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Where to Find the Best Feeds for Lunar New Year in Melbourne

By Simon Jones
Published 08 December 2025

Lunar New Year 2026 is right around the corner, and Melbourne is set to come alive with plenty of colour and festive energy. But it also comes alive with flavourful feeds around the city. 

When is Lunar New Year in 2026? 

Lunar New Year in 2026 lands on Tuesday 17 February, and Melbourne will be buzzing with celebrations that are as vibrant as they are tasty. Kick things off on Sunday 1 February at the Victoria Street Lunar Festival in Richmond, where the streets explode with lion dances, firecrackers, dumplings and street eats that make your tastebuds do a happy dance. If you’re after a slightly more chilled but equally festive vibe, Sunday 8 February brings the Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival with live music, kids’ rides, dragon dancing and a colourful multicultural crowd. From flavour-packed eats to sensory spectacles, Melbourne knows how to ring in the Year of the Dragon with a proper bang. 

Where to Eat in Melbourne for Lunar New Year 2026 

 Celebrating with family or joining friends in the city? These restaurants plate up some of the best Chinese New Year Melbourne CBD and beyond has to offer. 

  1. 1. Ming Dining

    299 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD
    It's perfect for luxe banquets with a contemporary Chinese edge.
    You need to try the signature Peking duck or lobster tail noodles.
    Look out for golden lighting, silk textures and a very elevated yum cha vibe.

    Ming Dining is a luxurious choice for Chinese New Year in Melbourne. Only the most refined banquets are served up here, so expect classic Chinese flavours that will nourish your body and your soul. Descend the grand staircase into a gold-lit dining room made for Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne. Expect signature Peking duck, perfectly cooked noodles and mapo tofu elevated by premium produce. If you're marking Lunar New Year 2026 with colleagues or family, this is the place to experience an unforgettable feast that feels as festive as it does indulgent. 

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  2. 2. Red Chilli House

    119 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

    A favourite for locals celebrating Chinese New Year in Melbourne, Red Chilli House brings the electrifying heat of Sichuan cuisine to the CBD. Famous for its Chongqing spicy chicken and bubbling hot pots, the menu is bold and aromatic – not to mention endlessly comforting. During the Lunar New Year celebrations in Melbourne, expect a lively atmosphere buzzing with families and chilli-lovers alike. It’s a great spot to dig into regional flavours while ringing in Lunar New Year 2026 with a dash of spice. 

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  3. 3. Chin Chin's at Koto Moon

    647 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
    It's perfect for when you need Southeast Asian flair without boarding a plane or learning a new language.
    You need to try tamarind prawns or homemade dim sum that taste like they’ve earned a vacation.
    Look out for sumptuous styling and a menu fusing Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, and more.

    For a pan-Asian spread this Lunar New Year 2026, Chin Chin’s at Koto Moon will give you a colourful fusion of Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese and more. Loved by Carlton locals for its dim sum and tamarind-kissed seafood, it a place for festive warmth this Chinese New Year in the Melbourne CBD. Velvety tones and top-tier service make it a great stop for Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne – comfort, flavour and style all wrapped up in a single multicultural dining experience. 

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  4. 4. Panda Hot Pot Carlton

    100 Victoria Street, Carlton

    Panda Hot Pot Carlton is a theatrical Sichuan hot pot experience that feels tailor-made for Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne. With nightly performances and bubbling broths inspired by Sichuan traditions, it's a feast for all of your senses. So gather your friends and family around steaming pots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 in true communal style. Its buzzing Carlton location makes it a top pick for those who want immersive, flavour-packed Chinese New Year in Melbourne dining. 

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  5. 5. Sun Wah

    229 Beach Road, Mordialloc

    Mere steps from the Mordialloc Pier, Sun Wah is a fusion of Cantonese heritage and European influences. The chefs use this unique mix to create a fresh and coastal take on festive dining. Its colourful, flavour-rich dishes are a staple for locals, so you can trust that it’s an excellent spot for Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne, especially if you’re heading out beyond the CBD. The contemporary décor and generous plates make Sun Wah perfect for seaside reunions and marking Lunar New Year 2026 with a little extra charm. 

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  6. 6. Tian 38

    350 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

    Tian 38 brings together all the sensory flavours of Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong to the heart of the city – an exceptional pick for Chinese New Year Melbourne CBD dining. The sleek is only topped by its standout dishes like smoked duck and chilli crab, setting the tone for memorable Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne. You can expect exceptional flavours and polished service, plus a lively atmosphere that’s fit for welcoming Lunar New Year 2026 in multicultural fashion. 

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  7. 7. Thong Thai Restaurant

    18 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Thong Thai brings Bangkok’s unmatched energy to Bourke Street with sizzling woks and charred aromatics. Here is where you’ll get very generous servings, with house-made sauces and a lively ambience that make it a must-visit this Chinese New Year in Melbourne, especially for groups who love Thai spice. Make a stop here if you’re gathering before heading to a festival event or settling in for long Lunar New Year celebrations Melbourne. 

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If you’re after a traditional banquet or a modern feast for the senses, these top venues will make Lunar New Year celebrations in Melbourne utterly unforgettable. But book early – restaurants for Lunar New Year 2026 will fill up fast. 

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