As the host of this amazing city, we often get asked a lot on restaurants and nightlife recommendations. Here is a list compiled by me and my friends.
Accommodation
Being one of the most cosmopolitan city in the world, it is not difficult to find some fine establishments but options could be expensive. In terms of locations you can consider Central (Hong Kong Island) and Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) as your key reference points. The further away you are from these places the more economical you get. Below are some alternative options that you may find more interesting:
The Fleming (Wan Chai)
Hong Kong’s urban boutique hotel in the heart of Wanchai. A stylish, neighbourhood hangout for those in the know who don’t just want to visit Hong Kong, but be plugged in to the life of the city. Designed by Substance, the hotel is inspired by the iconic Star Ferry.
the Figo (Sheung Wan)
Yulan Group’s second destination the Figo proves boutique style and unforgettable hospitality is a universal language. Located in the ever popular Hong Kong district Sheung Wan, the Figo is the spot travellers and locals alike can discover just what happens with modern-chic design is well made and delivered. From the personalised rooms to the collaborative communal spaces, the Figo is a destination everyone’s welcome share and show off their personal style.
The Sheung Wan by Ovolo (Sheung Wan)
The Sheung Wan by Ovolo is inspired by the eclectic character of Hong Kong’s most vibrant neighbourhood, Sheung Wan. Blurring the lines between old and new, east and west, and everything in between, this is the heartbeat of Hong Kong’s urban culture. Nestled among espresso cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars, street markets and green leafy streets, this is one of the top hotels in Sheung Wan Hong Kong.
Iconic Local Transport
These are some of the iconic transport which local people still use day to day in the city. You cannot say you have visited HK until you have hopped onto one of these.
The Tram (aka Ding Ding for the noise that it makes) is only available on the HK Island Side and the track marks the original coast line of HK. It runs through major district points and provide a scenic route to see the city. The iconic Star Ferry runs between HK Island and Kowloon and the most popular route is from Central to TST. It is also a great way to see the light show "A Symphony of Lights" along Victoria Habour at 8:00pm every night.
Restaurants
There are literally too many restaurants in Hong Kong so to make it easier for travellers to choose I will be grouping the restuarnts by iconic dishes which one must try when visiting Hong Kong.
Pecking Duck
This is actually a famous northern China dish where the skin of the freshed roasted crispy duck is served with steam pancakes and fresh garnishes.
Soho House Hong Kong - If you know a member then definitely try this. One of the best in Hong Kong. Served 3 ways with fried rice and duck soup.
Peking Garden - A mid-high end chain serving solid Peking Duck all over Hong Kong. I would recommend visiting the one in Alexandra House (Central).
Mott 32 - Very westernised restaurant in a beautifully design interior by Joyce Wang.
Dim Sum
Literally translated as 'touching the hearts, Dim Sum is a large range of small Cantonese dishes that are traditionally enjoyed in restaurants for brunch.
Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine - One of my favourite dim sum places in town. You can taste the quality difference in this place and the dim sum tends to be less fatty. They have one in TST but I only go to the CWB one.
Lin Heung Kui (Sheung Wan) - One of the most Iconic dim sum restautants where they still push the dim sum carts around instead of ordering it from a paper form. It is so old school there is no reception. You just go and sit down at a table (with or without people already on it) and start ordering with the stamp card. Quality is decent as well.
Maxim's Palace (Central - City Hall) - I haven't eaten here for a long time so not sure about the quality, but it is also a crowd's favourite with its push carts.
Dragon i - An iconic club at night, this venue during the day has a good selection of vegetarian dim sum.
Noodle Bar (Noodle Soup / Lo Mein)
Noodle is a a stable diet in our culture and different region has its own variations. The noodles are either in a broth (not to dissimilar to Pho) or cooked, dried and Lo (mixed) with some kind of sauce. In regards to the proteins the most popular ones are Fish/Squid Balls, Beef Brisket/Tendon and Wonton. There are all over HK and decent but here are my favourites.
廣麪子 (Wan Chai) - With a relatively modern interiors.
王林記魚蛋粉 / Lam Kee Chiu Chow Fish Ball Noodles (Shau Kei Wan) - Althought famous for the noodle soup, their scrambled egg with charshu rice is the bomb.
銘師傅潮州粉麵 (Sai Ying Pun) - A new addition to the neighbourhood.
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese chicken rice is a dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice, served with chilli sauce and usually with cucumber garnishes. It was created by immigrants from Hainan in southern China and adopted by various countries wither their own version.
Lee Laksa (Sheung Wan) - The best balance in my opinion on the chicken quality and rice fragrantness.
Lobby Cafe at Peninsula Hotel (Tsim Sha Tsui) - One of the fanciest place to have the dish.
Grand Café at Grand Hyatt (Wan Chai) - Once known as the best Hainanese chicken rice in Hong Kong.
