150 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong, China

Hullett House—the former marine police headquarters turned into a boutique hotel—was designed with maxed-out luxury in mind, so it’s to be expected that its signature fine-dining French restaurant would be a no-expenses-spared venture. The restaurant is decked out in colonial era–inspired duds, complete with chandeliers and comfy leather sofas. But while the decor pays homage to days gone by, the cuisine is modern, creative, and totally inspired. Guests can look forward to dishes such as tomatoes served eight ways with black garlic, basil, and olive-oil “caviar.” Two tasting menus (four or six courses) are available for those who want the full St. George experience.

This restaurant, with its lively, informal atmosphere and gleaming harbor views, serves the best steak in the city. You can choose from among 10 steak knives and more than a dozen mustards and rock salts—gimmicky, but fun—but the main event is the perfectly cooked, char-grilled meats. The selection is extensive, including wagyu from Japan, herb-crusted tenderloin from Argentina, the restaurant's own dry-aged beef, and other delicious cuts flown in from the United States—and all of it is lovingly seared on the grill. There isn’t a jacket-and-tie policy, but note that shorts, sleeveless shirts, and open shoes are not allowed for gentlemen.

Tucked away on a quiet street across from the famed Blue House, Stone Nullah Tavern serves new American cuisine that revolves around locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but you’ll always find unabashedly hearty offerings such as cheddar mac and cheese and the notorious "fat kid cake" (essentially four desserts mixed into one). Adventurous diners will enjoy the wide selection of offal-centric dishes, including crispy pig’s head, tripe “fries,” and chicken liver dip served with homemade potato chips.

Uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), o-toro (the fattiest of fatty tuna) . . . if these dishes make you drool, then make a beeline for Sushi Hiro, hidden in an office building but quite possibly the best place in town for raw fish. Dinner can be pricey, but lunch sees some fantastic deals.

Helmed by veteran chef Satoshi Sase (who hails from the much-lauded Sushi Zen in Hokkaido, Japan), this high-caliber Japanese restaurant offers some of the freshest fish in town set against a tranquil and sophisticated setting. Omakase is the way to go here, which means you leave your meal in the hands of the chefs, allowing them to dictate the menu according to the best ingredients of the day. The omakase menu is designed according to the seasons and usually consists of sashimi, appetizers, and a wide array of nigiri sushi.

This place started out as a one-table private kitchen in a quiet Wan Chai neighborhood. Due to popular demand, chef-owner Esther Sham moved to a much larger location. Decked out like a chic Parisian apartment, the newer space accommodates 48 guests. There are seven different menus from which to choose, ranging from the Japanese-inspired meal to the Shanghai-style dinner. The latter includes the famous not-so-Shanghainese foie gras dumplings. Wine connoisseurs can also take advantage of the extensive selection at Hip Cellar next door.

This popular bakery was supposed to shut down for good, but there was such an outcry that not only did it remain open, it expanded to include outlets all across the city. It sells all sorts of packaged and oven-fresh baked goods. The egg tarts, with their buttery crust and custardy-rich centers, are the main scene stealers, but the thin and crunchy egg biscuit rolls are also popular. Other local delicacies include sugar-dusted Chinese doughnuts.

If you’ve made your way out to Tai O, this gorgeous glass-roofed restaurant is a great place to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea or dinner. Formerly the Tai O Police Station, the historic building has been lovingly refurbished, and the restored colonial decor includes authentic wooden furnishings. The menu is short, sweet, and eclectic, offering a mix of Asian and western dishes. Be sure to try the Tai O–inspired items, such as the fried rice and crispy pork-chop bun with shrimp paste.

This is one of the oldest restaurants in Hong Kong, and also one of the first places to serve “soy sauce” Hong Kong–style western cuisine. The decor, staff, and menu seem to have remained unchanged since day one, adding to the nostalgic charm of the place. Steaks are served to dramatic effect on sizzling iron plates and brought to the table by waiters clad in waistcoats. Other menu highlights include the baked Portuguese chicken, the near-perfect stir-fried rice noodles with beef (a classic Hong Kong dish), chicken wings doused in "Swiss sauce" (which has no real Swiss associations), and the enormous baked soufflé that takes 20 minutes to prepare and at least three people to devour.

