![Flaky egg tarts [daan taat]!](http://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/r2toYcoIsWjjTLwBhC-wnw/xss.jpg){kind=small}
Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Lido Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
26 reviews for Lido Restaurant
Review Highlights
26 reviews in English
-
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
when the pineapple buns fresh from the oven, boy, are they the bomb! so pipin' hot, still consistently phenomenal after all these years...
today, a 20min. wait for a table of 4...wow...1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/13/2012
Best pineapple bun ever! Goes without saying when it's pipin' hot! And don't you love it when… Read more »
-
-
Review from Christina N.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2012
The food is great... But service is REALLY bad!!! I went around breakfast time to have the pineapple buns and egg tarts .. And it was hella busy in there!! You have to pre-order when you're in line waiting for a seat! But anyway.. We finally sat down, and no one came to take our order for about 5 mins!!! Okay I understand you're busy but you just sat us down! At Least give us our tea or whatever...
So After eating, I wanted to get my bill! I waved my hand and even yelled "excuse me!" but they walked right by me! I felt so irritated by this Bad service but when they finally acknowledged me, and gave me the bill, I didn't even give them 10% tip and I swear the lady was just standing there and eagle-eyeing me quickly came up to me and told me that was not enough money on the tray, it wasn't 10%! I'm like "r u effin kidding me?" (in my head obviously...) they're asking me for a 10% tip when they don't even deserve it!!! That's not right!!! But in the end, I just put more $$ on the tray and left!!!
Would I ever come back? Yes I still would because I love the food! -
Review from Janice F.
3/12/2012
Pineapple butter bun! That is one big slab of butter in the middle of the bun, it's about the size of a playing card - be patient and wait for it to melt.. Mmmm.. It'd be interesting to use European butter instead.
This place is straight out of HK - I don't think there's any English on the menus.
Line up at lunch, but quick turnover - maybe 10 minutes or so and the guy does come outside to call your name.
I thought the milk tea was just OK - nothing especially good or bad about it. -
Review from P F.
Richmond, BC
Updated - 5/21/2012
Well. I am still a big fan of HK style cafe food and I have been a regular customer to Lido. I am getting less and less attached to this place now. Reason is simple. Money vs portion. If I can get same quality of food at Kam Do and a couple bucks less and I do not have to share a table with some strangers, what is the reason for me to be a frequent customer?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/27/2009
This restaurant is really all about "" or complexes. If you miss HK style tea cafe, this is THE… Read more »
-
-
Review from Chris Y.
2/22/2012
When ever I come up to Vancouver, I must have the Pineapple Bun from Lido. It's so soft on the inside with a nice flaky shell. As often as I go back to Hong Kong, I can't find one there as good as Lido.
The HK comfort dishes remind me of home such as the instant noodles with curry sauce and the beef brisket.
The parking can be tight especially on the weekends, but well worth it for the Pineapple Bun! -
Review from Katie C.
Vancouver, BC
4/20/2012
I most definitely felt like I was in Hong Kong again, it was awesome.
The prices on the pineapple bun and the egg tarts are steep, but I treated myself to a pineapple bun and boy it was delicious. Probably the best out of Hong Kong, it was so light that I ate it in 10 seconds.
People complain about service but it's definitely a typical "no frills" kind of approach, which I have to say I prefer over the waiters who try to find out everything about your life when all you want to do is have a relaxing meal. Food came out fast.
Milk tea was good, don't know when they charge you $1.40 for ice cubes, but the tea mix is legit.
I got "lai fun" which is quite rare in Vancouver and they made it quite well.
You can get a sweet deal for $8.25 which includes a dinner roll, omelette, noodles with a choice of a topping and a drink.
P.S. I have no idea how accomodating this place is for non-Chinese people...my friend got the Chinese menu and translated everything for me. But from the English things that I DID see on the menu, it was still a pretty good deal. -
Review from Nancy W.
