The Riverside Cantonese in Cardiff

The Riverside Cantonese . Well this place has been my number one favourite place to go for things as birthdays, business meals, Christmas parties and just general wanting some god dam good food. Started visiting this restaurant about 1997 and been going regularly to the point they moved to the new location. No other restaurant in wales could complete no matter how well recommended places were this was the best. Signature rice dishes that tasted like heaven and my favourite the lemon chicken which just melted in your mouth. However over the last couple years things have declined - I don’t know if it’s due to new management but the new changes to the rice and some dishes are definitely not an improvement. The rice now tastes like it does everywhere else - bland with no flavours and we ordered our favourite lemon chicken and the sauce is now similar to what you get in a lemon curd jar . So so disappointing as over the years we have recommended this place to hundreds of people and now I haven’t been for a while . The last time we went everyone said the same that didn’t like it. When I mentioned going no one wanted to. I was so disappointed that I emailed the owner and asked about the changes which he confirmed they have altered recipes and since then I have had no response to whether it’s something they could look at changing back. It’s a real shame as this was undoubtedly my favourite place to eat out and now it’s just fallen on the long list of sub standard tasting food. Hopefully one day they might change

Très bon restaurant Un accueil parfait Et très agréable Une vision direct sur la cuisine qui permet de voir que tout est fait sur place Des portions individuelles conséquentes Des saveurs exceptionnelles Un échange avec le patron agréable Un coin salon bar ou on peut finir la soirée tranquillement Je conseille ce restaurant pour apprécier ou découvrir les saveurs orientales Toilettes très propres et accessibles Bravo et encore merci pour votre accueil

No highchairs or baby changing facilities. Delicious food and large portions.

Friendly place, nice decor. Note that they do not serve dim sum any more. I was impressed by the beef with aubergine. Portion size is generous!

First visit tonight for my birthday meal and very nice. Clean, nice decor and toilets. Staff were pleasant and service quick. They clearly work very hard. Food: prawn crackers, pork lettuce wraps, prawn toast and vegetable spring rolls to start. All very nice. Main meal highlights were crispy beef, egg fried rice and sweet and sour king prawns. What we couldn't eat they packed up for us. Bottle of white wine was lovely. Busy trade but not loud.

Just returned from a fabulous New Years Eve meal. We are regulars, so I wanted to try something different - the soft shell crab; it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The other dishes, sweet and sour king prawns and beef in black bean sauce are always magnificent! I had a pork based rice which was superb. My compliments to the duty Chef 1 p.m. 31. 12. 23. I doubt if there’s a better restaurant anywhere in the U.K. Happy New Year, and see you soon!

Today’s meal was outstanding. The welcome was warm and friendly and we chatted to a lovely Chinese couple on the next table. I congratulated them on how much food they ate. It was truly impressive. We had 4 starters for 3 people which were piping hot and excellent ingredients. 3 mains of pork, chicken and crab with noodles and rice. Everything was freshly cooked to perfection. Great value for money too. The waitress even oped the rear door into the car park as it was raining. A great choice today. Thank you!!

Lovely food. Was there for lunch. Shame no dimsum.

Food was nice and looked appetising when it arrived. Place is modern and very clean.

We had one of the set meals and every dish was delicious! The service was great, friendly and helpful with our small children. We will absolutely be back - best meal we've had in a long time!

Wish I could of rated better here, the food was great and portions were also decent. Unfortunately the service was slow and there was minimal priority for us. Atmosphere.. restaurant is decorated well and is welcoming but the acoustics are terrible, with 20 people in the restaurant when we arrived we could barely here ourselves then 20 became 60 and there was no way we could have a or hear our conversations.

We took my dad out with the family for his birthday. The staff are ok but need more. There was a man with an apron on who didn’t care people were trying to get the waitress attention. It’s so noise in there like a roudy pub atmosphere. People were hanging around literally shouting. Not a family meal out vibe at all. It’s a shame I wouldn’t go back because the food was nice. Just the atmosphere doesn’t reflect the high price of the food.

Lovely evening with family, great food and excellent service, will go back next time in Cardiff

Food quite average, but our friends noodles were burnt so couldn't eat them. Offered to take off bill instead of cooking new. Dissapointed with gluten free options for my wife ( although lots offered on phone when booking). Biggest put off was attitude of male taking our order. No customer service and seemed to be getting annoyed taking our orders. Won't be going back here again!

