The best places to eat in Central Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a reputation as a foodie’s paradise, and for good reason. With thousands of excellent restaurants to choose from specialising in most of the world’s variety of cuisine, there are plenty of excellent options, especially in Central. Knowing which ones to visit during your time in Hong Kong is the only hard part, so here’s a quick guide to some of the best places to eat in the downtown area.
Amber
A shining, modern example of what true fine dining can be, this superbly slick restaurant in Central serves some wonderfully unique dishes that fuse Japanese gourmet cuisine with traditional European fare in a way unmatched anywhere else. Of course, this is not a place to go for a cheap and quick meal, but rather somewhere to savour the experience of enjoying a meal with good company in decadent surroundings. Book well in advance if you want a chance to eat here, as it’s not somewhere you can just turn up and get a table.
Luk Yu Teahouse
With impeccably maintained 1930’s interior design, this place serves some of the best sweet and sour pork you’ll find on Hong Kong island. It’s a very popular tourist spot – precisely because it’s so famous, but it’s worth visiting nonetheless to enjoy the ambiance and imagine you’re back in the swinging 30s, gossiping and people watching over a light meal. Despite being so well-known and in central Hong Kong, the prices are still quite reasonable.
The Cupping Room
A beacon of light and caffeine for third wave coffeeshop lovers, this diminutive and bustling little place, decked out in modern but warm colours is the place to get coffee in Hong Kong. Run by Kapo Chiu, multiple champion of the World Barista Championship, the coffee here is truly excellent, whether it be one of the several single origin pourover varieties, or one of their extensive range of espresso-based drinks. There’s also a nice breakfast menu to accompany your cup of black nectar, but that’s mostly an afterthought.
Mott 32
Named after the location of New York City’s first ever Chinese convenience store that opened in 1851, this fine dining restaurant serves traditional pan-Chinese food with a modern twist. Prices are high, but you pay for what you get, and the food certainly won’t disappoint. Take advantage of the knowledgeable and helpful servers, who will happily guide you through the extensive menu to make the right choice for you. They also have a wonderful selection of cocktails and speciality teas to enjoy while you wait for your food, and the setting is both whimsical and classy with its unusually dramatic decor and eclectic music.
Tim Ho Wan
Famous for being the world’s only one Michelin star restaurant, this simple dim sum joint is run by the former chef of the Four Season’s Hotel restaurant, who wanted to open a place where average people could experience fine dining at a low price. Unsurprisingly, it’s an extremely popular place to grab some of Hong Kong’s finest steamed buns, and as Tommy warns on his blog:
“Make sure you have ample time as long queue awaits you. Try avoiding lunch & dinner time, weekends and holidays.”