Sichaun Spicy Food
Sichan is a particular provence in China known for their MaLa (Numb/Spicy) palate. This is certainly something to try if you are into spiciness.
Chilli Fagara - A favourite amongst the international crowd in Hong Kong.
四姐川菜 / SiJie Sichuan Restaurant (CWB) - Great place for large group. Set menu where you make your own combination. BYOB.
Uniquely Hong Kong Restaurants
Here are some places where you can only experience in Hong Kong. All unique in their own rights, definitely worth visiting if you have the time.
Tung Po Kitchen (Wan Chai) - HK Wildest Dining Experience serving local dishes.
Sanpan Restaurants (Causeway Bay) - You can book a table at a sanpan (small skiff) restanuant to experience the boat people's way of eating back in the days.
ABC Kitchen (Sheung Wan) - Located in one of these Cooked Food Market, this pan-european restaurant is famous for the juxataposition of high quality western food in a very local setting.
Happy Bakery / 快樂麵麭 (Wan Chai) - One of the most iconic bakery in HK. Try their Egg Tarts and Baked Char Shiu Bao.
Other Chinese Notible Mentions
Chinese cusine has such breadth so it is hard to put all of them in groups. Here are some oustanding places famous for their own dishes.
坤記煲仔小菜 / Kee Claypot Rice (SYP) - Freshed cooked on demand with various toppinsg such as minced pork or chinese sausages. Questionally one of the best in HK.
留園雅敘 / Liu Yuan Pavilion (Wan Chai) - One of my favourite Shanghainese restaurants in HK. This is where you get your Xiao Lun Bao but would recommend you get the 生煎包 and 龍鬚桂魚.
Se Wong Kau Snake Restaurant / 蛇王球 (Kennedy Town) - One of the only place in the world where you can get a snake soup. Think of it as a thick chicken broth but with Snake meat and mushrooms etc. There are other snake restaurants as well so you dont have to go to this one in particular.
漁家海鮮大排檔 / Fishermen Seafood Dai Pai Dong (Shau Kei Wan) - I personally think they do the best sweet and sour pork in town.
Sun Kau Kee Noodle Shop (新九記 Sun Kau Kee) - Although changed hands a few times, this is still one of the only place where you can use congee base as hotpot.
Asian Inspired Western Restaurants
I am not a big fan of fusion but I was pleasantly surprised by these establishments for their use of asian intrigients in western dishes.
Mangia! (SYP) - Famous for their ever evolving Burata dish with seasonal variations.
Alvy's (Sai Wan) - Must try their Charshu with Ginger Sauce Pizza.
Brut! (SYP) - Upscale Bistro serving elevated fusion dishes.
Nightlife (TBC)
Hong Kong used to be a city that never sleeps but after COVID we are still struggling to get the back to where we were. However there are still plenty of options to party all night long. I have group my recommendations by areas.
Lan Kwai Fong (LKF)
Once the epicentre of HK nightlife, now venues are more spread out.
Bobby's Rabble - A casual drinking dent popular with the 25-40 crowd. Can get busy towards the end of the night. Live music on most thuhrsdays.
Tasmania Ballroom - Chic lounge/club with popular music and pool tables.
Petticoat Lane - Landmark Gay Bar in Hong Kong. Drag performances through out the week.
Insomnia - One of the longest live music bar standing in LKF.
Le Jardin - Al fesco bar popular with a younger crowd.
Cassio - Popular Dance music club.
Soho (South of Hollywood Road)
Where LKF is mostly catered for tourist and younger crowd, Soho provides a more relaxed and grown up alternative.
Shady Acres - Great Gastro/Wine/Cocktail Bar serving decent food and always a good crowd.
Honky Tonks - Owned by the same people at Shady Acres.
Coa - Top Cocktail Bar in Asia/World.
Quinery - Award winning cocktail bar.
The Iron Fairies - Lounge turns into club in a dramatic setting.
Quality Goods Club - Hip Club with rotating DJ.
Varga Lounge - Great place for late night drinks. Their strawberry daiquiri makes a good dessert.
T:me Bar - Another iconic gay bar catered for a more mature crowd.
Sheung Wan / Sai Ying Pun
More residential compared to central hence a higher concentration of neighbourhood bars.
Call Me Al - Great local gastro wine bar.
FLM - Long standing local Gay bar turned club.
Crushed - Local women run wine bar.
Melody - Hip Resto Bar with great vibe.
Wan Chai
Once known as one of the red light district on the HK island side serving the incoming sailors and navy, it is now a melting point for everyone to come enjoy a drink or two with some 80s music.
Carnegies
Devil's Advocate
Dai Lung Fung
Outdoor / Leisure (TBC)
Many people see Hong Kong as a bustling city without knowing its close proximity to nature. Here are some suggestions which you may not associate HK with previously.
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