The Lantern Chinese Restaurant & Take Away

The Lantern Chinese Restaurant & Take Away

Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
+353 96 70236+ Add website
Hours
Sun
17:00 - 0:00
Mon
17:00 - 0:00
Tue
17:00 - 0:00
Wed
17:00 - 0:00
Thu
17:00 - 0:00
Fri
17:00 - 0:00
Sat
17:00 - 0:00
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles

RATINGS
Food
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Value
3.7 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
€18.00 – €21.00
CUISINES
Chinese, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
meals, features
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
About
Established in 1986 by Sunny & Loretta Ho, The Lantern Chinese is the oldest and best known Chinese restaurant in Ballina. Famous for it's original dishes such as Spicy Chicken Wings & Chicken Dry Hot & Spicy. The Lantern continues to offer authentic Chinese cuisine at exceptional value and great service in a cosy and relaxing environment with stunning views of the River Moy & St Muredachs Cathedral. Now offering our Early Bird Value Menu Mon-Thur - €18 2 courses with a great selection of dishes to choose from. Good for: Child-friendly, Romantic, Groups, Business, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients, Birthdays, Hens & StagsDining options: Dinner, Reservations, Take Away, Delivery Service, Full Bar Licence.
PRICE RANGE
€18.00 – €21.00
CUISINES
Chinese, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Cash Only, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles129 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
17
Average
6
Poor
11
Terrible
21

