I visited this restaurant upon a recommendation. It's easy to find and well located. However even though we had reserved a table, we were not seated for at least 30 minutes after the time we had booked. While the staff were friendly and informative, I found service to be slow. We were offered a drink while we waited but this did not arrive until after we were seated. We had to wait another 40 minutes for our food. The food was tasty and there was plenty of it. The server explained what each dish was and suggested which condiments to use. We were left to enjoy the food but I could not find a server to top up my water (which had been empty for a while) so had to get up and do it myself. I would go back but my expectations wont be as high.

We had a fantastic evening here. The food is superb and very good quality. The waiting staff were fantastic and very attentive. Our booking was at 7.30pm and we didn't leave til 10.45pm and the staff were happy to let us relax and chill. The round of complimentary shots at the end was a very nice and appreciated touch. We will definitely be back !

Nice food, great place. Even though there was loads of food it did feel like it was quantity over quality. Maybe its just me and that i prefer one main dish over loads of tiny with dishes. Just felt a bit like i was at an all you can eat chinese buffet. Not my sort of thing. Cool place thou

My husband and I went here for a date and had a wonderful meal. The food was delicious. I didn't like everything, but because of the rijst-tafel way of serving food (think Indonesian tapas) there was loads of choice and what I didn't like my husband did, and vice versa. I particularly liked the marinated beef and the squid and I thought the vegetables were delicious. The atmosphere is lovely. We sat upstairs at a regular table (i.e. a tall table with chairs) but next time we'll try sitting at one of the low tables where you sit on large cushions. The staff were excellent. Attentive and very informative. The only pity really was the music - the usual restaurant "hits" cd! Also, it is a tad expensive compared to other restaurants. But if you're looking for a meal with a difference, it's definitely worth it.

Loved everything about this place, staff were attentive yet not invasive, the ristafals were the best I've had outside of Indonesia, and the atmosphere was great - nice crowd yet plenty of space for a private conversation. Highly recommended!

It would seem the waitress is obliged to explain risj-tafl to all customers, as was the case for ourselves. She kindly suggested the best combination of set menus for us, me being a vegetarian and my partner not. We were quite hungry, and it took a moment to finally place our order as the waiter was busy with a full restaurant- impressive the first Thursday after New Year's. The quantity of food, 2 menus for two people was just right for us. Some of the little dishes were unique and quite delicious, others like the curry were fairly standard and not impressive. We finished witha thai dessert, the cardamon crème brulée which was light and delicate after the big meal. However, in terms of value for money, 2 menus and a shared dessert came to about 70e which is expensive considering the offers that are out there.

This was our first visit and we had never even heard of rijst tafels before! We were really impressed by this restaurant. Staff were friendly and professional. Nice wine list to choose from. We ordered one fish and one meat rijst tafel. I was amazed at the amount of food that arrived all presented in little dishes, from crab to prawn to squid to fish wrapped in banana leaf! It didnt just look well, it tasted delicious also. We were absolutely stuffed at the end of the meal. Everything on the menu looks very reasonably priced and very tempting. This place definitely sets itself apart from the "norm" in Temple Bar and is a good cut above. We are going to go back real soon.

I've been here a couple of times, and simply cannot wait for an excuse to go back! The food is gorgeous...highlights for me include the pork belly and perkedel. I love the rijst tafel concept, and I think that it provides good value for money...the amount of food is fantastic. I also love the seating arrangements. There is nothing nicer than lazing on the cushions at the low down tables after a lovely meal. On one visit, we had a heavily pregnant friend in our group and she found it really comfortable and a lot less tiring than sitting at a regular table. All in all a great place, one of my favourites in Dublin

We booked the Opium room for our work Christmas party, and we couldn't be happier with our choice. Having the room to ourselves was fantastic. It's a beautiful room, and we felt very relaxed and decadent laid out on cushions surrounded by draped fabric! We ordered a selection of menus in advance (without consulting with the group), which worked out really well. Everyone got to taste everything, and everyone really enjoyed digging in to all the shared plates. The food was absolutely fantastic. Top-notch. We ordered about half vegetarian, and even the meat-eaters loved the veggie stuff. And the quantities were really generous. The highlight of the night, however, was definitely the staff. They were so good humoured, loads of fun, and created a really festive atmosphere. Even though we stayed until the wee hours, we never felt rushed and they never got impatient with us. They even offered to play our own music for us when one of us produced an MP3 player! Everyone agreed it was our best Christmas party yet. I can't even think of a single negative. We had originally booked 21 people, but only 15 came in the end. I would say that if 21 had come we would probably have been quite uncomfortable, but with only 15 of us it was perfect (and we probably could have comfortably squeezed in two more)

This restaurant is laid out over three floors, with a very narrow stairway so those of an unsteady disposition might prefer to dine on the ground floor. The seating arrangements have been mentioned in other reviews of the Chameleon. Diners have a choice as to where they would like to sit, either on traditional chairs, or at the low tables. I was intrigued watching people seated at the low tables. Have to admit I couldn’t sit and eat like that as it looked extremely uncomfortable, despite the profusion of velvet cushions and candles to make it look appealing. We were left waiting rather a long time for our meal to be brought to our table after we’d ordered it. That’s probably a good sign as it means it’s being freshly cooked, but it did get to the stage where we were wondering were they ever going to feed us. Service was good, particularly by a young waiter who told us he was only working there a few days. He was very pleasant and extremely helpful in explaining the dishes. There was a non-stop stream of people arriving here all evening, and a reservation really is necessary. I enjoyed the meal, but it didn’t bowl me over. Perhaps Indonesian dining is something that ‘grows’ on someone over time?

Still one of my favorite restaurants in Dublin, came here with girl friends one of whom was late in from the airport and when she arrived wasn't too hungry so we asked for a plate so she could help us with our food as there is always plenty. The staff were extremely obliging and made us feel more than welcome. Food was up to usual scratch with the best black pork belly I have tasted, also recommend the Lamb balls in coconut curry sauce.. delicious! Overall a must try for anyone eating out in Dublin.

First time to try Indonesian style dining. We were directed to a table upstairs, and my first impression was how very dark it was – so dark in fact that it was almost impossible to read what was on the menu. We were having the Early Bird, and whilst the menu is laid out fairly clearly, the waitress over-complicated it and caused a great deal of confusion about what we actually could have on this offer. She rattled off a well-learned list like a poem in school, and we found it very difficult to understand what she was saying. We ended up calling another waiter after she’d left our table, who explained it for us very simply as follows – For the Early Bird, diners can have a meat, sea or vegetarian dish (each of which consists of several small dishes brought to the table). It’s as simple as that. We chose a meat and sea dish and shared them. It’s an interesting way to eat, and at first it appears the portions are very small, however by the time we’d finished our meal we were happy enough. If you had a very big appetite or were extremely hungry, these dishes might not fill you, so be warned. Although we had an enjoyable evening, Chameleon wouldn’t feature in my list of top five restaurants. Will go back at some stage, but won’t be in a hurry to do so.

After a gorgeous meal with my husband earlier in the year I was itching to go again so booked a table for 4 of us having a girly dinner. On the day I got a message asking which type of table we preferred (normal or low with cushions), I was passing so popped in to confirm. They were really helpful as I wasn't sure and after a test-sit I went with the cushions. It was great because we had our own space and a big table which was soon covered in a huge variety of food. We ordered several of the rijst-tafel menus to share and everyone loved it. Not everything was to everyone's taste, (unavoidable with such variety) but that's the beauty of having so many other choices to go with. After the meal another friend joined us for a glass of wine (not a problem in our spacious cushioned area) and we ended up staying on till the staff were leaving, they were great, just left us too it in the corner and even brought us baby guinnesses. I'm still being praised for my choice, so I'm sure we'll all be back.

Ate here for my birthday and really enjoyed it. The service was excellent. We were looked after by three well groomed, extremely pleasant, informative and smiling woman. For starters I chose lamb meatballs and my friend had wantons. My sister declined a starter and instead chose the rice table menu. I had a beef dish for my main whilst my friend had a prawn dish. To finish I had a beautiful panna cotta. We all really enjoyed the meal. The atmosphere was very nice with a mix of clients all of whom were enjoying themselves. I would highly recommend this eatery and I will be back soon.

First time to eat here. Found it to be nothing special. Maybe it would have been different if we had eating upstairs away from the kitchen and the comings and goings of the entrance. The place was busy and they even had to turn people away.So booking would be advisable if you plan to eat here. Staff are pleasant and helpful with explaining the menu and its wide range of dishes. The food was nice, one or two of the dishes were really tasty but in general were unremarkable.

Went to this restaurant for my sister-in-laws birthday. I thought it was absolutely fantastic, food is amazing, my husband was talking about the pork belly for weeks after. Our only quibble was that it was pricey enough per couple. We had a great night though and I can't wait to go back.

I love this place. I had a vegetarian ricetable and it was just beautiful! The staff are so friendly and efficient that you feel at comfortable and at home. It's not cheap, but it's well worth it...I'd go more often if I could afford to.

