I am a Kiwi who has lived in both Malaysia and Singapore. I know what real Malay food looks and tastes like having eaten in restaurants and makan stalls the length and breadth of Malaysia. The food and service at Istana Malaysia is stunning. Authentic tastes and smells that take me back to the Sembawang Markets and the streets of JB. Superb restaurant – we need one in Auckland. All the best – Mark

Dined here recently with my family, they were on a holiday in New Zealand. Before leaving back to Malaysia, they requested to have dinner in a place with authentic Malaysian dishes, and Istana Malaysia was the ideal choice. We started off with the Vegetable Pakora and Masala Chicken Salad, which had mango dressing on them. The entree sizes were generous and dipping sauce was really yummy. While waiting for our mains to arrive, we saw how incredibly busy the restaurant could get on a demanding Saturday night. Despite not making a booking, we were lucky enough for being accommodated by their Manager.
For the mains, we had the Fish Sambal, Chicken Varuval, Pan Fried Garlic Prawns and also Lamb Murtabak. The mains blend really well with Acar and a couple of crunchy papadoms. My parents particularly enjoyed the Murtabak which comes with a small bowl of curry as well, for dipping. My best friend, who is a very picky eater, seemed to be very pleased throughout the whole dining experience. All these scrumptious mains are not accompanied with rice, however the concept of sharing; where a group of 4 diners could order 3 serving of rice, which comes in a big bowl and couple of rotis worked absolutely well. The garlic roti is full of flavour and good to be eaten on its own even!
One low light on the dining experience was the wait for the food, but it was totally understandable for it was a real busy Saturday night and we didn’t make any prior bookings. We were more than happy, for it’s a sure sign that the meal quality was not being compromised at any stake. We would definitely return to Istana Malaysia and look forward for another truly Malaysian experience. Istana Malaysia, “A Palace to come home to”, that’s what they say and that’s what we experience!

Visited Istana Malaysia for the first time tonight in a large party and had a less than best experience which is surprising on a street lined with other malaysian restaurants…..

The soft drinks myself and partner ordered both arrived flat – the waitress didn’t seem to pleased to have to replace them for us but we remained polite and patient. Our starters arrived and looked somewhat disappointing. The mixed satay were poor – very thin and oily and the pakora (pretty much deep fried vegetables) were dry. The ‘side salad’ stated on the menu with each entree was coarsely diced white onion and a chunk of cucumber – it looked awful. They did not order one of our entrees, the samosas – so after a reminder, they arrived and looked suspiciously like the ones you can bulk buy yourself. Our mains arrived after and again – were disappointing. My lamb korma was watery (and looked green) and the lamb was gristly. My partners honey butter chicken didn’t look any better and the small white bowls they served the meals in, failed to do it any justice.

Divided up, we paid $40 per head which I considered to be a rip off in comparison to some of the other dining establishments we could of gone to in the very close vicinity. It’s a shame that the service did not compensate for the poor dining experience.

We wont be returning – and the majority of the reviews on here are a very fair reflection of what you will experience when dining here.

Bad service long waiting,not sure if it’s because they were too busy. We waited for over 50 minutes.the restaurant did not do anything or apologise.

This was my first and last visit to Istana Malaysia, it was a busy Friday night and after arriving at 6pm the waiter took our drinks order then after waiting 20mins bought us our drinks. He dumped them on the table and ran away ignoring my shouts as he hadn’t even asked us if we wanted to order yet. Another 20mins later someone came and took our order after me having to go up and ask twice! After an hour and a quarter of waiting for our meals and asking where they were (and being told “their on their way”) we left disgusted. I took into consideration that they were busy but this was absolutely ridiculous! I will never be returning to this place and I warn that you only go here if you aren’t in a rush and want rude service.

Went there with my family for my brother’s birthday, there were 5 of us and we were very well looked after. The manager of the restaurant often came to check in on us and if we were OK and the waitress also was very cheerful and helpful too. It was nice to see the cooks also making the meals and they even welcomed and thanked us on our way out.

The food was astounding and brilliant. Probably one of the best Malaysian food I have ever eaten. We had the chicken satay, vegetable curry, dhaal curry, beef rendang, mee goreng and some sago pudding at the end. Really good food!