Food and service was excellent, waiter was very helpful explain what the dishes were.. It was interesting to see the food being cooked. The atmosphere was not good, I could not hear what the person was saying next to me. The bare walls need to be covered with something to deaden the noise.

As some one who has travelled asia and love traditional hong kong cooking i cant say enough on how amazing this place is, the food was the best ive had in the UK and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. Definitely recommend

Very good food, very busy restaurant and very reasonable price. The service was very good. You have to try the salt and chilli prawns

一食就知係香港人開嘅餐廳，食物嘅味道，好有香港嘅風味 香港人嚟到Cardiff必要一試嘅餐廳 As soon as you eat, you will know that it is a restaurant opened by Hong Kong people. The taste of the food is so delicious. A must try restaurant for Hong Kong people in Cardiff

The food was average, the prices inflated, and the garden centre-eque decor inauthentic and uncomfortable.

A very nice restaurant. Our first time there. We would come back. Very large portions of rice and noodles etc

Had a take away on Sunday and it was absolutely beautiful. So tasty As good as it is in the restaurant (almost) Honestly the restaurant is brilliant food is amazing a must for anyone who likes cantonese food.

Been quite a few and every time is great lovely food great service

Great decor . Staff hit and miss. Most annoying is that it’s very noisy in the restaurant . Menu chosen was not delivered a different menu was delivered. All in all not a great experience for average food .

The food was ok, not the best iv had at this restaurant over the years.

Very small portions for the meal for six. really slow service and none of the serves knew where the food was going. Multiple of drinks kept coming out and food came out very slowly and intermittently. Chicken dish in the set meal was like dog food, no one touched it. Really disappointed

Lovely meal. Excellent service.

Not returning here. It was like being sat in a hotel buffet in Spain. Boring decor, walls were worn and dirty, no background music playing, decor is too dreary. There was also industrial hand sanitizer on each table. It's not 2020, move these off as it looks tacky. The biggest let down was the food. Bland and boring, clearly not made fresh. Fish was cooked from frozen, sauce tasted like it came from a tin. I've had better tasting food from a ready meal.

We love Riverside Cantonese for the same reason we love Yakitori, the service is consistently good and the food always fresh and delicious and tastes the same every time you order it. The atmosphere is also good because the restaurant is often quite busy and the staff are on the go and always with smiles. The sticky beef fillet, Cantonese fillet, king prawns in chili and garlic are firm favourites along with the beef in black bean sauce. In fact everything we order is so delicious that we absolutely love going to Riverside. The pak choi is a must as a side dish along with the noodles.

Food amazing staff very friendly I would recommend I will definitely visit again 10/10

The menu gives plenty of choice and the food is good but they can't provide split bills for couples sharing a large table. You get one bill and have to remember what you just ate and WHO ordered that last bottle of wine.

Food is really good, large portion sizes. Great service. Was just quiet, but it was a lunchtime.

Delicious- we enjoyed everything about our evening 🙂💖🙂 Thank You. A little noisy and echoey though.

Disappointing beyond understanding A favourite of ours for the the last six years, we both completely loved this place and visited at least once every 2 weeks. (Our records reveal 46 times in the last 2 years. Average spend £80 per visit). Mainly friendly staff. Most recent visit, very disappointing, and so when being presented with the bill and asked if everything was ok , for the first time ever , we complained and mentioned that the chicken dish had not tasted as nice as usual, (we’re pretty boring and have had this dish on umpteen occasions), we said food not so good tonight and not up to its usual standards and that we had not enjoyed that part of the meal particularly the fatty chicken. The waitress in broken English attempted to explain,which was difficult to understand but the upshot said she would speak to her boss.In seconds the card machine arrived without further discussion and so we approached the owner ( whom he and we are familiar) to explain directly to him as his English is excellent and he is familiar with our regular bookings . His attitude was completely dismissive and frankly rude. His very poor attitude and lack of empathy results in that we will never return. Sad, but do wonder how much longer they will trade in what is a difficult location with poor attitude.

