If you’re already feeling like 2026 needs a do-over, Chinese New Year is right around the corner. With the Year of the Horse fast approaching on 17 February, it’s best to get a few plans in place to restart the New Year on an auspicious note. The second moon of the winter solstice marks the start of new beginnings. Unlike much of the western world, for centuries, countries across Asia have based their calendars on the Lunar cycle. When the new moon arrives, celebrations are set in motion across a quarter of the world – Vietnam calls it Tết, Korea has Seollal, and China celebrates Chinese New Year.
Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year in London
Words by
Larissa Steel
3rd February 2026
Larissa Steel shares her Hong Konger’s guide on celebrating Chinese New Year in London.
Celebrating Lunar New Year is a loud and crowded event. Set around large round tables filled with friends and family, the New Year triggers the largest annual migration as families travel all across China to be together. Over here, crowds descend to watch lions dance down the street in London’s own Chinatown, tearing balls of lettuce hanging down from the doorways of Gerrard Street’s well-loved establishments. It’s quite the sight to see. Chinese New Year is just one way to celebrate Lunar New Year, and London offers some of the best ways to experience it for yourself.
Royal China Club, Baker Street
A Baker Street institution for the past twenty years, Royal China Club has been the dim-sum spot that you could rely on. The restaurant will be celebrating the new year with a Lion Dance performance on 24 February at 7 pm, so book ahead to get the full experience, cymbals clanging and all. Its special Chinese New Year menu will be available from 12 February to 1 March 2026. Expect classic New Year Cake “Nian Gao”, a sticky sweet brown sugar flavoured cake and Turnip Cake “Lo Bak Go”, a savoury steamed white radish cake. This branch of Royal China will be relocating after 8 March, so it’s definitely worth a visit for its last rounds.
Book via Royal China Group
Poon's at Somerset House
Poon's at Somerset House.
When Chinese artist Ai Weiwei described Poon’s food as dignified, he certainly wasn’t lying. Located in the New Wing of Somerset House, the classy restaurant serves home-style Cantonese dishes made with recipes passed down through generations of the Poon family. Invitingly plush, pink and bustling in the evenings, it’s the perfect spot to herd your loved ones for an evening of Cantonese delights. Poon’s will also be serving their own Chinese New Year menu, which is to be confirmed, but if our recent review is anything to go by, it’ll be one you won’t want to miss.
Stay updated via Poon’s Poon's
Pearl Liang, Paddington
Based in the Paddington Basin, Pearl Liang is a certified family favourite. Solidified as a go-to restaurant for Chinese families based in and outside of London, the restaurant is a great place to celebrate with an unmissable dinner. With a group set menu on offer exclusively on 16 and 17 February for Chinese New Year, Pearl Liang proves it’s about far more than its celebrated dumplings. The menu will feature ten dishes for sharing including a heart warming soup, baked lobster, golden fried tiger prawns, chicken in a luxuriously thick abalone sauce, and of course some New Year Cake. For a full spread of your own choice, their Chinese New Year à la carte menu will also be available from 14 to 29 February.
More information via Pearl Liang
Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine, St. James’s
Imperial Treasures, St James's.
One of the finest Chinese restaurants in London, Imperial Treasure is a destination in its own right. If you’re having your Chinese New Year dinner with them between 16 and 25 February, you’ll have a chance to join their lucky draw to win a much coveted crispy Beijing Roast Duck for your table. This celebration menu includes baked lobster with black truffle, braised prawns and pig’s trotter, and crispy roasted chicken. To wrap up the new year, the lion dancers will be visiting on 25 February at 7pm. And in case you leave wanting more, the restaurant will also be selling its signature New Year cake or turnip cakes by the box for you to chip away at from home.
Book via Imperial Treasure
Braving Chinatown’s Crowds
Chinese New Year in Chinatown, London.
Finally, for a chance to see the parade in Chinatown without standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone else on the street, call up to book a table at Plum Valley on Gerrard Street ahead of time. Try to nab a second-floor window seat, so when the show comes along, you’re comfortably sitting in the prime spot for viewing from above.
