Take a short stroll in the business centre-adjacent neighborhood of Sheung Wan and you’ll be met with towering skyscrapers interwoven with Edwardian-style buildings offering handicrafts and fabrics, pungent stalls of dried seafood and Chinese herbs, and historical tea shops. Between bustling Central and the dried seafood streets of Sai Ying Pun, the winding streets of Sheung Wan hide several laid-back eateries. If you’re wondering where to eat in Sheung Wan, here are some of our favourite go-to restaurants.
Pizzeria Jacomax — Pizza
This tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant is exactly the kind of pizza place you’d find in the streets of Italy and serves Neapolitan-style pizzas. This casual Sheung Wan restaurant is named after its founder, native Italian Jacobo Maximilano, who found the love of his life in Hong Kong. Pizzas come in fusion flavours like the Mexico x Sicilia with guacamole and nduja or the Ikura storm with premium ikura (red caviar) and lemon zest, and are offered at 12 inches (ranging from HK$168 to HK$208) which can be paired with a variety of traditional Italian starters, beers, and cocktails. All ingredients are sourced from Italy, making it one of the most authentic Neapolitan-style pizzerias in Hong Kong.
Shop C, 88 Commercial Bldg, 38-42 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan | +852 2851 4688
Bonheur — French
It is no secret that French restaurants in Hong Kong can be a little pricey. Hidden in Sheung Wan, this little gem serves French cuisine at relatively affordable prices. A prix-fixe three or four-course dinner menu (HK$658 and HK$718 respectively) includes appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The Iberico pork, lobster pasta, sea bass, and mango mille-feuille are popular among diners. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a party, feel free to bring your favourite bottle of wine along as they don’t charge any corkage fee.
6/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | +852 2544 6333
Dragon State Kitchen Restaurant — BBQ meats
Famed for its “char siu”, or honey-glazed BBQ pork, this Sheung Wan eatery serves some of Hong Kong’s most iconic local dishes. Dragon State Kitchen serves up a wide selection of crispy pork, roast goose, and other Hong Kong-style BBQ meats ranging from HK$55 to HK$67 for one to two kinds of meat. Whether you are looking to try some classic BBQ dishes or aromatic innards, stop by this Chinese BBQ restaurant for some of the best authentic Hong Kong food in Sheung Wan. Be warned – this spot gets super busy around lunchtime, with office workers pouring out onto the street from the sidewalk waiting for takeaway.
Shop 38B, G/F, 38 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan | +852 2342 3189
Pica Pica — Spanish tapas
The name Pica Pica comes from the Spanish expression “a little bit of this, a little bit of that”, with the idea of serving smaller platters to allow guests to sample various different dishes. This contemporary tapas bar serves classic tapas with a modern twist, influenced by chef Sanuy’s culinary experiences throughout Europe and Asia. Their Wagyu steak tartare on charred bone marrow (HK$175) and seafood Fideuà, similar to paella but with vermicelli noodles (HK$155 for large), are popular dishes. This Sheung Wan hotspot also ages its very own sangria in Old Sherry barrels from Spain and has a fine selection of Spanish wines and beers. The wood and brick interior and open kitchen give the restaurant a relaxed environment, which is perfect for a casual date or catching up with friends. Make sure to book ahead as this place fills up quickly for lunch and dinner.
Shop G & H, G/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 317-321 Des Voeux Rd Central, Sheung Wan | +852 2811 9880
Yakiniku Great — Yakiniku
Although it is believed that yakiniku (grilled meat) originated in Korea, it has become one of Japan’s national dishes, as well. This particular yakiniku spot in Sheung Wan specializes in Japanese A5 Wagyu that just melts in your mouth; a dish of Shakushi from the shoulder is HK$198 and a dish of thickly sliced Maru Shin from the central portion of the thigh is HK$268. Besides that, this Sheung Wan eatery also has some high BMS grading parts of the beef that is rarely seen in other restaurants. Besides a diagram showing the exact location of each cut, the menu also includes helpful instructions on how many seconds each cut needs to be grilled, which is pretty helpful for first-timers!
