February is a month of celebration whether you’re a football fan, a hopeless romantic, or ready for a fresh start with the Lunar New Year. This transitional holiday honors the arrival of spring and the start of the year on the lunisolar calendar where it gets its name. It’s widely celebrated in many Asian countries including China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, with big family gatherings, street festivals, dances, and a lot of food over the span of 15 days.

This year, starting February 10, 2024, is the Year of the Dragon, and these Austin restaurants are keeping the tradition alive with special dishes, performances, and rituals that anyone can enjoy for a lucky and prosperous lunar year.

Peached Tortilla & Bar Peached
February 9-10
The Peached sister concepts are tapping into their Asian roots with an entire weekend of fun specials. Both restaurants include pork dishes like char siu (red roasted pork) and tamarind pork spare ribs; Pork is said to bring prosperity and abundance. There’s also soy chicken with chili crips and jasmine rice, plus another dish for a prosperous year, sweet Chinese rice cakes. Of course, the bar will provide festive drink specials. Reserve on OpenTable.

Zoé Tong
Saturday, February 10
The biggest feast of the Lunar New Year is set to be at a new restaurant, Zoé Tong, as it joins forces with Japanese restaurant Tatsumi for Dragon’s Table: A Chinese-Japanese New Year Celebration ($188 per person). The prix fixe menu honors both Chinese and Japanese cultures through flavors and dishes that symbolically bring good luck. The restaurant will also feature food and drink specials throughout February and special decorations with red lanterns and paper banners for prosperity in the new year. Reserve on Resy.

Playground ATX
Saturday, February 10
It’s also Chinese tradition to hand out red envelopes with money to family and friends during celebrations like this one, so every guest at Playground ATX will receive a coveted red envelop with coupons and discounts. Guests can also get a taste of the new street food menu, including “flock” bowls and combo meals, along with a brunch menu featuring Chinese donuts and seasonal congee with egg.

Soupleaf Hot Pot
Saturday, February 10
If you’re looking for more than a great dinner, Soupleaf Hot Pot is bringing a piece of Chinese tradition and history to the table with a lion dance ceremony. This dance is said to bring good luck and fortune as dancers in a giant lion costume mimic the movements of the animal. The performance begins at 8 pm. For food specials, Soupleaf will be offering lobster and Wagyu beef as add-ins for hot pots. Reserve a table on soupleafhotpot.com.

Oseyo
Saturday, February 10
Set intentions for the Year of the Dragon while enjoying food and drinks at Oseyo. On the Korean restaurant’s patio, guests can write intentions on ribbons to be displayed, or burn written thoughts they want to let go in the fire pit. Oseyo is collaborating with Thai Fresh to bring street food specials and the launch of a new beer in partnership with Hold Out Brewing. Also on the menu is a lucky version of the dumpling and rice cake soup traditionally eaten in the new year. Reserve a table on Tock.

Austin Beerworks — Sprinkle Valley Taproom
Saturday, February 10
Austin Beerworks is celebrating the Lunar New Year with an annual release in collaboration with Lucky Envelope Brewing and Kaiju Cut + Sew. This new beer, "Power & Elegance," is a light and simple jasmine rice lager with Taiwanese oolong tea and dragon ball tea. The festivities will also include a lion dance performance, local vendors, and plenty of food specials. On-site food truck Yellow Bell Tacos will be featuring Asian-inspired eats with more options from fellow trucks The Rice is Right and Elsie’s Egg Roll. For more info, visit austinbeerworks.com.

Wu Chow — Downtown
Monday, February 12
Celebrate and give back at Wu Chow. The restaurant is bringing back its Lunar New Year party benefitting Austin Pets Alive with a lion dance performance. There will also be complimentary light bites such as chicken-taro egg rolls and chicken dumplings, plus specialty cocktails. The family-friendly event starts at 5 pm at the downtown location. Admission is free with a suggested $10 donation (either online or at the event) for Austin Pets Alive. RSVP on Eventbrite.