Hong Kong | Wonderland for Food Obsessed

Luring chefs from all over the world, Hong Kong is a wonderland for food-obsessed travelers. In between dim sum and Chinese traditions, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to international flavors. Choose from Lebanese sharing plates and Sri Lankan cuisine, numbing Sichuan or Japanese-Nordic creations. Hong Kong’s international menus are only matched by the diverse atmospheres, from 1950s cha chaan teng diners to speakeasy-style finds, sky-high Cantonese fine-dines, and traditional tea houses. Our list of Hong Kong’s best restaurants has it all—and you won’t be disappointed.

Lung King Heen

Three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen is perpetually booked out, and securing a table at this Cantonese fine-dine feels like winning the lottery. The restaurant features warm woods, silver accents, and a wall full of windows framing Hong Kong’s spectacular Victoria Harbour. And If you’re lucky enough to secure a reservation, Lung King Heen will spoil you with dainty dim sum, succulent roast meats, crispy pork ribs and a roving Champagne cart.

Duddell’s

Whether you’re lounging on the secret garden terrace or pausing for a power lunch in the main dining room, Duddell’s masters the art of hospitality. Executive chef Fung Man-Ip is a specialist in traditional Cantonese cuisine and composes classic dishes with meticulous attention to detail and only the best ingredients. Come for the heartfelt Cantonese dishes, stay for the surprising wine pairings and revolving art exhibitions.

Caprice

Located in a secluded corner of the Four Seasons Hong Kong, the experience at two-Michelin-starred Caprice begins with a grand entrance: picture sky-high carved doors and a long hallway, opening into a glamorous French dining room. On the left, a mesmerizing open kitchen showcases dozens of chefs at work. The acclaimed French restaurant recently welcomed chef de cuisine Guillaume Galliot, who took up the reins in 2017. Chef Galliot brings with him a world of inspiration from his travels through New York, the Caribbean, China, Singapore, and Macau. The result? An untucked version of classic French food.

Rōnin

Ronin is a seafood-centric Whisky wonderland, and it exudes sophistication with warm lighting, a long wooden bar, and retro-inspired leather stools. Ronin specializes in Japanese whisky and the 100-plus collection is certainly something to swoon over (with plenty of wine and sake on order as well). Ronin’s food menu is organized into three distinct sections: Raw, Smaller, and Bigger. We’d recommend ordering roughly two dishes from each section of the menu, more if you’re particularly hungry. And a tip—this tiny place hardly fits 15 to 20 diners at a time, so be sure to book ahead.

Tin Lung Heen

Floating high above Hong Kong harbor—on the 102nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong—Tin Lung Heen has become synonymous with exceptional Cantonese cuisine. The decor centers around a contemporary red palette with marble columns, white tablecloths, and a wall full of windows. Chef de Cuisine Paul Lau Ping Lui crafts no shortage of praise-worthy dishes but the Iberico char siu—barbecued pork covered in subtle osmanthus honey—is a dish you’ll dream about for years to come. It’s hard to beat the top-of-the-world views and consummate culinary skills at Tin Lung Heen, where you’ll want to savor every last bite with friends, family, or a prospective client.

Amber

On the seventh floor of the Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel, the two-Michelin-starred Amber glows with warm woods, bronze accents, and an entire wall of windows showcasing the buzzing city below. In the center of the main dining room is the pièce de résistance: a glittering sculpture made with 4,320-pieces of amber. From the inventive cuisine, combining choice Japanese ingredients and concepts with exacting French technique, to the exceptional wine list, Amber ranks among the world’s top restaurants.

Samsen

You’ll likely hear this boisterous restaurant before you see it. Built inside an old Chinese shophouse, right by the historic Blue House in Wan Chai, this busy Thai noodle restaurant overflows with hungry diners, keen to try the savory Bangkok-style noodle dishes. Long lines of diners come for the famous beef boat noodles—which more than make up for the no-reservations policy—and stay for the open-air layout, shabby-cool furniture and social atmosphere.

