As far as dining goes, Soho (or SoHo – for “South of Hollywood Road”) district in Hong Kong brings a lot to the table. There are restaurants in historic buildings, others with elegant fit-outs, and plenty with a more low-key, street-side buzz. And the food and drink offerings are truly global, too, from spicy Chinese to British staples and Brazilian-Japanese fusions. Here’s a list of 20 tasty places to keep in mind for your next Soho sojourn.
Chôm Chôm
Craving some big Vietnamese flavours? Look no further than Chôm Chôm, where zesty salads and traditional-style meat dishes can be paired with a couple of cold beers in trademark “bia hoi” style. Don’t miss the VFC – that’s Vietnamese fried chicken! As for drinks, if beer’s not your bag, go for a Phojito (yes, it’s a thing), or a Saigon Sour.
58-60 Peel Street
2810 0850 | chomchom.com.hk
121BC
With a name evoking the year that featured the best vintage of wine in Ancient Roman times, 121BC is all about sharing plates presented in Italian family style. There’s a focus on local organic produce and sustainable seafood – and, of course, an emphasis on wine, with over 100 drops available. The menu runs the gamut from pappardelle with wild boar ragu to Australian wagyu and homemade gelati.
LG/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road
2672 8255 | 121bc.hk
Louise
With a cool retro vibe, this restaurant in a heritage house in PMQ offers high-end dishes that are all about honest family cooking from France, courtesy of founder Julien Royer and executive chef Franckelie Laloum. There are brunches, weekday sets, signature dinners and other options; but, with a Michelin star to its name, Louise is unlikely to disappoint whenever you choose to visit.
PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street
2866 0300 | louise.hk
Fini’s
This places has served more than a million meatballs in its time, so you know it’s doing something right! You can expect rustic Italian cuisine at Fini’s, from homemade pasta to house-cured meats, but also one of HK’s best New York-style pizzas. The location on the corner of Elgin and the Soho escalator is ideal for a bit of people-watching while you tuck into a slice or two!
49 Elgin Street
2387 6338 | finishk.com
Ho Lee Fook
Get into the old-school spirit of dai pai dong and cha chaan teng, as you taste traditional Chinese flavours with a modern twist at Ho Lee Fook. While the signature roast wagyu short ribs are not to be missed, pretty much everything on the menu is completely moreish! There’s a cool vibe and a welcome element of humour here too.
3-5 Elgin Street
2810 0860 | holeefook.com.hk
Chilli Fagara
This restaurant serves traditional Sichuan food with a kick – a hot and spicy kick! You can explore the different concepts of chilli-driven “ma” and “la” heat in dishes such as home-style mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, whole fried fish, sweet and sour options and more. And, if chillies aren’t your thing, don’t panic; there’s plenty on the menu to suit even the tamest of taste buds.
G/F, 7 Old Bailey Street
2796 6866 | 2796 6766 | chillifagara.com
MEATS
There are no airs or graces at Meats; the name tells you precisely what’s on the lid, and the team invites you to roll up the sleeves and get stuck into some tender, perfectly carved proteins. Cuts from Spain, New Zealand, the US, Argentina and beyond are featured, grilled to just how you like them; plus the small plates and sides are ideal accompaniments.
G/F, 28-30 Staunton Street
2711 1812 | piratameats.hk
Belon
Now with a fresh look on display – darker and more seductive, with plenty of deep blue tones – classy neo-Parisian restaurant Belon has classic French culinary techniques at its heart, with a spotlight on the best seasonal ingredients from the region. The likes of foie gras, truffle, pigeon, caviar, lobster and aged cheeses are all treated with an expert hand here.
1/F, 1-5 Elgin Street
2152 2872 | belonsoho.com
Dragonfly
Along with a majestic Instagrammable interior courtesy of designer Ashley Sutton, this Bohemian-style art nouveau cocktail lounge showcases a range of intriguing and colourful drinks. Buddha’s Best Sip, for example, is a tequila and Campari-based cocktail featuring redcurrant, kaffir leaves and Tabasco! You can accompany the beverages with bar bites like empanadas, olives and charcuterie platters.
Shop 10, G1, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road
2777 2633 | sandshospitality.com
Mana
There’s a list of mantras followed by the team at Mana; one is “We’re not on the planet for business, we’re in business for the planet!” The restaurant takes environmentally-friendly food to the next level, serving plant-based foods that are delicious and nutritious, while operating on a “zero waste” basis at the same time. So it’s a case of win-win!
