Restaurants in Manchester to try this Lunar New Year

1. Lucky Cat 

Part of Gordon Ramsay’s portfolio, Lucky Cat is an Asian-inspired small plates establishment nestled in King Street, Manchester. Serving Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi, all designed to share and be devoured alongside an unforgettable selection of cocktails and fine wines. To bring in the lunar new year in style with family or friends, Lucky Cat offer the ultimate private dining experience in their Vault – which seats up to 12 guests and is accompanied by a private bar. With impressive glimmering feature walls and golden cats adorning the walls, this space would be perfect for guests that want the ultimate exclusive experience.  

More information here. 

2. Tattu, Spinningfields 

Boasting some of the most spectacular dining experiences in Manchester, tattu offers a modern spin on Chinese cuisine, and a drinks list that offers tasty cocktails, plus wine, sake and beers. Situated in Spinningfields, guests are greeted by a beautiful interior wall of roses alongside a gigantic pink cherry blossom tree. This Chinese New Year, tattu will be transformed with Chinese lanterns, and the restaurant will serve a menu of traditional new year's dishes. 

More information here. 

3. Live Seafood, Beswick 

Some of the most exciting places to eat in Manchester, Live Seafood has been described as ‘delightfully bonkers’. This Beswick restaurant allows you to pick your seafood, alive and swimming, from a tank before your meal. From king crab to farm eels - if you love seafood, this needs to be on your list to try. If you’re looking for something less adventurous, they serve a great selection of sashimi, Szechuan and Cantonese dishes too.  

More information here. 

4. Mei Dim, Chinatown 

If you’re looking for authentic and delicious dim sum this Chinese New Year, Mei Dim is one of the city’s favourites. Usually packed-out during lunch hours, Mei Dim have a great selection of dim sum and Cantonese dishes to try. Affordable and delicious food with endless combinations of dishes to try, Mei Dim will get booked up fast this Lunar New Year, so get ahead of the curve and book into one of Chinatown’s favourites.  

More information here. 

5. Pho Cue, Chinatown

One of Manchester’s favourite Vietnamese spots, Pho Cue Kitchen is a cherished institution in the city’s Chinatown. The restaurant brings family recipes and traditional Vietnamese cooking together with a modern twist, offering the perfect setting to enjoy authentic flavours enhanced by contemporary flair.

More information here. 

6. Glamourous Chinese Restaurant, Ancoats 

Situated on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Asian supermarket Wing Yip, Glamourous Chinese Restaurant is one of those hidden gems hiding in plain sight. Offering a tailored menu of dim sum and traditional Cantonese dishes like chicken feet and dumplings. With a name like Glamorous, there’s nothing modest or shy about this restaurant – with windows cascading and flashing lights of many colours. 

More information here. 

7. Malay Malay Home, Salford

Malay Malay Home serves authentic Malaysian cuisine with a Halal-friendly menu, bringing bold, comforting flavours straight from the grill and pot. From the juicy, tender Meat Platter grilled to perfection and paired with a finger-licking satay sauce made from a treasured Malaysian family recipe, complete with crunchy peanuts for extra texture, to the rich and fragrant Malaysian Bak Kut Teh, simmered for over 10 hours with more than 10 herbs and melt-in-the-mouth pork ribs, every dish is crafted with care. The menu is rounded out with favourites such as Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles, Nasi Goreng with a crispy fried chicken leg, and classic Nasi Lemak served with deeply spiced beef rendang, offering a true taste of Malaysia in every bite.

More information here. 

8. The Ivy Asia, Spinningfields

The Ivy Asia takes you on a proper journey of the senses, with a dining and drinking experience inspired by Asian influences throughout. From the moment you walk through the door, you’re hit with a sense of theatre – a space that’s unapologetically luxurious and bold in both design and décor. The menu leans into sushi, sashimi and small plates, alongside cocktails. Classic East Asian dishes are given a modern twist, so while the flavours and ingredients feel familiar, there’s always something that lifts them beyond the expected.

Manchester is a world-class city, and The Ivy Asia delivers food, and an experience, that feels worthy of it.

More information here. 

9. A Taste of Chinatown, Scranchester Food Tour

This tour is a true showstopper! Soak up the sights, tastes and sounds of Manchester’s Chinatown on this special winter food tour, running from January to March to tie in with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. Rob and the team are genuinely thrilled to be launching this limited, seasonal tour. Expect an eclectic spread of dishes, with food from different regions of China alongside tastings from other East and Southeast Asian restaurants in the neighbourhood.

Along the way, you’ll dig into the history of Chinese food and the story of how it’s evolved in Britain, exploring how and why what we eat today looks so different to 20 years ago. You’ll also have a proper chat about what “authentic” really means – and whether it actually matters. And just to keep things interesting, there’ll be stories of Victorian narcos, industrial espionage, and even a hidden nuclear bunker beneath the city streets.

More information here. 

10. The Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre’s Eastern Garden brings together a mix of independent food spots from across Asia. It’s a lively, welcoming area where you can explore a variety of tastes and traditions from across the continent, all under one roof.

More information here. 

11. Ban Di Bul Korean Restaurant

From an empty table to a full Korean BBQ and hot pot feast, it all comes together beautifully. Sizzling meats, bubbling broth, fresh vegetables and endless sides slowly fill the table, turning the meal into a proper celebration of flavour. There’s really nothing better than watching your table come alive at Ban Di Bul.

More information here.