Hong Kong has a justly-deserved worldwide reputation as a gourmet paradise for its superb selection of food of all kinds at all prices. Its cuisine is influenced by traditional Cantonese and other Chinese cuisines, Japanese delicacies, and Western dishes. Its glory is found at roadside stalls, exclusive restaurants, and everything in between. Except in the top restaurants, eating out is affordable, and even meals at an upscale level are well worth the money. Roast duck, seafood dishes, and dim sum are favorites, but most international cuisines are represented.
Bars and Pubbing in Hong Kong
Bars and pubs in Hong Kong are something of an art form, with Lan Kwai Fong in Central home to expensive drinks and a wide choice of party venues, as well as summer food and beer festivals. La Dolce Vita (9 Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong Island) is a good starting point for cocktails, beers, and champagne.
Soho district’s Hollywood Road, Elgin Street, and Staunton Street are crammed with bars, pubs, and eateries. The Melting Pot (Winley Building, Elgin Street, Hong Kong Island) is famed for its nightly jazz, set in a dimly-lit room and features first-class bands. The Yorkshire Pudding (6 Staunton Street, Hong Kong Island) serves British beers and pub grub, including fish and chips and bangers and mash.
A new kid on the block in classy, see-and-be-seen Wyndham Street is Slivers (48 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong), a futuristic industrial-style space with couches, stools and synchronized audio-visual. For a great view of East Kowloon, Sugar (Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island) is the watering hole to head for. Most bars in the city close around 2:00 a.m., with a few bars and most dance clubs staying open until 4:00 a.m. or even later.
Dining and Cuisine in Hong Kong
Every day is treat-and-eat day in this food-obsessed city, from breakfast to lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and the obligatory late-night munchies. No less than 20 restaurants here are Michelin-starred, with five awarded the coveted three stars. For a very special night out, elegant Caprice (Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong Island) offers the best of French cuisine and Amber (Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Island) boasts Chef Richard Ekkebus’s innovative French contemporary cuisine.
For deliciously healthy eating, Just Salad (30-34 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong Island) offers heaped bowls of freshly-made produce delights. If you’re into buffet lunches with excellent salad bars, The Lounge (JW Marriot, Pacific Place, Hong Kong Island) serves all-you-can eat selections at a great price. The Patio (Harbor Plaza Metropolis, Kowloon) is the place for Peking duck, braised lobster, and a selection of Thai dishes at mid-range prices.
Seafood is an obvious favorite everywhere in the city, but the best places to try it are in Sai Kung’s Seafood Street in the New Territories or on Hong Kong Island’s neighboring islands. The Fu Ah Seafood Restaurant (27 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung) is a favorite, and one of the best of Hong Kong’s many seafood eateries. The Dragon Inn Seafood Restaurant (Castle Peak Bay, Tuen Mun) is another great choice, but both require travel from Hong Kong Island.
Lantau Island is a popular destination for its choice of dining venues. The Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurant (Po Lin Monastery, Lantau Island) serves examples of this healthy cuisine-turned-art-form, and is well worth a visit. For more conventional eating with great sea views, Zak’s (Discovery Bay Plaza, Lantau Island) offers an outdoor terrace and an extensive menu of international favorites.