Where To Celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year In London 2026

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, marks the start of a new lunar calendar and is one of the biggest celebrations in Chinese culture. Each year is tied to a different animal from the Chinese zodiac, bringing its own symbols, personality traits and traditions. The festivities usually run for 15 days and centre around spending time with loved ones, eating lucky foods, watching colourful parades and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead. 

Lunar New Year Events In London

As the traditional Chinese calendar enters the Year of the Fire Horse on 17th February 2026, London gears up with a huge lineup of Lunar New Year events, experiences and celebrations. From the buzzing streets of Chinatown bursting with lion dances, lanterns and live performances, to luxe restaurants serving limited‑edition festive feasts, the city is packed with ways to get involved. We're bringing you ideas for hemed cocktail nights, dumpling‑making classes, vibrant cultural showcases and special menus from some of London’s top Asian‑inspired kitchens. 

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 6th February 2026




The Best Chinese Restaurants In London

With all kinds of restaurants serving up authentic East Asian cuisine, London is a great place to be for the Lunar New Year. It's all up for grabs here, from Cantonese and Sichuan to dumplings and Michelin-starred plates.

All moody lighting and modern dim sum, The Courtesan hopes to transport you back to the peak of Imperial China. Want something a little more relaxed? Get over to Alan Yau's gastropub Duck and Rice. He's the genius behind Wagamama and Hakkasan, so you can be sure he knows a thing or two.

Lunar New Year Mahjong

@ Cutter and Squidge on Wed, 18th Feb 2026 @ 18:00 - 20:00

Ring in the Lunar New Year the Cutter & Squidge way - with good friends, lots of laughs and even more Mahjong. Expect generous plates, buzzing tables and games designed for everyone, from certified pros to those touching the tiles for the very first time.

To fuel you up for all the fun, there's delicious nibbles like strawberry matcha cake, and you'll get an extra special red packet with a guaranteed prize. Grab your ticket to play for just £36.75.

Chinese New Year Family Banquet at Lush and Hush

@ Lush and Hush on Tue, 17th Feb 2026 @ 19:30 - 23:00

Celebrate in style with an indulgent feast at Lush and Hush, a gorgeous restaurant in Notting Hill Gate. They're hosting a family-style banquet that features ten sumptuous dishes, limited to 30 people to create an intimate, friendly atmosphere.

Tuck into everything from lobster to wagyu beef and poached chicken, designed to be shared. There's karaoke and a buzzing atmosphere upstairs, with a more relaxed space below, so you can tailor your night to your tastes.

Roe

Created by the team behind Fallow and FOWL, Roe usually serves up modern British dishes. Things are a little different for the Year of the Fire Horse, with a sensational set menu up for grabs. 

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, you can tuck into a choice of maitake mushroom wonton, char sui lamb skewer, yee sang prosperity toss salad, sweet and sour suckling pork, 'Fire horse' red chilli cod head and plenty more.

UBA

Head to sleek Shoreditch venue UBA for a fantastic feast this January, with their limited edition Lunar New Year menu. Kick off the zodiac season in style, by indulging in traditional Chinese dishes with a pan-Asian twist - we're talking Serpent's spice rendang curry chicken skewers, prawn and scallop dim sum and Longevity Noodles.

Those dining from this menu will receive receive a hongbao red envelope containing special offers to use in the future, like 10% off food or 15% off cocktails. As for the venue itself? Expect sultry red interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Great Eastern Street.

Bun House Chinatown

Bun House Chinatown is celebrating the Lunar New Year with an OG Cantonese feast. The Grand Nine (Gau Dai Gwai) is made for sharing, celebrating and flexing abundance. The party starts with with classic Prosperity Toss and continues with brand-new creations like Lobster XO Risotto alongside crowd-favourites like Nam Yu Crispy Pork.

But wait, there's more. The legends from Circle Thirteen are in town with the Disco Herbal Tea Shop - a cocktail menu inspired by Chinese herbal medicine. Think Hoisin Cobbler with Shaoxing wine and Szechuan Pepper Paloma.

Noodle And Beer

From 5th February to 3rd March, Noodle And Beer is celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse in spectacular style. Expect packed tables, red garlands and light installations handmade by local artists.

The menu is packed with lucky dishes and good fortune. Begin with Auspicious Lotus Root Parcels, before tucking into dishes like Prosperity Beer Duck and Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls.

Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay

Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse in style at Lucky Cat Mayfair, nestled in the heart of Grosvenor Square. Dive into their exquisite à la carte menu, starting with baby squid before exploring a vibrant selection of sashimi and nigiri from the raw bar.

For mains, indulge in delights like mushroom dumplings with cumin and dashi or one of their signature creations - the irresistible GFC and hand-mixed-at-your-table egg fried rice. Pair your feast with Asian-inspired cocktails from the 9 Lives Cocktail Menu, where every drink is just £9. 

XI Dumplings

XI Dumplings brings the bold, comforting flavours of Northeastern China to London. Inspired by the communal spirit of dumpling-making in Northern China, it's all about family, celebration and connection.

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, it's serving its beautifully sculpted, hand-crafted Lion Dance Buns, made using authentic Northeastern Chinese pastry techniques and filled with custard and matcha. Available for a limited time only, you'll need to pre-order online and collect in store between 1st and 15th February.

Duck and Waffle London

Duck & Waffle London is celebrating the Year of the Horse with a special Chinese New Year menu, running from the 16th to the 20th of February. The feast kicks off with small plates like prawn crackers with crispy chilli oil, smashed and fermented baby cucumbers with chilli, and tea-infused duck eggs drizzled with a bang-bang peanut dressing.

For mains, diners can tuck into crispy duck confit pancakes with cucumber, spring onions and hoisin, plant-based 'Wannabe' pancakes with crispy oyster mushrooms and tofu, or a fillet of sea bass with pak choi, chilli, ginger, soy and oyster sauce. Sweet endings include a duck egg custard tart with matcha ice cream or rice pudding with poached rhubarb and honey, finished off with classic fortune cookies for a playful nod to tradition.

BAO

BAO is welcoming the Lunar New Year in suitably indulgent fashion, marking the Year of the Horse with a limited-time menu that's all about abundance, symbolism and a little bit of fun.

Running from the 10th to the 26th of February, the celebration brings together show-stopping specials like chilli crab noodles topped with tempura crab legs and salmon roe, a classic prosperity-tossing salmon salad, and playful Horse Charms BAO served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce. Drinks get in on the action too, with a pineapple highball finished with a frothy Campari foam. Ahead of the main event, BAO will be teasing the festivities with a special pop-up at Rose Bakery on the 6th and 7th of February, giving you an early taste of the Lunar New Year dishes to come.