It’s time to celebrate the Year of the Snake in style. As Wednesday, January 25, 2025 culminates Chinese New Year with the Lantern Festival that lasts for 16 days.
The annual event is the first day of a new year on the Lunar calendar, which is more than 5,000 years old, allowing you to indulge in some authentic cuisine with your loved ones at these Dubai-based hotspots.
To see where to kickstart the celebrations, swipe through our editor-approved guide of restaurants to visit this year.
Hakkasan
From January 28th to February 12th, Hakkasan Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm celebrates the Year of the Snake with a nine-course Chinese New Year menu (Dhs738 per person) inspired by wisdom, charm, and elegance, featuring dishes like Golden “Yuan Bao” dim sum, Thai snake fruit salad, and smoked Silverhill duck breast. Guests can enjoy festive cocktails, including Xiǎo Lóng, The Snake, or non-alcoholic alternatives. Festivities include a wishing tree for prosperity and a lion dance on January 29, 2025.
Demon Duck
Celebrate Chinese New Year in style at Demon Duck, Banyan Tree Dubai, with a special tasting menu curated by Chef Alvin Leung from January 27 to February 2, 2025. Priced at Dhs620 per person for food and soft beverages or Dhs820 with house beverages, the experience features festive décor, a Lion Dancer performance on January 28th and 29th, and dishes like slow-roasted Demon Duck, grilled lobster, and Wagyu beef. Groups of five or more enjoy a 25 percent discount, making it ideal for festive gatherings.
Ling Ling
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Ling Ling, Atlantis The Royal, from January 28 to February 7, 2025. Indulge in special dishes starting from AED 130, such as crispy chowmein with smoked duck, steamed razor clams, and bao with short rib. Pair these festive creations with a Rattlesnake Highball cocktail or Serpentine mocktail, and enjoy a delightful snake-inspired dessert. Ling Ling’s à la carte menu is also available. After dinner, unwind at the Ling Ling Ultra Lounge, open Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM, with bottle service, handcrafted cocktails, and entertainment.
MiMi Mei Fair
Celebrate Chinese New Year at MiMi Mei Fair Dubai with a journey of tradition, transformation, and renewal from January 14 to February 12, 2025. Honouring the Year of the Wood Snake, the festivities include a luxurious Dhs528 tasting menu featuring highlights like the Dim Sum Basket of Wealth, Grilled Chilean Seabass, and Serpent’s Treasure dessert, with optional grape pairing for Dhs328. Guests can also embrace tradition by writing wishes for the year ahead and hanging them on a wishing tree adorned with golden plum blossoms. Located in Address Residences – Opera District, the restaurant combines Chinoiserie elegance with vibrant flavours inspired by China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, offering a remarkable dining experience.
MOLI
Celebrate Chinese New Year at MOLI, Dubai Hills Business Park, from January 27 to February 2, 2025, with a week-long festive dining experience. Enjoy eight authentic Cantonese dishes à la carte or a special five-course set menu available on January 28 and 29 for Dhs299, featuring standout dishes like the flavourful turnip cake and Kung Pao Chicken, with an optional two-hour beverage package for Dhs100. The festivities include Guzheng music, a Lion Dance, a Hand Fan performance, symbolic red envelope wishes, and charming Chinese décor.
Mott 32
Celebrate Chinese New Year in style at Mott 32, perched on the 73rd floor of the Address Beach Resort, offering breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline. From January 27 to February 2, 2025, indulge in a specially curated menu by Executive Chef Frankie Yang Tao, featuring dishes like Lobster and Abalone Lo Hei Salad, Australian Beef Belly, and Mandarin Mousse. Highlights include a Penfolds wine-pairing dinner on January 29 (AED 888 per person) and a festive Chinese New Year-themed Brunch 32 on February 1. Enjoy traditional performances, stunning décor, and unforgettable flavors to welcome the Year of the Snake.
Zheng He’s
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Zheng He’s, the award-winning Chinese restaurant at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, with an exclusive Chinese New Year menu available from January 20 to February 9, 2025. Curated by Head Chef Wong Lian You, the menu features dishes like cod fish and egg-white dumplings, poached clay-pot chicken with Sichuan pepper sauce, and hand-rolled vegetarian rice rolls. Enjoy traditional Lion Dance performances on January 28 and 29, set against the stunning Burj Al Arab backdrop. Enhance your experience with limited-edition cakes from Margaux pastry boutique.
Barfly by Buddha-Bar
Celebrate Chinese New Year in style at Barfly by Buddha-Bar on Thursday, February 1, 2025, with a special Soirée Brunch at 7PM on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Indulge in a fusion of traditional Chinese flavors and Barfly’s innovative cuisine, featuring dishes like Peking Duck, Cumin Beef, and Stir Fry Noodles Salteado. Priced from Dhs365, the evening includes festive décor, vibrant ambiance, and a mesmerizing Chinese dragon performance, promising an unforgettable start to the Year of the Snake.
