There is only one guarantee when planning a Hong Kong stopover, you will leave craving more; more food, more shopping, more time. It is a city where every indulgence is at your fingertips, or in the case of the foodie, your fork or chopsticks. The food scene in Hong Kong is one of the best in the world. It’s also one of the most dynamic. So, I asked a handful of good friends who are longtime locals where to eat in Hong Kong. They generously shared their favourites foodie spots and we have included our own here too. So, hit the gym, pack those stretchy pants and get your Instagram feed ready, you’ll need it.
Skye Gilkeson
Hong Kong’s coffee scene is exploding and has a lot of offer those after more than a simple morning heart starter.
Where to Eat in Hong Kong
But First, Coffee
Back in the day, it was tough to find an Aussie style (read: very strong) cup of coffee in the city. These days, that’s all changed and the specialty coffee scene is not only heating up; it is exploding.
Winstons Coffee | Shop 4/ 213 Queens Rd West, Hong Kong
This cute hipster style cafe is conveniently located near the MTR and serves up a great strong cup. They do specialty coffee including cold brew and a cheeky espresso martini later in the day.
Elephant Grounds | Multiple Locations
Coffee connoisseurs will love Elephant Grounds. They care about their product from farm to cup. Sourcing their beans globally, roasting locally and serving a perfect pour with passion.
Fuel | Multiple Locations
Fuel Espresso is a franchise with locations all around Hong Kong. Stop in for a takeaway or grab a seat at the IFC Mall cafe when you need a break from perusing the shops.
R&R Bagels | 28 Li Yuen Street West, Central
R&R Bagels is the spot to grab one of their artisanal bagels stacked high with toppings and a fresh Allpress brew, on the go.
Plated to perfection. Oysters at the incredible two-star Michelin restaurant, Caprice, Hong Kong. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Champagne Brunch
Leave time in your itinerary and your budget for a champagne brunch while staying in the city. This isn’t a quick breakfast stop; it’s a slow Sunday gourmet immersive experience and quintessentially Hong Kong.
Zuma | Landmark F/5-6, 15 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
Located in The Landmark building, an exclusive Hong Kong address, it feels fitting that free-flow Veuve Clicquot is a feature of their weekend brunch menu. Start on the upper level for a tipple and then work on the Japanese buffet waiting below.
Harbourside | Intercontinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Settle in for Sunday brunch and lap up the beautiful harbourside location with a glass of free-flow Perrier-Joüet Champagne, beer or wine and fill up from the gourmet buffet. With everything from fresh seafood to decadent desserts, you are guaranteed to wander out without needing dinner.
The gorgeous hunter green bistro setting at The Continental, Hong Kong. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: High Tea
The Lobby | The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
High tea should be in your top five things to do in Hong Kong and there is nowhere more iconic than The Peninsula to take tea.
Take in the opulent setting while feasting on fresh, 5-star quality food to the classic sound of The Lobby strings. Service is between 2 and 6 pm. Get there early to avoid a long wait.
Cafe Gray Deluxe |The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Located on level 49 of The Upper House, Cafe Gray Deluxe offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour with their delicious tea menu.
Chef Gray Kunz’s team makes most of their menu from organic ingredients. Tea is served between 3.30 and 5.30 pm.
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Cha Chaan Teng
Cha chaan teng, which simply means ‘tea restaurant’ is a style of Hong Kong cafe where you can grab a quick bite and try their famous milk tea or ‘si mud’, sweetened with condensed milk. Usually, a no-frills setting (picture fluorescent lighting, crowds belowing and a TV on in the background), comfort food is served fast and hot and is generally very cheap. You can order anything from scrambled eggs to noodle soup and sweet toast.
Australia Dairy Company | 47 Parkes St, Jordan, Hong Kong
Fast-paced and a favourite among locals as the name suggests Australia Dairy Company specialises in dairy-based desserts, namely custard and milk pudding.
Starting out as a single cafe in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok neighbourhood, Tsui Wah now has cafes all over Hong Kong and China. Its most popular dishes range from Sizzling Prawns to a Jumbo Hot Dog.
Hong Kong’s most Instagrammed food – the deliciously cute dumplings at Yum Cha. Image © Yum Cha Hong Kong
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Dim Sum
Maxim’s Palace City Hall | 2nd Floor, City Hall, Central, Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s most famous dim sum destination. Book in advance to avoid the long Sunday morning queue at the busy Maxim’s Palace City Hall. You’ll dine on dim sum delivered via traditional trolley service.
Yum Cha | Multiple Locations
The most Instagrammed food in Hong Kong, Yum Cha serves up ‘too-cute-to-eat’ dumplings and playful plates of dim sum featuring flavours from all around China. The hot custard buns and the BBQ Piggy Buns are their signature Insta-snap-worthy picks.
Lung King Heen| Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street
Central, Hong Kong
The world’s first Chinese restaurant to earn the coveted Michelin three-star rating, Lung King Heen is an upmarket dim sum destination. Each plate on their weekend dim sum menu has been carefully considered and created from the best high-end seasonal ingredients the likes of lobster and abalone.