We arrived on time and we’re greeted by a waiter who pointed to a table in the bar and said wait there . He virtually threw the Menus at us , I asked if we could order drinks and he curtly said yes , another person took the order and it was fine . He came back in about 2 minutes and wanted our order , we said we’d need more time , he went off in a strop . We placed our order and went to the table , the food was excellent , so perhaps a 2* is harsh , but this waiter spoilt the evening , my daughter-in-law wanted a dessert and he very rudely said , kitchen closed , this was 9:10pm , another waitress then asked if we wanted dessert and said that the kitchen closed at 9:30pm , we had the dessert , which again was excellent . My wife was so upset with his appalling attitude that she said despite the quality of the food she’s never go back . He was without a shadow of doubt , the rudest , most unpleasant person I have ever encountered serving in a restaurant. His attitude made Basil Fawlty look an amateur

We recently visited Riverside Cantonese on Leckwith Road for Sunday lunch and really enjoyed ourselves. The Staff were really friendly and welcoming. Nothing was to much trouble. We had a mixture of starters and mains all of which were excellent. Our starters included Prawn Toast, Pork Lettuce wraps, and vegatarian soup. Our mains were Salt and Chilli Squid, Sweet and Sour Tofu and Noodles. It has to be said the portion sizes are superb. An added bonus was the 3 different types of lager available. The Restaurant was busy when we went which is always a good sign.

It was our first time going to the new Riverside restaurant in Leckwith Road. We highly recommend it. The quality of the food was exceptional and the atmosphere was wonderful. As we were dining with friends from Hong Kong, it was almost like being back in Hong Kong. The décor inside was stunning and the service was fantastic.

RUDE STAFF! Avoid at all costs.

The manager and staff at door were extremely rude! Will never come here again. We used to love Riverside Cantonese. It always had such a warm and friendly atmosphere. We hadn’t been for a few years now and decided to grab a takeaway this evening. No welcome on arrival. Greeted by the rude waiter. The restaurant doesn’t offer contactless, and the gentleman who served me immediately got very rude and frustrated because I hadn’t brought a card with me (I usually just use Apple Pay on my phone). He walked off to find his manager to see if they could offer alternative bank transfer options. The manager then came over and didn’t say hello or anything. He stood over me while I scrambled to sort out a bank transfer. He watched me and looked at my account, and gave me 0 privacy in setting the payment up. I put the details in, which flagged them as incorrect. I mentioned this to him, and he questioned if I had put it as a business account. I replied I hadn’t, and he replied WELL, IT IS A LIMITED COMPANY, DUH!!! I’ve never felt so belittled, considering we were paying customers and ordering over £55. His body language and tone were aggressive the moment he walked over. Honestly, I left feeling totally put out at how rude they were. I'm always super polite to catering/retail staff as I know how demanding and stressful the role can be. DO NOT EAT HERE, customer service is so much more important than good food, and both are lacking. Restaurants like this will close if they continue treating paying, polite customers so poorly.

Booked a table on Saturday night at 800, checked website first and it said last orders 930. Restaurant is nice, food is good, but by 915 it’s clear they want us to leave - 3 of us enjoying our wine, as soon as first sign...

Cant gwt much better than this round these ways

Rude on the phone and rude in the restaurant. Food is average

Food was fantastic however very rude service, our main meals were being cleared and tipped into take away boxes whilst we were clearly still eating, no questions were asked, i would recommend this place for great food, but not the service.

We went for a meal for two, we were disappointed that they didn’t do dim sum anymore but we ordered Cantonese roast chicken, Monk fish in ginger and garlic, Choi Sum in garlic and oyster sauce, crispy scallops, and Yangzhou rice. Everything was perfectly seasoned and delicious. We will be coming back to try the other dishes.

Fantastic food as always, only let down is the atmosphere there could do with a little back round music.

The staff and food was good. Our dishes were tasty and had individual flavours rather than all with similar sauce. Would recommend and go again.

Wow ! what a New year's eve we as a family had here. We have just moved back to Cardiff after 27 years and we well remember the old restaurant and were really intrigued to find out if this could match the old one. It...

As soon as my friend and I walked through the door we received a warm welcome. Service and food was excellent. We felt thoroughly spoilt throughout our stay and the food was out of this world. We chose a meal for two and were not disappointed. Food was plentiful and excellent value for money. We are looking forward to our next visit. Thank you to the staff for a memorable evening

Didn't start well, had an email confirmation of booking, but didn't have us booked in. Luckily they had tables free. The service was friendly and quick, unfortunately had lipstick on one of our glasses. Ordered the set menu for 4 at about £25 per head, added a rib starter and 2 noodle dishes to the mains. The food was very nice, all 4 really enjoyed it. We'll definitely go again, but only special occasions as its expensive, probably due to the over priced drinks as always. Bill was £140. The food was lovely but not £140 lovely. That's alot of Chinese takeaway food if you think about it.

