Whether you want romantic Christmas dining for two, a festive afternoon tea with friends or a joyful family Christmas dinner, here’s where to head in Hong Kong for an unforgettable celebration. And don’t forget to save room for a Christmas dessert, we’ve included puddings, Christmas cake and more!
Eat, stay and play at the W Hotel
From pre-party pampering to buffets, afternoon tea and takeaway holiday feasts, W Hong Kong has the festive season covered. The buffet at Kitchen has warm winter dishes like baby back ribs, honey garlic glazed salmon, spiced braised beef and seasonal seafood, with a must-try Christmas dessert of Bailey’s chocolate mousse cake. The buffet runs until 31 January, and if you go from 24 to 26 December, you’ll enjoy Christmas specials like roast turkey, glazed ham, yule logs and gingerbread men.
At WOOBAR, there’s an Enchanted Forest-themed afternoon tea, with mushroom-shaped Mont Blanc Cakes that look too good to eat, and scrumptious-sounding cinnamon scones. From 23 to 25 December, the set includes panettone and pecan tartlets. There’s also an evening line-up of DJ dance parties for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
For something different, head to the Wet Deck Poolside Bar, which is offering cheese fondue to keep you warm and cosy; you can upgrade the experience with red wine, potato rosti, raclette cheese or unlimited alcoholic beverages. Alternatively, try the six-course menu at Sing Yin Cantonese, with plenty of winter seafood dishes available from 24 to 26 December.
Doing Christmas at home? Pre-order W Hotel’s show-stopping slow-roasted turkey, spiced honey-glazed bone-in gammon and Australian wagyu beef tomahawk! There’s also Christmas cakes and Christmas desserts, all available until 31 December.
The hotel has staycation and spa-cation packages available, too, so you can enjoy a gift-to-self of luxury and pampering!
1 Austin Road West Kowloon Station
whongkong-shop.com/en
Feasts and fireworks
Dance through December with Hutong’s New Year’s Eve dinner and party with some of the best views of the Victoria Harbour NYE fireworks! To start your celebrations, there’s a six-course dinner featuring black truffle scented abalone, golden king crab and ma la spicy lobster ($1,980 per person). Add on 2.5 hours of free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne, wine, sake and beer ($2,430 per person) to get the celebrations started early. After dinner, there’ll be dance performances and a line-up of DJs to party the night away.
Hutong, 18/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
3428 8342 | hutong.com.hk
Boxing Day brunch with a view
Don’t let the festive season end abruptly – make the most of Boxing Day by dining with stunning views at Hue. The restaurant’s champagne brunch menu is serving up a special selection only available on 26 December ($580 per person). Start by sharing freshly baked sourdough, prawn rolls, crab cake benedict and turkey croquettes. Next, choose between the smoked pigeon, Iberico pork, roast turkey and ravioli. But save room for the pavlova, pumpkin tart or an eclair dessert! Add free-flow for $480 per person for Gosset Cuvée Extra Brut champagne, 10 premium red and white wine choices, and the signature Bloody Mary. Alternatively, the alcohol-free package ($190) consists of two mocktails and one tea or coffee.
1/F Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
3500 5888 | huedining.com.hk
Get into the holiday spirit
Renowned for its bespoke signature cocktails, you know you can depend on The St. Regis Bar to create uniquely spiced festive cocktails. This year, enjoy a healthy pour of The Macallan 12 Double Cask and four new options on the drinks menu for $178 each. These include the St. Regis Eggnog, Santa’s Old Fashioned with Palo Cortado sherry and apple and cinnamon cordial, a fruity highball called a Winter Fizz and a creamy mix of cherry and fig named The Festive Cocktail. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve, the bar will host its first-ever RSRV’s New Year countdown party, complete with live entertainment and a three-hour free-flow package ($888 per person or add-on $700 for dining guests.)