Unit 1, G/F, Manhattan Ave, 255 Queen’s Rd Central, Sheung Wan | +852 3565 6129
Yung Kee Hai Nan Chicken — Hainan chicken rice
Yung Kee Hai Nan Chicken is praised for its consistency in the taste and flavour of its dishes, opening its second location in Sheung Wan recently adding to its flagship in Hung Hom. The chef adds his own twist to this famous dish by submerging the chicken in an 18-ingredient master stock and infusing the aromatic chicken oil rice with lemongrass, pandan leaves, and turmeric. Furthermore, he pairs the dish with chicken coconut soup to complement the fragrant chicken rice. Their classic hainan chicken starts at HK$63. They typically sell out at 3pm, so to avoid disappointment and long queues, have it for brunch. It’s never too early to have chicken rice!
G/F, Kong Ling Building, 102 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan | +852 5500 4522
Gaia Ristorante — Italian
Gaia Ristorante is nestled amid the foliage and grandiose staircases of the Central’s Grand Millennium Plaza. This glamourous Italian restaurant has been around for two decades now. Located in the heart of Sheung Wan overlooking a fountain, Gaia features a wide variety of Italian food such as risottos, pastas, pizzas (ranging from HK$148 to HK$328 for the funghi-focused black truffle and Chanterelle mushroom pizza), and antipasti cooked with fresh ingredients and classic recipes mastered over decades of feedback. Take a seat at the open plaza and imagine you’re in Rome!
G/F, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Rd, Sheung Wan | +852 2167 8200
RŌNIN — Izakaya
RŌNIN is the culinary playground for chef Matt Abergel, who uses Japanese cooking techniques to work his magic to create one-of-a-kind izakaya dishes using the city’s freshest seafood. As a result, the menu shifts daily. Grilled lily bulb with chives kakiage and Shichimi salt (HK$140) and Pilsner-battered smoked tilefish with maple-infused kewpie mayo (HK$180) are must-tries. Pair your food with their signature cocktails or try something from their impressive collection of whiskies and sakes. There aren’t many seats, but the exclusivity makes RŌNIN a sought-after reservation. Our tip – try to secure one of the seats facing the bar or else you will be stuck eating against a wall. This yakitori spot only takes email bookings so remember to email them in advance.
G/F, 8 On Wo Ln, Sheung Wan | +852 2547 5263
Yardbird — Yakitori
Founded by Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang, Yardbird is a one-star-Michelin restaurant. It is always jam-packed with people, so make a booking online or prepare to wait at high times. They offer about 20 types of yakitori skewers made with local chicken from beak to tail, flavored and grilled to perfection. For those who are more adventurous, they also feature rare cuts such as thyroid (HK$48), ventricle (HK$45), and crispy meatballs with tare and egg yolk (HK$48), making use of every part of the bird.
G/F, 154-158 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan | +852 2547 9273
Samsen — Thai
Samsen Sheung Wan is a spinoff from its Wan Chai branch by owners Bella Kong and chef Adam Cliff. While it delivers the same authentic flavours of Bangkok street food as its Wan Chai counterpart, there are some exclusive dishes only found in the Western Island branch. Be sure to try their signature Northern Thai classic Khao Soi (HK$148), an 11-spice Northern Thai curry that takes up to eight hours to make, and pair it with egg noodles or their homemade roti. With its Instagrammable interior and vibrant atmosphere, get ready to queue as Samsen is a popular business lunch destination and doesn’t take reservations below groups of 6.
G/F, 23 Jervois St, Sheung Wan | +852 2234 0080
FAQ about Sheung Wan restaurants
What is the best restaurant in Sheung Wan?
Dragon State Kitchen is a fan favorite if you’re craving local Hong Kong BBQ food.
For a cozy neighborhood vibe, head to Pica Pica to sample a range of contemporary Spanish tapas.
What is the best bar in Sheung Wan?
The Black Star is hailed as the best bar in Sheung Wan. This cozy bar located right opposite the Sheung Wan MTR. With a huge variety of drinks and various comfort food dishes, this Sheung Wan bar the perfect place for after-work drinks and a quick bite.
What is the best pet-friendly restaurant in Sheung Wan?
Elephant Grounds on Hollywood Road is its biggest branch in Hong Kong. Chill with your pets in their open-air spaces and watch the world go by. You can also drop by Lof10, a dog-friendly cafe that is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing morning or lunch.
Header image credits: Samsen Sheung Wan
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