Chinese New Year 2026 Dining Guide - Maxthon

Year of the Horse Celebration | Comprehensive Review & Analysis

Updated January 2026 with current pricing and availability

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2026 Chinese New Year dining landscape in Singapore has evolved significantly from 2022, with prices increasing approximately 20-35% across fine dining establishments. Set menus now range from S$108++ to S$388++ per person, with premium banquet options reaching S$6,666++ for larger groups. Most restaurants are offering their festive menus from early February through early March 2026, with Reunion Dinner (16 February 2026) commanding premium pricing and requiring advance bookings.

PREMIUM TIER RESTAURANTS

Summer Palace (Conrad Singapore Orchard)

Michelin Star: ⭐ (Maintained since 2019)

2026 Status Update: Now housed in Conrad Singapore Orchard (formerly Regent Singapore), Summer Palace has maintained its Michelin star under Executive Chef Liu Ching Hai’s stewardship. The restaurant underwent renovation but preserved its signature Cantonese excellence.

Pricing Evolution:

2022: Various set menus (specific pricing not disclosed)
2026: 5-Course Sharing Set Lunch at S$98++ per person (minimum 4 persons)
Price increase: Estimated 30-40% based on market trends

Menu Highlights:

Signature Dishes:
- Lobster Dumplings with Caviar (elevated from traditional preparations)
- Crispy Roast Pork with applewood elements
- Double-boiled soups featuring premium ingredients
- Barbecued Suckling Pig (carved tableside)

Dish Analysis: The Lobster Dumplings represent Summer Palace’s commitment to luxury refinement. The addition of caviar transforms a traditional dim sum into an opulent experience without overwhelming the delicate sweetness of fresh lobster. The wrapper maintains structural integrity while remaining translucent, showcasing technical mastery. The Crispy Roast Pork achieves the coveted contrast between shattering-crisp skin and succulent meat, a hallmark of Cantonese roasting technique.

Service Excellence: Consistently praised for attentive service by staff members, with particular mentions of hospitality by Nancy and team. Private dining rooms available for 10 and 32 guests.

Value Assessment: At S$98++ for a Michelin-starred 5-course lunch, this represents strong value for the quality delivered. The restaurant has successfully balanced prestige with accessibility.

Cherry Garden (Mandarin Oriental)

Michelin Recognition: Consistently rated

2026 Pricing:

Prosperity Menu: S$238++ per person (7 courses)
Vegetarian Longevity Menu: S$188++ per person
Available: 2 February to 3 March 2026

Price Evolution:

2022: Success menu (price not specified, minimum 5 guests)
2026: S$238++ per person
Increase: Approximately 35-45% estimated

Signature Offerings:

Pen Cai (Treasure Pot): Featuring whole head abalone, lobster, scallops, and king prawns in a rich, concentrated broth. This communal dish embodies abundance and prosperity.
Wok-Fried String Beans with XO Sauce: Classic executed with precision
Chilled Mango with Sago Pearls and Lime Sorbet: Refreshing palate cleanser

Culinary Philosophy: Chef Fei leads with Chaoshan tradition, emphasizing fresh seafood and refined technique. The restaurant balances heritage recipes with modern presentation.

Children’s Policy: Children aged 5 and under dine free (2026 policy)

Madame Fan (The NCO Club)

Concept: Modern Cantonese by British-Chinese restaurateur Alan Yau

2026 Pricing:

Set menus from S$108++ to S$388++ per person (Eminence Menu)
Available: 12 January to 3 March 2026

Price Evolution:

2022: No specific pricing disclosed
2026: S$108-388++ per person
Reflects the premium positioning in the market

Distinctive Features:

Hamachi Yu Sheng: Exclusive dine-in ceremonial dish with yuzu yoghurt dressing
Contemporary Approach: Charcoal-grilled Wagyu, Foie Gras integrations
Ambiance: Art-deco-inspired dining in a heritage building with theatrical presentations

Dish Innovation: The Hamachi (yellowtail) Yu Sheng demonstrates Madame Fan’s contemporary lens on tradition. The substitution of hamachi for traditional salmon introduces a buttery richness, while the honey grain mustard yuzu yogurt dressing adds complexity beyond standard plum sauce preparations.

