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Restaurant

Red Cliff

Ground Floor/256 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 17 people

Updated

Find Red Cliff

Ground Floor/256 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9696 6666
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Red Cliff

Melbourne table-gatherers pack this Queen Street dining room for serious Hunan and Sichuan heat served in generous share-style portions. Lanterns glow above partitioned tables and private rooms where big groups dig straight into hefty, garlic-laden bowls of suancai fish—slippery with glass noodles and sour pickled greens. Regulars lean hard into the wok heat: Chongqing spicy chicken, stir-fried yellow beef, and platters of crayfish noodles loaded with tender tail meat. Crisp-skinned Peking duck cuts through the tingling mala chillies, rounded out by brown sugar ice jelly to cool down the palate.

  • Authentic Regional Heat: Packs fiery heat and tingling peppercorns into regional staples like suancai fish and wok-tossed spicy chicken.
  • Signature Peking Duck: Served hot with crisp skin, traditional pancakes, and complimentary roast duck fried rice.
  • Standout Suancai Fish: Tender fish and glass noodles steeped in a rich, garlicky broth sharpened with pickled mustard greens.
  • Group & Private Dining: Features warm lantern-lit interiors with partitioned spaces and private rooms built for shared banquets.
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What's On at Red Cliff

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Red Cliff

Why diners choose Red Cliff for authentic regional feasts and group gatherings

  • Authentic Regional Specialties & Signature Broths

    Red Cliff prepares authentic regional specialties such as sauerkraut fish with perfectly balanced tanginess and hearty freshwater crayfish noodles.

    The broth was rich and flavourful, with just the right balance of tanginess from the pickled vegetables.

    Mia

  • Generous Share-Style Portions for Groups

    Generous share-style dishes deliver substantial portion sizes that make dining with family and groups great value.

    The portions were incredibly generous, making it great value for money, especially if you’re dining with family or friends.

    Valerie Ng

  • Bold Hunan and Sichuan Flavor Profiles

    Spicy dishes pack bold mala heat and aromatic seasonings that cater directly to intense Hunan and Sichuan flavor cravings.

    Definitely not your average Chinese takeout — every dish was bold, fragrant and packed with real spice.

    Abby & Clarissa

  • Atmospheric Lantern-Lit Dining Setting

    Decorated with traditional Chinese lanterns and rich aesthetics, the venue creates an immersive cultural dining experience.

    The beautiful lantern lit ambience adds a warm and traditional touch that makes the whole dining experience feel even more special.

    Remya

  • Private Dining Rooms for Celebrations

    Partitions and dedicated dining spaces provide comfortable separation suited for hosting group meals or celebrations.

    There are private rooms for dining as well for larger groups.

    Remya

  • Flexible Spaces Suited for Large Parties

    The restaurant layout accommodates group bookings comfortably with segmented table setups for focused gatherings.

    I also saw that they have more private space/areas for those dining with a large group, in addition to the standard tables in the restaurant.

    Melbfoodly

Signature regional Sichuan and Hunan communal dishes praised by diners

  • Suancai Fish

    Our favourite was definitely the Suancai Fish. The broth was rich and flavourful, with just the right balance of tanginess from the pickled vegetables.

    Mia

  • Peking Duck

    peking duck was a standout 🦆🥒🥞 — came out hot with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.

    Camelyn S

  • Crayfish Noodles

    The crayfish noodles were delicious — packed with flavour, generous with the crayfish, and the portion size was great.

    Douglath

  • Kongming Grilled Fish

    Our top recommendation is the Kongming Grilled Fish. I’d give it a 4.5/5—this time the fish was a little bit on the dry side, but the side ingredients and the broth were absolutely the best we've had.

    Cooper Eats

Frequently Asked Questions

How large are the portions?

Dishes are designed for sharing and served in very generous portions. Diners note that two dishes can easily be more than enough for two people, making ordering family-style recommended.

Should you book ahead or reserve a private room?

Yes, reservations are recommended for busy evening services. The venue also features private rooms and partitioned spaces suited for larger group dining and celebrations.

What dishes are recommended to order?

The restaurant is known for authentic Sichuan and Hunan specialties, with popular highlights including Kongfu Master Sauerkraut Fish (Suancai Fish), Peking duck, crayfish noodles, and tender stir-fried beef dishes.

Are vegetarian dishes available?

Yes, the menu includes vegetarian dish options such as hand-torn cabbage, wok-fried cauliflower, tomato egg, and fresh vegetable stir-fries.

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