Chinese New Year 2025: Enjoy A Taste Of Festivity At These 7 Restaurants In Delhi-NCR
The best places to enjoy a scrumptious meal for Chinese New Year
Delhi-NCR has a penchant for big fat celebrations, with arguably the best food and drinks. The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar Year or Spring Festival, is no exception. This time, it falls on January 29 with festivities extending until February 12. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and an element like water, wood, fire, earth and metal.
In 2025, the unique pairing of wood and snake–an occurrence after 60 years–is much discussed. As per Chinese tradition, the snake represents wisdom, good luck, rebirth and regality while wood is associated with growth, creativity, stability, and a connection with nature.
It's a time to eat, drink, and be merry, and Delhi-NCR’s restaurants have left no stone unturned to offer their patrons a taste of festivity.
Esquire brings you a list of places that promise an elaborate feast.
Gong Hei Fat Choy!
7 Delhi-NCR Restaurants To Enjoy Chinese New Year Festivities
House of Ming, Taj Mahal, New Delhi
At House of Ming, one of Delhi's most-loved Chinese restaurants, the menu offers a glimpse into Chinese culture and folklore. Segregated into three sections, ‘Fire and Light’, ‘Year of the Snake’ and ‘Lucky Mandarin’– each includes a selection of dishes traditionally eaten in China.
Begin your meal with the brothy Sichuan hot pot, moving to the drunken prawns kissed by hua tua wine. You could also order the silken Cheung Fun (rice noodle roll) with a generous filling of mushrooms or prawns, or the Longevity noodles. End your meal with the airy Domino-inspired Mandarin dessert or the warm chocolate pudding flambéed with cognac.
When: Until February 2
Shang Palace, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi
At Shang Palace, the special menu for Chinese New Year promises a treat for those who enjoy good food minus gimmicks.
The comforting Lobster Broth makes for a great start alongside small plates like Garlic Saffron Har Gao, crispy Radish Puff and tender Chicken Pot Stickers. Pair Sichuan Chili Red Snapper or Marble Pork with wok-tossed Bean Thread Noodles or Deo Fried Rice for a complete meal. Craving something sweet? The Five Spice Crème Brûlée is a fitting end to the feast.
When: January 29–February 2
Kaméi, Eldeco Centre
While Kaméi is a new entrant among the repertoire of Asian restaurants in the Capital, it has become popular in no time. On Chinese New Year, the restaurant pays homage to tradition, albeit with a contemporary twist. The classic Yu Sheng salad (also known as Prosperity Toss salad) features on the menu alongside Ham Sui Gok (savoury Chinese fried dumplings) and Cheung Fun. For the mains, stir-fried Black Pepper Xi’an Prawns are a must-have.
Pair the dishes with special cocktails like Ming & Qing (a blend of vodka, jasmine and lemongrass tea, and spiced honey); Anhui (gin, peppercorn, and galangal), or Celestial Breeze (gin, capsicum, and basil shrub).
When: January 28–February 3
NIKO, The Kitchens, Gurugram
If modern Asian food appeases you, NIKO is your best bet. The chic restaurant in Gurugram’s newest food hub, The Kitchens, has rolled out a special menu to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Start your evening with their curated tipples for the occasion. If you enjoy a spicy kick, the Chinese Whisper with chilli-infused Don Julio, lime and mango tajin lollipop is a good choice.
There's also the floral Full Moon (Singleton 12 years, jasmine and basil cordial, soda, jasmine foam) or Sushi on the Rocks (milk-clarified Tanqueray, tomato, miso, maki roll) that creates umami on the palate. The food menu includes crispy Money Bags with a generous filling of wild mushroom and cream cheese, Sesame Prawn Toast Bao with lemongrass, chilli and truffle hot sauce, and Thousand Layered Potato sprinkled with furikake salt. For dessert lovers, the delicate Pandan Panna Cotta with jaggery caramel and coconut tuile is a must-have.
When: Until February 2
Royal China, The Chanakya Mall, New Delhi
Royal China, synonymous with Cantonese cuisine, boasts an impressive food and beverage programme. Begin your meal with cocktails like the tropical Jade Fizz (pandan-infused vodka, jasmine syrup, lime, and sparkling pandan-jasmine soda) or the Crimson Fig (fig-infused vodka, Campari, limoncello, vermouth, and fresh cream). Whet your appetite with its selection of dim sums–Mock Duck Poached Dumpling, Truffle Mushroom Cheese Dumpling, and the XO Prawn Dumpling. The Salt and Pepper Squid is another crowd favourite. The main course includes the bold Sichuan-style Spicy Tofu and sweet-spicy King Prawns in Sweet Chili Sauce. Indulge in sweet treats like Sticky Rice Cakes or the luscious Golden Custard Buns.
When: Until January 29
Baoshuan, The Oberoi, New Delhi
The rooftop dining destination at The Oberoi, New Delhi rivals some of the best views in the city, besides cuisine that celebrates Chinese heritage. For The Year of the Snake, the restaurant has curated an exclusive five-course set menu, embodying the symbols and flavours of the Chinese zodiac.
Diners can prep up their palate with the Wen Si Tofu Soup or Xi-Hu Chicken Soup, continuing with the Prosperity Salad and The Fortune Dim Sum Collection. The Steamed Sea Bass or the Wok-Tossed Dry Cumin Sliced Lamb work well as mains, accompanied by the Longevity Hakka Noodles. For vegetarians, the Cantonese-style vegetables is a sumptuous offering. Finish the meal with Nutty Sichuanese Cherry–a blend of hazelnut crème, Sichuan cherry compote, nutty sponge, and lemon sorbet.
When: Dinner on January 28; lunch on January 29
The China Kitchen, Hyatt Regency Delhi
Every meal at The China Kitchen focuses on reimagining classic recipes with contemporary flair. The Chinese New Year menu hinges on the same philosophy.
Indulge in special dishes like Baked Chicken Puff with Black Pepper, Green and Red Peppers; Steamed Crystal Seafood Dumplings; Sichuan Poached Tenderloin with Sichuan Pepper and Lettuce and Chef Zhang’s Special Crispy Whole Fried Fish with Braised Chili Soy.
You can pair these with the Seaweed Prawn Fried Rice with Egg, Cucumber, and Asparagus.
When: Until January 31