Complete Guide to Tai Kwun Restaurants & Bars
The former Tai Kwun Central Police Station, now beautifully restored into a heritage and arts centre, makes an atmospheric and scenic backdrop for dinner and drinks. Here’s the complete range of bars and restaurants for you to choose from and plan your Tai Kwun visit.
Behind Bars
A series of interlinked former prison cells has been turned into a cool bar where a concise selection of cocktails are served up in bottles featuring unique, funky designs. Happy hour is on from Tuesday to Sunday, with drinks starting at $35 and going up in price every hour from 4pm to 8pm. This venue also acts as an events space, so keep an eye on their social media for upcoming happenings.
Shop 15, G/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | [email protected]
Café Claudel
The charming interior of this casual French bistro is reminiscent of a 1930s Parisian café and they have a spacious terrace on the ground floor of Tai Kwun. Classic breakfast dishes are offered from 10am-12pm, and there’s an excellent and reasonably priced set lunch. A la carte highlights include oven baked cod fillet with fennel, asparagus and grenobloise butter or beef tenderloin with mashed potato and roasted garlic. Children are also welcome and there’s a kids’ menu available.
Shop 01-G08, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2411 1310
Price Point: $$
Dragonfly
The stunning art noveau design at Dragonfly sets the tone for this sophisticated but laidback cocktail bar. The Instagrammable interiors are the perfect backdrop in which to indulge in some fun and creative cocktails with quirky names (‘Yum Cha with Mr Tang’ anyone?) and quirkier ingredients. There are regular live music and cabaret performances and Dragonfly is open until 2am at weekends.
Shop 10 – G1, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2777 2633
Madame Fu – Grand Café Chinois
This sprawling 8,000 sq ft space on the third floor of Tai Kwun features 6 dining rooms, and also has delightful verandas overlooking the parade ground. The interiors are inspired by the glamour of 1920s Shanghai and Paris, and each room has it’s own distinct atmosphere and style. The Grand Café, for example, has an air of colonial elegance and 1920s Parisian glamour and is the pefect for elegant fine dining. Meanwhile Fu Bar’s more masculine and casual atmosphere is great for a relaxed lunch or late night cocktails. With 6 rooms to choose from this restaurant is perfect for private events. Cuisine is Chinese with Western touches in the ingredients and the dessert menu. Dim sum is on the menu for lunch and afternoon tea, and there is a decadent free-flow weekend brunch too. There is a full vegetarian menu and gluten-free menu.
Shope 03-101a, Block 3, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2114 2118
Price point: $$$$
Statement
On the top floor of Tai Kwun, with a veranda overlooking the parade ground, you’ll find Statement. The strikingly elegant interiors are a modern interpretation of colonial Hong Kong, with a fresh and light colour palate. The cuisine here is elevated British, a mix of modern classics and some of the more avant-garde culinary directions found in London today. Dinner options include signature Aberdeen Angus roast beef carved tableside with Yorkshire pudding & gravy or Anglesey sea bass, sparagus & taggiasca olives. They also offer a substantial set lunch at $288 for 2 courses and $328 for 3 courses, and an epic free-flow British brunch at weekends.
Read our review of Statement’s Britannia Brunch here
Block 01, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2848 3000
Price Point: $$$-$$$$
The Chinese Library
Sister restaurant to the terribly British ‘Statement’, The Chinese Library is the other side of Hong Kong’s heritage coin. Conceived by aqua group founder David Yeo and inspired by his vast personal library of Chinese cookbooks, The Chinese Library showcases dishes from the diverse culinary regions of China. While paying homage to Hong Kong’s culinary heritage and regional Chinese cuisine, the menu here is not at all stuffy, and favourite dishes are given updated preparations and ingredients. Lunch is a lighter affair, including unique dim sum options such as the squid ink shrimp dumpling in lobster bisque & ginger foam or the pan-seared turnip cake with crisp palma ham. For dinner you could indulge in the sweet & sour Iberico pork with dragon fruit & caramelized cashews or try the delicious Chiuchow style flaming New Zealand rack of lamb.
Shop 01-1/F, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2848 3088
Price Point: $$$-$$$$
The Dispensary
Tying together two restaurants that reflect Hong Kong’s East meets West heritage is the small but perfectly formed cocktail bar, Statement. This elegant bar offers a collection of British-inspired cocktails alongside Chinese-inspired concoctions, which you can also take on the terrace overlooking Tai Kwun’s parade ground. Their non-alcoholic mixes are good too.
Shop 01-1/F, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2848 3000
Price Point: $$$
Aaharn
Not your average high street Thai restaurant, at Aaharn internationally celebrated chef David Thompson explores authentic Thai flavours and presents a truly elevated Thai dining experience. The chic, classic interiors set the scene for attentive service and intriguing flavours. Tempt your tastebuds with a jungle curry of red snapper with wild ginger and sour leaves and crispy perch with tamarind and chilli. Diners can choose from the a la carte or a set menu with wine pairing, which is perfect for a special occasion. Vegetarians have an extensive choice here with delicious mains such as aromatic curry of corn, potato, cherry tomato and cucumber relish and a full vegetarian tasting menu.
