When asking yourself about something to do near me in Austin with a group of friends or family, consider
RedFarm
Why RedFarm is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
RedFarm, established in 2011 in New York City's West Village, offers a unique and modern dining experience centered on inventive Chinese cuisine with a strong greenmarket and farm-to-table sensibility. Located in an intimate 42-seat space on the parlor floor of a historic 1828 brownstone, the restaurant blends rustic, farmhouse-style décor with contemporary style, creating a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere ideal for gatherings with friends. The restaurant’s menu, crafted by dim sum master chef Joe Ng and Chinese food expert Ed Schoenfeld, features creative takes on traditional dishes, including playful Pac Man dumplings, mushroom spring rolls evocative of chanterelle mushrooms, Katz’ pastrami egg rolls, yuzu wasabi shrimp, and tender marinated rib steaks with steamed baby bok choy. RedFarm is celebrated for its super-charged dim sum offerings and a seasonal menu that continuously evolves to highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's unique vibe, combined with its creative dishes and carefully curated ambiance designed by Brooklyn’s Crème Design, makes RedFarm an excellent spot for friends to meet, share innovative meals, and enjoy a lively yet intimate dining experience. Beyond New York, RedFarm has expanded to Austin, Texas, and Coconut Grove, Florida, bringing its distinctive style and inventive cuisine to new audiences.
Here's what people think of RedFarm
As of recent, RedFarm holds a 4.2-star rating based on 266 reviews.
Reviews from diners highlight RedFarm as a trendy, buzzing destination where creativity in Chinese cuisine shines, especially noted for its unique and flavorful dim sum. Patrons often praise signature items like the Pac Man dumplings, Katz’ pastrami egg rolls, and other creative dim sum offerings, describing them as standout dishes that elevate the dining experience. The restaurant's atmosphere is frequently mentioned as lively and stylish, attracting a fashionable crowd that adds to a fun, people-watching environment. Positive reviews also commend the high-quality, inventive dishes and attentive, friendly service. On the downside, some complaints concern the restaurant’s limited seating and occasional discomfort from seating arrangements, such as tables near doors causing drafts. Additionally, diners seeking an authentic, traditional dim sum experience with rolling carts and classic Chinatown ambiance might find RedFarm’s modern and inventive approach less fitting to their expectations. Despite these minor critiques, the overall sentiment strongly favors RedFarm as an exciting and high-quality dining option. The blend of innovative food, appealing atmosphere, and reliable service secures RedFarm’s reputation as a celebrated and stylish spot for both casual meetups and special occasions.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Sharon Braaten
First time here. It was a quiet weeknight. Our server was excellent! Very knowledgeable and friendly! She definitely knew the menu inside and out. Started with one of the tequila cocktails. It was delicious and balanced. Shared some small plates from the happy hour menu. The vegetable dumplings were super tasty and had a wide variety of vegetables. Also shared the pork bun and sizzling beef. Very tasty, but the dumplings we my favorite! Also had the sea bass. It was so light and fresh! Definitely worth coming back to try more things!
Joshua Wright
RedFarm was a solid experience downtown with plenty of great food options and great service. The starters were great and had a nice variety for all food pallets. The Pacman dumplings were a cool visual take on the dish. I really enjoyed the Spicy Crispy Beef. The entrees could be split, but if you come hungry and don't do startes, it was enough for one person. Not the greatest Asian food in Austin, but if you want a solid spot and plenty of options, RedFarm fits the bill.
D T
I'm gluten free and the fact that the have gluten free dumplings?!?!!! Game over. The dumplings are so light and delicate and delicious. I've gotten I think all of the gluten free ones at different times? And they are all amazing. Big fan of their spicy chili oil and their bacon fried rice too! If you're feeling spicy, get the Le Hot - their spicy cocktail. Not too spicy and perfectly balanced!
Dharshini M
We stopped by for an early dinner before watching Tom Jones live at the ACL. This place was amazing with great food and great service. We didn't want to order too much food for the fear of having to take leftovers but wanted at least one entrée and our server recommended the BBQ Duck Noodles, which was amazing. It reminded me of a Malaysian dish called Char Kuey Teow. The duck was just perfectly cooked, too. The dim sum was amazing, and my favorite was the pan-fried pork buns. The truffle mushroom pancake was also great. I can't wait to go back and try other dishes.
Daniel Sidler
Excited to try this place after all the reviews. I was sorely let down by the atmosphere and experience, at a restaurant that serves $21 cauliflower I was expecting a top notch atmosphere and amazing service. The service was more than adequate but the atmosphere was severely lacking. Maybe I am wrong but with their pedigree and pricing I was expecting much more than we received. The bathrooms were not only dirty but the toilet paper dispenser and a shelf in the stall were broken and hanging off of the wall. Their website describes ample street parking but as anyone going to downtown Austin on a Saturday night knows that is not the case. Amazingly there wasn't even a valet option, which is what I would expect from a restaurant priced and described as it is. The food was definitely solid, we ordered everything recommended to us by our server and the only thing that blew us away was the crispy beef appetizer. While the bar and restaurant were not by any means packed our drink ticket got lost in the mix and we had finished 3 appetizers before our server checked in on us and we could let him know of the issue. To his credit the situation was quickly fixed and that round of drinks was comped on our final ticket. As our party departed I made sure to say good night and thank you to the staff up front at the door and received no reply from the 4 present employees. I feel like I would not be as critical of our experience if the items were priced much lower. But with our bill just below $100 per person I feel like I need to hold them to a much higher standard.