Dinner with friends. The food was lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful

Absolutely first class service and food. Was recommended to me by family, and I have to say, they weren’t wrong. One of the best Cantonese meals I’ve had in many a year. Many thanks Nick, and we really look forward to seeing you next time...

Always good.. one of the best Chinese restaurants in Cardiff.. The crispy fried soft shell crab and the monk fish were perfectly done..

💕❤️I’ve never tasted food that nice before 💕 I want your children marry me 💍

Modern interior, this restaurant moved from the its original established Tudor Street location to Leckwith in what used to be the Ninian Park public house. A la Carte menu only, food is consistently good, occasional slip up in service. Open Wed-Sun, home delivery also available.

probably one of the best meals ive ever had udon noodles and ginger spring onion pork also tried some sweet and sour cod absolutely amazing prawn toast best ive ever had great service prices a bit high but totally worth it would come back again

Easy on site parking, a side door entrance would be good on a wet dark evening. Perimeter path not very good poor lighting. The front entrance is a Wow, ultra modern interior could do with a bit more Chinese character. Food was terrific 👍

Very nice food and friendly staff.

Simply the best Cantonese in Cardiff. What more can I say?

30/10/22. Booked a table in advance (busy). Car park off the road around the back. Walk around the building to the front door. Wait to be shown to a table. Got given a well layed out menu showing a varied selection dishes & set meals. Assorted drinks menu on the back. Table service all night. Clean inviting dining areas for intimate & large groups. Staff are lovely & attentive. Nice atmosphere didn't feel rushed. Not cheap. The food is delicious, you pay for the quality they serve. Would definitely recommend and visit again.

We were a family group of six and enjoyed a lovely evening here. All the food was excellent and the waiting staff were good at explaining what everything was and making sure we were happy with our choices. I especially loved the monkfish dish and...

What a great place to visit. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of room between tables. The menu is extensive with so much choice. Our servers were incredibly attentive and in the end we ordered the meal for 4 and it was outstanding. Every dish...

Worst cantonese food I’ve ever had! The vegetables were rotten and smelled like it came out of the garbage.

Very attentive staff. Food was nice and fresh. Big portions too!

The best Chinese soft shell crabs 🦀... Exquisite menu.

1st Class food so much to choose from all excellent Served by friendly helpful staff. We dined in as a party of eight . We were able to meet up with family which was lovely as it was a long time since we had. The perfect meal served by perfect staff. Would highly recommend.

Visited the second time for a special occasion as food was excellent first time. Food was also excellent this time but waiters quite serious , lady server was warm and friendly

Great ambience, great food parking was difficult

Consistently excellent! Have dined here for events and small family gatherings. Quality of ingredients and flavours always impressive. Attended Banquet recently for 90 px and it was better than anywhere in the region. Spotless, modern, cool and with convenient private parking.

Not a patch on the Summer Palace in Llandaff in terms of quality and taste. If you prefer chicken shoulder and thigh this is the place for you. The chicken satay was fatty, I asked the waitress if the chicken they use is breast -...

Although the staff are very helpful and kind, and the food was brought piping hot and timely I was left disappointed by the quality of the meal. I've previously had great meals here albeit over 2/3 years ago. The chicken meals (skewers and satay) were very fatty, probably thigh not breast meat). The prawn toast much more greasy than normal. The sweet and sour chicken far too sweet and again dubious about the meat. The accompanying rice dishes had all been cooked to long, it was almost sticky rice 😞. Positives were the king prawns (although the satay sauce was more like a curry, too spicy), lemon chicken (no issues here), noodles and the veg spring rolls were lovely. Such a shame, the food used to be so delicious. I'd be happy paying a bit more to have better quality meat, but I understand in current times it's probably a fine balance for a business.

Four of us visited here for dinner. We chose the Riverside Chef's Dinner which was such good value. So much great food. We had to go with the doggy bag as we really didn't want to waste it. Definitely, would recommend one of the set...

