The Fragrant Harbour is one of the world’s great food cities, and Hong Kong restaurants offer a palate-pleasing array of choices if you are looking for some excellent dining. Whether you are after a certain cuisine or a venue with a particular vibe, here’s a selection of where to dine in some of the city’s best foodie neighbourhoods.
Where to eat in … Soho/Mid-Levels
Soho’s Elgin and Staunton streets are lined with bars and restaurants. There are so many cuisines to choose from in this area, with a good selection of European restaurants, such as French, Italian and Mediterranean, along with hip Vietnamese and Chinese eateries. Soho Spice has been a stalwart on the scene for 14 years with its Southeast Asian street food, but it had a major overhaul in March with a new menu from award-winning chef Peter Cuong Franklin.
Soho Spice
47B Elgin Street, Soho
2526 2227 | diningconcepts.com
Also in the area: Bindaas, Chôm Chôm, Olive, Linguini Fini, Maison Libanaise, BÊP, Little Bao, Fresca, Steak Frites, Maison Libonaise, Bouchon Bistro Francais, Ho Lee Fook, Soul Food Hong Kong
Where to eat in … Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is one of those neighbourhoods that has a cool, creative vibe – and this definitely applies to the restaurants in the area. There are all sorts of places tucked away in laneways and side streets, including recent addition UMI. This 10-seater sushi counter offers an intimate Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi experience in a refined, yet relaxed setting.
UMI
Shop 3, G/F, 159-163 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Also in the area: Bibo, Chachawan, Yardbird, Aberdeen Street Social, Blue Butcher, Cocotte, Isono, NOM, Figaro, La Cantoche, Upper Modern Bistro, Mrs Pound
Where to eat in … Central
Central is much more than a retail district; there are plenty of dining venues too, and some of the best are not on street level, but high above it – like one-Michelin-starred VEA, where Chef Vicky Cheng works closely with champion mixologist Antonio Lai to create a fabulous marriage of food and drinks. With fine dining and cocktails, you’ve got all the ingredients for a decadent night out here.
VEA
29-30/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
Also in the area: My Tai Tai, Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Arcane, ON Dining & Kitchen, Envoy, Duddells, Mak Mak, Twenty Six by Liberty, Carbone, Alchemy, Mama San, Bread Street Kitchen, Bombay Dreams, EE Da Le, Moi Moi by Luke Nguyen, TokyoLima
Where to eat in … Wan Chai
Ignore the tourist trap bars as there is a lot more to Wan Chai. It has pockets of excellent eateries on Ship Street, Star Street, Lee Tung Avenue and along Hennessy Road. Newcomer Deng G Chengdu Bistro & Baijiu Bar is upstairs off Queen’s Road East, and specialises in the ever-popular Sichuan cuisine with chef Deng Huadong at the helm.
Deng G Chengdu Bistro & Baijiu Bar
2/F, 147 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
2609 2328 | elite-concepts.com
Also in the area: Fishsteria, The Pawn, Pirata, 22 Ships, El Mercado, Le Pain Quotidien, Ham & Sherry, The Optimist, Quest by Que, Le Bistro Winebeast
Where to eat in … Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay can sometimes be overlooked as a dining destination in favour of nearby Wan Chai or Soho, but it can definitely hold its own in the foodie stakes. There’s been a real buzz about newcomer Tainan A Dou Zai, which opened its doors last September, offering Taiwanese street food. Check it out to see what the fuss is about.
Tainan A Dou Zai
G/F, 19 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay
Also in the area: The Fat Pig, Sijie Sichuan Restaurant, The Red Pepper, Minh & Kok, Seasons by Olivier E., ALTO, Sushi Hiro
Where to eat in … Kennedy Town
The gentrification of Kennedy Town continues. With the MTR now well established, the changing face of K-Town is evident in the number of new restaurants and cafes opening. West Australian craft beer brewer Little Creatures has joined the throng, establishing itself on New Praya. The large premises make it great for family dining, and the staff are very accommodating to kids.