The food here is amazing! There's SO much of it that even three vegetarian platters amongst six friends really filled us up. The staff are friendly and my only issue is that it is very pricy. I would prefer a menu that you could pick and choose your dishes from, however you are obliged to choose from a set menu which is an array of many small dishes. This is great in a way because you get a taste of everything, but sadly it is just too expensive. If they had a menu I could choose a couple of things from I would go there much more often!

This is such an authenic restaurant. I went with my two sisters and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was relaxed and the food was interesting and very tasty. It is a nice change to Thai/Chinese. Also could make a fun night out for a group of friends as there is a large table upstairs with funky cushions to sit on! Really recommend it for something different to try! It is also in Temple Bar area so handy for hitting pubs/bars after!

Ate here with my wife on Saturday evening on a recommendation from one of her colleagues and wow, outstanding. Firstly we managed to bag a table in the Opium Room on the top floor, so fabulous atmosphere immediately. Propped up by many cushions, we perused the menu for a good while before deciding on sharing Rijst-tafel 2 "Komodo" and the Vegetarian Rijst-tafel. The food was absolutely delicious, very varied and was possibly a bit more than we needed but we tucked in with gusto and did our very best to clear all offerings. Enjoyed a laze on the cushions to wash our meal down with double espressos, also excellent. Will absolutely be back, great place for all occasions and amazing food and attentive staff.

I would highly recommend Chameleon Restaurant in Temple Bar, it's an absolute find! I had no idea what to expect as I was going along for a birthday party and had never been to this place before. As there was a large number of us I did not even need to pick one of the menus, they simply get bringing out more and more dishes. This meant I probably got to sample more than is possible on the menus available. Everything was delicious. I had a fish cake like I've never tasted, everyone raved about the pork belly, the chicken satay was fantastic and that's to name only a few. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. They made sure before they brought the food out that they were aware of any food allergies among the party, of which there were a few. They then announced each dish with a description of it as they brought it out which really added to the sense of occasion. After sitting at one of the tables where I was able to take my shoes off and curl up my legs it was a joy to be able to lean back on the sofa back after indulging a little too much. I have been telling all my friends about this lovely restaurant and am looking forward to my next visit.

I've eaten here a few times now, just love it. The pork belly is simply amazing. Love the decor, staff very friendly. Have only eaten the rijsttafel menus, love eating liek this as you get loads of bits, never left hungry!

Very disappointed in this place having been excited to come here for many years. The way it works here is that you order what is called a Tafel. It is a selection of different foods, there is a meat option, veggie option and fish option and there are several dishes with each tafel. We ordered one veggie and one fish tafel each. The veggie one on paper read really well, Tempeh, Spring rolls, a red curry, noodles etc. but it just was not tasty. The fish tafel was not much better. We didn't stay for dessert. Service was bad also, left waiting at the counter for 10mins whilst staff decided where to seat us.

I ate here at the weekend with my partner after hearing about it from a friend. I was hoping to avail of the low seating my friend had mentioned but was given an awkward table where there was no room for legs! The food was average at best and the fish was very undercooked. They seemed to be out of many of the dishes and the menu does not leave any room for maneuverer if you do not like any of the sets. We will not be dining here again

I had heard about Chameleon from my brother who had been there so I took my partner for his birthday. Wow-the whole atmosphere, staff, food, everything was amazing. We sat at the traditional lowdown table with cushions which made the experience very authentic . The staff were very helpful in telling us what the food was like and how to order. My partner got treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday from all the staff and customers-beautiful food, wonderful staff and we will definitely be back.

Not eaten here before and visited as part of the Dine in Dublin week. We were seated upstairs which was nicely decorated with big mirrors creating the illusion that it is larger than it is. Nice touch with traditional seating, on cushions if you fancy it. Went for the Dine in Dublin set menu which was realyy good value and extremely tasty too. My partner and I both love Asian food but had never tried Indonesian. We received a number of small dishes each which were so tasty, inc. salads, noodles, rice, pork belly, squid and a fab rendang curry which was nicely heated. Would highly recommend and will def be heading back in the future.

This was my first experience at this amazing restaurant. My partner, sister and her partner went on a busy Saturday night and were welcomed by friendly Staff who showed us to our table which was a comfortable spot with loads of room not what you’d expect from any other restaurant in Temple bar. Immediately I got the sense of a calm, romantic, warm atmosphere. The tables were set very professionally and the interior design complemented the cuisine. We were promptly greeted by two of the waiting staff who engaged in conversation and explained to us about the menu which was unique and something I had never tried before. There was the rijsttafel menu which was like a set menu which included 7-8 condiments. There was so much great variety such as SATE AYAM Free range chicken satays served with peanut Sauce and BEEF RENDANG Irish beef cooked slowly in a spicy coconut milk sauce with cinnamon, tamarind and red chilies only to name a few. So we all decided on the rijsttafel and a beautiful bottle of wine, we only had a short wait and were served several dishes and were explained what each one was. Each and every dish was delicious so many different tastes excited my palate and everyone in my party agreed. Everything was cooked to perfection from the squid rings to the pork belly. We were so full that we literally couldn’t move. We all really enjoyed this dining experience and it was different and unique, the value for money was very reasonable. All in all I would give this place 10 out of 10 and will definitely be returning and will be raving about it to all my friends. Sue

It was a spur of the moment decision to grab a bite to eat and one of the group suggested Chameleon Restaurant – lovely setting, a little gem of a place. To be honest the menu confused us a bit and we had to ask the waiting staff a few times to explain to us (thank god they were lovely and very patient with us ? ) we eventually got to grips with menu and ordered food. I can’t fault it, everything we tried was fantastic. I was a bit weary that it was coming out served like tapas and that you would get a sample of different things but it worked so well and we were all stuffed. There were four of us and they gave plenty of everything so that we all got enough to enjoy. Will definitely be going back for a visit

This is a great restaurant! The staff are fantastic and so helpful when it comes to choosing from their large menu. Their meals are excellent and very good value especially when you consider the amount of high quality food you get. I would recommend this place to anyone who is adventurous with food and want to try something different.

Decided to visit this restaurant after reading the great reviews on this website.I must have gone when the chef was off sick because the chicken wasn't cooked as requested, the beef dish bland and the portions tiny.The price was too expensive for what you got.We were advised by the waitress not to order the early bird because of the tiny portions - alarm bells should have sounded then. Positives - the wait staff were really nice. Also, the white wine by the glass was of good quality and was well selected.

Resturaunt was amazing. Had a 20th Bday party here and we had the top room booked for 25. It was brilliant having our own room, we all kicked off our shoes and sat cross legged on the floor. Such a great atmosphere. The amout of food we got was shocking. There were different dishes everywhere. We had to keep ordering wine to stop the waitress bringing more food. Food was amazing, so many different dishes to try and if you didnt like one there was so many others to try that you didnt go hungry. We had one waitress and she was brilliant. Attended to all of us on her own, was lovely and freindly and had a bit of craic with us even though we were getting a little tipsy. The let us have our own cake and gave us a round of Baby guinness at the end. My partner had a brilliant birthday thanks to these guys.

Tried here on Friday night for the first time and was seriously impressed. The menu is based around ricetafels - similar to tapas but indonesian food. I tried the Bali menu which included pork wontons, chicken satay skewer, beef rendang, a spicy salad and rice. Hubby went for the fish menu which included a fish cake, hake in a banana leaf, prawn rice, noodles. The plates seemed endless and each was delicious. We didn't have room for deserts. Staff were very friendly and explained the menu in detail. As the previous reviewer said, it's slightly pricey but still the food is fantastic. We were also in the top room and it's definitely worth asking for a table up there.

Had our first anniversery here and what a treat! we had been told to specifically ask for the top room - ask for it, trust me! and am i glad we waited. The restaurant is quite small and narrow so the seating was very tight downstairs but when we were lead upstairs we were brought to a room where you sat on a raised floor on cushions with a low table in front of ou The menu has several different options that allow you to try lots of small different dishes so we got a differnt option each and shared. I couldnt tell you what i had - the waitress very kindly informed us of how it works and what each thing is - but i can tell you i was pleasently surprised. im a 'meat and spuds' kinda guy but this food was delicious! However the price is something that i found that would make me hesitate going back which is a shame because its a great experience - when you are finished you can just lay back and relax - and the food, as i said, was top notch!!

Ate here last night with my partner we both had a rijst-tafel and we really enjoyed them. The perkedel, kari java and babi ketjap were excellent. For dessert we had pisang gorang - banana and chocolate in spring roll which was really nice. The service was great too.

Five of us went for a family night out. Had booked a 'regular table' rather than the low tables with cushions but I must say they did look comfortable! We chose different rijst tafel menus so we had an amazing taste of lots of different things. A very sociable menu which is ideal for sharing. Service was excellent and menu items explained well. Not cheap but recommend for an excellent night out and a different dining experience.

I went to the Chameleon with a friend and was blown away by my experience there: the food was absolutely delicious, the waiters vere very friendly and attentive, and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant was amazing! We were sitting upstairs, where there are low tables and cushions all around, it was very relaxed and enjoyable. Definitely planning to go again!

