Starofsiam Avis 

We had a confirmed booking at The Star of Siam in Keswick for Easter Saturday, with an email confirmation. On arrival, we were told the restaurant’s booking system had not recognised our reservation and had double-booked our table.

While system errors can happen, the way this was handled fell significantly below acceptable customer service standards.

Despite acknowledging there was a glitch, the waitress treated us as though the issue was somehow our fault. Her attitude was dismissive and lacking any sense of accountability. We were refused seating even though there were empty tables, on the basis that they were “reserved” — despite the fact that ours also was.

When we questioned the situation, we were told this was the first time the issue had ever occurred, despite another staff member moments earlier referring to the system double-booking tables “again”. This contradiction did little to inspire confidence.

After a prolonged discussion, we were offered a table “in 30 minutes” — which was in fact 45 minutes away. Even then, this was not a proper table but two separate tables next to each other, which we were explicitly told could not be pushed together. This was presented as though it were a generous favour.

After we raised how unacceptable the situation was, the waitress stated she could “maybe” offer us a free round of drinks. This was not a meaningful resolution, particularly as not all members of our group drink, and did little to address the underlying issue.

We were told to wait on a narrow corridor bench where staff and customers were constantly squeezing past, which was uncomfortable and impractical.

In the end, we chose to leave.

This resulted in a 90-minute round trip in poor weather, without being seated or served. As it was a bank holiday Saturday, we were unable to find anywhere else with availability and spent the evening walking around Keswick in heavy rain before returning home.

One member of our group is autistic, and while thankfully this experience has not put him off dining out altogether, situations like this require a degree of understanding and basic courtesy, which was entirely absent.

At no point did anyone take responsibility for the error; instead, we were repeatedly made to feel as though we were the problem.

Based on this experience, we would not recommend booking here, as reservations clearly cannot be relied upon.

Service: 1/5
Booking reliability: 0/5
Overall experience: unacceptable

Had a dinner during covid after visiting from out of town, and it was lovely. As someone who eats Thai regularly the dishes are amazing, and the staff were so kind. In terms of spice, it's part of the cuisine so I loved it, but my sister asked for mild and they delivered it well. Very friendly, and fast. I wish you'd come to my town!!!

Glasses weren't very clean and food took ages and when they say spicy they mean it'll blow your head off and you could lose your tongue. Waiter was incompetent, didn't know what a Drambuie Whisky was even though it was on the menu. Said he'd check at the bar and never came back. Ordered a dessert which after 20 minutes didn't come so went up to bar and asked for the bill. 15 minutes later, still waiting for the bill, went and stood at the bar till he'd give me the bill and let us pay. Tried charging for the whisky which we never got and social distancing didn't seem to be important to them. A lot of tables too close together as well. Wouldn't go back again.