Luk Yu Tea House

Dating to the 1930s, Luk Yu Tea House is one of the most historic restaurants in Hong Kong’s Central District. The institution comes dressed up in antique wooden furniture, stained glass windows, white tablecloths and Shanghainese-art deco details. Dim sum is an art at this Michelin-recommended tea house, and a welcome procession of bamboo baskets contain steamed beef balls and tofu sheets, char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), har gow (shrimp dumplings), and fried prawns on toast. The atmosphere and classic Chinese dishes provide a fascinating peek into old Hong Kong.

12,000 Francs

Located on Elgin Street, right next to Belon restaurant in SoHo, 12,000 Francs stretches across an open room with an enormous communal table up front (set with eye-catching brass pig containers that double as ice trays), a few four-tops, and cozy booths towards the back. Chef Conor Beach champions age-old preservation techniques, so you’ll see a lot of fermented, pickled, cured, salted, and smoked ingredients throughout the menu, alongside some of the best-priced wines by the glass in Hong Kong—particularly given these aren’t mainstream bottles.

Little Bao

Little Bao oozes cool both inside and out, but you’ll be surprised at the tiny space—just about 10 seats at the bar and another 10 off to the right. Designed by Hong Kong creative Sean Dix, the tiled floors, white-tiled walls, shiny stainless steel, bar stools and pictures of vintage Hong Kong mailboxes create a modern diner vibe. Chef May Chow puts as much thought into the food as she does the atmosphere, offering delicious, creative, and very popular baos and sharing dishes. But a word of warning: Don’t visit Little Bao if you’re on any kind of diet.

The Chairman

When The Chairman opened in 2009, it was one of the only Cantonese restaurants in the city to offer fresh, local ingredients in a modern setting. Nearly 10 years later, the restaurant still draws a loyal following for its classic cuisine, so enticing that hardly anyone looks up from their meal once the food starts flowing. Basically—The Chairman is packed every night for a reason. The stalwart favorite promises an upscale atmosphere, locally sourced ingredients, and an earnest dedication to traditional Cantonese flavors using time-intensive techniques.

Rech by Alain Ducasse

One of the latest restaurants to join the fold at InterContinental Hong Kong hotel, Rech by Alain Ducasse promises a front-row seat to Hong Kong’s Victoria harbor. Walking into this fresh address, you’ll encounter nuanced nautical design details at every turn, from the champagne and sea-mist palette to driftwood-esque furniture. Rech’s subtle nautical atmosphere pairs perfectly with the seafood-centric menu, which you can enjoy with a choice of more than 2,000 bottles of wine—perfect for date night.

8-1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Holed up in one of Hong Kong’s most luxurious malls, three-Michelin-starred 8-1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana is a vision of fine woods, leather, and crisp white table clothes. Guests enter through the Japanese-inspired bar, where you might want to stop for an aperitivo before venturing into the main dining room, where Chef Umberto Bombana (formerly of The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong) specializes in contemporary Italian made with top-notch ingredients. His Italian heritage and meticulous craftsmanship shine in each dish at this warm, refined, three-Michelin-starred spot.

Hoi On Cafe

Lovingly restored by the second-generation owners, Hoi On Cafe is a stalwart neighborhood favorite marked by a white facade with bright red Chinese characters. Inside the cha chaan teng (1950s-style Hong Kong diner), traditional floor tiles, rustic red-wood booths, and plastic plates will transport you back in time. It’s perfect for a quick afternoon tea and a cheeky pastry, or a casual breakfast on the weekends.

Belon

An all-wood facade stands out from the concrete walls on Central’s busy Elgin Street. Behind a pair of heavy wood doors, a fresh and inviting bistro transports you to Paris’ artsy 11th arrondissement with low blue-leather booths, quirky globe-like lighting fixtures, and retro-looking French cafe tables. When it comes to pours, Belon’s known for two things: Fantastic cocktails and beautiful French wines. And when it comes to food, Chef Daniel Calvert aims to let his premium ingredients shine—and shine they do. The vibe and dining make Belon an idyllic date spot.

Gough’s on Gough

Gough opens into a marble- and gold-clad lobby where a quirky aquarium (complete with a life-size prop scuba diver) sets the tone for a whimsical evening. The menu changes seasonally, but a few signatures should stand the test of time: the perfectly textured Australian beef tartare; a warming guinea fowl with chestnut, squash and cherry; and wild Hereford beef that’s been braised in a hearty, handsome English ale sauce. Show-stopping surrounds, classic cocktails, and a modern British menu that’s at once nostalgic and forward-thinking mean Gough’s on Gough has a little something for everyone.

