Pearl of the Orient

This restaurant has improved from last year, it now contains ba-​orient which was downstairs and offers chinese and dim sum. So, you can go for a drink in the cosy looking bar area or eat either cuisine. We went for chinese and chose one of the set menus. It was a little restrictive in that only 2 out of the 6 set menu options were for 2 people, the others were for a minimum of 4. Although, the waiters were happy to change 2 items on the menu at no extra cost (i don’t like seafood). I very rarely leave a meal but there was so much that I had to give in and there was certainly no room for dessert. All in all, good value for money at £56 incl. a bottle of chianti and incl. 10% service charge. The staff like to fill up the glass if you have wine left, which I’m not a fan of but they didn’t take offence when I declined. It was busy, but it was a Friday, not too cramped but rather then spreading out their diners some areas were packed whilst other areas only had a few diners. Finally, the pianist was amazing and helped to create a romantic atmosphere.

The food was nice but the service was really slow and bad!!! And also the music was insanely loud and the lighting really dark! Felt like I was eating in a nightclub!!! And I’m pretty liberal! but this was a bit of a joke!

I knew Unilocal would fail me eventually and here, it did. Don’t be fooled by the other reviews folks this place is hugely mediocre. Let’s start with the food. Some of it was ok, but some of it was really bad. My mixed seafood was nice, but my brother in law’s chicken dish had one tiny chicken breast in it and was just blah. The other dishes were all middling as well. Given that the food is REALLY expensive for Chinese food, I expected better. I don’t mind paying for good food, but this was simply overpriced middling fare.
Service was awful. First we stood around for 15 minutes waiting whilst they found somewhere to put our party of 5 in the nearly empty restaurant. Or so they said. Given where they ultimately put us it was clearly they were just having us stand around until they felt like serving us as they had done nothing to that table. Another big ding? You can’t buy wine by the glass here, which is totally odd. We ended up buying a bottle, but no one ever came to refill our glasses. We ended up passing the bottle around and doing it ourselves. Our other drinks (water and sodas for the kids) were never refilled or even checked on. Yes, our first visit from the server would be our last until the food came. Then we saw no one again until we tracked someone down for the check. Pathetic.

The Pearl of the Orient is a good quality Chinese restaurant found in Cardiff Bay.
This restaurant exudes class from the moment you step through its doors, with a pianist providing the soundtrack to your meal. The live music in the restaurant is a nice touch and a cool accompaniment that adds a lot to your dining experience; definitely plus point for customers looking for a uniquely different evening out.
Although they do a great job in creating a chilled ambience, unfortunately the food doesn’t quite live up to the standard of the atmosphere. It’s Chinese food, good Chinese food, but sadly nothing special; which is a bit of a let down considering the price tag that comes with it.
If you want a laid back venue to enjoy some decent food, this is an ideal place to go. If you’re looking to sample the finest oriental cuisine this side of Beijing with great value for money, the Pearl of the Orient might not be for you.

As a big fan of Chinese food, I consider The Pearl of the Orient to be one of the best around. Upon entry to the restaurant which has a modern and stylish feel, customers are greeted politely by staff and shown towards one of the many neatly laid tables. An authentic Chinese feel is slightly contrived by the modern and contemporary setting, although the staff and wonderful menu dispel any doubts over whether the food will be of a high standard and authenticity.
Ordering a selection of mixed hors d’oeuvres is highly recommended as a starter, particularly when sharing between groups of about four of five. With generous portions, it’s easy to over order on the main course, so sharing portions of rice and noodles is again highly recommended. The fish and meat used seems of a high quality and unlike most Chinese takeaways, the dishes are relatively grease free and aren’t shades of luminous orange and pink. I’d suggest most would have a really enjoyable experience here, and if sensible, the bill shouldn’t be too unreasonable.

Chinese lovers everywhere make a date in your diary to visit this restaurant.
I first went to the Pearl of the Orient last year with a group of girls… and god I am glad I did. This chinese restaurant is fantastic. The selection of dishes is mind blowing as is the service we received.
We entered slightly late for our 8pm booking but the waitress didnt seem to mind and seated us immediatly. The drinks menu was ready and waiting for us and I can personally reccomend the house wine. Whilst sipping away we pondered over the menu. After ordering the food seemed to come very quickly, was piping hot and very tasty.
The ambience was lovely, beautiful settings topped of with a superb pianist playing in the background.
The only negative point I must add is that it is slightly expensive, but I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for!

I went with a group of friends, the service was a bit slow but the food was a gastronomic feast we all ordered to much and shared, as is the custom in many south east asian feasts. The flavours unleashed were incredible as you would expect from a middle tier restaurant, you can expect to pay at least £20 a head but it is well worth it, try to avoid to much rice don’t buy it just because its what you usually do. The point is to try many different meat, fish and poultry dishes not fill up on rice.
The dishes come out on these little trays with fairy light candles to keep them warm a nice touch and practical. I would go as a group of 4 maybe a double date and be spontaneous try many new dishes you’ve never thought of having the taste is amazing. I would recommend going for special occasions, meals with family members or the introduction to the in-​laws or celebrating engagement. If you are going for a birthday party It might take to long for the service, Its your call.