12/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Lido Restaurant is located on Hazelbridge way between Parker Place and Aberdeen Mall and next door to Café de Waraku (click) . It is rated as one of Vancouver's top Hong Kong style cafes featuring the best Pineapple Buns and Milk Tea .
This place hosts booth seats and a few large round tables. During busy lunch hour or dinner time, please be prepared to share a table with strangers.
Of course one does not come here because it has beautiful ambiance of dental moss green. The décor here is modest and considered a dive. Instead, you come here for a quick bite or enjoy a tea or two.
Cuisine: Hong Kong Café, Chinese
Price/Entrée: $5-10
Out of 5... (1: Don't bother -- 5: Excellent)
Food: 4
Service: 3
Ambiance: 1.5
Overall: 4 (I have to come here with a mind only for food!)
Hong Kong Style Cafes commonly found in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China is known for its Chinese food, eclectic and affordable menus and tea sets. Born on the streets of colonial Hong Kong and inspired by English afternoon teas, milk teas are known for their silky creamy yet bold tea flavors (aka nicknamed ).
Consisting a mixing of different blends of ceylon black tea leaves and other 'commercial secret' blends known specifically to the café owners; the "recipe" is passed down like heirlooms or magical kung fu powers for the next generation.
Milk teas are generally mixed with evaporated milk or condense milk as a budget alternative to the cream and sugar English counterpart. For me, I like its subtle sweetness and creamy texture. Till today HK style milk tea remains a cultural symbolism of East meets West and a tradition.
Lido offers a lot of variety from value breakfast meals (of congee, noodles to french toast, eggs and bacey); lunch meals (noodles, rice and noodle soup); dinner sets where you spend over X dollars and receive a "special" discounted dish (ex. 4.99 for braised spring chicken).
In additional, they also specialize in many traditional and beloved pastry treats: pineapple bun, egg tarts, cocktail buns, bbq pork buns.
Although prices has increased over the years and to change your hot drinks to a COLD version charges you an additional $1.30 (srs'ly is frozen water that expensive these days), Lido remains a go to place for some authentic HK style treats.
Pineapple Buns
Best when they are freshly baked and out of the oven. Add a slice of butter for added goodness (becomes ).
So what exactly is a pineapple bun? Is it the yummy goodness of pineapples? Or is there a pineapple filling? Nada! The name is based on the fact that the top crust resembles the shape and golden brown color of a pineapple. The crust is flaky, sugary, and a little crunchy blend of sugar, eggs, flour and lard. The soft tenderness of the bun contrasting the crunchy not only melts in your mouth but also your heart.
Best paired with a cup of milk tea. TIP: always ask if there are any fresh ones being baked and rsvp one before they are all gone!
Satay beef with squid balls instant noodles +
A tasty stir fried satay-ed beef with caramelized onions and pickled veggies. Squid balls are plumped and elastic. Add some chili oil for more depth. Budget comfort food with al dente instant noodles (it is never good when they become soggy)
Beef tendons and brisket with squid balls +
Well seasoned and marinated brisket and tendons. The sauce is rich and flavourful. Becareful not to drink too much soup or you will be really thirsty afterwards.
TIP:
Come before noon to utilize 'breakfast' specials (prices are slightly cheaper)
Breakfast sets are well portioned (come set meals include noodles, drinks, omelette, and bun which is enough to pack home)
Ask for to-go cups if you can`t finish your drink
Eat over $18 for free take home items (watch for the notice board. Available only for dine-in and after 12pm noon).
What I normally order here:
MILK TEA
Pineapple bun w/ butter
Egg tarts
Satay beef with squid balls instant noodles +
Fish congee
French toast
Other Info:
Cash only
Limited parking space
Busy during lunch (come before noon is best)
Authentic hong kong style café
Best milk tea
Best pineapple bun
Opens early for breakfast -
Review from Edward L.
This place is tucked away in Central Plaza, and looks like a hole in the wall. Chances are you'll drive right past it without blinking.
