The United Arab Emirates is a multi-cultural hub where many nationalities reside. Around 2% of residents are Chinese who will be celebrating Chinese New Year in the capital.
Chinese New Year in Abu Dhabi is celebrated just like many other cultural festivities such as Diwali as well as Halloween or Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cultural dances, lights, colours, and food are part of the Chinese New Year celebration.
Restaurants and venues celebrate by adorning in traditional Chinese decor and hosting brunches, lunches and dinners throughout the Capital.
2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, which falls on February 10th. The history of Chinese New Year is quite fascinating, we will cover that later!
Chinese food is one of the most ancient and diverse cuisines in the world. We’ve compiled a list of everything there is to know about Chinese New Year in Abu Dhabi including some fantastic places to eat!
Chinese New Year Abu Dhabi
1. Cantonese Cuisine At Dai Pai Dong
Dai Pai Dong celebrates the Lunar New Year in Abu Dhabi with 14 days of exclusive events delivering lavish delicacies, an eight-course culinary masterpiece and a family reunion dinner, all inspired by the fascinating history of southeastern China.
Among the Cantonese specialities are homemade noodles, dim sum, Peking duck, and barbecued meats of every variety in a welcoming Chinese setting.
To kickstart the feast, friends and family gather around and toss a large bowl of Yu Sheng, a traditional salad containing fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.
This well-known establishment emphasizes “Tradition”, a considerable part of China’s culture, central to the celebration. Dai Pai Dong will host a Lantern Festival with a sumptuous set meal dinner package to conclude the festivities.
For more information on dining at Dai Pai Dong
Dates: February 10 February to 24 February
Family Reunion Dinner: February 10
Cost: Set Menu AED 388 soft drinks package
AED 588 with house drinks package
AED 688 with champagne package
Timings: 6:00PM
Year Of The Dragon Prosperity Feast: 11 to 23 February
Cost: AED 388 for a Four-course set menu with a welcome drink
Eastern Elegance: Culinary Artistry 23 February
Cost: AED 588 pp for an eight-course menu featuring Chef Dong Nie, Lens Moser and Chief Winemaker at Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Company.
Timings: 12 PM to closing
Lantern Festival: February 24 February
Cost: AED 388 for set menu with soft drinks package
AED 588 for set menu with house drinks package
AED 688 for set menu with champagne package
Location: Rosewood Abu Dhabi – Level B3 – Galleria Shopping Mall – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
2. Michelin Dining At Hakkasan
Experience an exquisite celebration of Chinese New Year at Hakkasan in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, a Michelin-starred culinary haven.
Commemorating the Year of the Dragon, indulge in a specially curated 3-course Chinese New Year-themed set menu featuring traditional delicacies and festive drinks.
Visitors will be amazed by the stunning interior blends modern design with traditional Chinese elements. There are a variety of seating options, including high or low tabletops and cabanas overlooking the stunning city skyline.
Don’t miss the Lion Dance spectacle on February 10th. Stay tuned for final details on this performance.
For information on reservations
Dates: 9th to 24th February
Timings: Daily 6 PM onwards
Cost: AED 488 for 3-course set menu with drinks available
Location: Emirates Palace – W Corniche Rd – Al Ras Al Akhdar – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
3. Asian Infused Buffet At Vendôme
Vendôme in Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental invites you to join them for a spectacular celebration of the Chinese New Year.
On February 10th, guests will be wowed by the live entertainment, including the mesmerising Lion Dance, traditional Chinese Ribbon and Fan, and the enchanting melodies of a talented Guzheng musician.
As if that isn’t enough, the Chinese New Year Buffet will be an Asian-infused selection of traditional Chinese dishes you can enjoy through lunch or dinner.
Vendôme promises an unforgettable culinary and cultural experience to mark the auspicious occasion of the Year of the Dragon.
4. Jing Asia, Yas Island
Roar in the “Year of the Dragon” in style with authentic cuisine and lively Chinese tunes. Make your way to Jing Asia, as a sumptuous Cantonese buffet awaits guests.
Nestled in Crowne Plaza on Yas Island, the Chinese New Year celebrations include the traditional Chinese tastes, sounds and unlimited food and drink.
Diners will surely have a ball ringing in the Chinese New Year.
Date: February 10
Cost: AED 159 soft package
AED 259 House Package
Timings: 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
For more information and to make a reservation, please call +971 2 656 3000.
Location: Crowne Plaza, Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
5. Dinner At Li Jiang, Abu Dhabi
Li Jiang at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is known for serving classic and contemporary Chinese food.
Sitting in the restaurant feels like a different world with its colourful spice walls and vibrant hues. Guests can dine on the terrace overlooking the majestic Grand Mosque.
