The Water Margin in Daventry

Disappointing takeaway so am now unlikely to reorder. Estimated 70 minutes for delivery but it took 3 phone calls and just under 2 hours for my food to arrive. They lied to me on one call that my food was out for delivery (it clearly wasn’t) and when it finally arrived it was disappointing. They explained that they were very busy, which is fine so stop taking orders or advise customers to collect. You pay a premium to use Water Margin as it was always a premium product so it’s sad to have to leave this review of disappointment.

Delivery is always punctual, food is always great quality, ordering online is easy, no issues arisen yet! Recommend to everyone.

Thank You so much Water Margin. Your food is just simply the best! 10/10 Star Rating…

This is a takeout only. I have used this restaurant for at least 8 years. What I liked about the restaurant, although it was a bit pricey, was the quality of the food. But the last two orders we have had were very disappointing. Dishes missing from our order. The lemon chicken was like eating cardboard. It was so dry. The sweet and sour sauce was more like a jelly. I could go on.

This was the second time that we had had a delivery from Water Margin, the first, some 2 months ago was superb. This one, dreadful. The satay sticks were limp and soggy, the beef dish was so seriously spiced with chillies (which I love) that it was inedible. The other dishes were mediocre. The only redeeming feature of the entire meal was the mixed curry which was delicious. Sorry Water margin but your standards seem to have seriously dropped.

Searched online for a Chines Restaurant, all were take away only. This venue listed as a restaurant and Take Away. Drove 10 miles. Went in and asked for table to be told that they only do Take Away! I said why did they advertise as a restaurant? The guy just laughed.

First time eating from here had vermicelli OMG lovely nice and spiced.. Next time I'm back I will certainly get food from here again 😋

Amazing food, every single time. Fast delivery too even at busy times.

Order beef dish this evening was lovely and hot and fresh will be going there again soon

The best prawn toast in Daventry

Have always used the Water Margin, but tonight will not be using again. 1. Ordered meal online, said my mob ph was incorrect, after 5 attempts their IT system excepted. 2. Went to pay, told out of area, I live in Braunston and have used W/M for the last 9 years and they always delivered. 3. Phoned explained my problem, chap seemed lost kept saying they might have changed area or is it that Braunston had moved further to Rugby. 4. Asked to speak to Manager not in, I asked who was looking after Restaurant, he was not sure, but if I phoned in a couple of days someone might be around. (I would like to eat tonight). Also, if you phone for order it is cheaper to order online. Even after all my problems he could not help me, the first management decision he made, it was so good he has lost a long-standing customer, plus the owners lost my money.

ordered a take away new years eve at five o clock it arrived prompty delivered by a very nice man , the food was hot and tasty , i especialy enjoyed the satay chicken

High hopes for a decent Chinese takeaway in the area. Unfortunately disappointing. Sauces watery and lacking flavour. Fillet steak dish meat tough and very chewey. Sorry but won’t be using this one again.

Best Chinese in Daventry, friendly staff and great food 👍

Amazing food! The best Chinese takeaway I’ve had! Very fast service and good customer service, a perfect restaurant and takeaway. Great vegetarian options, Only room for improvement would be adding meat substitutes. That would be amazing for a veggie like me. And also the sauces are a little too pricey Imo. But I understand a lot went into making them. I wouldn’t mind too much if there was a bigger portion of sauce for the price but other than that amazing Chinese takeaway!

Best Chinese takeaway in the area, we’ve tried a few others over the years but always come back to this place. Sam is such a pleasure to deal with, always courteous and great customer service.

Advertised as dine in ….. just been there told takeaway only …. Please amend your website

Ordered a few times from here now and they are amazing every time! Best Chinese food I've ever had, really appreciate the vegetarian options, highly recommended!! :)

Always delicious food with a good variety, lovely staff too. Currently I don't think they offer dining in

The food here is nice. Its our go too Chinese takeaway.

Please do not come here. Plus no eat in. Horrible.

