An innovative restaurant in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, has been elevating dining to a cultural, interactive, and more memorable experience ahead of the Spring Festival to attract more consumers.

The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb 10 this year. As China's retail market continues to grow, business owners are becoming more creative in capturing consumers with changing appetites.

Situated in Chengdu, a city renowned for its long history and spicy food, the restaurant has been combining food with dances featuring performers in traditional clothes. This innovative approach has garnered praise from diners.

"So, now we are going to Shuyanfu. It's located in the Chengdu Eastern Suburb Memory Park. In the ancient time, Shu means Sichuan. So Shuyanfu means the Sichuan Banquet," said Zhao Cenwen, a consumer.

The unique dining experience mimics ancient Chinese celebrations, where diners enjoyed performances at the banquet.

The performances and dresses in the restaurant are inspired by traditional Chinese culture, mainly from the dynasties of Han (206 BC - 220 AD) and Tang (618-907). The choreography comes from the stories and legends of ancient China, especially Sichuan.

"I think this is a direction for the future dining. We all know that dining at home is the most comfortable choice, so people who opt to dine out are looking for more than just food. That includes socially interacting with others and experiencing cultural elements," said Yang Zi, manager of Shuyanfu.

Diners can also try on traditional dresses themselves before the banquet starts.

"It feels like the TV show 'A Dream of Splendor'. The copy of the picture 'Night Revels of Han Xizai' is hanging in the back. 'A Dream of Splendor' centers around a tea house with immersive performances. This place is just like that and I want to try it out," said a consumer.

The restaurant will open throughout the eight-day Spring Festival holiday and will feature a series of performances. Two-thirds of the total 170 seats have already been booked a week ahead of the Chinese New Year's Eve.

"This is a really amazing thing. Just outside the door, here is an international fashion block, and inside the door, we become the ancient Chinese people who come from thousands of years ago, and we can experience how they were eating, how they were singing, and even how they were dancing," said Zhao.