Without a shadow of a doubt my favourite food is Chinese food. So to find a good Chinese restaurant has been a healthy (or unhealthy depending on how often I eat) obsession of mine.
i think I need to break down this restaurant into 5 areas:
Location = ⁹⁄₁₀. In this country the location of the POTO is 2^nd to none. If you get a balcony seat on a nice summer’s evening you will be able to see Cardiff Bay from one of its best perspectives.
Ambience = ⁷⁄₁₀. Even if you are sitting inside the thoughtfully chosen décor complete with waterfall style wall and pianist is enough to convince that you are having a proper evening out.
Service = ⁸⁄₁₀. I have never experience an unhelpful waiter /​waitress. Even when we’d accidentally ordered too much (happens a lot trust me) and asked to cancel some dishes 10 minutes after placing the order.
The all important food factor ⁷⁄₁₀. There is a lot to choose from and more often than not we have gone for a set menu and changed one or two things on it, which i know goes against the point of a «set» menu but they have always accommodated us. Taste wise the food lives up to the rest of the experience but I am only giving it ⁷⁄₁₀ because I have had better Chinese food but not in such nice surroundings.
Price — ⁵⁄₁₀. Obviously its very rare to get the above qualities right and still get a bargain. You will find quite a few Chinese restaurants in Cardiff a little lighter on the pocket but they will not compete on location and ambience. So if you don’t care about those qualities then look elsewhere — but if you want to make a night of it come here.
Ps — they run a 2 sitting service so you either have to go for the 7pm sitting or the 9pm one.

If you like Chinese and fine dinning then Pearl of the Orient will be right up your street. Whilst somewhat on the pricey side the food is always of a very high standard, and well presented.
The spacious interior is most impressive, and they also have a beautiful grand piano with a resident pianist (played in the evening).
Whenever we have friends or relatives visiting, or when we wish to celebrate a special occasion, we always choose Pearl of the Orient, as we know it never fails to deliver.

The menu is pretty huge and almost a bit overwhelming but there are set meals if you’re feeling a little bit spoiled for choice. They’re recommended for four people and start at about £18 so for a group of people it’s pretty ideal. There’s even a huge selection of vegetarian dishes, including sweet and sour tofu. Something I’d never considered trying but turned out to be delicious. The décor is simple and clean and there are fish tanks in the walls which is soothing and also a bit disconcerting especially if you’re eating fish. This is your more upmarket Chinese restaurant and for the selection alone it’s a winner.

Widely recognised as one of the best chinese restaurants in cardiff — but failed to impress. Décor is smart, and lots of attention to detail, but the food was unmemorable and overpriced.

I visited with 9 others and we had a set meal to share, which was a great idea. The pianist was a bit naff but we all enjoyed the evening.

situated in Cardiff bay but located on the 1^st floor with no direct view of the waterfront. The ambience is good and food reasonable but the staff let you down. Service is slow and we felt hurried. slightly pricey

This is a large Chinese restaurant. I have visited it on 4 occasions once as a couple and the other times as an adult family group. I find that the restaurant lacks atmosphere and although you are on the upper floor of Mermaids Quay, in the Bay you do not have views.
The service can be a little slow and not very helpful when you ask questions. Whilst the food is O.K. I do not believe it matches the price which I believe is very expensive. On the occasion when a pianist has been present the musical ability has been lacking and we would have preferred no live music at all. This is not a restaurant I would recommend.

wow, ordered from here earlier they have an express delivery service I had the ho fun with beef soy sauce beansprouts, and egg fried rice. This came to around £9-£10 and was very tasty would defo order this dish from here again!

The menu is impressive, especially as you can order a whole suckling pig, hong kong style — that is, if you’ve got a spare £150 bucks lying around.
I haven’t, so i opted for Honey pork, Hong Kong style and steamed rice. It was tasty and quite tender. A couple of the cuts of pork were a bit gristly, but i’ll let it slide.
The other half ordered shredded lamb with sesame. This wasn’t so good as the tamarind sauce was too thick.
The prawn toast is lush and I really liked the steamed dumplings. Not so the other hakf — he had a problem with how much they looked like white slugs. But that’s just him.
The restaurant is lovely — lots of fish tanks and ambience. They had a pianist on the Thursday night I went — I very much appreciate Mariah Carey songs when the woman herself isn’t warbling — and she was fab.
The service was great, the meal was quick and I have no complaints. It’s a bit too big though — I prefer small and intimate. And it’s pricey. The views, like ninawriter says, are spectacular and the location is great. I’ve been here with big parties and with one other person and have always come away happy.

A large elegantly furnished Chinese restaurant located in the upper level of mermaid quay, which is a large building in Cardiff bay housing numerous bars and restaurants. It is not easily noticed from outside the mermaid quay; you have to go down the passage way and up the stairs.
They have a normal traditional design but classic style; the restrained light gave it a calm and serene atmosphere from the hustling and bustling of the bay outside.
It was not a buffet style, so they offered three course meal and lunch set menu. The food did not taste exceptional and the price was on the dear side with set menu of about £20 per head.
The stand out quality for this restaurant is the view of the river if you sat beside the window. I was opportune to watch sun set over the river, and that memory has remained with me since then. However, I cannot remember the service they offered, as it was not that spectacular.