Had a party for 18 people in the "opium room". It was a private room all to ourselves, great low lounging seating - real Indonesian-style - that added to the night. The food was excellent and the service very attentive. Definitely planning a return visit for a more intimate dinner for 2 (lounging or otherwise!) - there are plenty more dishes on the menu we'd like to try! Make sure to try the prawns and the pork belly! Still licking our lips!

Had a fantastic meal in Chameleon just before christmas. The experience was amazing. We were a group of 6 and were seated on the low tables with cushions. I thought at first this would be very uncomfortable, especially being pregnant, but after getting myself into a good position it was fine, and after eating we could all lie back and relax with our coffee and yummy burke's farm ice-cream. The food was gorgeous and although the portions look small there is more then enough. I look forward to going back here.

Came here wit a party of three, we were seated on cushions at a low asian style table which i found very uncomfortable as im tall but the girls i was with loved it. Food was excellent served tapas style, portions were plentyfull aswell as was not left feeling hungry. service was good also staff were friendly and informative about the food. Would definatly recommend.

I have been here a number of times, I had to write a review just so people know how good they are in The Chameleon. The staff are so inviting ansd warm, they have a complicated menu and each and eveythime they are happy to explain the dishes that they serve. The food is so delicious, I have travelled to Indonesia, and their dishes really have all the best bits of Indonesian Quisine. The Atmosphere is always lovely, very comfortable and cosy. The last time I was there I had asked if one of the dishes was the correct portion size(as we had ordered for 2) and without question she took it away and gave us a much bigger portion, although we were wrong, the first dish was correct! we realized our eyes were just bigger than our bellies!! They alway offer complimentary drink afterward, cellebrate birthdays and anniversays with little canles in desert etc. They just have a lovely attitude , great atmosphere and fantastic food, definatly a must try, even oif your not sure of exotic food, there is something for all tastes, although I would highly recomend trying their Pork Belly, Squid rings and chickpee cakes, all to die for. Can't wait till next time.. nomnomnom.......

Was in this place again this week. I absolutely love it! First of all, if you get a table on the first floor, you can choose between a normal table and a low table, where you sit on a lot of cusions, which makes the whole experience very unusual. The service was very good, the waiters were friendly and we did not have to wait long for our food or for the bill. The food itself...mmmm...so tasty! But so much! Way too much! :) We ordered 2 different sets, the seafood one and the one with meat - both were very tasty. My personal favourite is calamari rings, but fish and pork belly were also very very tasty. The selection of dessertd was very impressive (they were different! I don't like when you get the same chocolate brownie, creme brulee and a cheesecake in any restaurant you come to, and here they actually had something that you can't get somewhere else), but unfortunately we did not try them, as were too full from our meal. A very good place with fantastic food.

My last visit here was for my birthday, when my wife took me because I told her it was one of my favourite restaurants in Dublin. Absolutely love the place! Everytime I've been here I order from the Rijst Tafel menus. It's great to get such a selection of good food - it's way too much for one person, but I love being able to try so many dishes. We ordered 2 different menus so had 13 different dishes to try between us. Fantastic atmosphere, whenever I book here, I try to get one of the low table upstairs where you sit on a big stack of cushions (they have conventional tables as well for those who don't feel up to sitting cross-legged while eating!). Can't wait until my next birthday to go back again!

Ate her again last weekend, i usually come her in a group of people as its great to order diffrent set menus and share, one this occasion their were oniy two, I had the rijist tafel which was all fish and my partner one which was more meat heavy, both had plenty of food per person, maybe too much for some but you wont leave hungry from the chameleon, the standout dishes being the pork comfit, very tender black bacon (from fermanagh) the beef rendang and the hake, which comes wrapped in a banana leaf. All your dishes arrive at the same time and you dont have to wait too long either, all of which are explaned in detail by the freindly staff,which is handy because there can be a lot, and for a small restaurant they have a great wine list at affordable prices, just what we need in these hard times. I will be back again in 2011.

Came here as part of the dine in dublin week. I had last been here many years ago, and had had a bad experience with service here so stopped coming, but had always remembered how wonderful the food was, so decided to come back and see if things had changed. Well certainly the service was better, we were waited on attentively and politely, everything was patiently explained to us, and food and drink arrived promptly. Now if only i could say the same about the food. Perhaps it was the high volumes during the promotional week, but i certainly didnt feel the wow factor i remembered from previous visits. Everything was ok, some things, like the pork belly were disappointingly overcooked, some things like the lamb were quite bland and tasteless. Its never good when the salad is the star of the evening! That said the decor was nice, and we had a pleasant meal for E60. Good, but not as great as it used to be.

This restaurant is a sure find and I was delighted I stumbled across it on my way through Temple Bar. Firstly, the staff are amazing, very friendly and attentive. The menu is a little different to the norm, but again, is very well explained by staff. The food was also divine, with each dish bringing something different to the dinner table. 2 courses with 2 glasses of wine.. €60 and well worth it. I will most definitely be returning here and I highly recommend seeking it out if you are in the area. As another reviewer said.. a real gem in Temple Bar

First time eating here and I have to say really enjoyed it. Fanatstic food and lovely atmosphere. Something a little different and it's always good to try somethin new. The service was second to none with the waitress guiding us on what to try and then we were given a compliamentary baby guiness at the end of our meal. The only downside is, it's not the most wheelchair friendliest of places. But that aside well worth a visit :)

A large group of ladies (yes.. it was a hen party) ate there just a couple of weeks ago, availing of the very reasonably priced Rijst-Tafel menu. The staff couldn't have been more attentive, right from the moment we walked in the door they were friendly and helpful. We had beautiful crackers while we waited for our food. The food itself was delicious, lots of variety & all of good quality. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated & comfortable - even for those sitting almost on the floor! It worked so well for a group & I would definitely recommend it.

It's been a number of years since I last ate here and I forgot how good it is. I'd also forgotten how the menu works but the waitress explained everything perfectly. My date and I opted for the Vegetarian and the Fish Rijst-Tafel with the intention of sharing. The amount of food that arrived was far more than we were capable of so I'd recommend coming here with a serious hunger built up! I should also mention that quantity was not a substitute for quality, everything we had was delicious. In particular I loved the Perkedel and the spring roll from the vegetarian menu, the crab cake and the squid from the fish menu. It will definitely not be so long until I'm back the next time.

Had the early bird in Chameleon last week and it was wonderful, we both shared the land and sea options and then shared a beautiful dessert the staff were so friendly and accomodating and really informative about the menu the atmosphere in the place is so nice we sat on cushions at a lovely low table, I would really reccoment Chameleon to anyone

This little gem is hidden just off the main square at Temple Bar and you'd miss it if you blinked! A group of us went for dinner here last night. They have 5 set menus catering for all preferences. Food was fantastic and service was excellent. Portions were not massive so you were able to sample everything. We were a big group of 8 and I would suggest ordering one or two extra menus if going with a large group so that everyone gets to sample the whole range. House Cabernet Sauvignon was very nice. I will be eating here again.

My wife had been here on a team night out a while ago and was raving about the place. We decided to go and try it for a couple's night out. The atmosphere was a little off due to the fact that there was a big group of people on a team night out right beside the tables for couples which ruined the vibe a little for me. The waitress even apologised for the noise. Other than than, EXCELLENT. Prawns, Crab Cakes, Squid exceptional. Beef was lovely, Chicken Satay perfect. Vegetables and rice were lovely and the desserts were brilliant. We ordered 2 x Fish platters, 1 x meat platter, 4 soft drinks (both driving) and 2 desserts, cost 135 including tip. Normal people I guess would only order 1 fsh and 1 meat or 2 fish, we were starving and I wanted to try everything so you could bring the bill closer to the 100euro by ordering only 1 platter each. Still a little dear for me for the quantites, hence I slight deducation of marks on value. Can't fault the food or service, EXCEPTIONAL.

Had dinner here with a group of friends here. It was my second time so i already knew about the rijst style menu. We ordered a combination of meat, vegetarian and seafood menu. There was plenty of food to share and everyone was pleased. I tried a bit of everything but to me the shrimp dish was outstanding. I think it was called Sambal Udong and it was succulent. We had a great evening and i recommend it.

Went here for a Team Night Out with a group of 7 people. We were made to feel extremely welcome & found the atmosphere to be great. Our waitress explained the menu really well & made great recommendations. She ensured we were very well looked after for the entire night. Even though we stayed drinking wine long after all the food was eaten, we still felt very welcome here. We were treated to a free drink at the end of the evening & generally felt our custom was appreciated. But the standout thing here was the food. The seafood in particular was absolutely exquisitely prepared & will have me coming back again and again! Compliments to the chef. Lots of food, absolutely delicious! Can't wait to return!

Excellent restaurant! I would highly recommened this restaurant. We had a birthday party for 14 and the level of service was second to none. Everybody left in great form with promises to return again, fun, fun, fun. Thank you to Kevin and his excellent staff from the booking to the evening itself a wonderful experience.