1/F Armoury Building, 02, Tai Kwun Centre, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2703 9111
Price point: $$$$
Bar at Armoury
Linked to Aaharn (Armoury is downstairs, Aaharn is upstairs) this lively bar spills out onto a terrace and into Tai Kwun’s parade ground. You’re in safe hands when hunger pangs strike with a simple but tasty menu of modern Thai bar snacks courtesy of the Aaharn kitchen team. Munch some spring rolls with prawns & Chinese chives or grab some grilled pork skewers. They also serve a simple lunch on the terrace and have happy hour daily from 3pm-8pm.
G/F Armoury Building, 02, Tai Kwun Centre, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2703 9111
MaoMao Eat
If you need a quick pit stop that’s easy on the pocket, then casual diner MaoMao Eat is ideal. This restaurant on the ground floor at Tai Kwun serves Hong Kong style snacks and light meals at very reasonable prices. Favourites include crispy bun served with sweet condensed milk and milk tea and instant noodles with satay pork. The vibe inside is modern and welcoming and there’s a terrace for outdoor dining. Diners collect their own food from the counter, and takeaway is also available. Vegetarians will welcome the Beyond Meat options on the menu.
Shop 03-G08, Block 3, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2601 9818
Price point: $
hc: Bistro
Hc: Bistro is a social enterprise project that provides training and work opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities. You will receive warm and welcoming service from the dedicated team of staff with special needs. Main courses are a robust and meaty selection, including char-grilled rack of lamb and roasted French spring chicken. There’s a lower priced afternoon tea/snack menu available between 2.30pm-6pm.
Shop 14-G01, 10 Hollywood Road, Centra l 9731 6787
Price point: $$$$
Lockcha Tea House
Lokcha is passionate about tea and they make it their mission to bring us the very best, delicious, healthy and authentic Chinese teas possible. They take an interest in all stages of the tea production process, from the plantation environment through to the processing and packaging to ensure the quality is uncompromisingly high. Alongside the teas, they serve vegetarian dim sum during the day and a vegetarian set dinner priced at $328 per person. They run private tea appreciation classes at all three of their Hong Kong tea houses all year-round (booking required). Or if you’re short for time, you can still receive a brewing demonstration for a small fee when you order your tea.
01-G07, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2276 5777
Price Point: $$-$$$
Old Bailey
With chic, designer interiors and a terrace overlooking Tai Kwun’s rooftops and the former prison yard, Old Bailey is a welcoming spot to enjoy some outstanding Chinese cuisine. Old Bailey pays homage to the culinary traditions of the Jiangnan region, and Executive Chef Wong Kwan Man steers clear of preservatives and additives where possible. Over 80% of the vegetable used are organic, meats are diligently sourced and other essentials such as noodles, vinegars and beancurds are selected from a network of artisan producers. The menu is extensive, drop by for a reasonably priced dim sum set lunch, a fabulous dim sum afternoon tea, a free-flow brunch or an indulgent dinner. There are many vegetarian choices available.
Shop 20-2/F, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2877 8711
Price Point: $$$ – $$$$
Sushi Zo & Gishiki Lounge
Sushi Zo has well-known venues in Bangkok, New York and Tokyo and has recently landed in Hong Kong to take ‘exclusive’ dining to a whole new level. With two sittings each day (6pm-8pm and 8.30pm-10.30pm) each accommodating just 14 diners, Sushi Zo shifts the paradigm of the guest chef relationship and completely empowers the chef. The chef is entrusted to create the menu each night based on the freshest fish and ingredients, flown in daily from Japan. Food is prepared directly in front of guests at a stylish sushi bar, where diners enjoy an extremely personalised 18 dish experience ($2,500 per person).
Its adjacent cocktail bar, Gishiki Lounge – meaning ‘ritual’ in Japanese – features an innovative 18-drink cocktail menu created by mixologist Billy Lau. Gishiki Lounge’s concept is based on the Japanese myth of powerful scorned women bound to inhuman form, as evidenced by the bar’s ornamental female centrepiece shown breaking free from her Hannya body and transforming into her most powerful female form. The menu features cocktails made from flavoured ice blocks pressed into the shape of Hannya masks, exclusive Gishiki label gold leaf sake and live siphon brewed spirits, served over dry ice. Alongside your cocktail you can expect a creative selection of DJs and live entertainment.
Shop 01-LG103, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | 2884 0114
Price Point: $$$$$
Restaurants in Tai Kwun
Aaharn – Thai – $$$$
Café Claudel – French Bistro – $$
Madame Fu – Grand Café Chinois – Chinese – $$$$
MaoMao Eat – Hong Kong snacks – $
hc: Bistro – international bistro – $$$$
Lockcha Tea House – tea / Chinese vegetarian – $$ – $$$
Old Bailey – Chinese (Jiangnan) – $$$-$$$$
Statement – British – $$$-$$$$
The Chinese Library – Chinese – $$$-$$$$
Sushi Zo – Japanese – $$$$
Bars in Tai Kwun
Bar at Armoury
Behind Bars
Dragonfly
The Dispensary
Gishiki Lounge
Want more? Find the latest bar & restaurant news in this roundup!
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