RedFarm Closes in Coconut Grove After Just One Year

When RedFarm opened in Coconut Grove in February 2024, it was pitched as a bold new chapter for New York's playful, high-end Chinese food scene in Miami. But less than 18 months later, the dim sum has stopped steaming, and the lights are officially out at 3131 Commodore Plz.

The restaurant, popular in New York City for its "Pac-Man Dumplings," pastrami egg rolls, and Peking duck dinner, shuttered its doors on Sunday, June 29, leaving Grove regulars and curious foodies wondering what happened to the ambitious restaurant that was supposed to become a hotspot just off of Main Highway. The restaurant took to Instagram to share the news. The caption, written by co-founders Jeffrey and Zach Chodorow, reads, "Thank you to all of our guests who joined us in Miami," and goes on to mention that they hope to reopen a location in South Florida in the future. Whether that be in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach is up in the air.

Upscale Chinese Didn't Fit Grove's Clientele

RedFarm's arrival stirred mixed emotions from the start. It took over the beloved, rowdy former home of Mr. Moe's (yes, the same Mr. Moe's of "Moose Juice" infamy), and Grove locals weren't shy about voicing skepticism. Still, the space got a major redesign, and opening-weekend guests included Mario Carbone and Derek Jeter, which made the restaurant feel much more suited for the Upper West Side than old-school Coconut Grove.

Backed by hospitality entrepreneurs Jeffrey and Zach Chodorow (of China Grill and Asia de Cuba) and Miami partner Alex Pirez, the restaurant promised a creative take on Chinese cuisine. The menu ranged from Thai curry mussels, lamb dumplings, and oxtail potstickers to dim sum shaped like sea creatures and '80s video game icons. But even these "Pac-Man Dumplings" couldn't eat up slow foot traffic.

Despite the star power and initial buzz, RedFarm never fully found its footing in the Grove. According to Yelp reviews, many diners were turned off by high prices and a restaurant that felt more like another New York transplant than anything to become a regular at.

Coconut Grove Is in the Midst of Major Change

The closure comes at a time when Coconut Grove is going through a renaissance in terms of food, shopping, and foot traffic. Just this past month, Canadian steakhouse Chop Steakhouse & Bar opened at the former Key Club in CocoWalk, and major retailers have moved in along Main Highway.

Plus, restaurants like Amal, Level 6, and the upscale Carbone Vino are just a few major spots helping take the neighborhood to new heights. Therefore, the prime location of the restaurant will surely be filled in no time.

As for RedFarm, maybe opening in a legendary space like the former Mr. Moe's was always going to be a tough sell.