Food was excellent, really delicious. However, not great value for money these days. 6 small dishes that come all at once, so feels like 1 split dish, and a very small portion of rice for 35 euro. Service was quite poor as the restaurant was busy. We were seated at 7pm, waited 20 mins to order, the food didn't arrive until after 8pm and the table was needed back at 9pm. At 8.50pm the waitress asked if we wanted desert but we had only 10 mins of the table left, i.e. we'll take your money but you'd best eat quick. So we left. I would go back because of the food but on a quieter night and I would order a la carte for better value.

Excellent restaurant! plan to go back soon, I would recommened this place to my friends. very different plce for temple bar!

Came here with a good friend who insisted on having EXOTIC food. Well, I've travelled alot to asia, so indonesian food to me will have to be good to comment. The good thing abt chameleon is the low salt content in their dishes. It brings out the flavor more rather than having a blend yet salty taste! So well done. Unfortunately, the servings are really small and the rice is really DRY and cold! One would easily assume asian cuisines serve good portions, chameleon left us feeling hungry.. So we had to order desserts... Which turned out FABULOUS. Would return maybe for the desserts only =)

We ate here (two people) and really enjoyed the atmosphere and food. HOWEVER - we were really disappointed with the amount of food we got. We chose the 'Bali' and Komodo' taster menus for two people. Each menu contained 6/7 items and we were looking forward to a veritable feast. However, we did not get as good value for money as the menu promised. For example, both menus offered scampi rings but only got one small bowl of them to share. We also only got one small bowl of jasmine rice and overall only 8 small, tapas-sized dishes appeared on our table. We concluded that when you order menus where some items are repeated in both, you seem to only get a small bowl to share. Also both menus had chicken satay but we only got one small stick each. Pity as the food was DELICIOUS and we would keep coming back if we had not felt a little hard done by on 'sharing' very small portions. One small bowl of rice for two people was definitely not enough and the same with the meat.

Went there for dinner. We didn't make any reservation and was just trying our luck as it was on a Saturday night. We were lucky to get a table straight away. The restaurant looked quite full. The service was great and the waitress explained about the choices of the menu very well. The food was fantastic. We went for the shared tasting menu and the portion was just right. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and will definitely going back for more.

A wonderful place to eat with great staff and food! Great for trying out a Rijst-Tafel menu!We will be returning

I had a Dine Out Voucher whice gave a discount of 20% and this restaurant was included so we decided to try it out. Unfortunately I left the voucher at home so when we arrived I told the waitress and she said it would be fine and I could post it to her. The service was really good she explained all the different dishes and the food was lovely. I will definately return to such a warm and friendly place.

Booked the Opium Room for a bithday night out. The room is lovely but the seating is not that comfortable. We had pre-ordered the meals to avoid indecision on the menu. The food was very average for the price of it and more difficult to share and eat due to how we were sitting. The waitress was very good and we were never waiting for anything. Overall it was not good value for money but it was great to have the room to ourselves and be able to chat and laugh without worrying about anyone else in the restaurant.

Nice decor, interesting and quite tasty selection of food, tapas element allows you to try a bit of everything, reasonably priced menu/wine menu. Slighly irritating that the staff have to extensively talk you through the menu in the same pre rehersed spiel and that you can hear it echoing through the place as if on repeat during your meal. We also had a hovering waitress ready to pounce on any tapas dish we finished. The food was good if not great. I would go back but would order off the main menu rather than the tapas one, if only to avoid the spiel.

This place is amazing, went here for the first time on Valentines day with my boyfriend first of all we weren't being rushed out for the next sitting which was really good and we got the seats upstairs that are like a raised area with cushions it was really nice. We went for the Bali and Sumatra and I couldn't really fault anything about the food it was delicious everything was cooked to perfection and all the different flavours of the food where amazing. For dessert I went for the brownie which was to die for and my boyfriend had the ice-cream the apple crumble one was so good. Some of the staff weren't the best but our main waitress was extremely nice. I will definitely be returning again in the very near future.

My first vivist to Chameleon & it was an excellant one. Beautiful decor, chatty, young vibrant atmosphere, topped offby lovely friendly staff & wonderful food. We had a sharing meal between 2, a fab Pinot Grigio & finished with the delicious coconut creme brulee with choc chip cookie. Getting 20% of the bill (as we were in before 7) added to the overall experience as the meal truly was value for money. Would definitely receommend for good food & a great atmosphere.

This is typical Temple Bar - RIP OFF! A group of 12/13 of us booked the upstairs room for a friends going away party and I was very disappointed. The seating arrangements were gimmicky - you've to sit as if you're on the floor on a raised platform with nowhere to put your legs, its very awkward and hard to eat at the table if you're tall in any way tall. We had ordered our individual menus in advance because there were so many of us and the food wasn't great, a bit bland apart from the pork belly. The worst part was that there was so little of it - my friends and I weren't even half full when we realized that that was it - all the food had come out. It seemed like they tried to fill us up with big bowls of rice or noodles and there was only tiny portions of meat - one chicken satay skewer was a course for example followed by half a watery chicken breast in a bland coconut sauce for another. The waitress came to clear the plates and offered us more when we said we were still hungry which is fair enough, but the chefs should know how to portion a meal even if they can't create a good taste! We eventually left full (helped by loads of rice and noodles) and paid around €850 for the pleasure of it, this included some drinks but overall I don't think I've ever been ripped off as much in a Dublin restaurant. I will not be returning nor will my friends, and anyone who does must have low standards or bland taste buds.

I organised my xmas party in the magnificent Opium Room in Chameleon and have great things to say about the experience. From organisation, the staff were great to deal with, putting up with a lot of annoying queries from myself. On the night, the room itself was beautifully laid out and food arrived very quickly (we had prebooked menus). Every dish (there were around 10 in total) was delicious, even the potentially boring wok-fried greens (the lamb meatball curry disappeared in seconds). Desserts then were also fantastic, (special mention must go to the xmas pudding ice-cream) and topped off with a baby guinness for everyone we all left happy. My one quibble would be that the room wasn't quite big enough for our group to dine in. It was fine for lounging around in afterwards but there just wasn't enough table space for 16. Apart from that, couldn't recommend the Chameleon higher.

This is without a doubt my favoiurite restaurant in Dublin - the atmosphere is great and I love the low tables with cushions upstairs - they always add a much more intimate factor to a dining out experience. We always go for the Rist Tafel (not sure how to spell this) options. You are guaranteed plenty of food and loads of different taste expolsions - and always heaps of food ! Great value for money especially since they have started 20% off during the week.... The service is always very welcoming and what I like is they remember their regulars which alot of restaurants fail to do.....

Cute restaurant, we shared one of the meat options for couples; food was nice but portions were on the smaller side. Service was okay but we felt fairly rushed by the waitress. Expensive for what you got! Nice as a one off but probably wouldn't go back. Not for really hungry people!

We shared the various dishes on the veg an meat set menus and we were seated in the cushion area on the second floor. Personally I found that the food was pretty ok, however there didnt appear to be enough to around. I didn't find the layout of the room good or comfortable. The service wasn't great and I felt all they wanted was the money and us off the premises as quickly as possible. Overall I didn't feel it was value for money. There are much better good deals from high class restaurants in Dublin today. I wouldn't recommend this restuarant, and I won't be coming back.

i love this restaurant. I went recently with 3 friends and we ordered the vegetarian Rijst-Tafel and the Bali Rijst-Tafel. These are "tasting" plates where you get a few small portions of delicious Indonesian & Asian specialties- my favourite style of dining. The spring rolls and Bami Goreng were delicious, the Perkedel sauce sublime, and the hot and cold salads so good and perfectly complementing. The only thing I was not crazy about was the tempe taster-strange pureed consistency, but this is a very small thing. My two friends enjoyed their Bali-particularly the Kari Java. The two Rijst-Tafel's were perfectly ok to share for 4 people, as you get rice included too, so its pretty filling. There are only two wines available by the glass (but overall a very good wine list), so it would be good to see this expanded a bit. I love the atmosphere, very relaxing (almost sedating!) and you can request an Opium table with cushions to make it a more authentic experience. I would like it if they played Indonesian/asian music to add to the atmosphere- on the night we were there they were playing electronic pop music, and it did take from the overall experience, hence I took a few marks away for that.The service was very attentive-excellent. Its a perfect location for a cozy date and I will be back very soon!

Three of us had dinner here on Saturday night... The meal was lovely... We ordered Rijst-Tafel 5 - Komodo for 2 people and the fish Rijst for 1 and shared the dishes between us... The service was excellent and the atmospehere was fantastic... Would definitely be back...

I've wanted to try this place for a while and finally got around to it last night. Four of us went, 2 had the veggie Rijst Tafel and 2 had one of the meaty/fishy ones. After we ordered it seems that we were forgotten about for a while so it took a long time for any food to come out (people who arrived after us received their food before us) so we were beginning to get a little annoyed. This was the only let down of the evening however as the food was amazing. There wasn't one dish that we didn't like and the quantities were perfect. There was 20% off the food bill so it was really good value. I'll definitely go back (and hopefully won't be forgotten about next time!).

