150 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong, China

Set in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, this convenient, family-friendly restaurant promises views of Victoria Harbour, an outdoor terrace, and a stylish cocktail bar. Though the menu is eclectic enough to keep everyone happy, most people come for the views.

Tucked away on a quiet corner of the Traders Hotel, this unassuming culinary gem serves what is possibly the best Malaysian and Singaporean food in town. You’ll find all the classics here, from the piping-hot fried turnip cakes with bean sprouts to spicy beef simmered in coconut milk and aromatic spices. While all dishes satisfy, the main draw is the flavorful fish soup spiked with umami shrimp paste.

The decor, staff uniforms, and—of course—the food all capture the retro vibe of the 1960s Hong Kong cha chaan teng (local café). Cantonese pop songs from that era play over the sound system while diners relish bowls of elbow macaroni served in soup and topped with ham and eggs. Other staples include spaghetti served in chicken broth with cha siu pork and green peas. But the sweets here are what really stand out. The egg tarts are rich and custardy, and the French toast is served with a giant slab of butter. Surely the best items, though, are the hotcakes topped with bananas, buttered walnuts, and soft-serve ice cream.

It’s a blast from the past at this retro Hong Kong café, done up in period '80s and '90s decor, complete with autographed Cantopop idol posters from that era. The food is old-school as well, and you’ll find hearty local specialties like elbow macaroni with barbecued pork, milk tea, and toasted sandwiches filled with fluffy scrambled eggs. If you come after 3 pm, try the “principal's toast”—it’s black truffle paste and cheese smothered on thick pieces of bread. It’s delicious indulgence done the cheap and cheerful way.

The Four Seasons spared no expense in creating this space, bringing in well-known designers and feng shui masters, and the result is a private dining room that might be one of the most spectacular in the world. Guests can see into the entire open kitchen, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views of Victoria Harbour and beyond. Executive chef Fabrice Vulin hails from France but worked in Geneva and Morocco, and dishes such as the caramelized pigeon breast with North African spices reflect his multicultural influences. The restaurant also boasts an excellent cheese cellar. Even if you’re not having a full sit-down meal, you can still enjoy some fromage and wine at the adjoining bar and lounge.

This is, without a doubt, one of the finest Spanish restaurants in the city. The experience begins with the space itself, which combines Spain’s classical nuances with the contemporary vibe of a cosmopolitan city. There are two main dining rooms where you can enjoy the Catalan-inspired recipes. Highlights from the tapas menu include the bombas (deep-fried pork and beef meatballs covered in potato purée and bread crumbs) and the famous ham, cheese, and truffle “bikini” sandwiches. Another must-try is the Segovian-style roasted suckling pig, which is large enough to feed four. Catalunya also offers exceptional weekend brunches with free-flowing sparkling wine. Book early if you want to join the fun.

Smartly dressed locals in the know head for this casually elegant dim sum specialist, which is in the middle of the downtown bustle yet well concealed on the fourth floor of an office building. From the elevator, you’ll step into a classy Cantonese world. It’s hard to find a single better dim sum dish than Che’s crispy pork buns, whose sugary baked pastry conceals the brilliant saltiness of barbecued pork within. Other dim sum to try include pan-fried turnip cake and a refreshing dessert of cold pomelo and sago with mango juice for a calming end to an exciting meal.

This place fires up the grill with skewered items that draw flavor inspiration from Sichuan. The menu is extensive, capping in at more than 100 different choices on any given day (including daily and seasonal specials). Grilled fish is perfect with beer, as are the tsukune chicken meatballs. When in season, order grilled oysters, clams, and other seafood items. The folks at Chuan Shao also serve grilled banana and pineapple for dessert. The restaurant is open until late, and there’s plenty of beer, so anyone staying at a hotel in the area might just want to keep this place in mind.

The first thing you’ll notice here is the most Disney-ish touch: a computer-animated koi pond, where electronic fish dart out of the way as you walk by. Once inside the crystal-studded space, your focus will turn to the food: the pan-Chinese menu includes favorites like Sichuan dan dan noodles, honey-glazed barbecued pork, and double-boiled pear topped with mandarin peel. Kids will get a kick out of the “character dim sum,” which includes pork and vegetable buns shaped like Toy Story’s little green men, and seafood pancakes bearing the likeness of Mickey Mouse. Make sure to order these in advance. If you wind up in Disneyland, this is by far the best way to dine (unless the kids demand a character meal at the Enchanted Garden in the hotel’s lower level).

One of the best in the city, this Cantonese restaurant is known for its traditional menu embellished with nouvelle liberties. The restaurant is also loved for its elegant harborside location, which has recently been refurbished into an even sleeker space. In this gorgeous setting, enjoy signature dishes such as sautéed crystal king prawns and fried rice with minced beef and greens.