Parking here isn't the best, as there is always a line-up for the 30 or so spots. The trick is to camp and block traffic until someone leaves.
One thing that always brings a smile to my face is how there are literally only 2 lines of English in the entire place: the restaurant name out front, and a small sign inside saying something like "No Outside Food". I am serious. The menu is 100% Chinese. Unless someone in your group can read Chinese, the only thing you'll be able to read are the prices.
The food here is actually quite good. Their congee is fresh and filled with fillings, and the noodles aren't soggy at all. Of course, their signature dish is their pineapple bun, which comes with a thick slab of butter. Be sure to eat all the butter. Hello heart attack..
Service is nice and authentic. And by authentic I mean they ignore you. Excellent.
The place is always completely packed, even before 1000, and there's a reason. Recommended. -
Review from Ninette C.
7/5/2011
This place definitely has the best pineapple buns in town and better than any in Seattle. They have pretty good egg tarts too.
They bake fresh batches every 15 minutes. Go in and reserve your batch and then wait there, walk around and come back, whatever. As soon as you get them, you have to eat one right away. We usually do that then take the rest home.
With that said, I'm not a huge pineapple bun girl (I love egg tarts though) but I do eat these and the rest of my family LOVES them.Listed in: I Heart Asian Food!
-
Review from Kim L.
Vancouver, BC
10/26/2010 4 Check-ins Here
My must haves?
1. Indeed, get the BEST pineapple buns here in Vancouver/Richmond. These babies are always served fresh out of the oven where the top is crumbly and crispy and the inside is soft and pillowy. If you feel indulgent, ask for the butter...adds just another element of gluttony to the experience...now imagine silky butter to the mix of sweet, crumbly and soft pillowy goodness. (I know this may sound blasphemous to traditionalists, but I do add a touch of salt onto the slab of melting butter in the bun.)
2. Their freshly baked egg tarts are also a must have here. Arguably, also the best in town. I usually end off breakfast or lunch with one of these perfect treats or the pineapple bun.
3. Pan seared radish cake...seriously also the best I've had. You can see that it's full of real shredded radish and chock full of ingredients rather than just faux filling. Comes with one of their many combo dishes, but if you're not combo-ing it (I have not idea why you wouldn't...their deals are great here if you're looking for good food on a budget).
4. HK style milk tea? Yes, please.
The first place I ate at since trying to fix my bad case of jetlag...thankfully, they open at 7:30am. It was difficult wandering the empty streets early morning, pressing my face to windows of my favourite CLOSED downtown restaurants.Listed in: HK Cafes
-
Review from Helaine C.
Marpole, Vancouver, BC
My favourite pineapple bun and milk tea! Pineapple bun is best when its just out of the oven otherwise there's nothing really special about it. Milk tea is best of all the other places I've been too. The price is only reasonable when nothing is changed in the order otherwise it does go up $$ quite a bit. A lot of items to choose from for a small place and they have free take home entrees in the evening when the bill is over a certain amount.
-
Review from Angie T.
Vancouver, BC
12/28/2010
The best Pinapple Bun ever!
HK style Milk Tea
some great noodle soup.
downside of this : place is not very well organized, and not fashionably renovated. but other than that, good is great! -
Review from Larry L.
9/3/2010
I have been here a few times and meaning to do a write up. Actually I thought I did a write up. Didn't I?
Well, I've only come here for Chinese breakfast and I've been here with a few friends and my son on occasion. Typical Hong Kong style breakfast. If you want the fancy smancy Whole grain toast on perfectly boiled eggs you can forget about it here.
It's HK Food fair and you get what you pick on the menu, that's it. No mix and matching this and that and no frills food is served.
One time I had a bowl of noodle soup with a side of eggs and spam and toast. The last occasion, I was with J L and had Lo-bak go with eggs and spam and a milk tea. It came with a bun or bread and I don't eat that stuff so she had a pineapple bun which are apparently quite yummy here.
The meal was cheap and we were in and out before you could sneeze "Wow, this is cheap and quick eats!!"