Good place to go for a group meal as the Rijsttafel is made to share. We went for the Java which has a nice combination of meats and veggies. There was still some left at the end so no complaints on the portion size. The 20% discount on a Tuesday night made it great value - I was especially impressed that the discount was applied to the drinks bill as well. One word of warning about the low tables they have upstairs - they are not the most comfortable if you are very tall and not the most flexible.

nice place. ordered ricetafle for 2 but got just enough food for one. left hungry and unsatisfied after paying lots. My feeling was that this place is all about money and certainly not about giving a good restaurant experience.

I really like this restaurant I have been there many times in groups and also just with one other person. There is an option of a Indonesian style tapas called Rijst-tafel or an A La carte menu. Both are good. It's also a really good place for veggies. We chose the tapas style dishes. My friend had the veggie Rijst-tafel and I had the fish one. The veggie one was actually nicer! And very filling. There was 20% off the bill that night which was an added bonus. Try the veggie potatoes cakes if you ever go there, they are fab!! Service is great and wine is under €20 a bottle. A filling healthy option for a night out!

I had heard a lot about this place and I must say that I enjoyed the experience very much, although the place does lack some atmosphere it is about the only fault I could find. The staff were very helpfull and the menus covered all bases, I had the fish menu which which had 8 different fish courses. I will definitely be back to try one of their meat dishes next time, well worth a visit.

A nice experience with interesting food and plenty of it. I dropped a few points on the atmosphere mainly because of the overuse of some nasty incense......I thought it was harpic toilet cleaner at first. Particularly liked the attentive low key welcome and service. Will be back

We were a group of 5 and had booked one of the low tables - really nice when you are looking for something a little different. We ordered from both the €18 and €25 early bird menu. There was tons of food, all really tasty and the service was good. Very good value for money. Some in the group had never ben before and all said they would bring others back.

Great for groups! There were 30 of us upstairs in the Bali room and it was ideal for such a large group. The service was very friendly and polite and the food was plentiful and delicious. Being able to choose from set menus made ordering for such a large group really straightforward and there was something to suit everyone, including the vegetarians in the group. We ordered the house wines and they were perfectly decent. Would highly recommend this restaurant and will certainly be going back again.

Ate here on Friday night with boyfriend. We were seated upstairs, very nice & cosy. The food was delicious, had a late booking & we were able to stay until close. Great for a date!

we went there as part of a dining offer. Not particularly impressed by the service, I agree with one of the recent reviews: you might want to go with a big group so you might get the room upstairs and probably be served faster and better. To be fair though,the receipt clearly said "service not included". Anyway, food was alright, I went for menu 3 which brings you a choice of 8 different little portions (beef with peanut butter sauce was a little bit too heavy for my test), overall pleasant and my partner for vegetarian menu . Both bring lots of food,so be prepared. They don't have great range of wines and all pretty much overpriced. I'd say that if you avoid wine and stick to the food you might get good deal. I won't rush back though

Trust a Dutch Indonesian to not have a craving for rice whilst visiting Dublin for three days. :-) I couldn't believe my luck when stumbled upon Chameleon. What a lovely restaurant, great service and more importantly, excellent food. Knowing that this little home away from home is waiting there for me, I might actually try a four day visit to Dublin next time.

Brought the girlfriend to this, as part of the Dine in Dublin offer. Had been meaning to check it out for a long time, but kept on forgetting about it. Very glad we managed to eat here in the end. Menu's are completely different to your standard restaurant. We had Menu 5 between us, and 7 different plates were bought out. The pork belly was delicious, and vegetables and stir fry were cooked very well. The Service was excellent, and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good night out or something a bit different.

Went with a small group of friends and ordered the Dine in Dublin menu. Made life easy with a group as everyone was able to taste what everyone else was eating. Food was so tasty, and the explanations by the waitress really useful for experimentation with the condiments. The time flew when we were there, and it was only when the table was needed for 9.30 that we were gently reminded that we were to be out by that time. Very enjoyable night overall.

Disappointed! We went here as part of dine in dublin week following many positive reviews. It was a let down - they forgot the rice with our main dishes, none of the dishes were particularly hot, we were waiting close to 30mins for our desserts and they didn't serve the cookie with my double shot dessert and the coffee was cold. I thought the point of dine in dublin week was to encourage people to try new restaurants and to showcase the restaurant's menu, the Chameleon did not succeed with this. There was a large group there at the same time as us who ordered from the normal menu and I do believe received better service - steaming hot food and plenty of it. Maybe this is a place to try outside of their special offers and with a group of people but I won't be rushing back.

This has turned itself around from a rather dire and overpriced place that cashed in on its uniqueness to a restaurant that takes meticulous care in serving and presenting its delicious food and offers excellent service. Highly recommended.

We had been recommended this restaurant by a friend and we were not disappointed. The staff were very friendly and helpful. One dish was nicer than the other and usually in oriental restaurants, they buy in their desserts but not in this one - well worth leaving a bit of room for! Will definitely be back.

My boyfriend and I went to Chameleon last night and I have to say it was one of the nicest evenings we've had in a long while. The staff were very accomodating as I had to ring to say we were running late and they didn't have a problem at all. And their service was just right, there when you needed them but not all the time! The food was gorgeous, special mention to the kari java (lamb) and sesame fried veg. We ordered a Rijst Tafel 1 and a Rijst Tafel 2 and were perfectly full at the end. No room for dessert even!

Visited this restaurant with my boyfriend the other evening. We were tempted in by their Early Bird offer, but after looking at the menu we went for their couples Rijs-tafel which was €50 between the two of us. We felt this was great value as we got a selection of 8 dishes to share and they were delicious. I especially like their pork belly dish and the lamb curry dish. I will be enticed back by those two dishes alone! The wine list is decent and we were very happy with the choice that the waitress recommended to go with the food. The only downside is that we were seated downstairs and it felt a bit cramped so I would recommend if possible looking for a table upstairs which is more atmospheric with its low tables and cushions.

Went on Valentine's day with my gf and was absolutley delighted with the evening. I had the option of pink champagne on arrival which went down well! The food is amazing, really different to anything readilly available in dublin. The set menus are a brilliant idea and went down very well. The atmosphere is very cosy especially if you manage to get seated on the pillows at the low tables, really adds to the experiemce! Would recommend to anyone, great value also for the quality of food and the portions!

Went here with some friends, after some good recomendations, and they were true first of all we got a good explanation of how it works (rijst tafel) and then we ordered 4 different tables and the food was good, especially the cabbage with sesam...hmmmm, For sure will be back some other time!

I was traveling through Europe for a couple of months and when i got to Dublin I came across this restaurant. I went with a few people from the hostel and we had a great time. I had been hanging out for some good Asian food since I left Australia. Well we found GREAT Asian food! We loved the Rijst-Tafel, its like an Indonesian Degustation menu. What really sets this place up is the venue and the friendly and helpful staff. Its a cosy terrace with amazing decor that really sets the mood for a relaxing evening. We had a great night and I went back just before I left for another great experience. It was good value considering i was on Australian dollars. You gotta check this place out, grab some mates and go!

Thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Chameleon, fantastic service, very warm and welcoming. Were in the Opium Den and although the music was more jazz / american than ethnic, it was very intimate and relaxed. Food was pleasant, we ate rather late so it was a little dry, but on the whole quite good. Really this place is more about the atmosphere and very personable staff than anything else. Great attention to detail and lovely decor. A recommended experience for sure, although a leeeetle pricy for current market trend.

Four of us went on Saturday night, we had been told in advance that the table was needed back by 9.30. We weren't finished by this time but the staff just moved us to a cushioned area and we ended up staying till after midnight. Great food, atmosphere and service. Will defo go again.

Myself and my husband were in The Chameleon last night for a meal. We had a brilliant time, everything about the place was great. We chose menu 5 and we enjoyed every little bit of it. My husband had the prawns and said they were the best he had ever tasted. The decor the staff and the food were wonderful. I would recomend this place to anyone looking for an enjoyable meal thats not too expensive and are looking for a brill night out. Go to The Chameleon.

A very disappointing and expensive experience. I was thoroughly disappointed with the food. As a vegetarian I thought that the food would be full of flavour and variety. Although it was tastefully presented everything tasted the same. The sauces and vegetables all tasted the same. The service was reasonable. It is a nice looking restaurant but looks aren't everything. Apart from the food it was a very costly dinner and not enjoyable.

four of us went for dinner ,all with different ideas of good food and different attitudes to spice and heat .The staff were welcoming and very helpful in guiding neophytes around the menu .We ordered 2 meat one veg and one fish rijsttafel .All the food was good while some was fantastic . Even the puddings ! A decent wine and reasonably priced .I had a delish gruner veltliner.To top the evening off , i met a gorgeous man . Will be back soon.

I was disappointed to find that myself and my partner were sat at a small table as the cushioned seated areas were reserved for larger parties. The floor was packed with tables and the waiter kept bumping into our table and chairs because the walkways were so tight. The toilets were equally tiny. We were seated so close to a party of 8 on the cushioned ares that we could hear everything they were saying, as they could us, and due to the seated area being raised, their bare feet were level with our table. Ew!!! The food was a mix of bland or incredibly flavourful- too much so. Overall- very disappointing experience.

