The Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar New Year) ushers in new beginnings over 15 days of celebration, this year beginning on February 10th. Marking the transition between zodiac signs, 2024 is set to be the Year of the Wood Dragon — a spirit animal known to bring evolution, abundance, improvement and good fortune. Here in Auckland, restaurants city-wide are paying tribute to the festive season, marking the occasion with themed set menus, tempting specials, bespoke menu items and more. So, toast to new beginnings and enjoy a celebratory feast at one of the city’s top dining destinations — rounded up below.
Grand Harbour
Viaduct Harbour’s Grand Harbour is an institution that has cultivated a loyal following of customers and a strong reputation for being home to some of the best dim sums in town, with over 80 different varieties to choose from. While it may be hard to secure a booking at such a busy time for the Hong Kong-style restaurant, it’s still worth trying your luck for its bustling atmosphere alone.
Book a table here.
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Jervois Steak House
Jervois Steak House is inviting revellers to usher in the Year of the Dragon with a celebratory set menu. Dishes have a decidedly Asian influence, including a tantalising aromatic ‘fortune broth’ with chicken and mushroom dumplings, succulent premium Wagyu scotch, and a delicious fresh snapper dish. Available from 9th — 11th February, this is one celebratory feast not to be missed.
Book a table here.
Bivacco
Welcome in the Chinese New Year at Bivacco, where convivial Year of the Dragon celebrations will run from the 2nd to the 15th. Whether it’s a cherished reunion dinner or a lively festive catch up, here, you can savour a decadent menu including a family-style vongole, local crayfish mornay, and a tuscan T-bone to share. Plus, given the location, you’ll do well to pair your chosen fare with a celebratory tipple or two — we’d suggest the Negroni Jelly or, if you’re feeling adventurous, the Pomodorino which pairs olive oil-washed vodka with cherry tomato, white balsamic, lemon and pepper.
Book a table here.
Faraday’s Bar
Renowned for its commitment to luxury, Faraday’s Bar is set to host an opulent, complimentary traditional Chinese tea ceremony to bring in the Lunar New Year, inspiring hope for a promising year ahead. On Friday 9th February, make for Faraday’s where you can explore the venue’s unrivalled selection and enjoy a soothing tea whilst welcoming the Year of the Wood Dragon in unrivalled style.
The Living Room at Park Hyatt
Celebrate prosperity, abundance, and good fortune in the heart of Auckland with Park Hyatt’s Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea. Indulge in a delightful selection of savoury and sweet treats, thoughtfully curated to bring good fortune and joy. Here, you’ll be greeted with a delicious mocktail on arrival, closely followed by the likes of steamed paua and pork buns, roast duck and hoisin pancake, yuzu, ginger & mango tarts, and green tea, honeydew and burnt vanilla chox — in amongst a host of other delights, all perfectly befitting to the celebratory occasion.
Book a table here.
Ebisu
Chinese New Year has come to be known as a time for feasting with family, and, fortunately, Ebisu has curated a decadent set menu that will ensure everyone is satisfied. The bespoke offering features a selection of Ebisu favourites, including its signature sushi & sashimi platter with oysters, scampi, and fresh market fish, plus a Japanese Wagyu, and King Crab leg with garlic and green chilli butter. We recommend matching the meal with one of their themed cocktails list, selected to mark the occasion.
Book a table here.
Homeland
Throughout Lunar New Year, Homeland is offering a bespoke dish, crafted specially for the milestone — pork, prawn, salted duck egg and five spice sausage, fish dumplings, egg noodles and mushrooms in a crayfish broth. And, for those looking to take their celebratory feast up a notch, on the 10th of February Masterchef winner and author of Modern Chinese, Sam Low, will be running a Lunar New Year cooking class, teaching the art of dumpling preparation. The Year of the Dragon is all about the renewal of strength, luck and abundance – and dumplings represent luck, wealth and togetherness. What better way to kick off the year ahead.
Secure your spot here.
Azabu Mission Bay & Ponsonby
To see in the Lunar New Year in style, make for one of Azabu’s two locations, where Chef Darren Johnson has created a decadent platter and a bespoke King Crab special to inspire celebratory indulgence. The platter is our pick, and includes the freshest market fish sashimi, omakase nigiri, scotch fillet, prawn tempura and tuna piri piri roll, with an option to upgrade to scampi and wagyu. Divine.
Book a table at Mission Bay here & Ponsonby here.
Huami
Meaning ‘nectar’ in Mandarin, the masterful Huami restaurant promises something beautiful and precious at every sitting. The Sky City stalwart is offering an exploration of traditional, signature dishes this Chinese New Year with their bespoke ‘Nectar’ menu, or, bring the family together and experience the delicious sharing-style festive fare on offer that celebrates the very best of the Lunar New Year.
Book a table here.
Masu
Discover the finest in Japanese cuisine this Lunar New Year at MASU by Nic Watt. Nic and the kitchen team have crafted an exclusive Shomi menu, featuring the likes of fresh sashimi and exquisite sushi rolls, perfect when paired with one of MASU’s famous cocktails — inspiring celebratory indulgence. Or, if you’re looking for a taste of the familiar, savour MASU’s Greatest Hits menu; a compilation of beloved classics available until the end of February.
Book a table here.
Onemata at Park Hyatt
Onemata at Park Hyatt is celebrating the Lunar New Year with two specially-crafted menus that marry tradition with a contemporary take to offer something more than worthy of a celebratory feast. Opt for either a three-course lunch or six-course dinner, and enjoy the likes of jade green broth, drunken chicken, and braised baby paua — all of which have been crafted to suit the occasion perfectly. There’s even an option to add to the set menus, elevating it your feast to new heights with a delectable buttery crayfish tail.
Book a table here.
Metita
Explore Pacific flavours this Lunar New Year at Metita. If you’re rounding up friends or family and have a group of nine diners or more, you’ll be invited to indulge in either a four or five-course speciality set menu, designed to be shared with the whole table. Or, if you’re opting to celebrate on a Sunday, discover Metita’s Toana’i Sunday Long Lunch — a ritual in Samoan culture inspiring a moment of repose to celebrate what is important to you.
Book a table here.
The Sugar Club
Take your Year of the Dragon celebrations to soaring new heights with The Sugar Club’s four-course Lunar New Year set menu, on offer for the 9th & 10th of February only. Here you’ll find both regular and plant-based menus to choose from, with the former featuring the likes of lamb tartare with oyster, pear, peach and parsnip, and the latter including cauliflower with macadamia, baby onion and kimchi and a delectable chilli pineapple sorbet.
Book a table here.
Vic Road Kitchen
Devonport go-to Vic Road Kitchen is inspiring locals to celebrate Lunar New Year with their special Asian-inspired food and drink menu, running from 7th — 10th February. Here, you’ll find all manner of delicious fare and libations to match, crafted with a focus on seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Spots are filling fast, so nab one before they’re gone.
Book a table here.