Above & Beyond

On the top floor of Hotel ICON in the Hung Hom district, Above & Beyond opens into a relaxed, residential-style lounge and bar with striking harbor views. Executive chef Paul Tsui dabbles with both classic and contemporary dishes, delighting multiple generations of diners. A few dishes stand out from the pack, including the indulgent crispy chicken. Prepared like a suckling pig, the crispy skin cracks with each bite, while juicy meat provides a contrasting texture. For dramatic harbor views and contemporary Cantonese cuisine, Above & Beyond certainly lives up to its name.

Tate Dining Room

Hong Kong’s busy streets seem to fade away behind you as you ascend the white marble staircase at TATE Dining Room & Bar. The brainchild of award-winning chef (and former graphic designer) Vicky Lau, TATE’s “edible stories” concept pays homage to Pablo Neruda’s All the Odes collection. Just as the Chilean poet dedicated each of his 225 odes to a memory or a sense, Lau has designed each of the eight “chapters” on her evocative tasting menu as an Ode. It’s the kind of meal that will make you think about food as much more than sustenance.

Happy Paradise

Opened in early 2017, Happy Paradise is the latest eatery from Hong Kong chef May Chow, who is also behind Little Bao and Second Draft. The award-winning chef takes her neo-Chinese style to a new level with Happy Paradise, which is hidden up a flight of stairs along Aberdeen Street behind a banana-patterned door. As you enter the second-floor space, you’re instantly hit with pink and blue neon lighting, a retro-esque bar, and diner-style booths that recall 1980s America.

Second Draft

Located next to the 19th-century Lin Fa Temple in the quiet Tai Hang neighborhood, Second Draft instantly makes you feel at home. As you walk inside, an enormous U-shaped bar takes up about half of the room, while tables and wooden booths fill out the rest. The gastropub specializes in beer—very, very good beer—curating a refreshing mix of international artisans and local purveyors, and it’s just as serious about the food. That’s why the owners brought award-winning May Chow on board to design the menu.

Sijie Sichuan Private Kitchen

You’ll know you’re at the right place when the aroma of palate-numbing Sichuan cuisine hits you. Sijie, which has room for about 30 diners at a time, is a spice lover’s dream in a casual, homey setting, complete with old-school metal chairs, circular tables, and retro tableware. Come enjoy a cold Tsing Tao and a spicy ma po tofu with a few friends—just make sure they’re spice lovers, too.

Frantzen’s Kitchen

It’s easy to walk right past Frantzén’s Kitchen, the first international outpost from Michelin-starred Swedish chef Björn Frantzén. Located on a quiet corner in the artsy Tai Ping Shan district—just west of Central—an unassuming facade belies the exciting cuisine that lies within—think Swedish heritage meets Japanese ingredients, with French techniques. Through a sliding door, you’ll enter an intimate space with a few standalone tables. The hottest seats in the house surround an open kitchen, where you can watch the delicate preparation and plating of each dish.

BlackSalt

Tucked down a little lane in Sai Ying Pun—about two metro stops west of Central—BlackSalt is hardly bigger than a postage stamp. Awash in fresh white paint, the shabby-chic interiors and candle lit space feels eclectic and homey with a dash of wanderlust. Bringing together influences from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, the main sharing dishes are clearly organized by Veg, Meat, and Seafood—and about half the menu is vegetarian-friendly. BlackSalt definitely earns its hype.

HAKU

As one of the largest and busiest malls in Hong Kong, Harbour City seems an unlikely spot for one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants. But walk through HAKU’s curtain and you’re instantly transported to a calm, dimly-lit oasis. A contemporary izakaya (Japanese gastropub) concept from culinary star Hideaki Matsuo, who runs three-Michelin-starred Kashiwaya in Osaka, the Japanese space includes a handful of intimate tables and about 12 coveted seats at the chef’s table on the left. The best way to experience HAKU’s Japanese-inspired cuisine is with the chef’s eight-course tasting menu ($175 per person), which changes with the seasons.