KMLoke

mktout

You can have dim sum for reasonable prices. In fact I think it's one of the best value that you can get in HK. I like to go to those where the locals frequent. These always are out of the popular tourist areas of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and have little or no view. I rather pay for the food than for the higher rental and the view. In HK go to Wanchai and Causeway bay. In Kowloon go up Jordan, Yaumatei and Mongkok. There's lots of dim sum restaurants. If you want a good view go to the peak or take the star ferry across the harbour. On that the one that's often touted is the route from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui. Should consider taking from Central to Hunghom and back. Total costs is only HK$5.30 one way and the trip's about 20 minutes or so. Great value!

Do ask about the special promotions. The one at a restaurant at Metropolis (Hunghom) had a promotion price of HK$168 for sharks fins. Supposed to be for 2-4 persons. These could good value.

Be careful, it's always very easy to over order when dim sum is concerned.

mktout

So, say I bring my wife and two children (7 and 12 yrs) to Maxim's Palace at City Hall for Dim Sum brunch on Sunday. How much do you think I will be spending (more or less)?

rkkwan

What do you think, Cicerone? I say about HK$100-120 per adult. Half for kids that young. So, HK$300 (US$40), tea/tip included? That should be enough for plenty of food.

Besides dim sum from the cart, many locals also order some fried noodles or rice. One dish is plenty for 4 to share. Do not order more than one.

Cicerone

I would agree with rkkwan on the price. Tea refills should be free, just put the top up on the pot when it is empty and it will be refilled. If you order juice or cokes you will pay more for those. The one thing people tend to do is overorder, so take it slow. The beauty of the carts is that you can see it all, but that is also the problem as you will keep taking stuff without thinking. The carts usually come around more than once, so you will have another chance to take something that looked good if you find you still want it. The noodles are good and not expensive, but usually are served toward the end of the meal when you may already be full, so I would agree that you don't need more than one dish of those.

mktout

Thank you VERY much for your replies. We'll be in HK for 4-5 days in October and looking forward to it. This will help understand my budget better.

What about the Jumbo? It must be really expensive, correct?

rkkwan

Jumbo is not true high-end, just expensive for what it is. I say give it a pass as there's really nothing that special about eating on a very large floating barge.

Cicerone

I agree that the food at Jumbo is quite average and you will pay more than you should for average food; however on TOP of the Jumbo restaurant there is a very good, albeit not inexpensive, Asian-fusion restaurant called Top Deck of the Jumbo. It has an outdoor eating area which is very nice with good views of the habour area. As the weather in October is usually so good, outdoor eating is very pleasant, this would be very nice for lunch combined with a trip to Repulse Bay and Stanley, or nice at nigth as well. They do a brunch on Sundays. You might enjoy that more than the Chinese meal at Jumbo, and you could take a tour of the harbour afterwards. You also get to take the little bumboat over to the restaurant as well just as if you were going to the main Chinese restaurant. Take a look at http://www.cafedecogroup.com/TOP_DECK/v_TOP_DECK.as.

DonTopaz

Thanks, Cicerone, interesting info about the place on top of Jumbo. For those having trouble with the link -- add a 'p' to the end or just use www.cafedecogroup.com/TOP_DECK/v_TOP_DECK.asp

Cicerone

topping for twotravel

twotravel

Thanks Cicerone.
Pauline

KMLoke

For me the rule of thumb is to eat at the crowded places where the locals visit. More likely than not get decent food and prices. Example when with colleagues to restaurant in Whampoa Gardens. We had what seemed like a great wall of dim sum. Costs less than HK$60 a person.