The street stalls of Hong Kong are filled with interesting snacks of all shapes and sorts. The intrepid should trek over to Delicious Food for the infamous stinky tofu.

The dim sum menu here goes beyond common Cantonese morsels like har gau (steamed shrimp dumplings), embracing dishes more popular in the north, including chili prawn dumplings, Beijing onion cakes, and various steamed buns. Decadent dim sum options, such as abalone pastries, are particularly popular, but also extremely pricey. Lunch reservations are not taken, so there’s always a long line, especially on weekends. Arrive early, or admire the antique Chinese decor while you wait.

Hidden away near the old Jordan pier, this little sit-down restaurant has excellent dim sum without the insane queues that plague its more famous competitors. That’s not to say that it doesn’t get packed during mealtimes; thankfully, the venue stays open until 1 am, so you can sneak in for a late-night dinner when the crowds have dissipated. While it does all the classics, it’s the newfangled house creations that are really worth trying. We love the crispy shrimp rice-flour rolls drizzled with soy sauce. The chefs also do black-truffle crab dumplings and golden pastries filled with a combination of apples and cha siu pork.

Originally from Taiwan, this global restaurant chain is most famous for its expertly made dumplings. The place is serious about its craft—each dumpling is made from a specified amount of dough and kneaded to a uniform thinness to ensure maximum quality control. The signature steamed xiao long bao dumplings arrive piping hot at the table, filled with delectable fatty pork and slurpfuls of flavorful broth. Anyone with a sweet tooth should try the taro-paste dumpling. The excellent food is paired with VIP treatment from the friendly staff, making Din Tai Fung completely worthy of its immense popularity.

This ultracool wine bar and restaurant serves small plates for casual snacking and mixed platters ideal for sharing. Not surprisingly, it’s popular with the drinks-after-work crowd. But don’t underestimate the food: the tuna tartare with avocado, for starters, is delicious. You can also enjoy cheese and charcuterie for snacking purposes or create your own tapas platter. Gorgonzola and black-truffle penne or lobster linguine with fresh tomatoes are among the best mains. DiVino also stays open for revelry late into the evening.

Located along a stretch of semi-alfresco eateries known as Brim 28 (named after its waterside location on 28 Harbour Road), DiVino Patio touts rustic, homestyle Italian fare to match its laid-back surroundings. The expansive space is designed like a retro grocery store, and you can purchase gourmet condiments, salumi, and cheeses to enjoy on the go. For eat-in orders, try any of the hand-tossed pizzas, or go for one of the succulent selections from the rotisserie. The spit-roasted Vallespluga game hen is exceptional, with tender meat and crispy skin. The restaurant also has an excellent lunchtime antipasti buffet matched with a rotating choice of mains.

This buzzing Chinese restaurant specializes in Beijing and Huaiyang cuisine and draws a following for its upscale atmosphere and its stellar appetizers (try the smoked eggs and crispy eel), hand-cut noodles, traditional Peking duck, and award-winning combo dishes such as wok-fried crabmeat, rock lobster, and salted egg yolk served on rice crackers.

Art and food come together in this beautiful two-story establishment, which encompasses a bar, garden terrace, and dining room. The interiors are sophisticated yet inviting, making the perfect backdrop for the year-round art exhibitions hosted at the restaurant. But Duddell’s isn’t just a feast for the eyes—the Cantonese cuisine here is solid and satisfying and has garnered plenty of praise from locals and visitors alike. Signature items include crispy salted chicken and fried lobster with scallions and shallots. The dim sum lunch here is also quite popular and includes creative dishes like egg-white dumplings with shrimp and caviar.

Dining on haute Cantonese cuisine at this stunning restaurant with panoramic views over Victoria Harbour is a memorable experience. The chefs here are famed for adapting family-style recipes into elegant dishes, and the service is impeccable yet friendly. The menu changes with the seasons and leans heavily toward fresh seafood, though the barbecued pork is also a must-try. With its high ceilings, old-world charm, and laid-back tempo, Dynasty is one of the rare top-notch restaurants where you can comfortably linger over a meal.

Unlike some of the more common Japanese eateries, Rakuen serves authentic Okinawan cuisine. Start with the umi-budo—an interesting variety of sea kelp shaped like bunches of grapes (the bubble-like appearance has also won it its “green caviar” nickname). Other regional specialties include the homemade peanut tofu, which, despite the name, is not a tofu dish but a gelatinized mixture of peanuts that has a chewy but firm texture and discerning nutty flavor, which is drawn out by a drizzling of soy sauce. Okinawan ingredients—such as bitter gourd and squid-ink noodles—are found throughout the menu, and the melt-in-the-mouth grilled ox tongue is a definite must-order.

Dundas Street in Mong Kok is filled with street vendors. The Fei Jie Snacks Stall is one of the best, with its dizzying selection of skewered choices ranging from chewy squid to duck gizzard to pig intestine (best eaten with a squirt of mustard).

