With quirky second-hand stores, dried seafood shops, and traditional Chinese apartments, Sai Ying Pun is a real slice of local life in Hong Kong’s Western District. But behind all this is an area bursting with a wealth of delightful restaurants, cool cafés, and eclectic bars. Whatever food you’re in the mood for, you won’t have to look hard to sate your appetite in Sai Ying Pun because this neighbourhood has food in spades.
High Street
Like all the rest of the brand’s branches, Maison Eric Kayser’s Sai Ying Pun outpost offers a mouthwatering selection of authentically French baked goods. There are croissants for brekkie, cakes for tea, and even lunch items like sandwiches and salads. They do a decent coffee, too, so you can get your afternoon caffeine fix.
With rustic-chic interiors and friendly service, TM’s by The Den is a fun spot for a casual weeknight dinner. Latin-style grilled plates are the mainstay here, so you can expect to feast on Aussie Wagyu M5+ and seafood grilled in Peruvian style. There are plenty of specials throughout the week too, so try and drop by for weekday set lunches, weekend brunches, and the HK$168 Wagyu Night.
For authentic Thai food, head to Krua Walaiphan, a Thai restaurant opened by Chefs Walaiphan Hanyut and Renee Dancel, both formerly of Chachawan. Many items on the menu are similar to those found at Chachawan, and they offer a great-value weekday lunch and weekend brunch menu.
Thai On High has called High Street home for a number of years and offers a solid range of Thai dishes. Although not as authentic as Krua Walaiphan, it’s a good option for Thai food in this area if you’re not too fussy.
Combining the nostalgia of Hong Kong’s cha chaan tengs with hip and modern decor, Cross Cafe is a popular spot for locals and expats alike. You’ll find all of your typical cha chaan teng fare here, along with a number of novel dishes.
Located on High Street, Flying Pig Bistro is practically a Sai Ying Pun institution and pairs gourmet pork dishes with hipster art by Hong Kong-based artist Malcolm Golding. Specials include pork knuckle and Iberico pork chop, but don’t worry if pig isn’t your thing. The extensive menu has everything from salads and pasta to staunchly English dishes like Barramundi fish & chips, lamb wellington and bangers & mash.
Ollies does comfort food and casual vibes in equally good doses. They’re a fan of big portions, so it’s great for dining with families and those who like to share. Slip in on Mondays and Tuesdays for the ‘Special Steak Night’ and enjoy sizzling meats with a glass of red wine (HK$198), or pop by on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the ‘Sizzling Fajita Nights’ (HK$138-HK$168).
With its sleek interior design, Sup1 is a great option for dinner and drinks. Their menu is a bit of a mixed bag, including French, Chinese and Japanese. In other words, you’re bound to find something to suit your tastebuds.
If you’re craving noodles, head on over to High Street Cart Noodles to get your fix. As the name suggests, this small shop serves up customisable noodle dishes where you get to choose everything from the broth and noodles, to the toppings and sides.
Aptly named High Street Grill serves up wholesome brunches and dinners in a welcoming environment. The set up is ideal for the whole family and includes a kid’s menu.
Metropolitain is a much-loved staple in Sai Ying Pun. Why? Because the classic yet modern surroundings make it the perfect spot to enjoy your favourite homely French dishes in style. Beat the Monday blues with 1-for-1 mains between 6pm-10pm.
Pizzeria Italia has a great range of pizzas available, and they make a mighty good home-made tomato sauce. The ingredients used are fresh, and the results are delicious.
If you are looking for some authentic Italian cuisine, you must try the family-run Trattoria Caffe Monteverdi. They offer a range of homemade pasta dishes (including gnocchi!), and serve them up in a rustic, inn-like setting.
Uncle Padak is one of the many Korean fried chicken joints that have been popping up around Hong Kong in recent years. And there’s really only one thing on the menu: fried chicken. The plates are huge, the chicken is incredibly crispy, and you can choose from a variety of flavours. Besides the chicken, you’ll find some non-meaty Korean side dishes like kimchi and ddukbokki.
The third Castelo Concepts restaurant on High Street is St. Barts. Similar to their other restaurants, this bright and casual eatery serves up a range of cusine. Additionally, they serve a solid breakfast if you’re looking to grab a quick bite before work or are in the mood for a lazy weekend brunch.