Food is nice but ordered duck in plum sauce on three seperate occasions and each time I am sent a chicken dish by mistake

We had a takeaway from here for the first time last night. We had the chicken chowmein dry( which comes up as noodles on list) chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce, some duck pancake rolls and nut and pineapple rice. It was absolutely delicious. We collected and it was super hot when we got home. Very good customer service ( my husband has shellfish allergy and the restaurant rang to do final order checks with us ) overall I was very impressed thankyou

Delicious food best Chinese in daventry

Chow mein had what looked like spaghetti in it, not the noodles that chow mein is known for, also had about half a iceberg lettuce cooked into it so everything had a covering of soggy lettuce, yuck, very disappointed won't be using again.

Lovely food..delivered very quick.tasty and hot ..I wish they were still open to dine in x

Beautiful food. Really can't complain after trying many Chinese restaurants in Daventry this have been my favourite 👌

Every time Iv called this restaurant they don’t answer the phone, I find it quite rude I won’t bother next time.

Had a takeaway beginning of week for 4 and it was disgusting. Crispy lamb was off and smelt vile and had to throw away, steak dish was same meat as cheaper beef dish and other was only quarter full in container. Will not order from there again

Love your food. Always so delicious and plenty to share. We have take away poss. 1 a month and delivery is always prompt and courteous. Thank you all.

Never had a bad experience here.. It's our go to Chinese for take out!

Lovely food. One of the best Chinese takeaways I've ever had. The ribs were certainly the best. Can only imagine eating in the restaurant is just as good if not better!

Ordered from here this evening. 2 hour wait for food, ended up driving into town to chase after calling them 8 times to no avail. Was told my food had left 30 minutes ago, I live very close and even if there were other orders 30 mins in a car means it wouldn’t be in the best shape by the time it got to me. So ended up going in to get it myself. No apology, nothing. I will not be ordering from here again and advise if you do, then collect, or go in and order and wait.

We ordered tonight and was very happy with the food! It came really quick, arrived hot and everything was delicious and full of flavour. It was definitely the best Chinese I've had in a long time and this is now our go to.

I don't like doing this but I see zero point in calling to complain as if you send out what we've just had delivered, you're beyond redemption. So was running late ( it happens) and when i called the guy said its just cooking now be with you in 15 mins.. That is probably right as the food that's been delivered tasted like it was cooked an hour ago. I've never had sweet and sour chicken before that tastes of bananas, not sure if that's a new addition but there's a spot in hell reserved for that dish. The lemon chicken, well I'm not convinced it can be called chicken, it's like the chicken that's rehydrated with too much with water, disgusting and the only place it's fit for is the bin. The chips I think were cooked sometime in the 16th century and repeatedly since then. Again the bin The noodles, well you managed that, I'd imagine they'd of been nicer hot though. Didn't manage to mess up the can of coke so well done for that. In a nutshell if you're thinking of ordering here, save yourself near on 2 hours and money. You'll only have to resort to leaving a bad review. Edit to reply. Sure but I'm not sure what doing so will fix. The quality control here is abhorrent, order number 427212

Foods good customer service not so much they hung the phone up 3 time then when I finally got through was told it would be a nearly a 2 hour wait

Never eat there again Friendly and helpful fast service . However the Singapore fried rice had no flavour or seasoning the rice was boiled . not fried rice very pool the chips well hard and dried stunk of oil . curry sauce was Runny didn’t taste like curry sauce more like a pot noodle The menu went in the bin along with most of the food bit pricey at £15 for a below average meal

Fab takeaway, variety, price and portion sizes

Staff are fantastic food and service excellent.

Takeaway service. Took ages for the phone to answer. Was told 45 minutes for delivery which was ok but when it got to an hour I tried calling. It was either engaged or just rung out which I suspect was because they save your number so knew who I was when I called. Eventually just under 2 hours after ordering it arrived. The driver couldn’t get back in his car fast enough. Food was hot so it was an issue in the restaurant, not the delivery. Bad service and not answering is not good enough. If ur busy employ more staff or turn down orders. I won’t be ordering from here again any time soon.

Ordered a takeaway this evening over 2 hours ago! Foods only just been delivered, stone cold and by the rudest delivery driver I've ever met. Had been trying to call through to find out how long it was going to take, ended up phoning 43 times in total non stop for over an hour with no answer! Will not be wasting my money on this place again! Terrible cold food, terrible delivery and terrible service! Definitely gone down hill this place!! Go somewhere else!!!

