Red Emperor (Southgate) Chinese Restaurant

Great service and the dishes are wonderful. They are great if you are eating before a show

Did the $70pp all you can eat yum cha option. Lots of different food to choose from and the servers are constantly bringing new dishes to the table.

Not the best yum cha I’ve ever had but considering it’s central location and the amount of food we were able to eat for $70, it’s worth the price. The dumplings were great, but the chicken feet were bland.

Service was very rushed and we felt like the staff wanted to get us in and out quickly even though the venue was only half full.

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 out with food.

Had a beautiful experience here on New Years Eve.sat on the balcony and the atmosphere was just amazing. The food as always, was cooked to perfection and so much flavour.very fresh and cooked in a timely manner.
We had a lovely young waiter and he was just wonderful.
Highly recommend to sit out on the balcony on a warm night. This is one of my very favourite places to go.

A very nice restaurant for everyone to enjoy whether its a group functions or party and they have a great menu to choose from

We have dined at the red Emporer every time we visit Melbourne and have done so for many many years. Unfortunately on our latest visit and after another wonderful meal upon paying electronically you are asked for a tip of which I pressed decline for no other reason than I don’t believe that we the consumer should have to pay a tip unless of course you want to. This is not USA where tipping forms their pay and the cost of the meal reflects that. Our bill was app $400. Wine included. When I declined the tip option I was confronted by the boss man in a rude and discourteous many in front of other diners as to why I didn’t tip. I was actually taken aback and felt more than a little humiliated. Not sure that I want to go back there again to be public ally lambasted. Which is a shame as I really enjoy the food. Bloody tipping I hate it. Surely the wages being paid are fair and equitable and that we are being charged to cover them.
Not happy Jan

What a fantastic dining experience, the staff were friendly and so helpful and made suggestions to our order. The food was fantastic. Absolutely loved it and will return.

Yum Cha been there a few times.
Enjoyed food.
Make sure to make a booking, as frowned upon if no booking.
Only down side always ask if we want to leave a tip.
Last time there, very pushy for tip.
Suggested $5.00 as waiters very good.
Seriously!

Too cheap to pay for air-conditioning and it was sweltering inside 1/1/23 and $85 banquet was less than average with SMG.two slithers of duck is not worth it. Go to China Bar for 1/2 a duck and veggies about $28.

Service very ordinary and meals left to cool on benches until staff got around to serving them. Quality of food very disappointing.

Went for lunch with my partner, we both opted for the $66 all you can eat yum cha. Price is a bit high but I guess that’s due to the location. Food was excellent, came straight out of the kitchen piping hot, everything was delicious and good portion sizes! We’ll definitely be back again next time we’re in Melbourne!
Make sure you ring and book ahead as they do get very busy too!

Worst meal to end my 2022 and never never going back

Food were overpriced and price spent doesn’t even justify the food quality and taste. Staff is rude and patronising. Was told $100 per pax then later the staff change to $150 per pax upon entering which we were fine with it since it’s PH. (We realised that the minimum spend fluctuate with different kind of customers).

Told one of the staff that the food is different from what we had previously and the portion is ridiculously small. She smile, shrug her shoulder and just walked off.

When we are about to settle the bill, which is close to $600, the male staff just straight asked for tips to be given. We refused and told him that the food were terrible. When we refused to give any tips he seem to be so irritated, rolled his eyes and just walked off.

High-quality meals with good taste.
The server Young was a humble guy who explained the food really very well.
Need to book before you visit the place as it’s a busy restaurant.
I had Vegetarian dumplings with Beancurd and chilly sauce with Singapore fried rice.

If i could give zero stars i would. Service was subpar at best, orderd drinks upon seating took 20mins for drinks to arrive. Yum cha was luke warm and average to taste.
We ordered a live crayfish ($500) and duck.crayfish was bland and suspect it had been frozen. Duck was dry and tasteless.
4 members of the party of 10 had gastro issues. Avoid this place. Staff are also posting 5 stars reviews.

Hugely expensive and ordinary food. The wait staff are unfriendly and inattentive. Go elsewhere.

Waiter forced a tip and hovered over my wife to pressure her to tip more. Foor was overpriced and underwhelming, service was average. Would not recommend

Worst food ever. Too salty, too pricey.
Worst costumer service ever. Rude. Will not let to finish your sentences they will sit directly in your mouth. Best part is successfully finding places too avoid

Food was delicious, everything that came out was beautiful. Staff were friendly & attentive just like service should be. Really enjoyed our night out here. We will be back.

A wonderful lunch. Food and service impeccable. Great variety of Gluten Free Options! Safe for the coeliac diner.

Been here 3 times and every time been served with the worst rude service and been served by same rude old man staff.he’s so rude and I don’t know why he still working there maybe because shorted staff everywhere so the restaurant still keep him … they been racist behaviour when they didn’t look back that they are Asian … very rude and very slowly service.so now we understood and know why they have less customers than another Chinese restaurant like golf leaf … ect