Little Creatures
Shop 1, G/F, New Fortune House, 5A New Praya, Kennedy Town
2833 5611 | littlecreatures.hk
Also in the area: Chino, K-Town Bar & Grill, Butcher & Baker, Bistro Du Vin, Missy Ho’s, Comptoir, Shoreditch, Belgica
Where to eat in … Sai Ying Pun
Sai Ying Pun is having a moment. Its blend of old and new Hong Kong has seen it become one of the hippest districts in the city and a real foodie hotspot. We like Potato Head’s Kaum resto, which offers completely more-ish Indonesian food. Start dinner with a cocktail at Potato Head’s Eksotika Bar.
Potato Head – Kaum
G/F, 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun
Also in the area: Metropolitain, Flying Pig Bistro, Fish School Stack, El Fishaway, Locofama, La Paloma, Rhoda
Where to eat in … Southside
Stanley Plaza, Repulse Bay and Wong Chuk Hang have a solid selection of restaurant options. For a seriously good burger, try Beef & Liberty. You’ll also find outlets in Wan Chai and Central, but the Stanley venue is great, with the option of sitting outside and watching the kids play in the square while you tuck in.
Beef & Liberty
G/F, Stanley Plaza, The Piazza, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley
Also in the area: Classified, Limewood, Tri, The Ocean, Shoku, Cabana, Stan Café, Hotshot, Pomegranate Kitchen, 3/3rds
Where to eat in … Tsim Sha Tsui
The TST area is a drawcard for some of the best in the world (think Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa and the like), and you’ll find something to please even the fussiest palate along the harbour. But it’s not just about fine dining. One Minden Tapas Kitchen blends all the elements required for traditional Andalusian cuisine with local influences.
One Minden Tapas Kitchen
G/F, 1 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Also in the area: La Locanda, Spasso, London House, Hutong, The Parlour, Maison Eight, FINDS, La Taverna, Brick Lane Gallery, Al Molo, Nahm, Aqua, Hutong, BLT Steak
Where to eat in … Lan Kwai Fong
While technically a part of Central, LKF has grown into a spot that is just as likely to draw discerning foodies as late-night revellers. Perched 25 floors above the mayhem of LKF is CE LA VI, which does a fun brunch and has a skybar with fantastic views.
CE LA VI
25/F California Tower, 36, 30 D’Aguilar St
Also in the area: Brickhouse, Lily & Bloom, Bread Street Kitchen, Porterhouse by Laris, Jinjuu, Braza Churrascaria, Bistecca.
Where to eat in … Quarry Bay
This side of town is not generally thought of when planning a night out, but there are some great options if you want to head left of centre. Mr and Mrs Fox can cater to any type of experience you are after with its three floors – whether it’s drinks downstairs or a feast upstairs.
Mr and Mrs Fox
23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
Also in the area: Plat Du Jour, Bib n Hops, FEAST, Grand Cuisine Shanghai Kitchen, Shiro Sushi.
Where to eat in … Admiralty
Admiralty has a number of good dining options, many of which are found in the Pacific Place complex. There are a diverse range of cuisines on offer in the venues which are dotted throughout this luxe shopping mall. If you want a very decadent dim sum experience, head to Dim Sum Library and expect high-end ingredients in Cantonese classic dishes.
Dim Sum Library
Where to eat … hotel restaurants
As far as hotel dining goes, Hong Kong has an unusually high number of Michelin-starred restaurants inside hotels – taking fine dining to a whole new level – as well as some of the city’s favourites. Here are our picks:
The Four Seasons: Caprice, Lung King Heen
Island Shangri-La: Restaurant Petrus
The Peninsula: Felix, Chesa, Spring Moon
Landmark Mandarin Oriental: Amber
Mandarin Oriental: The Mandarin Bar & Grill, Pierre
The Upper House: Café Gray Deluxe
Hotel ICON: Above & Beyond, The Market
InterContinental: Spoon by Alain Ducasse, NOBU, Yan Toh Heen
The Ritz-Carlton: Tin Lung Heen
JW Marriott: Flint Bar & Grill
This article first appeared in Expat Living’s City Guide 2017. Get your free copy now!
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