1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai
2138 6800 | marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hkgxr-the-st-regis-hong-kong/overview
Christmas dinner with turkey and ham at home
If you’re planning a celebration at home, take away the fuss in the kitchen and order some Christmas delights instead. Woolly Pig has succulent whole turkey (10 to 12 pounds) and delicious smoked ham sets. There’ll be no complaints at the Christmas dinner table with these festive favourites, and for a Christmas dessert you’ll receive a whole apple pie with salted caramel custard and eight bite-sized pecan pies. Sides for the turkey set include sourdough with apple and sage stuffing, whipped potatoes, maple-glazed carrots, brussels sprouts and more. Meanwhile the smoked and glazed Japanese Sagabuta pork collar comes with charred cauliflower; smoked duck fat potatoes and eggnog bread pudding. Order fast because these are only available from 15 to 27 December!
5D, 5/F, Eton Building, 288 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan
woollypig.com.hk
Christmas cake as something sweet for the season
Have yourself a guilt-free Christmas with the health-conscious holiday selection from The Cakery. A go-to for delicious Christmas desserts catering to different dietary requirements, the store’s crown jewel is a Christmas cake called the Merry Memories Fondant Cake (from $1,680) featuring a whimsical Christmas cabin, a snowman and a humorous Santa climbing down the chimney. (Note, there’s a seven-day advanced order period for this one.) There is also a dairy-free Earl Grey Chiffon Cake, a dairy-free Chocolate Rudolph Christmas Cake ($680) and a traditional vegan Spiced Orange Bundt Cake – with a dash of rum ($390)! Expect all the classic favourites from The Cakery to have a festive makeover, too, from sugar-free cookie boxes with gingerbread men to Christmas cupcakes and vegan holiday hampers.
Multiple locations
thecakery.com
Enchanting afternoon tea
There’s something cosy and delightful about sitting down for an afternoon tea experience in Hong Kong. And what better time of year to enjoy light bites and little cakes than at Christmas! At the Sheraton Tung Chung, you can step into a festive wonderland with their Lobby Lounge Christmassy Afternoon Tea ($388 for two). Expect the likes of a Christmas Tree Chocolate Cake, White Jingle Bell Pina Colada Crémeux, and a Mont-Blanc Verrines. End your experience by taking home a Christmas cake and festive turkey to share the celebrations with your loved ones.
Lobby Level, Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, LanTau
2535 0023 | bit.ly/eShopFestive
New offerings at NOBU
NOBU in the Regent Hotel has reopened and is ready to bring umami flavours and Peruvian-inspired dishes to Hong Kong food lovers. What better way to sample these exciting dining creations by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, than with an eight-course Omakase dinner menu on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Or, if you already have Christmas dinner plans, not to worry – there’s also a New Year’s Eve dinner on offer, and with the restaurant’s views of Victoria Harbour, it’ll be the perfect spot to watch the fireworks and enjoy the countdown.
18 Salisbury Road Regent, Tsim Sha Tsui
2313 2313 | hongkong.regenthotels.com
Christmas dinner on the beach
For something a tad non-traditional, have Christmas on the beach! The laid-back dining destination Bathers is delivering their four-course Christmas dinner nd lunch menu to Lantau’s Lower Cheung Sha Beach from 23 to 26 of December. Starters include crispy chilli salad squid and mussels marinière followed by a festive turkey platter served with serrano ham, and chicken liver parfait. For the mains, there’s the likes of Sagabuta pork, Atlantic cod and cauliflower risotto. For Christmas dessert, try the warm chocolate tart, caramel popcorn, marshmallow, peanut brittle and vanilla ice cream, or tiramisu with eggnog mascarpone and salted caramel ice cream! They also have a dedicated kids’ menu.
32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau
bathers.com.hk
Something for brunch-aholics
Iconic brunch location MO Bar has crafted a menu of winter favourites that can be paired with a 90-minute free-flow of festive cocktails, Moët & Chandon vintage champagne, draught beer and red and white wines. Make sure you come hungry because they’re serving up duck foie gras mousse on toasted brioche, irresistible MSC-certified Alaskan king crab, must-have roast turkey with scrumptious stuffing and gravy and MO Bar classic’s Boston lobster thermidor. Priced at $998 adults and $698 kids, reserve your spot for between 11.30am and 9.30pm on 24, 25 and 31 December.
