The new moon that marks the start of the Lunar New Year always appears sometime between January 21 and February 20, kicking off worldwide festivities and a new zodiac cycle. 2023’s Lunar New Year will come on January 22 – the earliest in 19 years – and this year it’s the the zodiac sign of the rabbit’s turn to rule.
It may have only been a couple of weeks since we toasted the start of 2023, but Canadians have made it more than clear that there’s no New Year’s fatigue here. From refined tea parties to a cabaret inspired by 1930s Shanghai, we’ve rounded up some of the tastiest and trendiest spots in Canada to welcome the bunny.
Notch8 in Vancouver
Afternoon tea at a Fairmont is always a good idea, and this year’s special Lunar New Year tea service at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has the perfect balance of teatime classics and festive features. Scones with cream and marmalade are followed by a spread of savoury snacks, including a Hainan Chicken Steamed Bao, Pork Dumplings, Foie Gras Turnip Cake and Chilled Char Siu Sablefish sandwiches. Wrap up with rabbit-shaped lemon cakes, Red Bean Macarons and Egg Custard Tarts.
$69 per person until February 19
notch8-dining.com
Mott 32 in Vancouver
Chef Lee Man Sing’s Lunar New Year dinner menu boasts elevated dishes such as Whole Lobster Salad, Bird’s Nest in Supreme Soup, and Alaskan King Crab Meat with E-Fu Noodles. The Mott 32 restaurant line originated in Hong Kong, so it’s no surprise that a number of classic Chinese Lunar New Year dishes will be on the Vancouver location’s menu as well. A “Prosperity Toss” (yusheng) salad is assembled together among diners in the tradition that’s said to usher in good luck for the new year, and Fried Arrowhead Cakes will be on the table as well.
January 20 – February 5
mott32.com/vancouver
Hong Shing in Toronto
Hong Shing’s annual Lunar New Year feasts are only available for pre-order takeout, but the six-course dinner for two is well worth the pickup run. Lobster Dumplings, Prosperity Lo Hay Toss salad, Balsamic Sweet & Sour Pork, Garlic Beef Tenderloin and Wealthy Fried Rice are topped off with a sweet White Rabbit Cream Puff. Hong Shing’s own red pocket envelopes are included, forecasting good fortune for your tastebuds.
$208 for two, January 29 – February 6
hongshing.com
La Nuit Shanghai in Brossard, Quebec
This event has a dress code, so you know it’s the real deal – if you’re hitting up La Nuit Shanghai for Lunar New Year, make sure you wear your gold, red and bunny-themed threads. The club opened up south of Montreal in 2021, inspired by the glamour of the 1930s cabaret scene in Shanghai. This year’s Lunar New Year celebration features three DJs spinning Asian club remixes and a selection from the kitchen’s French-Chinese fusion menu.
$20 at the door, January 21
lanuitshangai.ca