This is the best out of a bad bunch in daventry. There are Very friendly, food can be hit or miss . Noodles very wet/ soggy. Duck very dry. ( won't get it again) Rice and chips are good. The ribs are lovely. The reson we use water margin is the satay chicken is perfect and fast delivery. They are offering a loyalty scheme. But it doesn't state on the menu its on-line only ( bad advertising) They informed me on the phone after we ordered.

I ordered from here a few days ago with high hopes as it was the highest rated chinese in Daventry. My food arrived on time but was missing my drink so I called the restaurant and this arrived later on, after we had eaten. The WET noodles looked like they were covered in spunk and tasted horrible. I would’ve preferred chow mein however could not see this on the menu when I placed my order. The mongolian chicken also didn’t taste great either so will not be ordering again unfortunately. I will go back to my usual choice of chinese.

Got order wrong 3 times. When I did come an hour and half later. I was cold and I was so disappointed

Ordered last week, yuk shung and crispy beef. Delicious when I ate it , generous portions, not great Fried rice. 4 hours later I was locked in the bathroom, violently ill from both ends ,as in really ill. My guess, as a chef myself , would be staph bacteria , the food either hadn’t been stored correctly or not reheated properly. For the level of illness I suffered , this food could be extremely dangerous to a person with a weakened immune system. Avoid this place at all costs

It was the very first time that I ordered. Had the crispy duck and pancakes! Was awesome! Duck done just rite! Thank you. Happy Chinese New Year! ❤️

Just had another great meal from this guys. In my opinion the best Chinese restaurant in daventry.

Great food. Great service. Shame the prawn toast was burnt The food came within 20 mins of ordering.

Nice, very tasty food, very friendly delivery service. Highly recommended. Thank you 😊

Wasn't overly impressed with our takeaway. Some dishes were better than others. Major disappointment was the boiled chicken.

Amazing food and great service! By far the best takeaway in the area, the quality of the food is impressive, very clean a flavoursome. Highly recommended!

A large group of us and two children ate here to celebrate a birthday. We had the all you can eat weekday menu. They sat us on a lovely table towards the back of the restaurant and had set out places for the children The food is beautiful! The whole group cannot wait to return! Amazing quality, all hot and great service! Starters were our favourite part, so many lovely dishes. The capital spare ribs are to die for! Prawn toasts are lovely and spring rolls crisp and tasty. So much duck, great portion sizes. The mains are all delicious, beef in black bean was a favourite and the curry is lovely! Try king prawns in lemon sauce , match made in heaven! You can keep ordering more from the menu until you are full. Staff are lovely and top you up with water before you even need to ask. They also do not charge children under 4 which is great. Please never stop this menu - one of the best things about Daventry! Cannot wait to come again!

Just had the best mixed Starter, satay was incredible, as was the rest of it. Didn’t expect this in Daventry!

Delicious food, very attentive staff, a really good experience! Do try the hot pot dishes as they’re just delicious! We paid £40 for two people with a large sharing starter platter including the best prawn toast ever, large spring rolls, ribs, satay chicken and seaweed, followed by two main meals (hot pot pork with aubergine and house special duck) and rice plus beer! Very generous portions! highly recommended! A++++++

Wonderful food and excellent customer service. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, we had a great date here. The food was delicious with a great depth of flavours. I had the pot with aubergine hot pot and would certainly recommend it. The mixed starter is also excellent. Very good value overall. We will be back again if we are in the area 👍

One of the best restaurants me and my husband have ever been too, the staff were very friendly and the food was just amazing, so much flavour it was unreal. We had the eat as much as you like and the quality of the food was excellent, you can pick up to 3 dishes at a time (this not only avoids waste but ensures the food is hot and doesn’t go cold) for the starters and then the duck and then your main. Honestly one of the best restaurants I have had the pleasure of eating at and I will be going back.