The wun tun here aint bad either, but that's another story.
It gets pretty busy in the morning, but they are open bright and early.
Just don't expect to hang around eating your meal. People are waiting and it's a pretty fast turnaround meal here. -
Review from Kin L.
Burnaby, BC
Lido is hidden in a corner of the Central Plaza on Richmond's busy Hazelbridge Way. This is a Hong Kong style cafe. Their fame comes mainly from their Hong Kong style pineapple bun (bor lor bao) which is a delightful baked bun, and their eggs tarts. These must be eaten fresh out of the oven and Lido does just this well by bringing out freshly baked batches every 15 minutes. They advertise this boldly by placing these trays of buns and tarts right beside their front entrance.
They are lesser known for their deliciously handmade rice rolls, fragrant Singapore style curries, and authentic ice cream red bean ice drink. Most lunch items are well under $10. Their dinner menu offers homestyle clay pot rice with a choice of meats.
Their service is efficient, quick, but a bit abrupt. Be prepared to share a large table when they are busy as this is a common practice for Chinese patrons. -
Review from sticky r.
Vancouver, BC
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you're not a regular of this place, expect to wait and watch others go ahead of you. Three tables (same size group) went ahead of us with the server *signaling* them in. While waiting, I looked at the surroundings and it's not the most hygienic, including the food handling of the "famous" pineapple bun vs comparable HK Cafes. Just stand at the door and watch. I have to say I was disappointed b/c I've heard great things about this place but there are many, many other options in Richmond.
-
Review from Youna C.
Vancouver, BC
3/14/2011
First, I must say thanks to my HK friend Steph who guided me through the menu here, otherwise I would be a bit lost as a foreigner =P...Well actually, not really - when you see the glimpse of the pineapple buns baked fresh to perfection (Bor Lor Bao) on every single table there, I think you would know what to order...
And oh boy. Were they ever heavenly...I got mine with butter (Bor Lor Yao - if its ur first time having Pineapple Buns, by all means get it with butter - it will blow your mind!) and holy schmokes...you can't even IMAGINE my grief when I finished off my last bite. Perfection, is all I have to say.
I also had this red bean drink (served w/ ice cream)...like a float, but much healthier (well, kinda) hehe - very tasty!
Next time I shall also try Lido's famous egg tarts. =) -
Review from Claudia L.
Burnaby, BC
I know. If I heard it from you, I would have told you you're full of &*%^ too.
But with a hand on my heart and fingers rested on my chopsticks, I swear I have found a Hong Kong cafe with decent - and some may even claim, good - service. They even have killer egg tart [daan taat] and pineapple bun with butter [bo lo yaau] to keep you coming back.
If you've ever sat down at a HK-style cafe in Hong Kong, you know what I mean. There are close to 7 million people (approximately one quarter of Canada's population) packed into that tiny little area. Just to give you an idea, Vancouver Island is 29 times bigger than HK! In HK, you gotta work fast to make things move. Otherwise, there would be ridiculous line ups and frenzied chaos everywhere. Thus, in HK, we are known to operate in lightning speed, consequently sacrificing good service. This cultural foodservice is one of a kind in its timeliness and has spread across the world.
When I asked family where to get my favourite HK treat (freshly baked pinapple bun with a hunk of butter inside - which is named after the pineapple because of the topping's resemblance to a pineapple) and they referred me to Lido, I was anticipating a delicious snack with a side of tea and horrible service. Hence, how shocked was I when the wait staff responded to me in phrases such as "you're welcome" and "not a problem" when I said thanks.
WHERE AM I? Is this some type of twilight zone where HK cafeteria goodness received a magical makeover from Gordon Ramsay?! Stop playing games with me! Give me my bad service and egg tart dammit! I refused to believe it, so I went back a second time ... and a third time ... and a forth time to confirm that it wasn't good luck before I wrote this review. Again and again: good service and delicious snacks!