Centre Street
It may have started as a takeout counter, but Flying Pig Deli Social is now being built out to become a dining destination in its own right – and it should be on your radar for next weekend’s brunch plans. Kick back with friends as you enjoy a cosy alfresco meal of European comfort food paired with wine and a brew from the self-service beer tap. This place is dog-friendly, too, so your furry friend can join in the fun.
Don’t be fooled by the simple interiors at Yuen Kee Dessert. This authentic Hong Kong dessert place is always packed with locals, so you know it’s good. Check it out for yourself – and bring some friends so you can try a bit of everything. Don’t miss the egg sponge cake and sweet walnut cream soup, which are best washed down with some warm tea.
Third Street
What do you get when you combine the best of Asia’s street food? The answer is Bingaz Street Food. This casual spot pairs high-quality ingredients with traditional recipes and friendly service. Expect easy-to-east bites like Wagyu beef skewers, marinated wings, and noodles
Potato Head features 750sqm of space offering shopping, music, and food. While away the hours with casual eats and cocktails at the all-day cafe and bar. At the weekend, dig into a sumptuous brunch against a gorgeous backdrop at Indonesian restaurant Kaum.
If you are in the mood for some hot pot, you can’t do better than Together Pot. This local restaurant has been around for over ten years. Utilising a huge range of local products, you can tailor-make your meal for a perfect Cantonese feast.
You may have seen La Rotisserie in Wan Chai or Sheung Wan, but they have a bustling outlet in Sai Ying Pun, too. Specialising in French-style rotisserie chicken, they offer dine-in and take-away options for both lunch and dinner.
With colourful, graffiti-esque murals inspired by Día de los Muertos – the Mexican Day of the Dead – El Macho is a Friday night fiesta just waiting to happen. Grab a perch and sip on margaritas as you muse over your food options. The classic Mexican menu is packed with hearty, flavourful dishes like nachos, quesadillas and tacos, but you’ll want to try the signature burrito with beef chili con carne and Angus beef fajitas.
Second Street
LN Fortunate Coffee is a large cafe with plenty of natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Aside from their coffee, vegetarians will be happy to know that the food menu is all veggie and vegan.
Quarter Master is carnivore central, with burgers and steak sourced next door from its butchery, Bones & Blades. The meat here is top-notch, imported from family-owned farms where cattle is raised free of growth hormones, pesticides or pollutants.
Simplicity is the key at Brut! This cosy spot pairs a great list of biodynamic wines with European and Asian sharing plates laced with organic ingredients. In other words, this is a choice destination for group catch-ups.
Second Street Comfort Food & Bar has a spacious ground-level dining area that offers various Western dishes. Drop in for brunch (only HK$98 for all dishes) or for their all-day happy hour (from 12:30 pm – 9:00 pm) and cheap cocktails (all at HK$68).
If you’re craving Mexican, pop into Taco Chaca for nachos, burritos, and, obviously, tacos. Don’t expect anything fancy here. You’ll be wiping the salsa off your face while perched on a metal stool in a small locale – but it sure does hit the spot.
Formerly a ping-pong hall, Ping Pong 129 is our go-to bar in Sai Ying Pun. It has lofty ceilings coupled with excellent interior design, including a neon sign behind the bar (that translates to Train Your Body) and a fun Chen Fei painting on the wall. This Spanish Gintoneria serves a range of different gins from Spain and the rest of the world.
You’ve likely seen Polygon Cafe pop up on your Instagram feed, and for good reason. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and serve Intelligentsia Coffee and a range of custom tea blends.
First Street
Tucked in an alleyway off First Street is Electric Ave. This burger joint may be small, but it has a ton of character. The burgers are huge and they’ve experimented with some fun ingredient combinations that will leave your hands messy and belly full.
Coffee by Zion is another minimalist modern café. The interior is welcoming and offers a decent amount of tables to sit at if you’re looking to relax and enjoy your coffee with something a bit more substantial (a full English breakfast, anyone?).
Water Street
Ba Yi is considered a hidden gem for lamb lovers. This Xinjiang Michelin-recognised restaurant is known for its traditional stewed lamb, roast leg and mutton skewers, and most of the meat imported from Xinjiang in northwest China.
Instagrammer’s take note: Chau Kee’s famous French toast with salted egg filling should be on your feed (and in your belly). Because, quite simply, it’s delicious. Of couse, you’ll inevitably find yourself, along with the other snap-happy diners in the restaurant, capturing the sight of the gooey filling gushing out of the crispy bread as you slice into it.
