As Hong Kong prepares for the Lunar New Year holiday in 2026, many major restaurant chains and local eateries, traditionally observing closures for family time, are implementing diverse opening adjustments, crucial information for residents and visitors planning to dine out during the festive period from the last days of the lunar year (Year 29) through the third day of the New Year. While global fast-food giants and some large-scale dining groups maintain operations, local favorites and certain regional chains are adopting temporary closures or reduced hours, often accompanied by special surcharges.
The coordination of staff holidays and expected public demand creates a fragmented dining landscape. Chains known for high-volume service, such as McDonald’s and KFC, have announced that all their branches will maintain standard operating hours throughout the New Year celebrations, offering convenience for last-minute meal plans. Similarly, major Japanese dining groups like Gyukaku (and its subsidiaries, including Gyushabu and On-Yasai) and Sushiro confirmed they will remain open, with Sushiro touting a limited-time “seared red king crab platter” to mark the occasion.
Navigating Reduced Hours and Special Surcharges
For many local Hong Kong staples, however, planning is essential. The two major TamJai noodle chains—TamJai SamGor and TamJai Yunnan Noodles—showcase the most complex scheduling. While some branches of both chains will operate during the first three days of the New Year (February 17 to February 19, 2026), nearly all are implementing a temporary “plus-one” service charge (10%) on all dine-in and self-pickup orders across this period, a common practice used to incentivize staff working through the holiday. Certain branches will experience complete closures on the eve of the New Year (Year 29).
Iconic local institutions are taking longer breaks. The famous Australia Dairy Company (Ausscar) announced an extended closure, shutting down on February 16 at noon and not resuming normal operations until noon on February 28. Similarly, Gabo Burger will observe a full week of rest, closing from February 15 to February 20. Other chains, including Sukiya and TeaWood, will implement limited hours on the first day (February 17) before returning to normal schedules.
Varied Schedules Across Casual Dining and Cafés
The casual dining sector also presents a mixed bag of operating policies:
- Closed for Day One or More: Satay King and its sister company, White Curry Company, will close entirely on the first day of the New Year (February 17) but reopen all branches on the second day.
- Late Openings: Hong Kong cha chaan teng chain Tai Hing will launch its operations at noon on the first day of the New Year, while Min Wah Bing Teng will run a full schedule from the first day, though regional branches may vary.
- Coffee and Leisure: The Alchemist Café (Shepherd’s Pie Cafe) and its associated venues will mostly close on the first and second days, with only the Airport branch maintaining continuous service.
- Retail and Quick Service: The majority of Pizza Hut and PHD branches will remain open, though some Pizza Hut locations may temporarily discontinue breakfast service. Fairwood and Cafe de Coral also intend to maintain service but advise customers to check the specific branch hours online, as slight adjustments are anticipated.
Consumers are strongly advised to check the official websites or contact individual branches for the most current operating times and to confirm any special holiday surcharges before visiting, ensuring a smooth and celebratory start to the year. These staggered schedules reflect the balance between honouring traditional employee rest periods and meeting the holiday demand for prepared meals in Hong Kong.