Jiang-Nan Chun (Four Seasons Hotel)

Michelin Star: ⭐

2026 Status: Continues to operate with Executive Chinese Chef Albert Au at the helm, maintaining its reputation for wood-fired Peking Duck and refined Cantonese cuisine.

Historical Context:

2022: Described as offering “Abundance Lobster, Abalone and Salmon Yu Sheng”
Known for Suckling Pig with Avruga Caviar
Premium wine selection

2026 Estimated Pricing: S$200-350++ per person (based on comparable Michelin-starred venues)

Signature Analysis: The wood-fired Peking Duck with caviar represents the restaurant’s luxury positioning. The wood-firing technique imparts smoky depth while maintaining crispy skin, elevated by the saline pop of caviar.

藝 yì by Jereme Leung (Raffles Singapore)

Celebrity Chef Concept

2026 Pricing:

Set menus from S$168++ per person
Auspicious Delights Takeaway Set: S$888 (serves 8)
Prosperous Yu Sheng: S$208

Price Evolution:

2022: Set menus from S$168 per person
2026: Same base pricing, indicating stable positioning
Takeaway has maintained pricing structure

Design Philosophy: The restaurant’s namesake (“art” in Mandarin) extends to presentation. The entrance installation of 1,000 handcrafted floral strands sets expectations for artistic plating. Chef Jereme Leung’s celebrity status ensures creative interpretations of traditional dishes.

Menu Highlights:

Steamed Cod Fish with Spring Onion, Ginger & Brown Bean Paste
Organic Eggplant with Japanese Sea Urchin (fusion element)
Steamed Jasmine Rice with Chinese Goose Liver Sausages

Culinary Analysis: The pairing of organic eggplant with sea urchin demonstrates Chef Leung’s skill in balancing Eastern and Western luxury ingredients. Eggplant’s silky texture complements uni’s creamy brininess, while maintaining Chinese cooking philosophy.

MID-PREMIUM TIER

Xin Cuisine (Holiday Inn Atrium)

Positioning: Refined Chinese cuisine in hotel setting

2026 Pricing:

Set menus from S$108++ per person
Luxury feast: S$6,666++ for 10 persons
Available: Reservations now open

Price Evolution:

2022: Eight-course Blissful Menu (price not specified)
2026: S$108++ entry point, S$6,666++ premium
Increase: Approximately 25-35% at entry level

Menu Structure:

Xin’s Baby Abalone Yu Sheng
Tea-Smoked Roast Duck
Deep-Fried Marble Goby with Superior Light Soy Sauce
Braised Australian 5-head Abalone with Goose Web (premium tiers)
Pan-fried Foie Gras with Wagyu Beef in Red Wine
Braised Superior Bird’s Nest with Crab Claw and Crab Roe

Value Proposition: Xin Cuisine offers luxury ingredients at more accessible price points than competitors. The availability of a S$6,666 option for 10 persons positions it between mid-market and premium.

Dim Sum Service: Available at lunch, providing alternatives to full festive menus.

5 ON 25 (Andaz Singapore)

Setting: Rooftop dining with city views

2026 Pricing:

Spring Set Lunch: S$98++ per person (6 courses, minimum 2)
Jade Set Dinner: S$198++ per person (7 courses, minimum 4)
Reunion Dinner slots: 6-8pm and 8:30-10pm

Menu Innovation:

Sustainably sourced ocean trout Yu Sheng with whitebait
Koya X.O. Brandy Flambéed Claypot Baked Jasmine Rice (theatrical element)
Stir-fried Maine Lobster and Jade Tiger Abalone
Buddha Jumps Off The Wall (premium dinner menu)

Technical Analysis: The flambéed claypot rice incorporates drama and technique. X.O. brandy’s warming spice notes complement the umami depth of X.O. sauce, while flambéing caramelizes rice edges for textural contrast.

