Tropika Malaysian / Thai Restaurant (Downtown)
Tropika (web site, 1128 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-737-6002) is one of Vancouver’s most popular Malaysian and Thai restaurants. Located in the heart of the trendy downtown Robson Street shopping district, Tropika is a good sized restaurant with modern, upscale decor, but more importantly, really outstanding food.
Pictured below are the satays (meat skewer appetizers, $1.20 each), roti canai (Malay bread, $2.95), Hainanese chicken (half chicken, $12.95), pineapple fried rice with ham and chicken ($12.95), and a special drink: coconut juice served in a fresh coconut. We had a large group (9 people) and made reservations a few days in advance. The serving staff and kitchen handled our group flawlessly and we enjoyed the flavors of the dishes very much.
Two other locations of Tropika Restaurant in Vancouver are: Tropika at Cambie (2975 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-879-6002) and Tropika at Aberdeen (Unit 1830, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada, phone 604-233-7002)
Beef, chicken, lamb, and pork satay skewers ($1.20 each)
Hainanese Chicken (Half $12.95)
Pineapple Fried Rice with Ham and Chicken ($12.95)
Coconut Juice – served in a real coconut!
July 4th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I had a bad experience going to the Tropika on Cambie St on Friday, July 2nd, 2010. They weren’t that packed or super busy either. The food & drinks were ok. The bill came to about $99 something. I paid for the whole bill as it was my treat to my friend, I tipped them less than 10%, the waiter came back and asked for more tip. He showed me the bill and said people usually tip atleast 10% here. I was embarassed since my friend is right there and I wanted to treat her. I usually tip atleast 10% anyways but for some reason I didn’t feel like tipping that much on that day since I was leaving Vancouver to go back to Toronto. I didn’t care since its my last day and I wouldn’t go back there for a long time anyways since I am a tourist and don’t live there.
I have never experienced this before where a waiter in a restaurant denies my tip and asks for more upfront. I think this place’s attitude stinks and would never go back. I believe tipping is optional and not mandatory. You can tip whatever amount you want depending on how you feel or think…Everyone is different but there’s no set rules on their website saying that all customers must tip 10% or else??? There was only 3 of us so its not a big group or anything!
By far this is has been the worst Vancouver dining experience I have had and I am going to complain to the manager about this. By reading all the reviews at this restaurant, they seem to have poor management and staff so not sure if they actually do care??
The food overall was decent, over priced for what you get, small portions and I truly think that you can get way better food, better price and better service in elsewhere. I know atleast in Toronto we have a ton of better Thai food places…The food here is just unique & different but not the best or good!
July 1st, 2009 at 3:45 am
[...] or Thai cuisine. Simply look at the photos in the menu and let your eyes decide what to eat! On a previous visit (over two years ago) I enjoyed the satay skewers and the Hainanese [...]