How to reach RedFarm
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Why RedFarm may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at RedFarm with your friends? RedFarm stands out as an exceptional destination for gathering with friends or family due to its inventive fusion of traditional Chinese cuisine with a playful and contemporary presentation. The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere that encourages lively conversations and shared experiences, making any meetup memorable and enjoyable. Its reputation for excellent food paired with a creative dining concept appeals to those seeking something beyond the usual dining experience. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, including uniquely crafted dumplings and flavorful main courses, allowing everyone in a group to discover something that excites their palate. Moreover, the ambiance caters well to social gatherings, combining a welcoming setting with attentive service that makes groups feel comfortable and taken care of. Whether it’s a casual catch-up, a celebration, or a special occasion, RedFarm’s blend of taste, style, and convivial energy creates a perfect backdrop for any group meetup, offering a memorable culinary adventure that is easy to share and enjoy together.
What activities and dining experiences does RedFarm offer that are perfect for group meetups? RedFarm specializes in innovative Chinese cuisine that is artfully presented, creating an interactive dining experience ideal for groups. One of its signature features is the wide variety of dumplings, which are crafted in playful shapes and vibrant colors, encouraging everyone around the table to try different types and share flavors. This kind of communal eating fosters a spirit of connection and conversation within the group. Beyond dumplings, RedFarm’s menu includes dishes like the Peking duck, steamed fish, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, offering diverse flavor profiles to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. The restaurant also features a well-curated drink menu, including cocktails and wines, which complement the food and enhance the social atmosphere. The layout of the venue supports group dining, with tables arranged to accommodate multiple guests comfortably, which is essential for long conversations and a relaxed, enjoyable gathering. The staff is attentive, often explaining the uniqueness of the dishes and accommodating special requests, further enriching the experience for groups wanting a personalized touch.
Why is RedFarm’s atmosphere and service suited for hosting group events? RedFarm offers an environment that strikes a balance between casual and refined, making it particularly well-suited for group meetups. The interior design is chic yet inviting, featuring modern decor with comfortable seating that allows people to sit close and interact easily. This setup is ideal for groups who want to chat freely without feeling cramped or rushed. The lighting and acoustics are managed in ways that maintain a lively ambiance without overwhelming noise, which is important for meaningful conversations. Service at RedFarm has received praise for being attentive and knowledgeable, with staff members guiding diners through the diverse menu and giving advice on pairing dishes, which can be very helpful for groups unfamiliar with certain Chinese delicacies. Additionally, the team’s capability to manage multiple guests simultaneously ensures that groups receive efficient service while feeling individually cared for. This professional yet warm service style creates a welcoming atmosphere where group members can relax and enjoy their time together without worries about technical details.
What makes RedFarm’s menu uniquely appealing for groups looking for diverse tastes? The menu at RedFarm is designed to cater to a spectrum of tastes and preferences, making it an excellent choice for group dining where variety is key. Among the highlights are their dumplings, with options ranging from shrimp and corn to more adventurous fillings, all presented in creative shapes that spark visual interest and delight. The Peking duck remains a star dish, prepared with special techniques that produce rich flavor and a crisp texture, ideal for sharing. Other standout dishes include seafood-based options, such as steamed red snapper and crabmeat long life noodles, which add depth and variety to the meal options. Vegetable sides and stir-fried seasonal vegetables complement the richer dishes, accommodating lighter palates or vegetarian guests. The menu’s structure encourages trying multiple dishes family-style, allowing everyone to sample various flavors and cooking styles. This diversity ensures that all group members—regardless of age, culinary preference, or dietary restriction—can find dishes to savor, which is crucial for a harmonious shared dining experience.
How does RedFarm’s location and reputation enhance its suitability for group meetups? Positioned in vibrant neighborhoods like Miami’s Coconut Grove or Manhattan’s Upper West Side, RedFarm benefits from prime locations that are easily accessible for groups coming from different parts of the city. These neighborhoods are bustling hubs with ample parking, transit options, and nearby attractions, making arriving and leaving the venue convenient for everyone. The restaurant’s reputation, rated positively with an average of around 4.2 stars from several hundred reviews, establishes trust that guests will enjoy their time and meal quality. While there have been notes about service staffing at times, the overall acclaim highlights the food’s creativity and quality as a strong draw for group outings. This blend of a convenient, lively location combined with a proven track record for flavorful food establishes RedFarm as a reliable choice for hosting gatherings, confident that both logistics and dining quality align with group expectations.
What practical tips improve your group meetup experience at RedFarm? To make the most of a meetup at RedFarm, booking a reservation in advance is highly recommended, especially for larger groups, due to the restaurant’s popularity and limited seating that fits social bubbles comfortably. Arriving with a group of at least three or four people is ideal, notably because many dumpling dishes and appetizers are served in portions of four, making sharing economical and sociable. It is wise to pace the meal, allowing ample time for the full sampling of multiple dishes to appreciate the menu's variety without rushing, reinforcing the relaxed social atmosphere. Discussing dietary needs or allergies with the staff when ordering enhances the experience by preventing inconveniences and ensuring everyone is accommodated. Finally, selecting a range of dishes—from signature dumplings to seafood and vegetable sides—enables a rich tasting journey and promotes lively dialogue about flavors and favorites, deepening group engagement and enjoyment.
In summary, RedFarm represents an inspired location for gathering friends or family, weaving together superior artistry in food, accommodating group-focused dining, compelling flavors, and welcoming ambiance. Its playful yet sophisticated take on Chinese cuisine invites shared exploration and connection, making it an ideal stage for memorable social occasions.