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Traditional
Lin Heung Tea House | 160-164 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Book a table and prepare yourself for a chaotic scene at Lin Heung Tea House as the place is always heaving with locals and tourists craving a bowl of noodles, soup or dim sum.
Yat Lok | Conwell House, G/F, 34-38 Stanley St, Central, Hong Kong
Yat Lok in Central is a popular spot for their famous golden, crispy-skinned roast goose that has earned them a Michelin star.
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Modern Asian
Yardbird | G/F, 33-35 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Yardbird’s hipster game is strong and you’ll want to get involved. Japanese inspired food and cocktails are served in a very funky, minimalist setting decorated with cosy wooden tables a slick bar and floor to ceiling graffiti wall art.
B Ê P | Multiple Locations
Meaning ‘Vietnamese kitchen’, B Ê P offers relaxed home-style dining modelled on the family restaurants you find in the back streets of Hanoi. Food flowing fresh and hot from the kitchen, they are all about feel-good food made with love.
Beautiful European bistro-style fare at The Continental Hong Kong. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Western
Arcane | 3rd Floor, 18 On Lan St, Central, Hong Kong
The creation of Michelin-star awarded Australian chef, Shane Osborn, Arcane serves European cuisine inspired by fresh, seasonal produce flown in from around the globe. The menu also features a considered and mouthwatering vegetarian menu.
Aqua | 29 & 30 Floors One Peking Road, Hong Kong
Simply put, Aqua oozes sex appeal, making it the place to impress on date night. Start with a cocktail at Aqua Bar as the sun goes down and the light show starts across the water on Hong Kong island. The Aqua menu features high-end Japanese and Italian fare.
The Continental | Unit 406, L4 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
The bistro-style setting at The Continental transports you directly to Europe. Hunter green leather booths, retro detailing and friendly wait staff welcome diners to the airy Admiralty space. The Continental celebrates fresh local ingredients through European fare with a twist. Don’t forget a glass of French bubbly to start.
Caprice | Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Caprice was one of the most impressive dining experiences we’ve had anywhere in the world. Stepping into the two Michelin star fine dining restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, the senses are overwhelmed by the opulence in every detail. A true French fine dining restaurant, it is obvious why it has become a popular choice for anniversary dinners and milestone birthdays.
The Langoustine with ravioli with Wild Mushrooms, Watercress Coulis and Kristal Caviar at Caprice, Hong Kong. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Where to Eat in Hong Kong: Cocktails
Sevva | Prince’s Building 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
Sevva is a name that comes to most people’s minds when you mention ‘rooftop bar’ in Hong Kong. A stunning spot for a sunset cocktail, make sure you adhere to the dress code or you will be denied entry (yes, we’ve been there).
SkyBar | 25/F California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central
CÉ LA VI is another luxury drinking destination. Jump in the jacuzzi at the SkyBar and enjoy your designer cocktail with 360 degree views of the sparkling skyline.
J Boroski | 1 Hollywood Road, Central (entrance on Ezra Lane)
Bespoke is the name of the game at J. Boroski. American ‘Mixultant’, Boroski is passionate about all things cocktail related; he’s effectively a master cocktail maker and a shaker and even teaches budding bartenders his craft. This Hong Kong hangout is ultra-cool. No walk-ins (you need to book), no menu or script – each time you order a drink at J. Boroski, they craft it for you, to order.
Quinary | Gnd Flr. 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Quinary promises a multi-sensory drinking experience, led by renowned bartender Antonio Lai. A sophisticated space set off with soft lighting, it’s no wonder this place has become very popular with the Central style set.
The Woods | 17 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong
From the clever design elements to the culinary approach to their cocktail making, The Woods wants to take you on a journey. The cocktail menu showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients in their creations such as the Four-Pepper Margarita or the Strawberry-Rhubarb Shrub. For an “elevated” experience, book in to the Prix-Fixe Bar where you will be served a four-course cocktail menu where the drink is the star and the food, the accompaniment.
Ham and Sherry | 1-7 Ship St, Wanchai, Hong Kong
A hipster haven in the Ship Strip, head to the Back Bar and cosy up with one of mixologist and Bar Manager, Ryan Nightingale’s clever creations.
Ping Pong 129 Gintonería |129 Second Street, L/G Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
A hidden speakeasy in Sai Ying Pun, Ping Pong 129 Gintonería lives behind an unmarked red door in a space previously used as a ping pong hall. With more than 50 varieties of gin, a gin and tonic is a must to help you wash down some Spanish style tapas.
The Envoy | 3rd Fl, The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tea and spices are put on a show in the drinks at The Envoy, a nod to Hong Kong’s colonial past. Located in the beautiful 5-star boutique hotel, The Pottinger, retreat from the Hong Kong heat in the warm, moody interior or sit out on the terrace with your tipple.
A huge thank you to friends Jodie and Tessa for their incredible insider knowledge which helped make this such an epic and truly local guide.
Colourful cocktail creations at The Envoy Hong Kong. Image © The Envoy
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.