greeted promptly, seated comfortably, and set up for drinks upon seating. I think the service was appropriate (not hovering, attentive, helpful when asked for suggestions), and the atmosphere was clean, modern, and calm in coloring (orange, brown, and white mostly).
The early bird special is from 17:00 — 19:30 during the week. Our party ordered from that and had a sound selection. It was good for value and fair for price, especially considering you’re eating in Dublin 2. But was it the best meal I’ve ever had? Honestly, not that memorable. I may not pick this place against some of my other favorites, but I would eat here for the following reasons:
1. The main dishes are good quantity and quality. The food is well plated, vegetables fresh and plentiful, sauces complimenting and not drowning the dish, the choice of rice or noodles, and the meat is 100% Irish.
*I ate the black pepper beef and liked it the best of all my meal.
*The chicken satay was fair, but the spring rolls looked tastier as a starter.
*My coffee (americano) was better than the cake in my 3^rd course.
2. While you are automatically charged 5% for a tip and gratuity, the service is good and the staff works hard to keep you happy, comfortable, and looked after.
3. They have a bar and their menu has a fair amount to choose from with useful descriptions.
I was disappointed that the restaurant does not do anything for birthday groups. It is a nice bonus and treat for customers to have a complimentary dessert for someone celebrating their birthday. I would opt to go to other restaurants for birthday parties in the future.

I like Nasi Goreng… if you like Nasi Goreng go here.
Little pricey for what you get but there are very few options for Nasi Goreng in Dublin.

Mao was quite busy and the menu looked creative, so we were set to add another Asian restaurant to our growing list.
It was not to be. Mao was disappointing in both food and service, and is therefore relegated to the pile of particularly mediocre restaurants not to be repeated.
We started with the pumpkin spring rolls. It turns out that pumpkin does not belong in spring rolls, especially when served with a sticky, sweet sauce.
The wasabi prawns were alright, but would have been dramatically improved with more wasabi and not drowned in sauce.
Our beef noodle dish was tasty if a bit salty. The noodles were overcooked, but not disastrously so.
The only dish that really worked was a Malaysian chicken curry. The tender chicken did well with the slightly-​spicy sauce over jasmine rice.
Service was very slow and uneven. Some tables flew through their meals while we waited long enough to earn multiple Unilocal badges.
Although the prices are in line with other Asian eateries, you are better off trying one of them instead.

Firstly, what is it with restaurants in Dublin having a compulsory service charge for tables of less than 6 these days? Mao’s is 5%. Fine. There you go. I would have given you more, but if its not going to be a choice, then you can have your 5% and thats it.
Anyway…Mao used to be a place I went quite often before it was closed for a while due to a fire. Since its reopened I’ve only been there a couple of times. Atmosphere is relaxed which I like and the food is generally quite good. You’ve got to get the prawn crackers that they have with sweet chili sauce. Yum.
The dinner menu is expanded of late. Much more choice than there used to be, which is good. On the downside, the portions are a lot smaller than they used to be, which is not so good. For example in the past when you ordered a curry, the rice would be in a separate bowl. Now the rice is in the same bowl as the curry, taking up half the bowl, meaning less curry. Their chicken lemongrass salad used to come on a bed of glass noodles that seemed to just expand as you ate! Now you’re lucky to get a spoonful of noodles as part of the dish.
Small gripes maybe but just disappointing when you’ve experienced better before. The food is still tasty and the service has always been fine.
For a quick bite to eat Mao would have been my default choice for a spur of the moment bit of grub. Thats changed but I’m sure I’ll be back at some stage again.

The only bad thing I have to say about this place is that it’s of late been placed into receivership. Another fine restaurant falling victim to the so called ‘former’ recession.
ANYWAY, this is a little gem of a restaurant not to be missed. Personally I view Mao’s in 3 ways.
1. Café Mao’s has been a regular food stall at Electric Picnic and has been the savior to many a hangover during the fest. It has a set menu and are provided in large portions in little cardboard boxes that stay hot for the little trek back to the tent where you may resume the fetal position at the mercy of a hangover. But as an added treat, this festival food, it tastes brilliant and apparently is rather healthy for you. A nice surprise compared to the standard burger and co.
2. If you’re stuck for somewhere for a quick lunch and a catch up with a friend, or just to read a book/​newspaper/​newspaper hiding a cringe worthy magazine, then Mao’s lunch time offer suits perfectly. For € 12.99 you can get a starter, main course, tea/​coffee and for a euro or two extra you can add a glass of wine or pint of Heineken to the order. Unlike most places that have taken on similar offers, Mao’s offers ‘the good stuff,’ as my mum would put it. The chicken satay is not to be missed. I can happily now prove to people that a chicken satay is meant to be spicy.
3. If you want to impress you dearest and sweetest from a first date, etc, then an evening meal in Mao’s is worthwhile. If you’re lady love is partial to the odd cocktail, and to be honest who isn’t? Then indulge in one please but make sure that you eat with the drink as they have tendency to be a tad strong. Not that I’m complaining personally. The full menu for the evening is full of plenty of little treats that fail to leave that bitter MSG taste in your mouth.
Personally everything on the menu is an excellent standard of food in regards to taste and visual effect so if unsure of what to order, ask your waiter/​waitress for a recommendation and be pleasantly surprised.
P. S. No matter what season it is, as long as it’s not raining, then sit outside in the sun and have your meal. If it’s cold then you can ask nicely and you’ll be provided with a blanket. An extra little treat for those who like creature comforts.

Despite only having 50 minutes to eat, it would have pained my mother to pass up the three-​course meal deal for € 19.95. And unlike with a lot of these offers, you were allowed anything from the menu.
My brother ordered two three-​course meals between the three of us and told them to bring all the dishes as soon as they were ready «as we’ve to be somewhere at seven». I almost expected him to throw in the word «stat» for effect.
The service was excellent. No chit-​chat but they’d clearly listened to our instructions and whisked the dishes to us. It felt like we were at some medieval banquet.
We sampled chicken satays and chilli squid for starters, Nasi Goreng and Tempura of Lemon Sole (which is ususally € 18.95!) for mains, and chocolate fudge cake and mixed berry sorbet for dessert.
My brother tasted the sorbet and advised that it’s better the second spoon as you get used to the flavour. I tested his theory, which worked on the third, fourth and fifth spoons too.
We must go back when we’re not in such a rush as a lot of food was left uneaten. I still had three-​quarters of my glass of red. My mother told me to «knock it back». Sure, if I listened to my mother I’d be sloshed but at least I’d know how to spot a bargain.

One of the many Asian fusion restaurants I went to in Dublin and was by far the most intriguing because of the décor. How many restaurants out there would put up portraits of Mao? (hence the name). Definitely not in the States. However, the food was mediocre which was expected. It’s hard to find an authentic Chinese restaurant in Dublin in general.

I like Mao. It’s cheap and cheerful and extremely tasty. It’s also bustly, full of families (this new generation of Irish children who can use chopsticks), groups and couples so it’s a really mixed bunch.
The food is great. I really like the Malaysian chicken and have it frequently. They also do great cocktails, smoothies and lassis.

This is a really bright and cheery place and one of the most popular Asian Fusion eateries in Dublin it would seem by the amount of people that are always in here no matter what time of day or day it is.
The thing that I love about this place, apart from the Warholesque Mao portraits on the walls, is the detailed information on the menus about fat content and ingredients and now the really cool and good celiac menu.
The food itself is really good and taste fresh and zesty and has lots of bite to it, not a bland noodle in sight and the five spice chicken is one of their best sellers!