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
Contents
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.