This place is amazing the best Chinese I have had in a very long time it was all just so tasty. The service was excellent and very friendly. Me and my wife went for the buffet and had 2 rounds of 3 different starters, this was followed by the duck and pancakes and then our choices of mains, we were even offered the option of having more starters

Excellent service from the moment we booked, from patiently handling our pre-order which changed multiple times and didn't always include items on the menu to the service on the night. We ate there on a Saturday night from 20:30. The food and drinks arrived promptly and 22 people were able to receive their starter & main or set meals in good time without any delays. We were finished soon after 22:00 and I can definitely recommend the set meals. We hope to return again in the future.

Really good food with lots of taste and Sam and the girls very helpful

Went for the £18 buffet night.... disappointed that you can only choose a 1 starter each then if you eat it all you can order another one! Same for main course, 1 main each and a rice/noodle... if you eat it all you can order more... also £3.50 for a lime and soda water... won’t rush back!

Excellent meal with even better service. Can’t fault this place. The staff are outstanding and the food is first class.

We expected the wait for delivery (NYE night in-in!), and after a slight hiccup with our order they were back at my door with the rest of our food within 15 minutes. Mistakes happen, but they 100% delivered

Been a customer with them for 19 years both eating in and takeaways. We will order once a month and eat in 3to4 times a year. Order a takeaway this Tuesday evening for a delivery one hour and fifteen minutes later it arrived Stone Cold. We only live in Daventry. Called the restaurant and we were asked to bring it back so that they can reheat it. What.Saying that the point of a delivery service. They said that we will have a credit on the account for the next time we order. Our Son put a well rounded review on their site which was very nice and friendly. We call them on Thursday to reorder only to be told that the money has been paid by into our bank account (£17.45) and we are banned from ordering with them again. Can't believe it that a restaurant in Daventry has the option and profitability to ban anyone. So here is my tip, don't use them

Unbelievable! After our Son put a very honest review regarding the last takeaway which was not the best, they said that they will hold a credit on our account for us to use next time. Called up this evening to re order only to be told that we are no longer welcome there. We have been using the Water Margin for eat in and takeaway for the past 19 years. I have been asked to leave some pubs before when I was young but being bard from a small Chinese restaurant in Daventry is funny. No matter, we will move on. Sorry Sam but it's over.

Took my elderly aunt and my daughter to eat here last night. Excellent service excellent food . Would highly recommend.

I work out of the UK, but when I get home to Daventry, my wife and I always visit this resturant. The food is always fresh and hot, and they adjusted the contents of a dish to your liking. The staff are always helpful, courteous and obliging, and do not force themselfs apon you or rush to leave. All my friends who come to stay say the same thing, and my step son had all the onions taken out of all his dishes. You do not get this service elsewhere. Excellen Food!

Paid our first visit here at the weekend. The best Chinese ive had. The service was excellent and very friendly. will def go back

Waited over an hour and half for delivery despite ringing 3 times to be told driver was in his way. Really poor service. Gave up in the end went to chip shop

Wednesday 18th 5-30pm Had beef curry take away, curry was bland as in more like beef stew than curry, by the time (8mins) I got home it was almost cold

Been here many many times. Best Chinese food I have eaten in the UK. Considering the quality the prices are very good. Cannot fault anything about this restaurant.

Often eat here and love it. Staff very attentive and friendly. Ask for the fixed price menu which means you can eat as much as can. Food always good and never been disappointed there

Tasty food, convivial atmosphere, attentive staff, very reasonable prices. Take the China tea - it's just the thing to accompany the cuisine.

Clean, tidy dining areas with air conditioning. Extremely polite staff and prompt service, nice clear website with booking service online. The food was piping hot, fresh and really tasty. Classic chinese menu, tried several dishes, all of them great. Particularly good satay chicken skewers. Only drawbacks is the slightly elevated prices above that of your typical chinese and of course, drinks were small and expensive but that's the norm at most places. Will return soon for sure.

We visited this restaurant on our visit to the British Grand Prix. Staff were friendly enough but the restaurant is very dated and the carpet has seen better days. I ordered chicken in black bean and my husband ordered a pork dish with rice to share. The chicken looked a bit ropey but tasted ok but my husband was not impressed with his dish he ate a few bits of the veg and 1 bit of pork before the second mouthful which he spat out discreetly. This obviously puts you off. It wasn’t expensive but wasn’t cheap.