It offers a wide variety of food options, including sushi, seafood, homemade noodles, and handcrafted Asian speciality beverages.
For more information on dining and reservations at Li Jiang, call +971 2 818 8203.
Opening Hours: 5 PM to 11 PM
6. Auspicious Dining At Park Rotana Hotel
Delight in a specially curated menu by the Executive Chef, featuring auspicious dishes symbolising good fortune, strength, and health.
Experience the festivities of the Year of the Dragon at Park Rotana Hotel with indulgent delicacies such as the Dumpling Basket (jiǎo zi), Small Bowl Noodles (cháng shòu miàn), and pan-seared King Prawns.
Don’t miss out on the Dragon Year dessert, a tantalising combination of sesame seed balls with purple yam filling, coconut ice cream, lychee and fresh mango slice.
Join the celebration at Park Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi from Saturday, February 10th, to February 24th.
Contact the hotel for more information on prices and reservations.
7. Ingredients, Anantara Eastern Mangroves
Ingredients celebrates culinary delights from around the world, and this Chinese New Year, they are making a stop in China.
Set in the Anantara Eastern Mangroves, a luxury urban waterfront retreat in Abu Dhabi, Ingredients invites you into an extraordinary brunch for the Chinese New Year.
On February 10th, welcome the Year of the Dragon with a lavish spread of authentic Chinese delicacies and international delights, complemented by fun live entertainment.
Date: February 10
Timings: 1PM to 4PM
Cost: Starts from AED 295 per person
8. Urban Kitchen, Dusit Thani
Go to Urban Kitchen at Dusit Thani to kick off the Chinese New Year celebrations in Abu Dhabi.
Featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet and a delicious spread of authentic Asian cuisine, this is something that you and your family should not miss out on.
Call +971 2 698 8137
Dates: February 10
Timings: 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Costs: Starting at AED 170 per person, including soft beverages.
AED 85 per child of 7 to 12 years (0-6 years complimentary)
Location: Dusit Thani – Al Muroor Road – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
9. Dine At Shang Palace, Abu Dhabi
Dining at Shang Palace‘s Szechuan Dynasty Night over the Chinese New Year weekend is an enjoyable way to celebrate.
Guests can enjoy bold, authentic flavours from the Chinese province in the latest addition to the weekend brunch scene with The Peking Social Brunch.
Call +971 2 509 8555
Opening Hours: 12 PM to 3 PM (Lunch)
6 PM to 10:30 PM (Dinner)
Dates: The Peking Social Brunch every Saturday & Sunday
Szechuan Dynasty Night every Friday 6 to 11 PM
Cost: AED 198 per person for signature Chinese tea and soft drinks
AED 268 includes Chinese hops and house spirits
Discount of 50% for kids between the ages of 6 and 12
Location: Level 1 (Ground floor), Shangri La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
10. Theatrical Dining Experience At Teatro
Theatrical dining is the hallmark of Teatro. Keeping up with the finest Cantonese dining experience, guests can choose from a variety of succulent dishes.
You’ll find everything, from dumpling baskets to noodle bowls, Peking duck to roasted chicken and plenty more at this award-winning restaurant.
Dates: February 10
Timings: 3 PM to 1 AM (Last order at 11 PM)
Cost: A La Carte
Location: Park Rotana Al Salam Street Eastern Ring Road – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
11. China Restaurant
Located at Novel Hotel, China restaurant is hands down a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the Capital.
Not many people know about this well-kept secret, even though it has been in the city for several decades. The Cantonese food at China Restaurant is authentic and incredibly delicious.
Although it may not seem as luxurious it is most certainly an authentic experience. The restaurant has a tonne of traditional dishes on the menu to choose from!
There is a family-friendly atmosphere and seating arrangements can accommodate groups of up to 10 people.
Timings: 6 PM to 11:30 PM (Monday to Sunday)
12 PM to 3:30 PM and 6 PM to 11:30 PM (Saturday)
Cost: A la carte
Location: Novel Hotel City Centre – Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (Hamdan Street) – Abu Dhabi
12. City Palace Chinese Restaurant
Stop by or place an order at City Palace Chinese Restaurant for a delicious array of authentic Cantonese cuisine.
Customers can enjoy a variety of Guangdong, Sichuan, Northeast & Beijing foods and a few delicacies such as Lanzhou Lamian and Peking Duck. Therefore, making the entire experience one-of-a-kind and culturally rich.
This is a fantastic idea, especially if you have friends and family over at the Chinese New Year in Abu Dhabi.