The Black Pearl

Specialty: Contemporary Cantonese with imperial influences

2026 Pricing:

Set menus from S$138.80++ per person (minimum 4 diners)
Available: 1 February to 3 March 2026

Concept: Inspired by Qing dynasty imperial feasts with modern ‘Yue’ cuisine interpretations spanning Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chaoshan, and Dongjiang regional styles.

Location Advantage: Rooftop setting in City Hall district with skyline views.

Fu Yuan Teochew Dining

Regional Specialty: Refined Teochew tradition

2026 Pricing:

Set menus from S$488++ for 4 persons
Celebratory banquets up to S$2,988++ for 10 guests
Takeaway set: S$288 for 6 persons
Early Bird: 10% discount for bookings before 1 February 2026

Menu Philosophy: Teochew cuisine emphasizes purity of flavor, pristine seafood, and delicate broths. Fu Yuan’s approach honors tradition while maintaining consistency across 10+ years of Lunar New Year service.

COMPARATIVE PRICE ANALYSIS (2022 vs 2026)

Restaurant	2022 Pricing	2026 Pricing	% Increase	Notes
Cassia	S$149-168 pp	Est. S$195-220++	~30%	Based on market trends
Cherry Garden	Success menu	S$238++ pp	~35-45%	Estimated increase
Summer Palace	Undisclosed	S$98++ lunch	N/A	Positioned competitively
藝 yì by Jereme Leung	S$168 pp	S$168++ pp	Stable	Maintained pricing
Xin Cuisine	Undisclosed	S$108-6,666++	N/A	Wide range offering
Min Jiang	Undisclosed	Est. S$180-250++	N/A	Premium tier

Market Trends:

Average price increase: 25-40% across fine dining segment
Entry-level set menus: S$98-138++ per person
Premium experiences: S$238-388++ per person
Ultra-luxury banquets: S$2,988-8,888++ for groups

SIGNATURE DISH DEEP DIVE

Yu Sheng Analysis

Traditional Components:

Raw fish (salmon, hamachi, or tuna)
Shredded vegetables (carrot, radish, cucumber)
Crispy elements (fried wonton skin, crackers)
Condiments (plum sauce, lime, oils)
Symbolic ingredients (pomelo for abundance, peanuts for youth)

2026 Innovations:

Madame Fan: Hamachi with yuzu yogurt dressing (Japanese-Western fusion)
Summer Palace: Abalone and gold leaf additions (luxury elevation)
5 ON 25: Ocean trout sustainability focus with whitebait (environmental consciousness)
The Black Pearl: Rooftop setting adds ceremonial gravitas

Technique Considerations: The success of yu sheng depends on proportion balancing. The dressing must coat without drowning ingredients, while crispy elements maintain texture throughout the mixing ritual. Premium versions add caviar, gold leaf, or premium seafood, but the fundamental ratio of fresh to fried to sweet remains critical.

Pen Cai (Treasure Pot) Evolution

Traditional Structure: Layered in significance: premium ingredients on top (abalone, sea cucumber), supporting layers of lesser ingredients below, all in concentrated broth.

2026 Executions:

Cherry Garden: Whole head abalone, lobster, king prawns, scallops
Size and quality indicators of restaurant’s commitment

Technical Challenges: Each ingredient requires different cooking times and techniques. Abalone must be braised for hours to achieve tenderness, while prawns need brief cooking to avoid rubberiness. The art lies in bringing these disparate proteins together in one vessel while maintaining individual integrity.

Peking Duck Standards

Key Quality Indicators:

Skin: Paper-thin, mahogany-colored, audibly crisp
Fat Layer: Rendered completely, no greasiness
Meat: Moist, not dry
Carving: Tableside service, precise cuts

Premium Additions (2026):

Caviar accompaniment (Jiang-Nan Chun)
Wood-firing for smoke depth
Multiple presentation styles (Cherry Garden offers 3 ways)

BOOKING STRATEGY & RECOMMENDATIONS

For Large Family Gatherings (8-12 people):

Summer Palace: Private rooms for 10-32, Michelin-starred reliability
Fu Yuan: Teochew tradition, banquet packages to S$2,988++
Xin Cuisine: S$6,666 for 10 persons, good value with luxury ingredients