Once again, we had superb meals here on 19 6 22. It was packed due to Father’s Day, but still the service/quality of the meals didn’t falter! Best Chinese restaurant in S. Wales without a doubt! See you soon!

I have been eating at the Riverside since late 70s from the original restaurant were nicks dad opened.to me its the best restaurant anywhere. The heady afternoons of endless dim dum may no longer be there but what is there is the best cantonease food in the city. Great chefs great front of house great owner amazing food and the wine ain't bad either . A MUST GO TO RESTAURANT I PROMISE YOU YOU WILL LOVE IT

I went to order a takeaway was kept waiting 10 mi s to order and the rudest man cam and barked at me so I left Don’t bother going here

Very good haven't had good meal out for long time as good as this

Used to be one of the best! £80 for a take away. Food was tasteless and tasted burnt. Never again. Such a. Disappointment

Male staff extremely rude may be a culture thing but not for me Cantonese chicken thigh not brest sorry but I tell it how it is I won't go back 😣

Real authentic Chinese food. Nice pleasant service and real busy and noisy.

We popped into the Riverside Cantonese for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and really enjoyed the whole experience. We ordered quite a few dishes. For starters we had the Vegetarian hot and sour soup. This was piping hot and quite spicy and very tasty. We...

Can never understand bad reviews about this place! Always had excellent meals and service over the many, many years I have been here! The meals on 2 4 22 were no exception! Don't believe the bad reviews, the food here is always exceptional!

Great service and food was brilliant. Quiet atmosphere and very nice interior. I can recommend to everyone.

Excellent food/service/ atmosphere Fab time there

Great meal out with family at the Riverside. Unpromising on the outside but light and airy and modern on the inside. Similarly, the food is light and delicious. Staff very friendly and well-organised. We were later than planned because of a family emergency but they couldn't have been more flexible and welcoming. Good value as well for the quality - paid £150 for a generous meal for 5 adults.

Outstanding vegetarian food. Superb service

We have been walking past for the last 10+ years and finally went in. Modern decor, lovely staff and excellent food and wine. Recommended

Lovely food. 16 of us went service was excellent, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered and enough to share. Only thing a bit pricey

Must be new owners food USED to be amazing !!!! DO NOT RECOMMEND Went here on a Saturday, food was absolutely disgusting, no taste or flavour in anything! All the Meat was like rubber!!! All the staff were so intrusive !!!!! Staring and watching you...

We visited as a party of six on a busy Saturday evening. There must be new owners as all the waiting staff have changed. The quality of the ingredients in the meals has gone down significantly and the level of service is nowhere near what...

Delicious food and very nice service, duck was just beautiful, I sent compliments to the chef😍 Loved that tea was served in a crude pot, very authentic for those who appreciate fine Chinese food😍 We had a lovely evening🙏

Great quality diner. Spacious and busy atmosphere. Good quality dishes. Friendly service. And did their best to accommodate me at very short notice. Thank you

Great food, friendly staff - the restaurant is immaculate.

Lovely clean place ,delicious food one of my favourite Chinese place x

Great meal, one of the highest standards of Cantonese food you can get 👌🏼

I arrived about an hour early for my booking and asked to set up the tables. I was very warmly welcomed by all staff members i spoke too and everyone was so helpful. I was even offered 2 options for seating depending on what suited...

My partner and I walked in here for a table. Although it was busy they accommodated us, the food was delicious and very fresh, I recommend the hot and sour soup. The staff were very friendly.

superb food ihavebeen delighted with the food atmosphere and service for 40 years truly excellent o cannot praise their standards enough well done you!

I ordered sweet and sour pork. It looked good but when I started eating it each piece of pork had loads of fat on it. It was really unpleasant. Also there was no pineapple in it.

Went in a family group of 9. The round tables are brilliant for large groups. The food was excellent, better than ever. All had a great time and will definitely return.

Always love their food I have been going to there since i was 10 I am now 50. Restaurants like this are amazing if you want proper delicious cantonese food please visit.

My Wife and I visited early on 12 11 21. Our usual monkfish, sweet and sour king prawns, beef in black been sauce, special fried rice and mandarin noodles were excellent, (as is usual!) A top place and I doubt if there is anywhere better....

We arrived 10 minutes early for an 8pm table. The manager told us we were early in such a way that it sounded a sin. If I’m early I waste my own time which I do not mind. If I an late I waste other...