Mandarin Palace

Great food, great atmosphere and you can’t beat the location. A trip to Derry wouldn’t be complete without a visit.

On a visit to Derry recently and had heard a lot about this place. It was very busy when we visited — didn’t get our table till 20 mins after the time we had booked. The food was very disappointing — ingredient quality was fine but the cooking left a lot to be desired. The sauces in particular were unlike anything I had tasted anywhere else, especially the szechuan which was tasteless, and the sauce for the Cantonese duck which was like a couple of spoonfuls of bland soup. I have no idea why this restaurant is so popular, but there are many much better and less popular Chinese restaurants in other parts of the country.

The food is quite good, however the background techno music is so loud that it seems like a nightclub while you eat your meal, making it very difficult to hold a conversation. Nobody could hear the waitress when she brought the dishes and though we asked three times for the music to be turned down, the next song would be loud again. I’m afraid I won’t be back.

This is fairly decent Chinese for this part of the world. I’ve only eaten in the restaurant once, for lunch, and the rest of the time have just had takeaway. I have never been disappointed by the food. I was particularly impressed with their Thai dishes, which are usually really very poor from Chinese or Asian restaurants in Ireland/​Northern Ireland. But their Thai Red Curry is as good as anywhere.
Would also recommend the Peking Duck, very tasty.
This restaurant has just opened up an extension which serves fusion tapas. I haven’t been, but it seems to be quite popular, although you can never tell when passing whether people are just in for a drink or for food! Based on their other food though, I can’t imagine the fusion tapas would be bad. If anyone else can shed more light on this that would be great!

Ya have to go for the lunch buffet. It’s all about the ribs!

Decent food and decent prices and nice décor meant for a lovely evening with my family. It was interuptted by them playing a loud birthday celebration song to a guest (we kept very quiet that we were there on a birthday celebration too). That was bad, but nothing compared to when one of the owners started doing a loud and terrible Elvis Presley impression with karaōke standard singing as he walked around the tables. This was an utterly terrible ending to what had started as a good meal out. I can not understand why they did this but I will never be back!

I love love love this chinese! The mandarin is an excellent chinese take away and sit in. Prices are reasonable. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a beautiful view across the river foyle which is lit up at night. The restaurant also has a bargain lunch menu which attracts plenty of business during the day. The take away is quick and delivery is reliable. The take away area its self is same, a bit like a taxi office. The take away also has a special menu which is very popular with the local students. Definately one of the most popular chinese restaurants in the town and i can recommend the chicken which is always delicious!