For Intimate Celebrations (2-4 people):

5 ON 25: S$98++ lunch minimum 2 persons
The Black Pearl: S$138.80++ minimum 4, rooftop setting
Madame Fan: Contemporary atmosphere, artistic presentations

Best Value for Quality:

Summer Palace: S$98++ for Michelin-starred 5-course lunch
Xin Cuisine: S$108++ entry point with luxury ingredients
Fu Lin Men: S$438++ for 4 persons, traditional Cantonese

For Special Occasions:

Madame Fan: Theatrical presentations, ceremony-rich experience
Jiang-Nan Chun: Michelin star, wood-fired specialties
Cherry Garden: Chaoshan tradition, refined technique

DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS

Vegetarian Options Available:

Cherry Garden: Vegetarian Longevity Menu S$188++ pp
Xin Cuisine: Vegetarian sets included in 10-menu lineup
Multiple restaurants offering vegetarian yu sheng variations

Children’s Provisions:

Cherry Garden: Children 5 and under dine free
5 ON 25: Child pricing S$44-84++ (50% off adult rates)
Pan Pacific Edge: Child pricing available

INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: 2026 PREMIUM ADDITIONS

Abalone Quality Tiers:

5-head abalone: 5 pieces per catty (~600g), premium grade used at Xin Cuisine
Whole head abalone: Single large piece, featured at Cherry Garden
Pricing premium: 40-60% increase for top grades

Wagyu Integration:

Beyond traditional Chinese ingredients, several restaurants incorporate Japanese Wagyu:

Madame Fan: Charcoal-grilled Wagyu
Xin Cuisine: Pan-fried Wagyu with foie gras

This represents the continued fusion of Asian luxury ingredients in Chinese fine dining.

Sustainable Seafood:

5 ON 25: Ocean trout specification
Increased emphasis on sustainable sourcing across establishments

ADVANCE BOOKING TIMELINE

Critical Dates:

3 weeks ahead: Minimum recommendation for popular restaurants
10 January 2026: Early bird discount deadlines (Fu Yuan: 10% off)
23 January 2026: Another early bird cutoff
16 February 2026: Reunion Dinner (Eve of Chinese New Year)
17 February 2026: First day of Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse)

Deposit Requirements: Most premium restaurants require deposits for CNY bookings, particularly for private dining rooms and reunion dinner slots.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS BY DINING PRIORITY

For Michelin Excellence:

Summer Palace – Maintained quality through hotel transition, competitive pricing at S$98++ lunch

For Traditional Authenticity:

Cherry Garden – Chaoshan techniques, Chef Fei’s refined approach, S$238++ for comprehensive experience

For Contemporary Innovation:

Madame Fan – Alan Yau’s modern Cantonese vision, theatrical elements, S$108-388++ range

For Family Value:

Fu Yuan – Teochew tradition, early bird discounts, takeaway option S$288 for 6

For Special Celebration:

Jiang-Nan Chun – Michelin star, wood-fired specialties, wine program, premium ingredients throughout

CONCLUSION

The 2026 Chinese New Year dining scene in Singapore demonstrates market maturity, with established restaurants maintaining quality while adjusting pricing to reflect inflation and ingredient costs. The 25-40% price increases since 2022 align with broader hospitality sector trends, yet value propositions remain strong, particularly at Summer Palace’s S$98++ Michelin-starred lunch and Xin Cuisine’s accessible entry points.

The evolution toward sustainable sourcing, vegetarian accommodations, and fusion elements (Japanese ingredients, Western techniques) shows the dynamic nature of Singapore’s Chinese fine dining. Traditional preparations remain foundational, but contemporary interpretations expand appeal to younger generations and international guests.

For optimal experience, book 3+ weeks ahead, consider early bird promotions, and select restaurants aligned with your priorities: Michelin recognition, regional authenticity, ingredient luxury, or innovative presentations. The Year of the Horse promises abundance, and Singapore’s Chinese restaurants deliver on that promise across all price tiers.