Ring in Chinese New Year in Abu Dhabi with festive brunches, special menus and traditional performances
Chinese New Year in Abu Dhabi is never a quiet affair. It arrives in a rush of red and gold, with drums at the door, tables heavy with food and families leaning in for that first lucky toss of yee sang. This year we welcome the Year of the Horse, a sign that stands for energy, momentum and bold new beginnings. Across the city, restaurants are marking the moment with lion dances, special menus and long, lingering lunches. If you are ready to celebrate properly, here is where to pull up a chair.
Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
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If you like your celebrations rooted in tradition, this MICHELIN Guide recognised Cantonese spot knows exactly what it is doing. For Chinese New Year, Dai Pai Dong rolls out a limited time set menu built for shared tables and loud, happy toasts. Expect classic, flavour driven dishes that speak to prosperity and togetherness, without any fuss. There are three tiers to choose from, so you can keep it simple or go all out with the family. It runs from 16 February to 3 March 2026.
Location: Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island
Time: 12pm to 11pm
Cost: From Dhs298
Contact: (02) 813 5588
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
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If you want the full spectacle, head to Shangri-La for Chinese New Year. The hotel marks the Year of the Horse with a traditional Lion Dance ceremony at the entrance, complete with the eye dotting ritual, beating drums and a lively Yee Sang toss for luck. Inside, you can move between a lunar themed afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge and indulgent set menus and brunches at Shang Palace, where a Gongfu Tea Ceremony adds a quiet, thoughtful pause to the festivities. It is colourful, layered and easy to dip in and out of depending on your mood.
Lion Dance Ceremony
Location: Hotel Entrance, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Date: 17 February 2026 from 11am
Contact: (02) 509 8555
Shang Palace Brunch and Dinner
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Location: Shang Palace, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Time: Brunch, 17 to 18 February, 12pm to 3pm; Dinner, 11 to 18 February, 6pm to 10.30pm
Cost: From Dhs298
Contact: (02) 509 8555
Lunar Afternoon Tea
Location: Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Time: 2pm to 6pm, until 28 February 2026
Cost: From Dhs175 per person
Contact: (02) 509 8555
Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
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Li Jiang keeps things polished. On the night, the restaurant serves a special set menu that leans into dim sum, Chinese wonton lobster soup and refined mains like steamed Chilean sea bass and wok fried wagyu beef striploin. A live DJ keeps the room humming, so it feels celebratory without tipping into chaos. It is the kind of place for a dressed up dinner with friends who appreciate good food and a good soundtrack.
Location: Li Jiang, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Time: 6pm to late
Cost: Dhs300 soft package; Dhs450 house package
Contact: (02) 818 8203
Chef’s Brunch 2.0 Chinese New Year Edition at Giornotte
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If subtle is not your thing, Giornotte is ready. This special edition of Chef’s Brunch 2.0 layers themed décor, a live Dragon Dance, a DJ and even a saxophonist over its already generous spread. Hosts dressed in Chinese inspired attire weave through the room, adding to the theatre of it all. It is loud, lively and built for big groups who want to celebrate in broad daylight.
Location: Giornotte, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Time: Saturday, 21 February 2026, 1pm to 4pm
Cost: From Dhs410 per person; Dhs200 for children aged 6 to 11
Contact: (02) 818 8203
Vendôme, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
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If you want variety, Vendôme’s buffet goes big for Lunar New Year. Expect an expanded Chinese selection that runs from gua bao and Szechuan prawn salad to Beijing duck and fried whole seabass, with live cooking stations keeping things interactive. On select dates, dragon dances, drummers and a calligrapher bring colour and movement to the room. It is festive, family friendly and ideal if everyone at the table wants something different.
Location: Vendôme, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: Lunch 12.30pm to 3pm; Dinner 6.30pm to 10pm
Cost: From Dhs318 per person
Contact: (02) 690 7999
Brooklyn Chop House
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This Yas Island favourite gives Lunar New Year a New York twist. The limited menu opens with pickled young cucumbers and salmon yusheng before moving through dim sum, hot and sour soup and mains like steamed seabass and sweet and sour chicken. You pick your carb finale, whether that is chicken fried rice or ginger beef noodles, then end on glutinous rice balls for sweetness and luck. It is bold, generous and made for sharing from 16 to 26 February.
Location: Brooklyn Chop House, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Time: 6pm to 11pm
Cost: Dhs380 per person
Contact: (02) 656 0000
Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
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For a more indulgent evening, Hakkasan puts together a curated set menu inspired by Cantonese tradition. Dishes like the Fortune Money Bag with king crab and scallop, wok fried lobster and grilled Australian wagyu tenderloin lead the way, finishing with a five spice mousse dessert. A live dragon dance runs from 16 to 27 February, adding a dramatic flourish to the sleek dining room. It is refined, celebratory and worth dressing up for.
Location: Hakkasan, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: 6pm to 10.30pm
Cost: Dhs598 per person
Contact: (02) 690 7739
