Hong Kong’s dining scene boasts a proud line-up of Michelin stars and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, with trailblazing chefs attracted by the sophisticated crowd who eat out religiously. On a typical day, you can enjoy breakfast at a beloved local haunt, lunch on contemporary European fare, grab a snack at a street-side vendor, indulge in afternoon tea at a five-star hotel – a tradition inherited from the British – and end the day on a Michelin-starred note.
1. Lung King Heen
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
This was the world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars back in 2008. Expect a selection of traditional dishes, with an emphasis on seafood. The dim sum is a must-try, as are the crispy scallops with fresh pear, prawn paste and Yunnan ham. In the evening, large windows perfectly frame the view of the illuminated harbour skyline.
2. Amber
Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central
Led by Richard Ekkebus since 2005, Amber boasts two Michelin stars. Its 2019 revamp reflects a fresh approach to European fine dining, eliminating cream, milk, and butter to explore new culinary dimensions.
Insider tip: A sustainability pioneer in Hong Kong, chef Ekkebus offers a vegetarian tasting menu, with proceeds supporting a local NGO restoring the city’s native biodiversity.
3. Mott 32
4-4A Des Voeux Rd Central
Named after the address of the first Chinese supermarket in New York, Mott 32 welcomes you in the basement of the Standard Chartered bank. The interior channels understated glamour through a combination of colonial-style furniture, atmospheric lighting and a warehouse aesthetic. The menu focuses on modern Cantonese dishes with signatures such as Peking duck (pre-order only), barbecue prime Iberico pork.
4. BELON
1st Floor, 1-5 Elgin St, Central
Having closed the doors of its original home in late 2020, the Michelin-starred neo-Parisian bistro returned with a brand-new chef and location in March 2021. In a dramatic setting, defined by shades of grey and cerulean blue, diners are presented with signature dishes created by chef Matthew Kirkley, such as the salade gourmande, featuring intricate layers of veal tongue, foie gras, black truffle and green beans, cervelas en brioche, and pigeon pithiviers.
Step into a world of 1960s glamour, with a deep crimson palette, velvet seating, marble counters, and lustrous gold accents at this Sichuanese restaurant. The cuisine here, although contemporary, breathes authenticity. Order the dan dan noodles, prepared tableside, and try the firecracker chicken for that Sichuan spice kick.
CHAAT celebrates the bold, authentic flavours of India’s street food. Cooked in a traditional tandoor oven, dishes include lamb chops with Bengali mustard, malai paneer tikka, and CHAAT tandoori. The Michelin-starred restaurant’s interior evokes an atmosphere as vibrant as its dishes, with bold splashes of colour on the walls and colourful crockery.
This Central branch of the global izakaya-style Japanese dining group was the second to open after Knightsbridge. The stylish bi-level space features marble-topped teppanyaki and sushi counters, an open kitchen, an outdoor terrace and a relaxed upstairs lounge and sake bar. We love the signature miso-marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf.