8 Staunton Street
5501 7583 | mana.hk
The Chinese Library
As the name suggests, The Chinese Library in Tai Kwun offers cuisines from the diverse culinary regions of China – with a fusion twist for extra kick! Don’t miss the signature laksa-flavoured xiaolongbao or the classic pannacotta dessert, among other Cantonese, Shanghainese and Sichuan fare. An added bonus is the plush but welcoming setting.
Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road
2848 3088 | chineselibrary.com.hk
The Dispensary
What’s being dispensed at The Dispensary? Masterful drinks, that’s what! Reflecting the theme of the Chinese and British aspects of Hong Kong’s heritage – fitting for its location in a Victorian-era barracks – the bar’s unique cocktail list sees the likes of oolong tea marrying with bourbon, and egg tarts with rum.
Shop 01-1/F, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road
2848 3000 | taikwun.hk
Club Rangoon
Hong Kong’s only Burmese restaurant, Club Rangoon is the brainchild of Nelson Htoo, whose family favourites as a child in Myanmar now grace the menu. There’s the nation’s much-loved noodle dish, mohinga, along with laphet thoke, the ubiquitous fermented tea leaf salad. Large plates include delish-sounding Burmese-style lobster curry, and a Burmese biryani featuring Aussie wagyu. Don’t miss the creative drinks!
33 Aberdeen Street
2503 3077 | clubrangoon.com.hk
Aaharn
Internationally celebrated chef David Thompson is the man behind Aaharn, so it’s no surprise it was awarded a Michelin star in the 2020 Hong Kong & Macau Michelin Guide. The restaurant showcases a wide array of authentic dishes made from quality ingredients brought directly from Thailand; you can choose from a series of different tasting menus or go à la carte. The Thai-inspired cocktails are a class act too.
1/F, Armoury Building, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road
2703 9111 | aaharn.hk
The Globe
After years on Hollywood Road, this popular gastro pub continues to pump out homey British comfort food from its Graham Street location. The menu features Scotch eggs, pork and leek sausages, curries, burgers and more. And the drinks? In their own words, they have “more beer than you can shake a stick at”. It’s always worth a return visit to try the guest taps from HK and global breweries.
Garley Building, 45-53 Graham Street
2543 1941 | theglobe.com.hk
Bedu
If Mediterranean tastes are your thing, don’t miss this restaurant and bar that takes inspiration from the journeys of Bedouins. There’s a street food feel to the menu, with sharing plates of delicious dips, tender lamb shoulder, harissa chicken, spiced pumpkin and more on offer. The cocktail list gives a nod to classic Middle Eastern folk tales, with drinks named The Princess, Genie Spritz and more.
40 Gough Street
2320 4450 | bedurestaurant.com
Cultivate
Newly opened in 2021, Cultivate is an intimate 22-seater that aims to “redefine fine-casual and interactive dining”. At the helm is Leonard Cheung, formerly of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Bo Innovation; he delivers a seasonal eight-course set menu of whimsical dishes and fresh, unconventional flavours. New items appear every few weeks, rewarding return visits.
Shop A, 27-29 Elgin Street
5303 1230 | cultivate.hk
La Vache
Craving a good steak? Pay La Vache a visit. (Yep, the name means “the cow”!) This Parisian-style entrecôte steakhouse takes simple steak frites to a whole new level with its set menu of a green salad with walnuts, steak in a special house sauce and the restaurant’s superb French fries. Sometimes simple is best!
48 Peel Street
2880 0248 | lavache.com.hk
Uma Nota
Did you know that the Liberdade district of São Paulo in Brazil is thought to be home to the largest community of Japanese people outside of Japan? This is the vibe that permeates Uma Nota, where Brazil meets Japan in a lively combo of food, drinks and atmosphere. Expect zingy ceviche, grilled meats, inventive salads and more, in the spirit of “Nipobrasileiro” street food.
F, Upper G, 38 Peel Street
2889 7576 | Instagram@uma.nota
Andō
The name of this restaurant can be read as the Spanish word meaning “the act of doing” or the Japanese word suggesting a sense of comfort. No surprise, then, that the menu is a fusion of Chef Agustin Balbi’s Spanish ancestral recipes with strong influences from Japanese culinary traditions and techniques. Andō opened in June 2020 and combines a dark, eclectic space with an unorthodox approach to food.
1/F, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street
9161 8697 | andohk.com
We hope you liked this story on Soho restaurants in Hong Kong. For more foodie inspiration, head to our Wine & Dine section!