I lve this place! I have been 5 times in the past 3 years. There was one bad experience and I was wary of going back just before Xmas but I shouldn't have been. It is just a joy to exerience the Rijst-Tafels and the romantic atmosphere of the place. It is a quirky place with a quirly menu. I would recommend a table upstairs, and the low tables are fun to try as after you've stuffed yourself you can lie off on the millions of cushions! Wouldn't recommend it when wearing a skirt though! It isn't extremely cheap. €70 for 2 people without drinks or deserts so keep it for a special occasion!

ate here with a group in the private room which was great very cosy and nice to be away from everyone else. ordered drinks straight away. however the food when it arrived was not great the meat dishes were quite bland and the vegitarian was a little greasy more like a selection of tapas than a proper meal. Overall wouldnt rush back for the food but the setting was great for a group

fun place to try, we were seated at the tables with cushions and low tables. great selection of tasty food. dessert was great. would return

came here on a night out with 17 people. We were seated on the top floor of the restaurant and had a comfortable position amongst many cushions. The food was good value and plentiful. Not the greatest authentic Indonsesian food but not bad for Ireland. I'd come again for the ambiance.

Quite enjoyed my experience at the Chameleon. The interior was pleasant and atmospheric, the food I found to be tasty break from the norm. I would consider the Tefal dishes to be very expensive all the same.

We went here on an xmas night out on Friday night. We had the seat upstairs where you could sit on cushions. This was a great novelty. The staff were very efficent and friendly and we had drinks within minutes of sitting down. The food was very nice, lots of selection especially for the vegetarians. Would definatley be back!!

was here recently with a friend. was just passing by, thought it looked very expensive from it's exterior but on a closer look at the menu it was quite reasonable so we decided to give it a go. we ordered the Tefal dishes to share, i think there were about 6 or 7 different dishes that all came at once. They were all nicely presented and though they looked rather small portion, we were very full when finished. we loved the pork belly, the squid etc. The tefal dishes were a good introduction to Indonesian food because we wouldn't really have known what to order. The food were tasty, the atmosphere warm, staffs were friendly. we enjoyed our mean there, will go back to try the early bird menu.

We had a try of their food at at a "taste of Temple Bar" event and we thought the food was so nice that we were really looking forward to go there and have a real dinner. Unfortunately they must hav send their very best for the event, because we didn't find the food special at all, I hatee when I go "asian" and get the feeling that I could have ordeered the same from a take away menu...the room upstairs was a bit uncomfortable plus it took them ages to bring up our orders...we are not keen to go back any time soon..

I went there with a party of twenty last Saturday. We had a private room at the top where you sit at low tables. It was so comfortable and great atmosphere. We had a set menu and tonnes of food arrived at our table vegetarian, meat and sides. There were three different types of rice and noodles. Everyone loved the meal and is keen to go back. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a party.

went here last friday for dinner. quaint ambience and the ability to squat and lounge on couhes while eating is a nice departure from the more formal seating arrangements. service was fast and friendly and not altogether easy on them as the kitchen is at ground level and the are 2 levels of pokey stairs to negotiate. wine list is limited and not exciting. But the real let down is the food. at 50 euro for 2 getting all these wonderfully named dishes seems like a great idea until it is plonked in front of 2 hungry people.Not enough food here to fill a hole in your tooth.we got noodles, 2 lamb meatballs, 2 small pieces of pork, stewed cabbage, rice and squid rings. overall very poor value for money and not particularly tasty.

We booked for 10 of us and the restaurent really pushed for us to make our order at the time when we made the booking. I don't think this is a good policy! We were in at 6.00 and we had to be out at 8.30 but it certainly was not earlybird prices.The room was nice and the food was quite good but completely overpriced. The portions are also quite small. It is definitely not good value. The service was good though. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this restaurant!

Great Service, Good Food, lovely atmosphere I went with a group of friends, we were slightly confused by the menu but we got our head around it quickly enough. With two vegatarians and a nut allergy we couldn't really mix and match, coupled with everybody else picking the same thing it felt a bit sterile. I suggest you go with a big group of friends and share what you get, you are bound to find something you enjoy.

Oh What A Night...I recently had to arrange a night out for my husband's friends - a discerning lot, so the pressure was on. I struck gold with the Chameleon Restaurant, the night was just perfect. Twelve of us ate in the opium room - a decadent private room which wowed everyone. Its a great room for a party, sitting on the cushions around the opium tables, everyone just kicked back and really enjoyed themselves. The food and service was excellent too. You feel like kings being served a decadent feast - we enjoyed a delicious mouth-watering feast of sweet and sour sea bass, pork belly (slow cooked for 12 hours), chicken sates, potato cakes with aubergine mayo to name but a few. I'd really recommend the Chameleon for a party or a romantic meal for two - it is decadent, fun and delicious.

I ate here about 3 years ago, even then the atmosphere was something special, the place has a warmth to it.But the food was quite disappointing. But I went back last week with some work mates and I was pleasantly surprised. The vibe is still really warm, particularly as it was freezing outside! Then the food, we had a selection of set menus, all the food came at once, lots of different dishes. My favourite was the pork belly, possibly the best I ever had , squid rings (not chewy!) and great noodles too.The staff were attentive , but not in your face. I will be back, in fact I've already booked in for our Christmas bash! Well done.

Wouldn't come back to this restaurant in a hurry. Went in a large group of 10 recently - the food seemed rather bland and tasteless and ended up being extremely pricey for what we got. I don't usually eat that much when I go out but I have to say, I was still hungry leaving the place - the idea is that you all share the dishes but there simply wasn't enough served to go around. The ambience however is lovely I have to say. Perhaps more quality AND quantity where the food is concerned and I'd reconsider going back.

Decent food but poor service. We booked as a group of 8 and because the restaurant said they weren't used to doing starters/main-courses we had to order or food a day in advance - which was not a problem. However two of us arrived 15 minutes later than the rest, which was communicated to the restaurant in advance. On arrival, the rest of the guests received their starters immediately and were finished eating them by the time we arrived - again this was not an issue. The problem began when we had to wait a further 20 minutes for our starter, having alerted the staff on 3 occasions. The rest of the guests had to sit there and watch us eat. We thought this would be the end of our service issues. When it came to the main course, again all but the two of us received our main course. Yet again we had to wait for 10-15 minutes for our meal. Bear in mind that we ordered all these meals the previous day! To top it all off, the restaurant had the audacity to add a 10% service charge to the bill, for what I cannot comprehend. Don’t get me wrong, the food quite good but service here has a lot to be desired.

Ended up here after not being able to get a table in a few Thai restaurants around town. Felt like something spicy so decided to give it a go. The set menu with various dishes seemed a bit fussy so went for regular starter and mains. Crab cakes were pretty good and I was anticipating a good mains too... I was sorely disappointed. Chicken curry was very small portion size and found it quite dry and in need of salt which I never use! Other mains were equally as disappoining. Wine list is good and there is many on offer for the budget conscious. For what we got, it was much too expensive although I wouldn't exactly rule it out in the future. Had a gawk at other tables that ordered fron the set menu and looked like a much better option - more food, more variety and better value for money. Would probably go here again with a group.

Visited this restaurant with my boyfriend and we really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly and our waiter was happy to explain the menu and make recommendations. The food was great and you can try lots of different dishes with the set meals. Overall a great restaurant and would definitely go back!

Went here for our Anniversary on Friday. Will definitely be going back. The food was fantastic,especially the Beef cooked in the spicy coconut milk. The service was very friendly and efficient and the restaurant itself was small cosy and tastefully decorated which added overall to the effect.

This worst meal I have had in a long time - was very disappointed. Food was expensive and portion sizes are tiny. We were all still hungry after our meal. Would not recommend.

This restaurant is a little gem. Perfect for a romantic dinner. The staff are very knowledgeable and make you feel comfortable. We went for the 7 dishes menu and it was delicious. A lot of different flavous to suit everyone. I would really recommend this place!

Food was very good but VERY pricey for the quality & quantity of the meat served. Wine was nice, as was the service, however we were both disappointed with what we got and what we paid for.

A very enjoyable meal. very friendly staff and lovely decor, we shared The komodo which was a mix of 7 dishes excellent value and very satisfying - will go back again

went here on a date recently on the recommendation of a friend and i was pretty pleased. lovely little restaurant with nice atmosphere. we both went for the rijst tafel set menus which had a nice variety and were great for a date as it involved sharing food and not as formal as a regular restaurant. had a nice bottle of gruner veltliner which went very well with everything. would certainly return and recommend for a date!

This is the perfect place for a date! Whether its the first date or you've been together ages and want to have a bit more romance in your life - then this is the place. It's lovely and upmarket without being in the least bit cocky or snobbish. The food is incredible and the wine list is amazing - lots and lots of rare wines to choose from. The service was fantastic and the suggestions the staff made - were spot on! I'll definitely be back!!! :)

Lovely food, good service, amazing decor! Fun and Friendly. Prices a bit steep for what you get ... but sure this is Ireland after all ...

