For many families in Singapore, the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve is the most important meal of the year. More households now choose to eat out rather than cook, which means popular Chinese restaurants fill their reunion dinner slots weeks, sometimes months, in advance. A good reunion dinner restaurant booking is less about luck and more about timing, knowing how festive set menus and deposits work, and asking the right questions before you pay.
This guide focuses on the practical side of booking a reunion dinner out. If you want the customs and meaning behind the meal, see our piece on the reunion dinner tradition in Singapore.
When Reunion Dinner Bookings Usually Open
There is no single opening date. Each restaurant decides its own timing, but some patterns are common.
- Hotel Chinese restaurants and well-known banquet venues often release their Chinese New Year menus a couple of months ahead, sometimes around the end of the previous year.
- Mid-range restaurant chains tend to open bookings soon after, often promoting set menus in-store, on their websites and on social media.
- Smaller zi char and neighbourhood restaurants may take bookings later and informally, by phone or in person.
Because Chinese New Year moves on the Western calendar, falling in late January or February, the booking window shifts each year. A simple rule: if you have a particular restaurant in mind, start asking as soon as your family agrees on a plan, ideally before New Year’s Day. The Eve itself sells out first, followed by the first two days of the new year.
How Set Menus, Pricing and Deposits Work
During the festive period, most restaurants switch to fixed Chinese New Year set menus for reunion dinner rather than the usual à la carte menu.
- Set menus are priced per table or per person. A table typically seats ten, with smaller set menus for four to six. Prices are usually higher than normal dining because of premium ingredients and the festive date.
- Auspicious dishes are standard. Expect yu sheng (the prosperity raw fish salad tossed at the table), braised dishes, whole fish and festive desserts. Our guide to reunion dinner dishes and their meanings explains what each represents.
- Service charge and GST. Listed prices in Singapore are often before service charge and GST (Goods and Services Tax). Check whether the quoted price is nett or “++”.
- Deposits are common. Many restaurants ask for a deposit or full prepayment to secure a reunion night table. Ask whether it is refundable and under what conditions.
- Minimum spend. Private rooms usually come with a minimum spend, and this tends to be higher on the Eve.
Prices and terms differ widely between venues and change every year, so compare the actual menus offered rather than relying on last year’s figures.
Comparing Your Booking Options
Different types of venue suit different families. Here is a rough comparison.
| Venue type | Typical booking lead time | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Chinese restaurant | Early, often weeks to months ahead | Premium set menus, polished service, private rooms with minimum spend | Milestone gatherings, older relatives who value formality |
| Restaurant chain | Moderate lead time | Several set menu tiers, fixed seating slots, deposit common | Mid-sized families wanting predictable pricing |
| Zi char or neighbourhood restaurant | Shorter, but popular ones still fill up | Hearty dishes, relaxed setting, sometimes cash or simple deposit | Casual families, flexible budgets |
| Private dining or caterer at home | Varies by provider | Food delivered or cooked at your home | Large or elderly-heavy families who prefer staying in |
If staying in appeals more, a potluck can work well too; our guide to planning a Chinese New Year potluck reunion covers that route.
Seating Times and Table Logistics
Reunion night is the busiest service of the year for Chinese restaurants, so many run fixed seatings.
- Two seatings are common. An early seating in the late afternoon or early evening, and a later seating after that, each with a set duration. If you book the early slot, the restaurant will expect the table back on time.
- Arrive punctually. With tight seatings, late arrivals eat into your own dining time.
- Count heads carefully. Restaurants plan food quantities by table size. Check how many diners a set menu is designed for and whether you can add a seat.
- Ask about accessibility. If you have elderly relatives or wheelchair users, ask about lifts, step-free access and table positions near the entrance.
- Children’s needs. Ask whether high chairs are available and whether the restaurant can adjust a dish for young children or allergies.
- Parking and transport. Car parks near popular venues fill up fast. Consider public transport or arranging drop-offs.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
Before you hand over a deposit, get clear answers to these. It helps to have them in writing, by email or a confirmation message.
- Is the price nett, or before service charge and GST?
- What exactly does the set menu include, and can any dishes be swapped?
- Is the deposit refundable, and what is the cancellation deadline?
- Can we change the number of diners, and by when?
- What are the seating times and the maximum duration?
- Is a private room available, and what is the minimum spend?
- Can we bring our own wine or drinks, and is there a corkage fee?
- Is yu sheng included, or charged separately?
- Can dietary needs such as vegetarian, no pork or nut allergies be accommodated?
Tips for Newcomers Booking a Reunion Dinner
For families from mainland China or elsewhere celebrating in Singapore for the first time, a few points may differ from home.
- Yu sheng is a Singapore and Malaysia custom. Everyone stands and tosses the salad together with chopsticks while saying auspicious phrases. Staff often lead the toss.
- Booking culture is more formal. Popular places expect advance booking with a deposit, rather than walk-ins on the night.
- Many restaurants close on the first day or two. If you want to eat out during the first days of Chinese New Year, check opening days when you book.
- Booking apps help. Some restaurants take reservations through online platforms; our guide to restaurant reservations and booking apps explains how they work.
A Simple Booking Timeline
- Two to three months before: agree on date, budget and guest count with family.
- As menus are released: shortlist two or three restaurants and compare set menus.
- Book and pay deposit: confirm terms in writing.
- Two weeks before: reconfirm numbers and dietary needs.
- A few days before: check seating time and plan transport.
A well-planned reunion dinner restaurant booking lets you focus on what matters on the night: sitting down together as a family. Start early, read the terms and confirm the details directly with the restaurant, since menus, prices and policies change every year.
Further reading: Booking a Valentine’s Dinner Without Paying Peak Set-Menu Prices · How to Book Christmas Dinner in Singapore Without Stress