Where do I start?
We had a booking for 8pm on the 29th July for around 20-22 people. When we 1st arrived they had given our table to another group of people so we were all squished in shoulder to shoulder. Our orders were taken at 8.30pm.. we waited and waited and could see that the restaurant was well over booked. 9.20ish 1 meal came out but no others, 10pm our meals finally arrive after all wine had been finished and the 1st meal that arrived had been eaten (cold I might add as he tried to wait for the other meals to arrive) meals were average, 2 meals had to be sent back (the Prawns are NOT fresh!) The time came to pay we refused to pay for the 2 meals that were sent back but they demanded payment and finally agreed that we would have to pay for half. We also refused to pay for the meal that came out 40ish minutes before everyone else’s, where we were laughed at/eyes were rolled/we were argued with/we were told that it was only 15 minutes early (Doesn’t matter really the meals should have all came out at the same time) absolutely disgusting service. They were super busy so why should they care about the service they provide? Well that’s 22 less customers plus everybody else we tell not to go there! Very disappointing!

We waited over an hour for our food, and when it turned up was really disappointing. Staff were less than apologetic it had taken so long.

Disappointed also that one had to pay an extra $2.90 for rice – especially when most of the dishes clearly needed the rice!

Manager refused to discount/remove corkage when confronted about the slack service (it already took over half an hour to get half the table’s order!) and when I said the 13 of us wouldn’t be returning he said “there’s not even thirteen of you, so.”

Hands down, worst BYO/Malaysian in Wellington!!!

Beef Rendang is the best I’ve tasted… Amazing service and always really friendly. Another dish I enjoy is the Mi Goreng always full of flavour and a great temperature.

Goes down really well with a Kingfisher and a side of Roti.

Thank you Danny and Mary.

Hadn’t been to this restaurant until Christmas 2010. First visit really good experience – good food and excellent service. So impressed that went back a couple of weeks later and we were not disappointed. Very friendly staff and very prompt attention. Will go back again.

Went there with 12 friends. 10 of us really enjoyed our meals. I had mee goring- medium. More mild than medium but very tasty. The 2 who did not like their meals had Lamb Korma. They said the lamb was dry and chewy. Three of our table left early. When the rest of us left they wanted us to pay for their rice. This was very frustating and we refused. If the staff had not asked them if they had rice with their meals and if so they had to pay for it they prob assumed the rice was free (as it should be). Thankfully they agreed and let the cost go.

Best Beef Rendang in town. Danny and Mary are excellent hosts and provide friendly service.

We (2 people) went here for dinner on a Sunday night. It looked busy inside which we thought would be a good sign. We were seated immediately, but after that the service was very slow. So slow, we nearly missed our 8pm concert despite arriving before 7pm.

The food was average at best. We ordered the honey butter chicken which we found watery and tasteless. The mi goring
was okay, but nothing to write home about. There were plenty of staff so we don’t know why it was so slow. When we asked about our meal it appeared they may have lost our order, but never explained why. As I was paying the table near the counter (4 people) were also complaining that they hadn’t received thier mains either and it had been nearly an hour. They arrived before us.

We will not return.

We went there before a going to see a play on a Thursday night. They were not busy and reasonably quite empty. There was 9 at us at our table and it took them a while to bring out all the food and not everyone’s was ready at once. It was about 10 – 15 minutes before everyone had everything.

They did not get the hotness quite right for a few of people in our group. One wanted hot and it came quite mild. A bit disappointing and you have to order rice and bread/ roti separately. They didnt even get the coconut rice and normal rice right for half the group.

In saying that, the food was quite nice/ fresh.

food was good and the service was just as good.

I go here regularly for lunches with colleagues and we have always had excellent and friendly service and good food. We have “discovered” a special, not on the lunch menu but available to those in the know. Ask for the Special Nasi Goreng or “Shane’s Nasi Goreng”. The most wonderful curry you’ll ever get, and I’m from a part of the UK where curry is the local dish. You won’t regret it

Excellent food, friendly and professional service, great atmosphere.

One of the best in Wellington.

I ate at the Istana Malaysia 4 times during a week vacation and found the food to be some of the best I have ever eaten. I travel all over Europe and haven’t found beetter food. The owner and his wife Mary are excellent hoasts. Don’t fail to eat there while in Wellington.

Went for dinner on a Friday night and took over an hour for the food to arrive. Taste of the food was quite average. Definitely not worth the wait.

Been there a few times. Excellent food and very friendly staff. Great atmosphere. Will definitely be going back