Paul M
Armagh71 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 couples
This restaurant takes its covid requirement responsibility seriously and should be commended for prioritising the health of customers and staff. The food and service were good. I just found it to be a little bit pricey for what it was. My wife asked if she could have a little bit of fresh chilli to sprinkle on her meal but was told that none was available. We also asked for some soy sauce. The waitress seemed puzzled and eventually brought us a small bowl of dark soy sauce. We were surprised as we thought that dark soy sauce is not a table condiment, light soy sauce is. The meal was okay but we just found it a little underwhelming for the cost.
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MOB
Sligo101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 none
Recently visited this local establishment with my partner. This was his first time to eat in The Lantern & he is completely blown away by both the food & premises. It is without doubt the best Chinese food you will get, everything is amazing. We had chicken wings, chicken satay sticks, sweet & sour chicken & the Lantern’s speciality Chicken Dry, Hot & Spicy which was incredible. You will not get anything similar to this anywhere. The premises is beautifully decorated overlooking the famous River Moy. Staff are very attentive & friendly. Highly recommend the Lantern if you are in Ballina, you won’t be disappointed. Book in advance as it’s busy particularly at peak times. Well done to all of the team. Marie
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Danielle M
Ballinrobe29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 none
Yum yum yum! Had the most amazing meal here but also wanted to acknowledge the care they have taken to reopen. I felt incredibly safe eating here and the way they are managing reservations is a cut above every other restaurant in the country. Would highly recommend!
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria M
5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 couples
We got a takeaway from here while we were in ballina. Paid over €40 for a portion of dry hot and spicy chicken with chips and curry sauce. Plus 2 starter portions of chicken and a starter of wings. Firstly they charged us for the curry sauce, which we did not receive. So everything was extremely dry. Secondly, the chicken was all fat and soggy, not crispy at all like it should be. For €40 we expected a lot more. On the website it says they are "famed" for their dry hot and spicy chicken, and people travel from all over Ireland to eat it? It's up there with the worst chinese we've had. Definitely will not ever be back
Written 26 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sharonk823
134 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 solo
Absolutely disgusting chicken not chicken. The supposed dish they advertise being famous for I ordered with chips & oh my god it was terrible. The chicken did not look or taste like chicken, chips were nice & warm but that main course was one of the if not the worst Chinese I have ever had.
Written 6 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Judy B
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 family
Had inedible Takeaway on June 24th. Ordered Prawn currywhich was watery,tasteless and had more onions than prawns. The Filet steak Schezwan was also inedible because the steak was SO tough. Will not go back EVER
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AprilSpring33
14 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 none
We have ordered regularly from this restaurant over the years. We were customers when they were in their previous location across from where Lidl is now. We have also celebrated occasions in this restaurant. We ordered a takeaway recently, it was a substantial order as we had some family over to dine outside. The chips were terrible and the sauces in the dishes had split and were very greasy. We contacted the restaurant and the staff really just did not care, They offered to give a credit note for a very small sum but at that stage the meal had been ruined. We offered to drop the chips back down to them but they declined and insisted that the chips were freshly cooked. Overall, extremely disappointed.
Written 29 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elaine M007
11 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 couples
We ordered sweet and sour chicken hong knog style , it was by far the WORST takeaway we EVER had, I had taken a bite of the chicken and I actually spat it out again, which I have never did in my life with food, the only thing I could feel in my mouth was fat and grizzle, it is the poorest form of so called chicken I have ever seen. The sauce was like jelly and not related to sweet and sour. We will NEVER order from here again.
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eee
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 none
I visited during the week and was greeted by a young girl who sanitised the soles of our shoes. This young girl was extremely nervous and I actually felt it was quite disrespectful that she had to sanitise our shoes. I believe the customer should have to do this themselves. We went upstairs and the gentleman who owns the restaurant came over and went through the COVID regulations which we had already read as we had the leaflet in front of us for 10mins previous. I could not believe the price of the food, 18.50 for chicken balls, 18 euro for chicken curry. Anyway we said we would treat ourselves. We decided to get 1 chicken curry, chips and rice between us as we wouldn't eat that much. We were told this was not possible and I would have to purchase something that costs minimum 15euro. I asked for a few mins to have another look at the menu. I decided to get a half portion of chicken curry and chips. The owner asked me at least 6 times are you sure thats what you want. Maybe you will try something spicy. I repeatedly told him I don't like spicy food I want chicken curry. My partner asked for chicken curry and half chips and half rice and was told this was not possible. At this stage we really had enough. We both decided we felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to leave. I told the young girl and she said ok but looked terrified. I really do feel for her as she looked so nervous and scared the whole time we were there. As we were leaving the owner approached us and asked was everything ok (as he had said due to COVID you cannot leave your seat when you are in the restaurant!!). I briefly said we are not happy with the service and he started to plea with us, oh I can do the chicken curry for you etc etc. I had to tell him four times we want to leave we have made our decision and he eventually allowed us to leave! Never again will I step foot inside that place. We both felt so intimidated and uncomfortable, trying to be forced into things. The place was dead and there is no surprise that the restaurant prices are not available on the website. I cannot comment on the food but it is extremely over priced and appalling customer service. hopefully that young girl leaves and gets a better job where she can be more comfortable.
Written 1 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 solo
used to always go to this Chinese but since moving location food went downhill anyways haven't been here for awhile so decided to get a takeaway. Food was ok. But the staff on the other hand very rude very ignorant no manners whatsoever they throw the box at you to put the money into when paying and then throw you're change back to ya and just walk away no please or thank you or even pretend to be nice when you're serving the public considering it's an expensive restaurant. Won't be going back again in a hurry.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paula O
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 family
Absolutely disgusted with what I just received in my delivery order. Coated fat & gristle with hardly a hint of actual meat. Not good enough. Shocked as I had always loved this place as a youngster and was looking forward to tasting my go to dish again. I won’t make that mistake in future.
Written 2 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deirdre B
Athlone10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 family
We had a meal here on Thursday the 20th. Lovely food very friendly staff. Full covid plan in place. Staff extremely helpful in trying to find us a taxi. If in Ballina again would definitely go back
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liam R
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 solo
Absolute muck, not sure what the white meat was in my curry, suppose to be chicken but not even related in my opinion. Completely tasteless, never again
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John H
Greater London49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
Had a takeaway from there for a family of 6. We spent 55 euro on the food and the quantity and quality of the food was superb. The honey chicken was the best I have ever had. Will be calling again when in the area again.
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VanT944
Kirkcaldy24 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 couples
Went here after reading reviews on Trip Advisor only to be told by a passer by that it no longer is a sit in restaurant but does Takeaway only!
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE LANTERN CHINESE RESTAURANT & TAKE AWAY, Ballina - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - Tripadvisor

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