Culture
11 Places to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023
celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Sydney and Melbourne
This year Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Rabbit. Embrace the ancient Chinese tradition with us by enjoying delicious food and soaking up colourful displays. Below, find a list of our favourite places to celebrate the festivities.
SYDNEY
Spice Temple – Sydney CBD
Spice Temple rings in Lunar New Year with a feast of auspicious dishes, available from 17th January to 28th February. In line with Lunar New Year customs, the banquet menus are designed around food symbolism: purse-shaped pipis that represent fortune, eggs that signify fertility, dumplings shaped like money to represent wealth, and red ingredients that stand for prosperity and happiness.
Book here
Chi by Lotus – Barangaroo
Inspired by the vibrant night markets found on Beijing’s Ghost Street, Chi has been designed to bring to life the buzzing atmosphere and experience of the famous Chinese food street. An extensive drinks list of wine, beer and Chinese-inspired cocktails are there to be enjoyed with a quick bite or over a long, leisurely afternoon while popular pop tunes play overhead to create a fun and lively ambience.
Book here
Lunar Lanes – Sydney CBD
Lunar Lanes will transform the laneways of Haymarket into an exciting street party with real community spirit. The streets of Chinatown will buzz with live entertainment, roving performers, market stalls, food trucks, DJs and plenty of Instagram moments. Enjoy performances from Sydney’s Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Taiwanese and Japanese community groups on the main stage at Hay Street. From 9pm, dance the night away as a live band performs all your favourite hits.
More info here
Teahouse – Barangaroo
The Crown’s Teahouse is a whimsical escape to be whisked away with friends and family this Lunar New Year. Offering an exclusive High Tea experience presenting a delectable array of savoury and sweet Asian treats including Crispy Truffle Lobster Dumpling, Peking Duck Bun and “Fortune Macaron” with Milk Tea Mousse – or try one of the zodiac-inspired cocktails available exclusively during Lunar New Year.
Book here
Infinity – Sydney CBD
Infinity at Sydney Tower is dishing up an opulent six-course degustation of Asian-inspired dishes, including East 33 Sydney rock oysters with nashi pear and shiso dressing, dry-aged duck breast and portoro striploin MB+4 with potato shiro and king brown mushrooms. It’ll set you back $235 per person, and an additional $155 if you’re keen on matching Penfolds reds.
Book here
South Eveleigh Precinct
The South Eveleigh precinct will celebrate Lunar New Year from 21 January to 5 February with a series of fun activities and cultural performances. Several restaurants in the precinct including Eat Fuh, RaRa Ramen and Pepper Seeds Boutique Thai Bites will have themed menus for the duration of the festival, along with BrewDog offering crispy Korean chicken bao buns as a three-day special from 22-25 January.
More info here
MELBOURNE
National Gallery of Victoria – St Kilda
Secret Kitchen – Melbourne CBD
Secret Kitchen offers one of the largest live seafood aquariums in the city to ensure only the freshest seafood plus you’ll find many other great dishes from China’s diverse culinary regions. Try one of many different kinds of dumplings, peking duck, crispy pork belly and of course any of their fresh seafood dishes.
Book here
Grand Hyatt – Melbourne CBD
The Grand Hyatt is offering a timeless tradition of the spectacular dinner buffet at Collins Kitchen: from the chefs’ grill and wood oven, wok and steamer specialities, as well as their luxurious dessert counter, including Ube Mochi Waffle and Bubble Tea stations.
Book here
Davids – Prahran
Book in for a delicious yum cha lunch or dinner at David’s or sister restaurants Oriental Teahouse to celebrate Lunar New Year on Sunday, January 22. For a celebration to remember, David’s is offering unlimited yum cha.
Book here
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