This Philippe Starck–designed, preposterously fashionable scene atop the Peninsula boasts breathtaking floor-to-ceiling views of Hong Kong. The dinner menu is equally stunning, and while rooted in European cooking, includes bright Asian touches as demonstrated by items such as the grilled beef tenderloin with miso powder. The “Felix Experience” menu features some of the chef’s most creative dishes and changes on a regular basis. The food here is generally good, but expect it to be quite pricey. Many people come just for cocktails or to try out the most celebrated restroom in Asia—the views across Tsim Sha Tsui are superior to those in the restaurant itself. Note that sleeveless shirts and shorts are not allowed for men.

The name stands for Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and these Nordic countries are from where the restaurant draws its inspiration. Finnish chef Jaakko Sorsa explores the flavors of his home country with dishes such as house-smoked salmon and wild game pâté served with rowanberry jelly. The menu expands from there to cover other parts of Scandinavia; be sure to try the Danish smørrebrød open-faced sandwiches and the Daim parfait—a crunchy, sticky, layered dessert based on a popular Swedish chocolate bar. Another reason to love FINDS? The restaurant is a firm supporter of eco-conscious eating, and you'll find seafood specials on the menu that have been sustainably sourced.

As its name suggests, this restaurant goes back to the basics by focusing on a few key ingredients. Everything that passes through the kitchen is top grade, whether it’s the fresh homemade tagliatelle with chicken and truffle emulsion, or the whole roasted Italian sea bass with fennel. Dishes are categorized into small or large plates, but everything is designed to share. Fish & Meat offers decent cocktails, but if you’re serious about your drinks, check out its sister bar, Stockton, which is located below the restaurant.

The Hong Kong outpost of Shanghai’s popular restaurant is showy, with a snow-white interior decked out with designer chairs and fiberglass animal figurines. On the food side of things, authentic tapas share menu space with creatively contemporary Spanish dishes. Ibérico ham served with tomato bread, sautéed prawns with garlic, and chilled tomato gazpacho represent the classics, and they’re certainly well executed, but the modern dishes offer much more excitement. Scallop ceviche, for instance, is laid on a bed of creamy avocados and topped with crispy shallots, while braised beef cheek is served with bananas and passion fruit. The paellas are also worth trying, whether steeped in the flavors of Boston lobster or bathed in jet-black squid ink.

This culinary gem does modern-fusion cuisine without any pretentious gimmicks. The food is well thought out and expertly executed in a constantly changing, market-driven menu. Reasonably priced set lunch and dinner menus are available, but the tasting menu (six or eight courses) is the way to go. Sunday brunch here is legendary, and requires booking several weeks ahead. The food is paired with friendly and attentive service.

The concept at this trendy restaurant is a re-creation of Rome’s Spanish Steps, complete with alfresco seating. The restaurant is particularly popular with the business crowd, many of whom come especially for the excellent antipasti buffet. The authentic pan-Italian fare includes wide pappardelle noodles in rabbit ragout, beef carpaccio with mustard and peppercorns, and the signature thin-crust pizzas topped with everything from hot salami and mozzarella cheese to fresh arugula with prosciutto.

This was one of the first Indian restaurants on the Hong Kong dining scene, and the atmosphere is still intimate and fun, especially on nights when there's live music. The food is packed with authentic spices, and there's an extensive menu for vegetarians. The chowpatty chaat is a winning combination of potatoes, chickpeas, and crisp wafers in a spicy dressing, and the chicken tikka masala is almost legendary. Lamb dishes are also done well, especially those in fragrant curry sauce, perfect for scooping up with bits of naan bread, or for spooning over plates of fragrant basmati rice. The restaurant also offers several lunch and dinner menus at excellent value.

One of the best Korean restaurants in town, Go Koong covers extensive ground, from raw meats and seafood that are cooked sizzling on the tabletop grills, to kimchi stews and thick pancakes studded with shrimp, squid, and scallions. The complimentary banchans (appetizers) are a feast in themselves, with more than 10 different items available every day. Order the smoked duck-breast salad to start before moving on to more substantial fare such as the tender beef ribs steamed in whole pumpkin. If you still have room at the end of the meal, remember to try the patbingsoo—a giant bowl of crunchy shaved ice laced with sweetened red beans and fresh fruit.

The menu here is inspired by the multicultural flavors chef Harlan Goldstein grew up with while living in New York. Italian preparations take precedence, but you’ll also find things like salmon crudo with a citrus dressing and crispy falafel served with tahini. The handcrafted pastas are easy favorites, but if you’re in the mood to feast, go for the 38-ounce fiorentina (steak Florentine style, designed for two) with a side of black-truffle mash. Gold also has a great wine selection, and you can always enjoy a glass on the restaurant’s open-air terrace.