Chinese herbal teas are served by the bowlful at this Temple Street institution. Some of the bittersweet beverages may not be to everyone’s taste, but most of them—such as the five-flower tea—are said to have beneficial medicinal properties and are especially refreshing on a hot day.

This popular tapas bar is bigger than the original in SoHo, and has a fabulous harborside location, which adds to the laid-back vibe. Authentic Spanish dishes, including ham croquettes and sautéed mushrooms with sherry, are perfect for sharing over glasses of wine. The crispy pork belly is particularly delicious. Tapeo also offers hearty paellas studded with meat and seafood.

For a perfect warm-weather treat, drop by Tong Pak Fu for the Taiwanese-style shaved snow ice. Blocks of flavored ice (chocolate, milk, fruit, and many others) are put into a special machine that shaves them into thin, ribbonlike sheets that fold up into a mountainous heap. The texture is richer and denser than regular shaved ice. This store also offers other Chinese desserts, including red-bean soup and sesame-filled dumplings.

This restaurant specializes in tonkatsu—pork cutlets that are dipped in panko and deep-fried. When it’s done right, as it is here, the pork is crispy on the outside but remains tender and juicy on the inside. The fillet is sliced up and served with an appetizing, tangy sauce, and goes perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

Stuck high up the clouds on the 102nd floor of the towering International Commerce Center, the views at Tosca can be hit-or-miss, depending on how clear the skies are on the day you visit. Fortunately, you’ll be preoccupied with the stunning interiors (complete with pretty fountains) and incredible culinary creations. The menu boasts creative Italian fare like sea tiramisu with red-prawn carpaccio, roasted scallops, caviar, and parsley pasta. There’s also a degustation menu for those who want a taste of Tosca’s finest. Note that sandals, sleeveless shirts, and shorts are not allowed for men.

If you have a delicate constitution, take a pass on this home-style Cantonese restaurant. Tso Choi (which literally translates as “rough dishes”) is not everyone’s cup of tea. Offal lovers, however, might be interested in trying some of the house favorites: fried pig tripe, fried pig brain (served as an omelet), double-boiled pig brain—you get the idea. The older Hong Kong generation still likes this stuff; younger folks may demur. The wary can opt for creamy congee, fried chicken, or simple stir-fries.

Finding a hearty meal in Central doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune—especially not if you head to this famous 24-hour eatery. Join the locals and the late-night party crowd and order milk tea, then move on to the extensive menu, which ranges from toasted sandwiches to noodles, fried rice, and Malaysian curries. Although it’s not quite what typical Hong Kongers would make at home, this definitely qualifies as Chinese comfort food. Noodles and fried rice are some of the safest bets for timid palates. There's also a wide range of set meals at very reasonable prices.

Lobsters, clams, abalone, crabs, prawns, fish, and everything else from the deep blue sea is here for the tasting on Sai Kung’s picturesque harbor. Crustaceans and fish are quickly cooked by steaming and wok frying, but are first presented whole, leaving no doubt as to the freshness of your food. A quick look inside the tank is like a lesson in marine biology. Pick your favorites, and leave the rest to the chef.

Cool and sophisticated, this restaurant is a labor of love for Philippe Orrico, a protégé of revolutionary chef Pierre Gagniare. Though classically trained in French cuisine, Orrico takes inspiration from all around the globe.

From the well-spaced tables overlooking the bay to the unobtrusive service to the menu of delicious classics (think French onion soup, Dover sole meunière, and tournedos Rossini), this is an unabashedly regal experience that delivers with finesse at every turn. The beautiful colonial setting is also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea.

At the Mira Hotel’s flagship restaurant, seasonal ingredients are turned into creative European dishes designed to impress. The famous suckling pig arrives with a layer of melt-in-your-mouth meat covered in a sheet of deliciously crispy skin—this is one dish worth trying. Be sure to save room for the flaky apple tart. Aside from à la carte options, the restaurant offers a 6- to 10-course degustation menu inspired by global flavors and ingredients. Another bonus is the extensive wine list, which features some of the world’s finest vintages at incredibly reasonable prices.

