Red Emperor （Southgate）Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

Nestled along the vibrant Southbank of Melbourne, Red Emperor stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, inviting patrons to experience a gastronomic journey that transcends expectations. From the exquisite flavours to the opulent ambience, Red Emperor offers a symphony of delights that capture the essence of fine dining.

Culinary Artistry: A Fusion of Flavours At Red Emperor, every dish is a testament to culinary mastery. The menu seamlessly fuses traditional Chinese flavours with contemporary innovation, resulting in a medley of exquisite creations that cater to both the adventurous and the traditional palate. With an emphasis on premium, fresh ingredients, each plate is a masterpiece of taste and texture. From delicate dim sum to sumptuous seafood dishes, Red Emperor's culinary artistry delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression.

Ambience: Opulent Elegance Stepping into Red Emperor is akin to entering a realm of opulent elegance. The interior design effortlessly marries classic Chinese aesthetics with modern sophistication, creating an inviting space that is both grand and intimate. The ambient lighting, plush furnishings, and tasteful décor come together to set the stage for a dining experience that is equally perfect for a romantic evening or a celebration with loved ones.

Location: Riverside Retreat Red Emperor's strategic location along the Yarra River offers a captivating view that adds to the overall dining experience. Whether you're a local seeking an escape or a traveller looking to savour Melbourne's culinary scene, the restaurant's proximity to Melbourne's iconic landmarks makes it an ideal destination to immerse yourself in an exquisite culinary journey.

Service: Exemplary Attentiveness The service at Red Emperor sets a standard of hospitality that is truly exceptional. The attentive staff's genuine warmth and expertise create an atmosphere that ensures every guest feels welcomed and well cared for. Their attention to detail, from wine pairings to dietary preferences, showcases a commitment to providing a flawless dining experience that exceeds expectations.

Little Known Facts: A Glimpse into Tradition Did you know that Red Emperor's name is inspired by the prized fish found in Chinese culture, symbolizing luck, abundance, and good fortune? This little-known fact enriches the dining experience by offering insight into the cultural nuances that shape the restaurant's offerings and ambiance.

Signature Culinary Creations: A Culinary Odyssey Red Emperor proudly presents a selection of signature creations that showcase the epitome of flavour and culinary expertise. The "Peking Duck," a show-stopping masterpiece of crispy skin and succulent meat, is a must-try dish that embodies Chinese culinary heritage. Pair it with the "Golden Dragon" cocktail, a harmonious blend of Asian spices and premium spirits, reflecting the restaurant's dedication to innovative flavors.

In Conclusion: Red Emperor is a destination where gastronomy meets artistry, offering patrons an unparalleled dining experience that resonates with taste, elegance, and warmth. From the delectable dishes to the luxurious ambience and impeccable service, every aspect of this establishment radiates excellence. Whether you're a connoisseur of Chinese cuisine, an enthusiast of culinary exploration, or someone seeking an unforgettable meal in Melbourne, Red Emperor is an absolute must-visit that promises to elevate your dining journey and create...

This is not the first time we’ve been here - our previous visit for a birthday celebration was amazing and we were very keen to return.

This time was to celebrate our wedding anniversary - booking online we asked to be seated in the balcony if available. This was ignored, even though there were plenty of free tables on the balcony and being a Monday night it wasn’t particularly busy. When we asked about it afterwards, we were dismissed with “it was wet today” even though there are blinds protecting the area and the rain had cleared by lunchtime, plus other people were sitting out there.

The food was as delicious as we remembered, and their ability to cater for gluten free outstanding.

The lady who served us was lovely…when she was waiting on us. However the general service was appalling this time around. We waited close to 15 minutes before we were even given a menu. Throughout the evening we witnessed other tables being looked after very well, being served before us, finished their meal before us even though they came in much later than our booking. Our waitress was topping up other tables’ water then not even checking our glasses. Our meals sat on the middle serving table waiting to be dished up for long enough for them to be lukewarm, and our dessert ice cream melting. At the end of our meal we didn’t get any hot towels (every other table we watched did). Overall we felt very invisible and ignored.

The table behind us had 4 businessmen who had had far too much to drink, being very loud with extremely inappropriate language - swearing their heads off. Saying quite inappropriate derogatory comments.

At the end of our meal (that took 2 hours and 40 minutes to get through because of the lack of service), Simon (we assume the manager) brought over the eftpos machine and almost insisted we give a tip (in Australia a tip is not customary). When we said not today, he appeared annoyed and when we mentioned the behaviour of the table behind us, he was very dismissive and didn’t seem to care.

Overall, not a great experience this time and disappointing given our...

After visiting red Emperor's China town store a few weeks back (which was the best yum cha I've ever had) we thought we would try their Southbank store. We ordered the "all you can eat" option for $70. Unlike the Chinatown store that were constantly bringing the trolley to our table with more and more food, the Southbank store almost never came with the trolley. It makes it a bit hard to eat all you can eat, when they never bring you more food. Anytime we wanted something, we had to order it to be cooked. There were certain items like the truffle prawn dumplings that are only available at the Chinatown store. They also only have small amounts of items available. So when the trolley does come past and you pass on those items, they run out and they're not available again. When it got to dessert time, there was no ginger tofu available (a yum cha standard). Also there were no more egg tarts. How is that even possible at yum cha?! The nail in the coffin was when the waiter came over at told one of our table off rather abruptly for wrapping up the few random left over pieces to take home, rather than letting them go to waste. I understand that some people order extra just to take some home, but these were just a few random bits and pieces that didn't get eaten. Our friend was rather embarrassed about it and the way the staff member told her off was unnecessary. At the end of the meal we ordered a creme brulee. The waiter asked us if we were going to finish it and would only bring it out if we were going to finish it. We were sharing it amongst 4 of us, so I was pretty sure we could finish it, but j found that particularly rude. They also say us out on the balcony on a super hot and sunny day. It was so hot out there, I felt like I was going to pass out. There was little to no shade and no fans. Fans would have made a huge difference. It was so uncomfortable. The staff member did regularly top up my water though. I definitely wouldn't go back here. The all you can eat isn't worth it, when they never come...