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The Best Melbourne Restaurants for an Excellent Lunar New Year Feast

These are the best restaurants in Melbourne celebrating the Year of the Dragon this Lunar New Year — or putting on fitting feasts all year round.
By Libby Curran and Andrew Zuccala
January 30, 2024
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By Libby Curran and Andrew Zuccala
January 30, 2024
  shares
List
Map
  • Food & Drink

    Hawker Hall

    A roomy interior lit by neon signage, a menu packed with hawker-style delights and a standout offering of beers on tap.

  • Food & Drink

    Shu

    This is for those after an entirely vegan degustation for Lunar New Year in Melbourne.

  • Food & Drink

    Lagoon Dining

    Head to this Melbourne restaurant for Lunar New Year or try some of the limited-edition Year of the Dragon gelatos it has made in collaboration with Piccolina.

  • Food & Drink

    Yulongfu Steamed Buns Restaurant

    Xiao long bao steals the show at this Shanghainese dumpling restaurant — especially the luxe black truffle variety.

  • Food & Drink

    Moonhouse

    For Lunar New Year, this Melbourne restaurant will have a special banquet menu and be giving away a heap of vouchers.

  • Food & Drink

    Flower Drum

    Elegance and attention to detail at one of Melbourne's oldest Chinese restaurants.

  • Food & Drink

    Conservatory

    Get around the special Lunar New Year buffet at this Crown favourite.

  • Food & Drink

    Panda Hot Pot

    The former Dracula's site is now home to an international sichuan hot pot chain.

  • Food & Drink

    Din Tai Fung Emporium

    Dumpling magic from the ultimate dumpling masters.

  • Food & Drink

    Hochi Mama

    This Vietnamese mama packs a real punch.

  • Food & Drink

    The Albert Park Hotel

    Head to this Melbourne restaurant on Lunar New Year for banquets, lion dances and a traditional Yee Sang Prosperity Salad.

  • Food & Drink

    David's

    Authentic Chinese fare hidden away from the hubbub of Chapel Street.

  • Food & Drink

    Ruyi

    Dumplings and wine done differently.

  • Food & Drink

    MING Dining

    Head to the Melbourne fine-diner to feast your way through refined dishes that marry contemporary Australian cuisine with Chinese-Canto influences.

  • Food & Drink

    Tian38

    Boozy yum cha brunches and chilli crab jaffles at this CBD Chinese eatery.

  • Food & Drink

    Oriental Teahouse

    Teahouse, retail store and full-blown Chinese restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    Supper Inn

    A long-standing Chinatown institution, where the frills are minimal, the Cantonese eats are generous and the dinner service kicks on till the wee hours.

  • Food & Drink

    Mya Tiger

    An opulent Cantonese eatery inside St Kilda's new-look Espy.

  • Food & Drink

    Pacific Seafood BBQ House

    Your seafood will be plucked right from the huge tanks hidden out back — making for a mighty fresh fish feast.

  • Food & Drink

    Dragon Hot Pot Russell Street

    This Malatang hot pot chain's CBD outpost is open 24/7.

  • Food & Drink

    I Love Dumplings

    The place for people who, well, love dumplings.

  • Da Long Yi Hot Pot

    This hot pot chain has over 210 stores in China, USA, UK, New Zealand and Australia.

  • Food & Drink

    Secret Kitchen CBD

    Traditional Chinese cuisine done well.

  • Food & Drink

    Spice Temple

    Neil Perry explores regional Chinese fare at this fiery eatery.

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