Karen’s Diner Melbourne - Carlton

Eating was tasteless and too expensive. not enough support

We visited after our daughter had pestered us about the concept when she discovered it on tiktok and she was super enthusiastic about the booking. we had to wait outside until the waiter came and read some basic rules for the insults (no body shaded, touched etc). I somehow understand that they try to make a fun, concept of light hearty banter, but in reality I think that they have a very fine line with it and finally it's really working. I admire that they think about the customer experience and the performative service, but it masks a shocking bad offer. the eating was literally gross (my daughter ordered both mozzarella sticks and my wife got a chickenburger like me. The karaoke games was funny and the waiter deserves credit for being funny and engaged, although he called my wife 'gran gran' because she has white hair and I found it a little insulting but nothing said. Overall I hated the experience, I was a fine restaurant manager in a past career and therefore I am probably not the target audience, but I would encourage them to improve the concept of performative customer experiences in a different direction to promote better service, and I think they should definitely try to improve the eating that was less than the second rate.

Karen’s diner was good fun. The kids loved it. Highly recommend the Onion rings and the basic Karen Burger.

The staff weren’t funny, they mostly swore, we couldn’t wait to leave! They need a few more mature staff members

Excellent food, **** service as expected. Music bit too loud and explicit words in songs not recommended during day with children present. No toilets downstairs