I thought I loved Chinese before but after going here it’s definitely my favourite, all the food was amazing everything was cooked perfectly. Sunday to Thursday they do a buffet menu but you need to ask for the menu as this seemed to be a secret they like to keep and will only give you the full menu unless you ask.

Visited for our anniversary meal and was made to feel very special by all the staff. Food was incredible as always. Never have a bad word to say about here, Highly recommended.

I haven't eaten in the restaurant but will certainly give it a try after having a very lovely takeaway. The service is very prompt and friendly, I can't fault it at all.

Only place I'd go for a Chinese

Fantastic food that sets the standard for Chinese meals in a fairly big radius

Went for hubby's birthday meal. Nice restaurant. Staff friendly. Coke was flat they changed it no problem. My duck was very dry couldn't eat it. They did nothing about it. So I left hungry Plus Forgot to give me my change (they must of thought £9 was a big tip ) Found it expensive.

Incredible food. Best Chinese restaurant I have been to in the UK.

I’ve loved it every time and they cater for vegans 🌱

We have been eating take aways from the Water Margin since March last year and the food had been fantastic up until about a month ago. Not sure what changed but the quality has really dropped off. We thought we'd give the Water Margin another chance but after tonight's meal I'd say the quality hasn't just dropped off, it's gone sky diving.

As a take away you would expect your food to arrive hot. Not stone cold. Phone ti complain to be told to bring it back. If I wonted to go down to the take away I wouldn't of ordered it for delivery. No apology just told to bring it back to them and they would cook fresh. You think it would be cooked fresh and delivered hot the fisrt time

Food was lovely. Staff very friendly. Grate night for our works Christmas meal.

Fantastic food and service as always! Suitably corny Christmas Craker jokes. Highly recommended.

Chinese food at its best. Friendly team, good value for money. No long waiting times. Happy to cater for larger groups

5 of us visited for a family birthday. Great food and great service. Was a Wednesday and very quiet. Cost worked out about 22 quid a head, drinks included. Go for it!!

We had the set meal A. The food was excellent and the staff were really friendly and polite. My only criticism is the menu mentioned the mid week buffet but it is not mentioned anywhere that this is not done in December until you ask.

Unfortunately decided to use water margin for a takeaway as or usual chinese was closed. Have used before and food was ok but nothing special. Won't be making that mistake again, 2 out of 3 main dishes were cold , Crispy wonton starter were half burnt puff pastry parcels with literally a tic-tac size piece of filling ! , phoned to complain and they couldn't have cared less , do yourself a favour and give it a miss.

Pretty good food, friendly service and reasonable prices - the Water Margin is a decent choice if you are going out for a meal in Daventry.

Great service and lovely food. Good for Veggies too

Based on other reviews decided to try them and was pleasantly surprised, excellent service, tasty well prepared food , nice ambience , clean and all round worth every penny.

Best Chinese food in Daventry at very readonable prices. Highly recomended.

Being a frequent visitor to Daventry (recently) I wanted to explore the restaurant scene and was attracted by the reviews for this restaurant,

I’ve heard they do a good buffet. Oh my god it’s true. Phoned up at 5.40 was sat having starters at 6.15. Good range of food and well explained. Food was served piping and once you drink had finished the offer of another one wasn’t far away. Lovely heat from the Szechuan sauce. Will be back to eat even more. Thank you

Great food. Friendly and efficient service. Loved this little spot

Was working in the Daventry area and fancied something different from pub food, myself and a colleague visited this restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing We had a mixture of starters then for main I had the chicken Satay which was out of this world. If I’m ever working in the area again I will make a point of visiting.

No matter where we go in the world I can bever seem to find a Chinese restaurant that constserves great food such as this , Ive never eaten anything that didn’t taste delicious Great service too by Sam & team

My wife and myself eat in the Water Margin most weekends.Very good value and the staff are very friendly but also professional.The most important thing is the quality of the food , it never changes on the different dishes that we order always 1st class