The place is great! Brought back memories of my trip to Bali, and you could almost believe you were in a little restaurant in Indo, such is the atmosphere and interesting decor. The food is great, loads of variety and tastes for everyone. It is on the pricey side, but worth it for a surperb dining experience.

i love the decoration of this place. its so original and classy. the food is also very tasty! i will probibly be going back

Very unusual but tasty food. If you love trying new delicious food you'll love the food here. The staff are nice and friendly also which is always a plus!

The atmosphere is nice, a bit pricey though. We went last Saturday night, the place was so busy that they forgot to bring us one of the dishes of the Rijstafel, and we didn't realize because they combined the two Rijstafel in one (without asking us before) so we didn't count the number of dishes. As per food quality I think they use too much sauce.

I came here as part of a quite hen party earlier this year. We got a mix of dishes between the table and everything was fab. While some people didn't like everything, they enjoyed tasting pretty much everything on the menu! The atmosphere and decor are fab, low comfy seats - they even have a private room upstairs you can rent out. I am allergic to nuts and they made such an effort to cook me extra things specially without me even asking, which no restaurant ever does. A great chill out place for a group.

Had wanted to try this place for a while, loved it! The Early Bird was a great mix of tastes and flavours but to be honest did leave us a little hungry! Perhaps we should have ordered more...but we'll know for the next time... Service was really excellent, the waitress went into great detail describing the food and was friendly and charming.

I love this place - it's so cool and intimate. The food is amazing, so many fanastic dishes to choose from. We actually went for one of the set menus as it seemed like really good value, which it was. The wine was tip top, the service was great, very friendly and professional staff. Would like to go back with a larger group and get the top floor to ourselves. It looks like great craic up there. Top marks to the Chameleon!!!

The Chameleon is one of those restaurants I go to time and time again without being disappointed. As ever, the staff were very helpful and friendly, guiding my friend through the menu as she had never had rijsttafel before. The food was excellent - perfectly prepared, high-quality ingredients and interesting combinations. The staff obliged us with a beautiful large table in the corner with cushions (despite there only being two of us) and we enjoyed our meal with our shoes off in a relaxed atmosphere. Couldn't ask for much more - great value for money for two people, but the perfect venue for a group (once they all wash their feet before going out!)

Cool Indonesian restaurant! Went here recently with the boyf. So yum and romantic with cushions and candles everywhere. Love the menu format. Like Asian tapas! Variety is the spice of life afterall! Small bit pricey.

Like a previous reviewer I first tried rijstaafel in Amsterdam and quickly became hooked so I was delighted to come across Chameleon. Ambience and service was good, price was ok for central Dublin. Now to the food- we ordered the rijstafel for 2, what a disappointment, small portions of bland, skimpily sauced food. A tiny smear of sauce on the sate, noodles that tasted only of red peppers and the little meatballs tasted of minced beef in a watery tomato sauce. If this is your intro to Indonesian food the decor and friendly staff will distract from bland food but anyone looking to recreate a Dutch rijstaafel experience will be sorely disappointed

Really enjoyed the novelty of sitting on cushions at a low table. The waiter was very helpful in recommending which of the menus would be the best value. The food was great. The portions are small but there are lots of them. I can imagine that a person with a big appetite would be left wanting more but we had no complaints. Thought it was a bit expensive for what you got but seems to be what a dinner for 2 costs in most places in Dublin these days!

Went here for a work function. We were a big group and were seated at the low table with cushions. It was nice and different, although a bit squished and uncomfortable. The food was really nice, but servings were a bit small as quite a few people were still hungry when we left. I would not hesitate coming back, but probably sitting at a "normal" table. Also, watch out for the toilets, as they are extremely tiny!

Excellent restaurant and I would highly recommend it. There is only one draw back - a must visit - BUT only go once or twice. On the third visit you may find that you've tasted it all before ... but do go. The staff are fantastic. Really helpful and deserve a medal for repeating how the menu works over and over and over again. Well worth a try. Advice: Don't go for the 'sit on the floor' option upstairs if you're bringing a girl on a first date. It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable (I've been told). Leave those seats to a group visit which is a lot of fun and novel.

I was here the other night, had been at least 4 years since my last visit. I remember the place being full of character, cosy and great interesting food. Thankfully, it hasn't changed, and I had a great meal... ideal place for a date, nice and small and cosy, did i mention it was cosy. Anyway, been here twice, and have been impressed both times. I was lucky enough to be seated upstairs both times... for some reason downstairs has a bit of a cafe look... maybe it is? anyway, if booking, it might be an idea to request seating upstairs.

This is a great place, full of character and charm and one of the remaining original buildings in Temple bar. The food is tremendous; we ate from the reis tafel and dishes kept appearing, it was wonderful and a great introduction to Indonesian food. Will definitely be back

This restaurant is such a find! My husband and I reserved one the low tables and it was a great novelty! The food was amazing, as was the atmosphere, decor, music, staff....everything! I can't wait to go back and bring some friends, I'm telling everyone about it! I think it's an absolute gem of a restaurant and I feel so lucky to have found it! Well done to all the staff, keep up the good work and see you again VERY soon, J

I have eaten here a few times over the years and always enjoyed my meals. The rijs stafel offers excellent choice and although the dishes seem small there is plenty of food. I liked some better than others but that is a personal thing. the early bird is great value if you have never eaten Indonesian food and just want to try it out. The pisang goreng are amazing although not very authentic. Staff are friendly and the decor is great, especially the opium room.

Came here for a birthday a while ago and as none of us had had Indonesian before, thought sure why not!! Well the food was tasty and the service was brilliant, my meal certainly introduces a whole new world of flavours and will be back soon.

Had a fantastic meal here over the Christmas. What a gorgeous and unique place to visit. The staff really make you feel at home, and no request was too much, and we were a very demanding group let me tell you! we opted for the group menu, the food was excellent. Unusual tastes, great flavours and i thought the portions were ample. The wines were really good. we were reccomended a very good red for the table by the manager.really enjoyed everything about this place and will definitely go back, next time just with my fiance as its very romantic!

Had our Christmas party here and was very disappointed. 50 euro per head for the tiniest little dishes with very little substance. Dessert consisted of a tiny chocolate truffle- as in one chocolate! Carefully counted so that we got one each! Wine not included. will not be returning!

Ate here for the first time on Sat night and was very disappointed. The veggie set menu at 30 euro was very, very expensive for what I got -- an okay tofu and egg salad, nice stir fried cabbage and noodles, horrible tofu sandwich, greasy veg cake and inedible spring rolls. The others' food didn't look appetising either. The atmostphere and service are fine, but my advice would be to avoid.

I went here recently on the spur of the moment for an early bird and really enjoyed it. It was really cosy, the atmosphere was lovely and the service was good too. The portions aren't massive, but the early bird is very reasonably priced and it did us just fine. The food was tasty and different and also great fun!

This is my favourite restaurant in the city, so I'm wondering if the bad reviews on here are for the same restaurant I'm familiar with!!! The decor and atmosphere is completely different to anywhre I've eaten in town, from the mirrored wall to the low tables and cushions (if you're not comfortable sitting with your legs crossed or find this too informal then you should request a regular table, and if you're in a group of 6 or 7 that would feel the same then you really shouldn't be eating here in the first place). I've eaten here with my girlfriend and would recommend the dinner designed for 2 for other couples; there's a huge variety in the 6 dishes served and it's good fun sampling them all. I definitely found them filling and didn't find the portions too small. The wine we've ordered on each occasion has complimented the meal very well. The service was friendly and informative, they take time to explain to you the different dishes available and the idea behind them. It's great value for money too. Overall, it's something different and fun.

We booked the private Opium Room for a "hen night" last Tuesday. The whole experience was just fantastic! The staff were extremely helpful - the manager even collected a tv & dvd player from me that morning and had it set up in the room! Everyone was amazed at the amount of food - we went with a Group menu - and the tastes were sublime. The service was efficient and friendly and they didn't mind waiting for us to end our celebrations - even though we were the last out:) Thanks to everyone in The Chameleon for making that night a hugely special night for our hen.

I actually really liked this restaurant. I went here for my birthday and we got the room upstairs. I must say the food was really good and yes I would agree that there was not much of it but the atmosphere more than made up for this. The service was good and I would suggest getting the early bird if you want good value for money.

Very surprised to read the bad reviews on here. I found this place great. We went last month for a work night and everyone in the group loved it. The service was a bit slow, but that is the only downside and you always encounter difficulties when you are in a big group. Everyone in the company left having thorougly enjoying their meals. They were tasty and filling. The red wine that the waiter recommended was really really good. It enhanced my spicy dish to perfection. I wouldn't be put off this place at all. The bad reviews are unfortunate, but I have to say this place, when we visited hit many a high note.

