The Year of the Rabbit will be welcomed in with the start of Chinese New Year on January 22, with 15 days of celebrations planned.
Many of the top Chinese restaurants in the North East can be found on Newcastle's Stowell Street, but that's not the only place you can enjoy scrumptious Chinese food in the region. Several Northumberland towns have fantastic Chinese restaurants, and we've rounded up some of the county's favourites ahead of the new year.
So, whether you're planning to see in Chinese New Year or you just want a recommendation for a new restaurant to try, here are six of the best Chinese restaurants in Northumberland.
Read more: When is Chinese New Year 2023, what is the animal and what does it mean for the coming year?
Princess Garden
4 stars from 379 reviews. 1-3 Brewery Lane, Ponteland, NE20 9NZ
Much like Mandarin Bay above, Princess Garden also offers a made to order all you can eat buffet, which makes the Ponteland restaurant very popular. There's also a bar where you can order Chinese beers such as Tsingtao.
A regular wrote: "The staff and food are totally amazing! I’ve been coming here for years and tried a huge number of dishes all of which have been stunning."
Yan's
4.5 stars from 520 reviews. 10 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, NE66 1TD
The top-rated Chinese restaurant in Northumberland, Yan's is in the centre of Alnwick and offers both takeaway and dine-in options. The owners fully reopened the restaurant in 2022 after serving takeaway-only food during the Covid pandemic.
One reviewer wrote: "We always get our Chinese food from Yan's even though we live an hour away. Really excellent quality and very tasty. Would highly recommend."
Mulan
4 stars from 285 reviews. Newminster Lodge High Stanners, Morpeth NE61 1QL
Overlooking the River Wansbeck, Morpeth's Mulan is a popular choice in Northumberland's county town.
One reviewer who went for their son's birthday wrote: "The staff were lovely with him and made him feel really special. All the staff were brilliant. So efficient, polite, friendly and professional. The food was amazing. All beautifully cooked and full of wonderful flavours. Without doubt the best meal out I've had in many years. I can't wait to go back and try more dishes."
Mandarin Bay
4.5 stars from 368 reviews. 4 Old Parish Hall, Dudley Lane, Cramlington, NE23 6UW
Mandarin Bay in Cramlington describes itself as a 'modern Pan-Asian restaurant' where you can choose between banquet-style dining, an all you can eat buffet with a difference, or just a regular menu. The all you can eat buffet is made to order, and there's lots to choose from whichever menu you pick.
One rib lover wrote: "Best salt & pepper ribs ever, I could literally sit and eat them all night. Rest is pretty good too. Always get a great welcome and they manage to fit us in no matter how busy."
Royal Garden Restaurant
4 stars from 299 reviews. 35 Marygate, Berwick upon Tweed, TD15 1AT
One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in North Northumberland, Royal Garden has been open for 25 years and overlooks Berwick's Town Hall.
One regular diner wrote: "Great food, the best Chinese meal in Berwick. It never fails to give high quality food and service. You will not be disappointed!"
Newcastle's Chinese New Year celebrations to make a comeback in style after two years' absence
10 best restaurants in Northumberland to try in 2023 according to TripAdvisor reviews
Three North East restaurants run by couples named in Harden's top 100 in the UK
Newcastle Restaurant Week: All of the places offering meals for just £10