This restaurant serves good Shanghainese fare at reasonable prices. The signature xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are great, and the honey ham with crispy bean-curd skin wrapped in soft bread is delicious and authentic. Be sure to try the tofu dumpling—a unique dish that has mixed greens enveloped in thin sheets of silken bean curd. (This requires advance ordering.) We also recommend the Shanghai-style doughnut on the dessert menu—it’s a deep-fried sphere of whipped and fluffy egg whites stuffed with red bean and bananas. The restaurant also offers several great-value set menus.

A hidden gem in this always-bustling neighborhood, Xenri D’zen follows a strict philosophy of seasonal eating that’s inspired by Japan’s traditional kaiseki formal dining. The experience is interpreted in a modern manner without detracting from the quality of the food. The multicourse menu usually includes the season’s freshest sashimi and sushi, followed by various cooked dishes. The prices aren’t necessarily cheap, but a meal here will cost less than most other Japanese restaurants of a similar caliber.

This Cantonese restaurant in the InterContinental Hong Kong sets formal elegance against expansive harbor views, and the food is at the top of its class. Exquisite is hardly the word for the decor, which mixes contemporary with the traditional and encompasses gorgeous details like jade-colored place settings. Dim sum is done well here during lunch, and if you’re looking for more extravagant dishes, there’s a vast selection of seafood that includes seasonal crab, poached lobster, and sea whelk. Some dishes, like Peking duck, need to be ordered at least a day ahead. Note that sleeveless shirts, shorts, and sandals are not allowed for men.

This bustling Sheung Wan eatery is one of the hottest places to eat. Chef-owner Matt Abergel plates perfectly cooked yakitori (Japanese-style grilled chicken) as well as a repertoire of salads and small plates designed for sharing.

This restaurant channels the nostalgia of Old Shanghai with its old-fashioned furnishings and classic regional cuisine. The dumplings are excellent, especially the steamed xiao long bao dumplings filled with tender pork and broth. Entrées include pork knuckle in sweet soy sauce, or braised meatballs (called “lion’s head”). For dessert, try the Shanghai staple: deep-fried egg white stuffed with banana and mashed red-bean paste.

Expect to wait in line if you want to try the famed milk desserts from Yee Shun Milk Company. The velvety-smooth, double-boiled milk pudding is rich and comforting. The ginger-flavored milk pudding has a nice spicy kick, making it the perfect stomach warmer—a must-try if you’re visiting Hong Kong in the wintertime. Chocolate and coffee puddings are also available.

This is one of Hong Kong’s most popular Sichaun restaurants, and the chefs are generous with the spices in dishes like the signature crispy chicken with red chilies and peppercorns. Sliced Mandarin fish with crispy soybean crumbs is another classic. For something with a little less heat but still equally delicious, go for the house-smoked duckling or hand-cut noodles served in a flavorful broth. To end your meal, choose from traditional sweets or newfangled creations like chocolate-and-chili ice cream.

Close to Hong Kong’s famous nightlife and dining district of Lan Kwai Fong, Yung Kee has been a local institution since it first opened as a food stall in 1942. The food is authentic Cantonese, served amid riotous decor and writhing gold dragons.

A laid-back beachfront dining terrace and an extensive international menu make this one of the best outdoor restaurants in Hong Kong. Perched on the Discovery Bay promenade a 25-minute ferry ride from Central, the sea and beach views alone are easily worth the trip. Signature dishes include deep-fried calamari and grilled baby back ribs. Pizzas and pastas also share the spotlight with Asian and Mexican favorites. Come early to enjoy the great beach, and stay to catch a free view of nearby Disneyland’s nightly fireworks display. If you spend more than HK$100, you get a free ferry ticket back to Central.

This funky izakaya has a hip but relaxed feel. The open kitchen serves up authentic Japanese fare with a modern twist, including miso-marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf. You can also enjoy jet-fresh fish from the sushi bar, as well as a range of innovative desserts. Another bonus is the outdoor balcony, which allows you to take in the surrounding Central night view.