Lin Heung Lau has announced on Instagram that it will officially close its long-running Central teahouse after 99 years, marking the end of an era for one of Hong Kong’s most iconic dining institutions.
Founded in 1926 by founder Kwan Yuk Shing (關玉成), the restaurant became famous for preserving traditional Cantonese tea culture, from pushcart dim sum service to shared round tables and bustling morning tea rituals that defined generations of local dining habits.
For many Hongkongers, Lin Heung Lau was more than a restaurant. It was a living museum of yum cha culture, where shrimp dumplings rolled past on metal trolleys and strangers shared tables over pots of hot tea. Even during difficult periods, the restaurant remained resilient. It temporarily shut for nearly two years during the COVID pandemic before reopening, welcomed back by loyal customers eager to support the historic brand.
The Central location will close due to redevelopment, with operations set to move to Sheung Wan at Tung Ning Building, 249–251 Des Voeux Road Central. While the original space will soon fall silent, the spirit of Lin Heung Lau continues.
Header Image Credit: DUSOAM 68 HNWUA and Wicslocicvaiu via Wikimedia Commons