I have to say i wont be rushing back to the Chameleon. Bad service, extremely overpriced and uncomfortable. The food however was good but not enough of it. The €40 price tag for 7/8 small courses would be ok if you actually got all 7/8 courses and the food quantity didn't amount to a main course each. You wouldn't pay that for a main course in a Michelin star restaurant. The wine list was very limited and the white and red we ordered would certainly be nothing to write home about. Overall far too pricey for what we had.

I had heard a lot about this restaurant and have wanted to go for quite some time now. I was nothing but disappointed with my experience. A group of eight of us ate here on Saturday night. We sat at the raised platorm with the low table mentioned by one of the previous reviewers, which we all found very uncomfortable and unsociable as everybody seems very far away from each other. Our waitress was not in the slightest bit friendly and brought us a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon when I had requested Sauvignon Blanc. The food, although it was tasty and good quality, was certaintly not enough to feed eight people. I believe we only got three or four portions of rice between all eight of us. At 68 euro a head I won't be heading back here anytime soon.

We went there there on my birthday and I have to say I enjoyed myself. The restaurant is beautiful, we were upstairs and the atmosphere was great but have to say that the food disappointed me a little bit. I couldn't finish the noodles as they were not nice at all. I think the restaurant is too expensive though.

Went here with six friends and have to say I enjoyed myself. We were sitting upstairs on the raised platform where there's a low table and you have to take off your shoes and kneel or sit cross legged, this was no problem for me but some of our party felt it was uncomfortable so if you are bringing friends here and that doesn't sound like your thing then make sure you are at the normal tables.The staff were helpful when we were confused about the menu and when the food arrived were very knowledgable telling us what complimented what.We all enjoyed the food and the red wine we chose was very good however as some of the party were getting foot cramp we didn't linger after the meal.It was quite pricy too ended up at 43 euro a head but we ate everything so couldn't fault the food or staff.

This place is great. You basically choose a menu and you get loads of little dishes, which I love as you get to sample loads of things you may not have tasted before. It is a lot of food, and it was all really tasty and well presented. The staff were really helpful in explaining the menu and made helpful recommendations. Overall a really enjoyable experience.

I ate here over a year ago and loved the variety, as well as the other 3 people with me. We decided to go with the Vegetarian and Seafood Rijst Tafel, Everything was so well seasoned and loved the spices. The Ikan Bakar Colo Colo, Grilled fish with tomato sambal wrapped in banana leaf was amazing, the taste was fresh and spicy. Everyone had enough to eat, had a nice bottle of wine and herbal teas to finish the meal. On a very wet night it was nice and cosy. Downstairs feels a bit cramped, don't know what upstairs is like. But hope to return again. Their early bird looks good.

There is something really unique about this place. It is like escaping into another country. It reminds me of the movie "The Jewel of the Nile". It is fabulous. The floor seating just adds to the atmosphere. When we went the service was a wee bit slow, but there was a large indecisive group of us there! I really couldnt fault it, and must return for a more intimate meal soon!

This is a really charming little restaurant. Downstairs is quite cosy with only five tables for two. We went for the smallest mixed menu with a selection of about six dishes. The spicy meatballs were full of flavour, the chicken satay skewer was one of the best I've tasted and although I wasn't sure about the cabbage in coconut sauce, it was a unique dining experience. The wine was nice, the waiter was happy to talk us through the dishes. Not cheap but we were definitely stuffed afterwards and didn't even finish our meal!

I ate here with my boyfriend which was quite a romantic setting, however the food was nice. The mixture of beef and chicken in the couples menu we ordered was quite unusual but not in a good way! It did not fill either of us which it was supposed to and we ended up getting chips on our way home from Temple Bar! The waiter was v friendly yet that does not make up for okay-ish food! I decided to go there because I heard many rave reviews on the internet about it but we definitely will not be going back!

I was there last week for dinner. We dined downstairs, just after the entrance. The place was nice but really too tiny. The service was only ok because of the two different type of waiters we found: one was really nice and kind, but the other one cold and a bit snob in my opinion. The early bird menu for 15€ (from 5 till 7:30) was a good value for money. I didn’t think that the portion were too small, indeed I left the place pretty full… actually… maybe it was the table to be too small for all those different little plates! It was my first time there, but I thought the food was quite nice. I would definitely go back for the early bird.

Not exactly the best value for food nor a great ambiance to dine. The food is just ok, nothing spectacular. This restaurant is quite expensive and for what you get I'd say you should be paying far less than what they charge. It is unfortunate that this appears to be the only Indonesian restaurant in town so there is hardly much competition. If you've been to Amsterdam you'd see how much more variety of Indonesian restaurants at more decent prices which would totally eclipse this establishment.

Too little food! We went to Chameleon with group of 8 and was expecting a lot from the rijs tafel, we ordered 1 "menu" per head so there should have been loads of food to taste. When the dinner arrived, we were very disappointed as we only got 9 small dishes of food (the rijs tafel had several small dishes per "menu") plus rice. At the end of the evening we were eating plain rice. Not only the food was disappointing, the service was bad as well. The waiter never told us which food is which so we could not make out if we even got everything. The waiter was also very unfriendly.

One of my favorite places to eat in Dublin. Went here for a friends birthday one night. There were 10 people in total so we decided to rent out the room upstairs. The decor of the room added to the atmosphere as it had traditional Indonesian ornaments, wall hangings and music in the background. The room easily fitted us all and you knelt down to eat at the table. We went for the set dinner. Every dish that our excellent waitress served us we enjoyed. Absolutely delicious. Everybody got a bit of something and the portions are enough so nobody missed out or felt hungry afterwards. Ordered some beers too so when the bill came was surprised at how much you get for a reasonable price. They allowed us to stay as long as we liked and it was a very pleasant and fun experience. Would definitely recommend it especially for a group.

Quite a nice place. Food in the rijst tafel was a bit different to what I expected. I've been told that the strong spices don't appeal to many, so expect things to be milder than you'd find in the Dutch Colonial versions - but the meals are served with large amounts of sambal (chilli sauce) to add to your own liking. Warm, welcome, very attentive and understanding staff. If you like something different without it blowing your head off, you probably should try the Chameleon. They also do a good selection of a-la-carte mains, so don't feel that you can only have the rijst tafel...

Went to this restaurant on my work Christmas do last year. We had the raised platform in the corner (which is cordoned off by a curtain) and a table beside it. It’s really comfy on all the cushions, and very much a chill out zone. The food was nice (though not really to my taste), but everyone found the portions to be quite small and the menu misleading. It’s quite expensive for what you get, but overall it was enjoyable, as it was something different. Prob wouldn't return though, to be honest.

Food was great, the atmosphere even better. I had a table book for 9 but wasn't seated till 9.20. The service was slow, not good when you are hungry. Great if you are not starving and don’t have somewhere to go after.

We had a group of 18 for a corporate night, from making the booking to the service and food on the night it was just fantastic. A lot of our customers who are from Dublin had never been there before but would definitely go back. The atmosphere and service were brilliant. The staff were very friendly and explained everything on the menu. They had a great selection of wine and all in all it created a very relaxed informal evening, which was just perfect.

Very quirky restaurant, but food is very nice. Bear in mind that Rijst tafel is Dutch colonial Indonesian food so can't be found in Indonesia, but it really is delicious, and in copius quantities. Sitting on cushions definitely adds to the atmosphere.

One of the best restaurants ever. We sat on the floor upstairs and it was so cosy and romantic. We had an amazing meal and the waiter was friendly and helpful. Great wine selection and we got a beautiful bottle of Italian wine for 20 euro. Will definitely go there again. Loved it!

If you like Indonesian food I would definitely recommend the Chameleon. The only true way to experience Indonesian food is to sit on the floor without shoes on low tables surrounded by colourful cushions, dim lights and low music. The restaurant specialises in Rijst Tafel, set meals, which makes it great for sharing if are in a large group. The waiter will always take time to explain what’s on the menu and make suggestions. The Opium Room is wonderful for a group if you can manage to book it. It’s the private dining room at the top of the restaurant. If it is your first time here try not to sit downstairs the atmosphere is so much better on the second floor. The Chameleon has won on several awards one of them being the Bridgestone Best Restaurant in Ireland award so its not cheap. Typical dinner will set you back between €30 to €50 not including wine or service charge, however the food is plentiful. I have been to this restaurant on many occasions and I have to say that I am always impressed with the service and the food.

I was there a while ago and I remember it as a nice place, good atmosphere quite original, the food I was disappointed with. It didn't taste fresh...there was something about it that tasted somehow... microwaved? Maybe I am wrong, what I remember really well was that it was a bit pricey and the bill had a 10 or 15% service charge included so we didn’t leave a tip and the waiter almost threw us out of the restaurant with an evil look.....that’s why we never went back!

Warm and cosy zany restaurant food delicious

We had a group of 7 for a birthday meal and we were delighted with the service and atmosphere. The waiter was very helpful and offered some useful advice when ordering. We had never before experienced dinner shoeless, on cushions and surrounded by such exotic decor! The food was delicious. Highly recommended.

The Chameleon is a very quirky, different place to eat... Good food, great atmosphere, especially good for groups.. Unusual seating if you like sitting on cushions!! Would definitely recommend it.