The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central
2132 0188 | mandarinoriental.com/en/hong-kong/the-landmark
Guess who’s coming to Christmas dinner?
Santa and his lovely assistan Santarina will be visiting Pirata Group restaurants to spread festive cheer and grant holiday wishes! For those yearning for an Italian Christmas spread, visit La Favorita, Pici, The Pizza Project, Tempo Tempo or Pane e Latte. Meanwhile, Honjo, Honjokko and TMK showcase Japanese fare, while Indian restaurant Chaiwala is spicing things up and TokyoLima is serving Peruvian delights. Make your reservations from 24 to 26 December for a chance to see Santa!
piratagroup.hk/festive-experiences
Taste the world of art
Set in the vibrant heart of the city, two-Michelin-star restaurant Bo Innovation is getting into the season of giving by reducing the price of its whimsical 10-course menu, “Arts of Asia”. It’s now priced at $1,200 per person for groups of three and $900 per person for four or more. Available for a limited time only, experience master chef Alvin Leung’s dishes inspired by artists from Hong Kong and the region, including Han Huang, Monica Tsang and the classic Hong Kong comic Master Q.
1/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central
2850 8372 | boinnovation.com
Meet Santa at sea
Hop on board Santa’s Adventure Cruise where St Nick and his helpers will take your family on a magical 60-minute cruise. At Aqua Luna, kids can tell Father Christmas what they want on Christmas Day and also pose for a festive photo. If you get peckish during the adventure, fuel up with a festive cookie and velvety smooth hot chocolate before going on a candy cane hunt. Moreover, parents can watch their kids’ little face light up when they receive a Christmas present from Santa himself! Tickets are $330 for children, $250 for adults.
Multiple pickup locations
2116 8821 | aqualuna.com.hk
Family staycation, kids’ corner and buffets
If the holiday season has you longing for a city escape, why not book a family staycation? At the Marriott Ocean Park you won’t be missing out on festive feasts either with their Blink Blink Christmas package. Starting from $3,888 for two, enjoy a getaway with a daily buffet breakfast and Christmas dinner buffet at Marina Kitchen. And the little ones will love the array of themed activities in the Kids’ Corner, including meet-and-greets with Santa. The deal is for stays between 24 and 26 December.
180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen
3555 1600 | oceanparkmarriott.com
Talking turkey!
Craving a perfectly cooked Christmas roast turkey for Christmas Dinner? Head to MâmAmis for this holiday classic and a Christmas spread with a Vietnamese twist. These sets are available from 1 December until the first week of January for $3,988 and designed to serve six to eight people. The whole roasted turkey (12 to 14 lbs) is marinated with aromatic Vietnamese herbs and accompanied by six sides, including honey glazed roasted carrots, buttered sweet corn on the cob and tangy chicken salad plus a Vietnamese style Christmas dessert.
Shop A & B, 27 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan
2893 3309 | reservations@mamamishk.com
A feast for the eyes… and taste buds
Housed in a charming 19th-century Grade II historic building with breathtaking views over Hong Kong, The Peak Lookout is a stunning dining destination in itself. For the festive season, a Christmas tree will be perfuming the air as you sit down for an elegant lunch ($458) or dinner ($758.) The three- and four-course Christmas menus blend Eastern and Western flavours with plenty of hearty winter highlights. These include roasted US turkey roulade, grilled Australian black angus sirloin mains, and for Christmas dessert, a traditional pudding with brandy custard.
For New Year’s Eve, the four-course dinner menu ($988) features Japanese scallop carpaccio, French duck foie gras, wagyu sirloin and homemade tagliatelle. Every guest will also receive a complimentary glass of Soligo Prosecco, to raise a toast to the celebrations.
121 Peak Road, The Peak
2849 1000 | peaklookout.com.hk
This article first appeared in the December 2023 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
Like our Christmas dining guide? See more restaurant recommendations in our Wine & Dine section!