Po Tuk Street
Styled like a serene Chinese teahouse, Plantation by Teakha is a quiet retreat from the chaos of Hong Kong. Slip in and spend an hour brewing your own cup or tea and savouring the ritual. After that – when you’re ready to leave – you can buy some to recreate the experience at home. You may even be inspired to come back for a tea workshop (they run regularly here).
A cute duplex shop set on quiet Po Tuk Street, Dear Neighbor is cosy, space of grey walls and wood chairs. Coffee is the speciality here, although it pairs with the daily breakfasts, pasta specials, sandwiches or salads.
Fuk Sau Lane
BlackSalt serves up delicious Asian fusion dishes and offers a fantastic laidback brunch. The loft area upstairs is great for private outings and the intimate downstairs contributes to a fun, casual vibe with fellow diners. Expect masalas, sambals and scrumptious home-made chutneys; you’ll be ordering extra roti to scoop it all up.
Locofama strives to use local, organic produce and hopes to inspire its patrons to a healthier way of living – because that’s better for us and the environment, of course. The restaurant is large and it’s nice to sit in their lovely alfresco area when the sun is shining. They also sell a range of organic products through their café.
Queen’s Road West
Okra Kitchen is a casual izakaya with cool music- their Spotify playlist is on their website if you want to check it out at home. Here, sharing plates are prepared with Japanese precision. So go ahead – get a seat at the long bar and watch the chefs work their magic.
The decor may be gobally inspired, but the menu at Honjo is decidedly modern Japanese. This stylish spot by Pirata Group delivers jet-fresh sushi and sashimi, crisp tempura and a host of delicious big plates. Wash it down with a selection from the cracker list of sakes, wines, and cocktails.
Hidden beneath Honjo, TMK is a raucuous, rock-and-roll temakeria where guests can let loose. It ain’t fancy, but this place delivers solid sushi hand rolls (aka temaki) and small plates served with quality cocktails, sakes, and beers.
La Paloma calls itself a “sexy tapas bar”. The lively venue serves roast suckling pig made in an “Asador”, a traditional clay oven, and a variety of large paellas. The dining area is large and colourful. Which makes it perfect for a fun date night or get together with friends, naturally.
Quick to become a local favourite, Winston’s Coffee brings together caffeine-lovers over lattes and espresso martinis. If you can’t find a seat in the small space inside, just take your drinks outdoors.
If you are searching for a fully vegetarian restaurant in the area, then Po Lin Yuen is the place to go. With a huge range of vegetarian dim sum, as well as a large selection of main dishes, all of their food is super-fresh and made with love.
Keen to try more local restaurants? Check out our guide to eating like a local in Sheung Wan (when you’re an expat) and this guide to iconic Hong Kong street food.
Des Voeux Road West
NOC Coffee Co. now has outlets all over Hong Kong, but the location on Des Voeux Road West is where the magic happens. The brand’s main roastery is located here and is responsible for creating all the delicious in-house blends and single origin coffees you enjoy. The space is large and bright, and you’ll find plenty of snacks and light lunches to compliment your caffeine hit.
Yes, this is a deli and you can find plenty of great produce to take home. But Feather & Bone’s Sai Ying Pung store is also a great spot for a dine-in meal. The menu here has a range of meat-heavy plates for all-day dining, and you can’t beat the great-value set lunch menu that’s available as two or three courses.
A slick, cool space dishing up serious Neapolitan-style pizza, Homeslice is a neighbourhood pizzeria has style and substance in spades. Order a classic pie, like the Quattro Formaggi or piquant Diavola or try one of the offbeat offerings, and pair with beer, wines, and cocktails, and save room for dessert.
Connaught Road West
Test Kitchen presents a unique food experience where no two nights are the same. The dining venue showcases global guest chefs and their culinary talents to hungry diners and they, in turn, give feedback after happily chowing down. The spacious open kitchen setting means you’re just steps away from an up-and-coming chef slicing and dicing your next dish.
For healthy drinks and dishes, try Opendoor Café. They also serve up a selection of super smoothies for that extra health boost, and their welcoming interior also acts as a gallery, with art rotating monthly.
Eat, Explore, Enjoy!
We cover more restaurants in this part of Hong Kong in our Kennedy Town & Shek Tong Tsui guides.
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