Don’t let restaurant-hunting stress you out during the CNY season. We’ve rounded up various cuisine options for fancy feasting in Singapore.
Who’s ready for Chinese New Year? We’re already anticipating more CNY snacking, festive fashion, a healthy dose of yusheng excitement and lots of quality time with our favourite people. Not partaking in the festivities? Take advantage of the break to hit up cultural enclaves like Little India or Kampong Glam for awesome snaps. But whether you’re celebrating CNY or having holiday fun, we reckon it’ll be wise to plan your dining adventures in advance, as many places (especially Chinese ones) may be closed. Thankfully, we’ve done the homework for you! From Indian to Italian, it’s business as usual for these eateries. Here’s a list of restaurants in Singapore that open their doors during Chinese New Year.
Restaurants that stay open during Chinese New Year 2024
1. Yun Nans
Need your fix of comforting Chinese cuisine? Make your way to the largest casual restaurant chain from Yunnan, China. Every dish is made using fresh ingredients procured from the highlands of the Yunnan province. Tuck into specialties such as the steam pot chicken soup, stir-fried wild porcini mushrooms with dried chillies, and charcoal grilled seabass with lemon grass. Delish!
Yun Nans, multiple locations including Ion Orchard and Westgate
2. Tajimaya Yakiniku
Switch up the usual reunion hotpot dinner with a sizzling feast at Tajimaya Yakiniku. Featuring Japanese meats sourced with the highest grading from Kagoshima and Miyazaki, it’s an authentic charcoal grill experience. Savour melt-in-your-mouth A5 wagyu beef, while sipping on a wide range of sake and shochu. Psst: those holding any intimate get-togethers can check out the private dining rooms!
Tajimaya Yakiniku, multiple locations including Great World and VivoCity
3. Sarai
Craving the signature explosive flavours of Thai cuisine? Lucky for you, Thai fine dining restaurant Sarai will be serving up gastronomic delights this festive season. The restaurant is helmed by Isan-born chef de cuisine Chimkit Khamphuang, so you know it’s as authentic as it gets. Enjoy classic dishes infused with modern twists, such as red curry with roasted duck, and baked tiger prawns with glass noodles.
Sarai, #03-122, Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933
4. Beauty In The Pot
A favourite Singaporean pastime? Having hot pot at any time of the day. We can’t say no to an indulgent one over the Chinese New Year weekend. Book a table at Beauty In The Pot and dip your favourite ingredients in nourishing soup bases. Think thick collagen-rich broth filled with ginseng, wolfberries and red dates. Now, that’s abundant!
Beauty In The Pot, multiple locations including Nex and The Centrepoint
5. Wild Child Pizzette
Wild Child Pizzette dishes out hot pies seven days a week, and the CNY weekend is no exception. You’ve got to try the spianata calabrese that’s drizzled with Sichuan chilli honey. And we can’t forget the margherita that comes with a bit of twist: picture crushed tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, basil and Grana Padano on a fried pizza dough base.
Wild Child Pizzette, 50 Circular Road, Singapore 049405
6. Umisushi
So you’ve been sleeping on your Chinese New Year plans and kept the food ordering to the last minute? Fret not, umisushi has it sorted for you. Tuck into Japanese hot meals like value-for-dollar bento rice sets, filling donburi bowls, comforting udon and soba, and of course, ample sushi options throughout the CNY period. Yes, that covers same-day delivery on all days including Chinese New Year Eve, day one and day two.
Umisushi, multiple locations islandwide including Ang Mo Kio Hub and Waterway Point
7. Soup Restaurant
Looking for a hearty home-cooked meal with restaurant-quality service? Soup Restaurant’s comfort food like the signature Samsui ginger chicken, double-boiled waisan and ginseng roots with chicken soup, and hometown fried fish belly are sure to hit the spot.
Soup Restaurant, multiple locations including Compass One and Holland Village
8. Jumbo Seafood
Indulge in a seafood feast this Chinese New Year! Famed for its chilli crab dish (which you’ll be crazy not to order!), the homegrown restaurant also impresses with menu items like deep-fried red tilapia with Nonya sauce and live Boston lobster braised with superior broth.
