Where to celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney

Usher in the year of the rabbit with a lunar banquet fit for an emperor at New Shanghai.

The mesmerising interiors of this restaurant will take you back in time to the streets of 1930s Shanghai, with beautifully crafted hanging lanterns and the mouthwatering smell of soup dumplings and pan-fried buns filling the air.

Gather your family and friends for a special eight-course banquet packed with the very best of New Shanghai’s scrumptious treats.

Tuck into banquet highlights like roast duck pancakes with hoisin sauce, sweet and sour crispy barramundi and the decadently delicious Nutella banana spring rolls.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Eight-course Chinese New Year menu available from 20th to 31st of January ($68 pp)

Enter the tranquil Chinese Garden of Friendship for a specially curated new year banquet courtesy of Lotus.

Take a seat outside, surrounded by lush plants, exotic flowers and a turquoise lake full of glistening Koi fish as you unwind, hidden away from the bustle of the Sydney CBD.

Enjoy a share-style menu full of Lotus favourites and exclusive Lunar New Year creations.

Begin with Pacific oysters served with soy, ginger and finger lime before devouring menu standouts like jade prawn dumplings, pork xiao long bao, rolled duck pancakes and steamed pork and prawn siu mai.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lunar New Year menu available from 22nd January to 5th February ($79 pp or $88 pp)

Make it an extra fortuitous new year with an elegant banquet dinner at Spice Temple.

The tasty temple of pan-Chinese fare takes inspiration from the distinct regional cuisines of China’s provinces. The end result? A fragrant, aromatic menu bursting at the seams with flavour-packed dishes guaranteed to make your mouth water.

This year, Spice Temple is putting on a nine-course spread with each dish named after a new year wish in celebration of the year of the rabbit.

Enjoy delicious delights like ‘wealth’ (pork, prawn and garlic chive spring rolls), ‘fortune’ (pipis with pork and Shaoxing wine) and ‘happiness’ (tea-smoked chicken with aged black vinegar).

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chinese New Year menu available from 17th to 28th January ($159 pp)

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in style with a decadent lunar feast at Aria.

Taking place within the restaurant’s upscale dining room, with all of its picture perfect Sydney Harbour views on full display, this is an excellent pick for an indulgent Lunar New Year celebration.

Executive Chef Tom Gorringe has curated a seven-course tasting menu inspired by the Lunar New Year, putting a special Aria spin on traditional Chinese flavours.

Taste exquisite menu highlights like scallop crudo with daikon and finger lime, Peking duck consommé and red braised Wagyu short rib with garlic shoots.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chinese New Year tasting menu available from 21st January to 4th February ($300 pp)

Have a divine Lunar New Year dinner up in the clouds at Blu Bar on 36.

Located in the glorious Shangri-La Hotel and featuring majestic views out across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, this is the ideal pick for an extra special New Year celebration!

And as luck would have it, Blu Bar on 36 will mark the year of the rabbit with an impressive after-dark Chinese New Year-inspired tapas menu.

Graze throughout the night on share plates, including BBQ pork belly buns, salt and pepper prawns with grilled pak choi and roast duck breast with Shangri-La bee honey and egg noodles.

Got a sweet tooth? Dig into a delightful green tea yuzu tiramisu to finish the night in sugary style.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lunar New Year menu available from 21st January to 5th February ($89 pp)

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