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China Tang at The Dorchester ushers in Year of the Horse with traditional Lunar New Year celebrations

China Tang at The Dorchester in Mayfair will mark Lunar New Year 2026 with traditional rituals, symbolic cuisine and performances, highlighting Cantonese culture and seasonal renewal.

Terry Clark

29 December 2025

Mayfair’s longstanding Cantonese restaurant China Tang at The Dorchester has announced an extensive series of festivities to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026, welcoming the Year of the Horse with symbolic décor, traditional performances and a special menu rooted in Cantonese culinary tradition.

Situated on Park Lane, the restaurant is known for its 1930s Shanghai‑inspired interiors and a dining experience that combines classic sophistication with authentic Cantonese flavours. To mark the new year, China Tang at The Dorchester will introduce a collection of auspicious dishes alongside its regular menu, each selected for its cultural significance and association with prosperity, unity and good fortune.

On the evenings of 17 and 18 February, guests will be greeted by a traditional Lion Dance, a ritual believed to attract good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Central to the celebrations is a curated series of ten special dishes, overseen by Executive Chef Chong Choi Fong, that reflect symbolic aspirations for the months to come.

The celebratory menu opens with a traditional Lo Hei—Raw Fish Salad or Abalone Salad—designed to symbolise rising success and shared good fortune. Other dishes carrying symbolic meaning include Sea Moss and Bamboo Heart with Chinese Mushrooms, intended to represent wealth and prosperity, and Lobster with XO Sauce on Crispy Noodles, which embodies ambition and strength. Wok Fried Whole Tiger Prawn is presented as a symbol of courage and determination, while a Cornucopia of Mixed Seafood and Poultry with a choice of Japanese or Australian abalone signifies the arrival of the “Five Blessings”.

Traditional symbolism continues with Steamed Whole Dover Sole, conveying surplus and abundance year after year, and Red Cooked British Squab, associated with good luck and fortune. Seasonal balance is offered through Snow Pea Shoots topped with White Crab Meat, celebrating renewal and the return of spring. Festive courses conclude with Pan Fried Traditional Chinese Rice Cake, symbolising progress and advancement, followed by a bespoke Year of the Horse Celebration Dessert.

Alongside the Lunar New Year menu, guests can enjoy China Tang at The Dorchester’s signature offerings, ranging from handcrafted dim sum to the acclaimed Peking Duck. The restaurant’s private dining rooms—Ping, Pang and Pong—will provide refined settings for group celebrations, whether with family, friends or colleagues.

Throughout weekdays from 12pm to 4pm, the Yum Cha menu will continue to honour the Cantonese tradition of sharing tea and dim sum. Guided by Chinese numerology, guests may choose from three, six or eight baskets priced at £38, £58 and £78 respectively, featuring items such as Iberico Pork Xiao Long Bao, Har Gau and Morel Dumplings, all paired with bespoke teas from JADE Tea.

For those seeking celebratory drinks, The Bar at China Tang offers a unique setting for Lunar New Year cocktails. The bar blends classic signature serves with an Art Deco Cocktail Flight inspired by 1930s Shanghai, complementing the festive spirit of the occasion.

For celebrations in a different part of central London, visitors to Dim Sum by China Tang at Harrods in Knightsbridge can enjoy a relaxed yet elegant way to mark the new year. Located within the historic Harrods Dining Hall, the restaurant offers China Tang’s signature dim sum and Cantonese dishes in an iconic setting.

Commenting on the upcoming Lunar New Year festivities, Nathalie Ford, VP Europe and Middle East for China Tang, said: “China Tang has always been a place for celebration, a restaurant where guests come together to share exceptional food and memorable moments. This time of year brings such energy and excitement to China Tang, whether it’s a festive lunch, a New Year toast or a Lunar New Year gathering, our guests know they can count on an atmosphere that’s unmistakably China Tang.”

Since opening in 2005, China Tang at The Dorchester has established itself as a standard‑bearer for fine Cantonese dining in London. Conceived by the late Sir David Tang, the restaurant blends classic Chinese elegance with contemporary British sophistication, from its Art Deco entrance on Park Lane to its opulent private dining rooms and lavish bar.