Hong Kong’s November Restaurant and Bar Guide
When it comes to eating and drinking Hong Kong (and its residents) has it down to a fine art. You can barely leave the city for a week and not come back to a dozen new openings. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!
With so many options, we certainly are spoilt for choice, but also slightly intimidated by the sheer amount of F&B at hand. I have taken on the job to conquer as many as I can each month and bring you my recommendations, in collaboration with The HK HUB, so I can get fat and you don’t have to (I know, I’m too kind). Here’s where I ate and drank in October:
Eat
The latest addition to the growing stable of Frites Belgian beer-houses recently opened on a quiet side street in the vibrant Caroline Hill Road areas of Causeway Bay. Featuring a vast 4000 square feet dining hall with open kitchen and high ceilings is warm Frites is welcoming and perfect for communal dining. The food menu contains traditional moules frites served in a huge pot with a side order of fries and mayo – ideal for sharing, as well as other French and Belgian classics such as steak tartar and pork knuckle.
Frites also has one of Asia’s largest selections of Belgian beers and the bartenders will help you pair the perfect beer with your food. So head over for some tasty food, excellent service and enjoy the relaxed and welcoming space.
Shop 1, GF Park Haven, 38 Haven Street, Causeway Bay
Renowned for its dining in the dark concept, Alchemy has now launched its weekend brunch menu and it’s definitely one to try! The menu changes weekly and diners can expect 8 courses of refined French food, while enjoying the tranquil and calm Parisian Tea-salon atmosphere of the Lounge restaurant. Expect dishes such as oysters, foie gras, venison carpaccio, king crab and more all for the spectacularly good value price of $268 per head. Free flow Mumm or Prosecco is also available. So book a table with friends and enjoy an afternoon of great food, good company and delicious bubbles.
16 Arbuthnot Road, Central
Still one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city, Yardbird definitely lives up to its hype. The concept is ‘Yakitori’ aka Japanese skewered chicken, with your choice of small or larger tapas style side dishes. For me, absolutely everything on the menu looked tempting. So I kind of ordered it all (It was my birthday meal, the one day in the year where I don’t even look at the prices) Which also makes for a good review. I’m just making excuses now. Honestly, all the food was incredible, there wasn’t one dish that was anything less than amazing, but here are my ‘must tries’: KFC aka Korean fried cauliflower; meatballs with egg yolk dipping sauce; sweet corn tempura. Be prepared to wait for a table during busy times, Yardbird is still as popular as the day it opened.
33-35 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan
When it comes to dim sum in Hong Kong, we are never short on places to go. However, for the non-Cantonese speaking among us, some local joints can be a tad intimidating if you don’t know what to order. I’m first to admit I have taken a few wild guesses at some restaurants when the menu wasn’t in English. Cusine Cusine was the first ‘up-scale’ (it is Michelin recommended) dim sum restaurant I had been to, and I could definitely taste the difference. Each dish was piping hot and full of fresh ingredients. They have an extensive a-la-carte menu as well as set lunch and dinner menus and even free flow dim sum for brunch. This really is a great place to take friends or family for an authentic and comfortable first dim sum experience.
Level 3, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Stone Nullah Tavern is high on most peoples list. Consistently good, fresh food and an extensive drink menu keeps its reputation sky high, and if you haven’t gone to see why yet, you’re missing a trick! That macaroni and cheese still holds a dear place in my heart. They are also home to Hong Kong’s best Happy Hour which starts at just $1 a drink!
G/F, 69 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai
Do you ever just want to eat a whole pizza to yourself, but not leave the restaurant feeling like you are going to explode? This is what I wanted when I came to Motorino in Central. The great thing about their pizzas is they are light and not too large while still packing in all the best ingredients and flavours. The fun, chilled atmosphere allows you to get messy without feeling too judged and provided the perfect environment to catch up with friends. All round just a great restaurant for most occasions with good honest food!
14 Shelly Street, SoHo
The Pottinger Hotels restaurant, Gradini, provides classic and authentic Italian dishes for those among us wanting some fine dining. While it is not an obvious option while in Central, it’s atmosphere provides a tranquil environment compared to the outside hustle. Must try dishes are: ‘Spigola alle erbe al forno’ aka salt-crusted whole Italian line-caught sea bass with aromatic herbs; ‘Lasagna Gradini alla porcini con tarufo nero,’ which is a classic lasagna with layers of porcini mushroom and black truffle. While dishes aren’t cheap, they are delivered to please and the portions are definitely not stingy. This is a great option if you are trying to impress, fancy treating yourself or just want some good quality Italian food!
Lobby Level, 74 Queen’s Road, Central
Drink
Situated on the trendy Shing Hing Street NEO ‘Cocktail Club’ is a retro, playful hangout for the young at heart. Playboy pin ball machines, a Foosball table and neon lights give this bar a real fun feel. Cocktails are what they are known for, and cocktails are what they are good at! Creative, fun and delicious. Try the ‘Express Polaroid’ which comes with a Polaroid snap of you at that current moment. Maybe not to advised after a few too many though.
10 Shin Hing Street, Central
I was first attracted here when I heard about their ‘$5 Happy Hour’ and quite frankly have been somewhat of a regular ever since. Monday- Friday from 5pm-8pm you get your first drink for $5. And we’re not just talking any drink; there’s gin cocktails, spirits, beers and wines to name a few. After your first drink, the prices are raised to a staggering (note sarcasm) $45 a piece. Also, if you haven’t already noticed it’s a pretty cool bar! Cool enough for Michael Jordan to have enjoyed a few bevvy’s in there this month!
5f and 6f LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong
Go up to the 29th floor and you will find a rooftop terrace with exotic plants, mountain views and bamboo furniture; and yes, you are still in the city! Located on the ‘classier’ side of Wan Chai, Mahalo Tiki Lounge comes from the team behind Honi Honi Tiki Lounge on Wellington Street. Creative cocktails and tasty bar snacks await; arrange a gathering and get one of the sharing cocktails that are the size of a child’s head!(Note; not actually a fact, I may have had a few too many cocktails when I was last there)
29/F, QRE Plaza, Queen’s Rd East, Wanchai
Celebrating its 1st birthday this month, Rummin’ Tings has already become a firm favourite among Soho go-ers. On a great location between Wyndham and Hollywood it has the added bonus of plenty of foot traffic making it consistently a buzzing place to be. Boasting over 80 types of rum, you’d be missing out of you didn’t try one of them either ‘on da rocks’ or with a mixer ‘mix it mon’. Expect plenty more Jamaican themed names and ingredients, such as the ‘The Ramping Shop’ which comes with shado beni — a Caribbean herb also known as culantro.
28 Hollywood Road, Central
Brought to you by the guys over at Upper Modern Bistro ‘ON’ has got the rooftop drink vibe down to a fine art. Comfy sofas cascade over the modern, chic rooftop and help secure your place at one of the coolest new bars in town. With the weather as perfect as it is this really is the prime spot to enjoy some after work drinks or snacks (their cheese board is to die for). Hurtling over the city on the 29th floor, you are sure to be left impressed by the view alone.
18 On Lan St, Central
Have we missed one of your favourite new openings? Drop us a line at [email protected]thehkhub.com and we’ll check it out!
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