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM (Daily)
Location: 918 Al Falah St – Al Danah – E18-03 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
13. Dragon Bao Bao, Abu Dhabi
Another prime spot located in the heart of the city is Dragon Bao Bao Restaurant. Not only is the venue pocket friendly, but it is also welcoming, given the number of families that storm into this restaurant.
Delivery options are available, but we suggest visiting the venue and soaking in the vibes while the food comes fresh to your dining table.
Their specialities include Lanzhou noodles, Wonton soup, Cantonese buns, Yanzhou fried rice, Chow Mein, dumplings and tons more.
This wonderful, homely dining venue is perfect for those looking for an exquisite dining experience during the lunar year celebrations.
Opening Hours: 10 AM to 11 PM (Daily)
Location: Captain Cafe – Electra street Behind ADCB Bank, near – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Exclusive Chinese-Only Supermarkets in Abu Dhabi
Spend a quiet evening at home with family by taking the kids grocery shopping, and they could assist in finding all the right ingredients for a delicious Chinese meal to home cook.
Listed below are the popular spots frequented by the residents of Abu Dhabi to find spices and other popular sauces used specifically in Chinese cooking.
12. Shop At Wemart WenChao Supermarket
For great products and the best deals, visit Wemart WenChao, an authentic Chinese grocery store with a prime location in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
This supermarket looks like any other grocery shop around the city, however the products sold are unique and distinct, evident from their packaging.
The fonts are all Chinese, from the traditional cup noodles, soft drinks, snacks, and fresh produce.
Timings: 8 AM to 1 AM (Monday to Sunday)
Location: Abdulla Darwish Building, At Salam and Hamdan Street Junction – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
13. Chinese City Grocery Store
Chinese City is a small grocery store specializing in Chinese ingredients & crockery, including spices, sauces, and woks. It is a one-stop shop for everything Chinese.
Delicacies such as salted duck egg, cup noodles, rice noodles, tofu and plenty more are available.
All of the necessary items for a successful Chinese New Year celebration can be found in this store at prices as low as AED 3.
Timings: 9 AM to 11 PM
Location: F9XH+865 – Al Zahiyah – E15 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Chinese New Year Customs And Traditions
The Chinese New Year is a festival celebrating the beginning of a new year based on the lunisolar and solar calendar.
It is commonly known as the Spring Festival and is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture.
Numerous myths and customs are associated with the festival to honour and observe both deities and ancestors.
Chinese families often gather for their annual reunion dinner on the evening preceding New Year’s Day, according to customs and traditions.
As part of the tradition, every family cleans their house thoroughly to sweep away any bad luck and make way for good fortune to come.
Another custom involves decorating windows and doors with red paper-cut outs. The paper-cut outs are an offering for good fortune, wealth, and longevity.
It is customary to light firecrackers and give red paper envelopes with money inside.
Public Holiday In Some Countries
Some countries and territories with a significant Chinese population observe Chinese New Year as a public holiday.
Due to the Chinese New Year falling on different days each year, some governments opt to shift their working days to accommodate the long holiday.
If New Year falls on a weekend, some countries extend a statutory holiday to the following workday.
For those residing in the United Arab Emirates, the Chinese New Year is a weekend celebration with plenty of festivities across major venues.
Other popular terms for the Chinese New Year is the Lunar New Year, New Year Festival, or Spring Festival.
Chinese New Year In Abu Dhabi Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chinese New Year celebrated?
According to the Lunar calendar, Chinese New Year will be celebrated on January 22
What is the earliest you can celebrate Chinese New Year?
In some Chinese families, Chinese New Year celebrations and preparations begin as early as day 8 of the 12th lunar month.
In Abu Dhabi, is the Chinese New Year a holiday?
The Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Abu Dhabi or other major Middle Eastern countries.
What are the red envelopes given to friends and family on Chinese New Year?
During Lunar New Year, friends and family exchange bright red envelopes (known as Hongbo). They are filled with money and symbolize good luck and wishes for the New Year.
What is the official greeting for the Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese are “gong hei fat choy,” which means “wishing you great happiness and prosperity.” In Mandarin, it is “gong xi fa cai.”
To Sum Up Chinese New Year In Abu Dhabi
Although the Chinese New Year festival is not a public holiday in Abu Dhabi, it is recognized and celebrated.
The event dates and celebratory brunches mentioned above will be updated closer to the day.
There is no shortage of things to do in Abu Dhabi during the cooler months if you are considering a visit.
Take advantage of Abu Dhabi’s incredible beaches, book a peaceful staycation or check out some of its best quirky coffee shops.
Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. From the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World on Yas Island, to the largest and most beautiful Grand Mosque.
Visit Abu Dhabi with our one-day or four-day itinerary.
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