ABOUT

 

Bold flavors from our Teochew Singaporean & Cali Italian family recipes, nostalgic hawker favorites, and the legacy of Chinese American & Italian American diaspora cooking.

We cook from scratch from local farmers’ market produce and house ferments + pour natural wines sourced from makers systemically marginalized in their fields.

Michelin + James Beard celebrated.

Two gold yellow traditional Chinese lions outdoors.
 

“Why Lion Dance Cafe 舞狮咖啡座 ?

A lion dance is a traditional Chinese art form meant to bring good luck to its audience. As a child growing up in Singapore, witnessing kung fu schools driving around town to perform lion dances brought joy and excitement. The whole team, sitting in the back of an open pickup truck, would play their drums and cymbals to alert of their whereabouts, and with other kids I would eagerly run outside in hopes of catching a show. 

To this day, the sound of percussion still makes my heart pound and takes me back. I wish for Lion Dance Cafe to elicit these same feelings in our diners -excitement in all, and extra comfort for those who, like me, have sought a home away from home in the small things.”

  • C-Y

The chefs - owners:

Opened in September of 2020, multi-award winning, Michelin listed Lion Dance Cafe was founded by two James Beard semifinalists, C-Y Chia (they/them) and Shane Stanbridge (he/him), the duo behind critically acclaimed longstanding pop up S+M Vegan. All vegan, all flavor.