Lunar New Year kicks off on Tuesday, February 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, movement and good fortune. Celebrated across many Asian cultures, the holiday is all about gathering, honoring tradition and eating foods that symbolize luck, longevity and prosperity. Around Houston, restaurants are marking the occasion with lion dances, red envelopes, special menus and festive cocktails. Here’s where to eat, drink and celebrate Lunar New Year around the city.
Blood Bros. BBQ, 5425 Bellaire
Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient Blood Bros. BBQ is bringing the Carnival spirit with a limited-time collaboration with Blue Plate Mayo that bridges Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras flavors, available through February 24. Guests can enjoy Prosperity Green Curry Boudin Eggrolls, Louisiana-style boudin reimagined with Thai green curry and coconut milk, wrapped crisp and golden and served with a tangy Blue Plate Asian remoulade for dipping.
Cacao & Cardamom, 5000 Westheimer
Cacao & Cardamom is offering a festive 12-piece Lunar New Year collection with flavors like ube vanilla, matcha basil, five spice praline, almond sesame brittle, and red bean & coconut, plus smaller boxes such as mandarin caramels and classic dragees – all thoughtfully packaged to welcome the new year with sweetness and good fortune
Duck N Bao, multiple locations
On February 17, guests can celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse with a dual lobster tail platter for $29.99, available with the purchase of an entrée. The lobster tails are served family-style and can be prepared salt-and-pepper style or stir-fried. Enjoy them alongside Peking duck, soup dumplings, noodles, and fish dishes, all traditional symbols of luck and prosperity. Limit one platter per table.
FireNoodz x HiFi at The Finn, 712 Main
Get into the Lunar New Year spirit with a one-night-only four-course dinner from FireNoodz and HiFi at The Finn on February 17. Guests will enjoy themed food and beverage pairings. The dinner runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Haii Keii, 3300 Kirby
The buzzy spot celebrates Chinese New Year on Tuesday, February 17 with a festive red envelope giveaway, where diners can score gift cards valued at $25 while supplies last. The evening features the full dinner menu alongside specialty Lunar New Year offerings. Reservations are encouraged
Hongdae 33, 9889 Bellaire
On February 20-22, continue the Lunar New Year festivities with BOGO Korean soju and beer at all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue spot, Hongdae 33. Selections include Chamisul Original and Fresh, Jinro Is Back Chum-Churum, and six flavored options like green apple, strawberry and peach.
Loro, 1001 W 11th; 5333 Kirby
From Sunday, February 16 through Saturday, March 1, Loro is celebrating Lunar New Year with a dine-in-only Pork Bossam Family Meal, a traditional Korean-inspired spread designed for sharing. The $45 feast serves three to four and features smoked pork shoulder with lettuce wraps, coconut rice, Thai green salsa, kimchi emulsion, Thai herbs, pickled seasonal vegetables and peanut sambal. In the spirit of the holiday, $1 from every meal and $1 from each limited-edition Lunar New Year T-shirt sold will benefit the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association, supporting local cultural and educational programs.
Maison Chinoise, 1958 West Gray
The buzzy new restaurant’s Lunar New Year celebration features a chef-curated special menu from Tuesday, February 17 through Sunday, February 22. Guests can enjoy elevated Chinese dishes perfect for sharing, from artisanal dumplings to noodles symbolizing good fortune. The celebration gets extra lively on Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. with a traditional lion dance performance.
Meat Mafia at BLVD Park, 1119 West 20th
The Meat Mafia Lunar New Year Block Party takes over the Heights on Thursday, February 12, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Guests can enjoy 400 championship steaks, DJs Binhzino, Loopy, Dem1goddubz, Diagnosis, Zillamatic, plus a surprise guest, lion dance performances, Lunar New Year games, and lucky red pocket giveaways. VIP tables include steak pre-orders and skip-the-line access. DM Meat Mafia to book.
Ocean Palace, 11215
Ocean Palace is celebrating Lunar New Year with vibrant dragon and lion dance performances all month long. Catch Unity Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe on February 21 at 10:30 a.m., Teo Chew Association on February 22 at 11 a.m., and Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association on February 28 at 12:30 p.m., which will also extend to the new Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime next door.
Seven Sushi & Robata, 9889 Bellaire
Seven Sushi invites folks to rring in the Lunar New Year on with BOGO classic cocktails while enjoying all-you-can-eat sushi and robata.
Street to Kitchen, 3401 Harrisburg
Kicking off February, Street to Kitchen is celebrating Lunar New Year, The Year of the Horse, with the Thai Stallion, a special cocktail featuring Johnnie Walker Blue Label, fresh gooseberry and lemon juice, and Valdespino Pedro Ximenez Sherry for $40. Pair it with Prawns in Orange Curry Reduction Sauce for a festive flavor combo.
Traveler’s Cart, 1401 Montrose
On Saturday, February 21, Traveler’s Cart is celebrating the Lunar New Year with food, family and tradition. The afternoon highlights a lion dance performance at 2 p.m.; and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., guests can also enjoy a special banh cuon pop-up featuring Thy Mitchell’s mom, alongside drinks from R&B Tea Midtown.