Red Cliff

14.5/20Critics' PickUpdated September 24, 2026,first published October 27, 2025A sensory assault and heartfelt celebration of China’s spiciest cuisines.Queen Street in the CBD might not spring to mind when you think of regional Chinese food, but it’s home to a restaurant that serves Sichuan and Hunan dishes – plus a little from neighbouring Hubei – to a rare standard.Yabby noodles, a saucy signature, have reportedly been served over 100,000 times. Order them mala-style (heavy on the Sichuan peppercorn), Hunan-spicy (a straighter, hotter heat), or tossed with a blend of 13 spices. Zigong-style chilli beef is a fortissimo of Christmas-coloured chillies, pickled ginger, garlic and coriander.If chilli isn’t your jam, you’re still in safe hands with canary-yellow fish soups wild with pickled cabbage and chicken broth. Ruby-red walls are covered with cartoon princesses from bygone dynasties, yellow and red lanterns hang overhead, aching Chinese ballads play. Red Cliff is a lot, but it’s also life-giving in its vitality.Good to know: It’s packed every night: book ahead.Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.Sign upLast visited: September 2026More:MelbourneRed CliffChineseGood for groupsGood for business lunchLate-night diningPrivate dining roomLicensedRestaurantReviewsGood Food GuideCritics’ PickFrom our partners