So I give up and here is my review: if you can't read/speak Chinese, just get the egg tart [daan taat], pineapple bun with butter [bo lo yaau] and a hot almond drink [hun yun seung]. They have set breakfast and lunch menus that I will translate for you all next time I visit Lido - promise!
P.S. Parking is horrendous in this plaza. Many spots are only 30 minute parking, so watch out for a ticket.Listed in: A Banana's Guide
-
Review from W S.
7/21/2011
We were recommended to Lido by friends based on their famous "pineapple" buns - we were totally duped. The buns were only meh, definitely not up to the hype, and possibly only on par with Chicago buns (which is kind of a low bar to begin with). We also tried egg tarts that had just come out of the oven, but despite the freshness, they were only ok - nothing special at all. (In fact, we preferred the less-fresh egg tarts that we got from Aberdeen Center the day before - maybe from St. Germain?) The rest of the typical breakfast foods (preserved veggie noodles, congee, etc.) were only ok but overpriced, in our opinion. I would have to think that there are better HK-style diners in Richmond.
-
Review from Victor P.
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cash only. Very busy on a weekday for lunch, as expected. The parking lot outside is tiny and crowded, which describes the restaurant itself. I'm not a fan of HK style "pineapple" buns, but my wife and father-in-law like them (me, being sarcastic: but where are the, um, recognizable bits of pineapple?). Me, being nitpicky: how do you cut (the endlessly long) noodles with chopsticks(!)...or the edge of a fork, if you want to share a (large) serving bowl? Scissors, please?
-
Review from Vivian C.
5/19/2010 1 photo
3 words: BOMBASS PINEAPPLE BUNS. Ohhh man. i don't think i've devoured a bun that fast before. It was fresh out of the oven, hot, soft and just sweet enough. The topping was spread all over the bun, not just in the center like the normal bakery ones, the inside was soft and buttery, lightly crispy on the outside and delicately fluffy on the inside. I can go on and on about how amazing this bun was!
The milk tea was good too, but I would say the milk tea at Kam Do is better, more tea like. Ideal place for breakfast! -
Review from Vivian L.
5/11/2010
I really didn't want to tell you about this place.
But alas, yes. This is the holy grail of pineapple buns in Vancouver. The egg tarts are a close second.
Acquiring said pineapple buns have turned into a sport. An entire tray of 30+ buns can be completely accounted for even before they hit the cooling rack. Don't bother after 5pm, because well, they're not baking anymore.
And if you're lucky enough to catch one fresh out of the oven, order it with butter, because that's how it's done, my friend. -
Review from Simon S.
9/14/2010
Amazing. Just order this:
Bor Lor Bao (Pineapple Bun) - this runs out in literally seconds off the oven
HK Style Milk Tea
Simple and elegant. They have other good tasting items like their rice casseroles, satay beef instant noodle, egg tarts, and other classic HK tea cafe items you can think of.
Hands down the best HK style tea cafe in the area. -
Review from Eliza B.
Richmond, BC
8/29/2011
Their food is good, but their prices are kinda ridiculous for a HK-style restaraunt.
-
Review from Annie M.
Vancouver, BC
8/7/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This HK style cafe. The most famous things in this cafe are pineapple bun and milk tea. I had lunch there this afternoon and found all the prices are increased, they're not cheap anymore. I probably only go for breakfast not lunch.
-
Review from Jay M.
1/2/2011
Their Pineapple Bun is definitely a 5-star! However, everything else we had was just OK.
-
Review from Katie O.
8/3/2010
I was excited to try their pineapple buns and milk tea. The pineapple buns are extremely popular and I think they only bake one full pan at a time. The fresh pineapple buns were really good, but for $1.50 each, I'd have to say that's a tad too expensive. Sure, they were really good, given that they're fresh, not too sweet and soft. But there are really good pineapple buns in SF and you can get 3.5 with the amount you pay for one at Lido's. Enough said about their buns. Their milk tea is REALLY good. I had two cups in one sitting!