Jumbo Seafood, multiple locations including Jewel and Dempsey Hill
9. Paradise Dynasty
This yum cha establishment stands out for its unusual but tasty xiao long bao flavours. Splashed in vibrant hues, brace yourself for foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe and what not. Pick your jaw off the floor and give them a go, even if you’re a traditionalist (there’s the original flavour too, if you wanna stick to your guns).
Paradise Dynasty, multiple locations including Wisma Atria and Funan Mall
10. The Banana Leaf Apolo
When the biryani cravings call, this is the place to be. Have it with veggies and get communal sides to share: the chicken masala and mutton mysore are some of our faves. Alternatively, get a serious spice and flavour kick with the fiery fish curry.
The Banana Leaf Apolo, multiple locations including Race Course Road and Sixth Avenue
11. Din Tai Fung
In need of a quick xiao long bao fix? The ever-reliable Din Tai Fung has your back, even during the Lunar New Year. Beyond dim sum, dishes like hot and sour soup, fried rice with pork chop, and braised Sichuan sliced beef are noteworthy too.
Din Tai Fung, multiple locations including Raffles City and Suntec City
12. Tablescape
The pasta and risotto dishes at Tablescape will wow you, but don’t pass on the meat and bread basket either – seconds are necessary. Take it from us. There’s no lack of stunners on the menu of classic European fare.
Tablescape, Level 3, Grand Park City Hall, 10 Coleman Street, Singapore 179809
13. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
This New York steakhouse needs little introduction. If you’re a regular, you’ll already know about the well-loved prime USDA black angus. But if you want a dish that’s only available on our shores, order the Singapore special: black pepper beef rice.
Wolfgang Steakhouse, #02-01, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
14. Gordon Grill
A meal at Gordon Grill is a fine dining affair – perfect if fancy-schmancy is your mood for the weekend. Indulge in a four-course lunch spread, where you’ll get to choose between Australian beef tenderloin and Norwegian salmon confit for your main. For dinner, tuck into a five-course feast with a choice of hot entree, including the likes of pan-fried foie gras and Hokkaido scallops.
Gordon Grill, 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221
15. Madame Fan
We can’t say no to dim sum and cocktails. Pop by Madame Fan for mod-Cantonese bites and decadent dishes such as Boston lobster with wanton noodles and ume wasabi prawns with lemon balm. You can bet we’ll be washing it all down with glasses of Sichuan margarita or yu cha (made from a famous blend of oolong tea).
Madame Fan, 32 Beach Road, The NCO Club, Singapore 189764
16. Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
This is one of our favourite comfort food options. Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh serves up the Teochew version of the dish, plus ‘Kungfu’ tea and braised specialities. Pair the peppery broth with signature Teochew braised pig’s trotter, braised beancurd skin, and braised onsen egg.
Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, multiple locations including Rangoon Road and Clarke Quay Central
17. Rumours Beach Club
Next on our list of restaurants open on Chinese New Year: Rumours Beach Club. Escape the city for a quick island getaway at this beach club. Exuding Bali vibes, it boasts three swimming pools and is home to cabana, beachfront, indoor, alfresco and VIP areas. Don’t miss out on the BBQ seafood platter with lobster, red snapper, river prawns and squid.
Rumours Beach Club, 40 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 098996
18. PizzaExpress
Need a break from all that yusheng tossing and CNY snacks? Have pizza delivered to you. PizzaExpress has a great selection of flavours. That includes the usual suspects such as the margherita and the American. But if you want a change, unique standouts like Impossible teriyaki and Hawaii-Not (ham with pineapple chutney on a bechamel base) are waiting for you.
PizzaExpress, multiple locations including Holland Village and Duo Galleria
19. True Cost
We can’t think of a better way to spend the CNY weekend than chilling at a rooftop restaurant and wine bar. At True Cost, you can nibble on fine delicacies while taking in stunning views of the city skyline. Order the Seafood Lucky Tower for a prosperous start to the Lunar New Year – it comes with generous servings of sashimi, oysters and unagi. Or, dig into regular menu delights like crab linguine and wagyu tenderloin.
True Cost, #03-302/303, Sky Garden, Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
Rest assured, these restaurants that stay open during the Chinese New Year 2024 celebrations in Singapore will satisfy your hunger pangs.
