164 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong, China

You can identify Lab Made by the large crowd that’s usually gathered in front of the store. They come for the super-smooth, house-spun ice cream, which is made using liquid nitrogen. The freezing process takes only a minute, which is why everything can be made to order using the freshest ingredients. There are usually only a handful of flavors to choose from, and the menu changes on a weekly basis. If available, go for one of the Hong Kong–inspired flavors, such as bean-curd pudding or sweet red-bean soup.

Foodies were understandably excited when this iconic French patisserie set up shop in Hong Kong. Its pastel-colored macarons come in a rainbow of flavors, such as classic rose and sea-salt caramel. You can enjoy these delectable confections in the sit-down tearoom, or take them to go in one of the gorgeous pastry boxes.

Visit this outdoor stall for authentic Chinese desserts. Sweet soups made with red bean or ground black sesame are served in both hot and chilled versions. Warmed, chewy, glutinous rice balls heaped with sugar, crushed peanuts, and desiccated coconut are messy but delicious.

Bubble-shaped egg waffles are a local specialty in Hong Kong, and Lee Keung Kee offers a delicious version. The waffles here are crisp on the outside but soft and cottony on the inside.

This two-level restaurant and bar serves modern American food with fine-dining execution and finesse. The menu offers small sharing plates and includes refined yet hearty creations such as crabmeat and chorizo mac and cheese, or buttermilk-fried cornish hen served with organic honey. The team behind Liberty Exchange also runs a reservations-only kitchen near Lan Kwai Fong called Liberty Private Works, which offers a more personal (and more expensive) experience.

Enjoy American comfort fare at this Prohibition Era–style restaurant and bar. The upper level—Lily—serves assorted late-night bar bites and classic cocktails made with premium spirits. For a more formal dining experience, head downstairs to Bloom and enjoy catchy Cotton Club tunes and hearty dishes such as Iberico pork chop and hickory-smoked skirt steak. The kitchen at Lily & Bloom stays open until late at night, making this a popular snacking pit stop for Central’s party crowd.

Off Sai Kung’s main drag, this hidden gem stands out as one of the finer seafood joints for those in the know. Unlike its big and boisterous competitors, this tiny store has no flashy fish tanks outside and the number of seats is extremely limited, so it’s best to book in advance. The food, however, is a cut above the rest. Try the fish soup—a milky-white broth with a hint of sweetness. There’s also the famous deep-fried abalone dusted in chili and salt. Aside from seafood, Loaf On also serves an amazing deep-fried tofu dish that’s crisp and golden on the outside and silken, soft, and supple in the center.

The giant tropical-fish tank at the entrance sets the scene, and, as the name suggests, lobster is the featured ingredient on the menu. It’s whipped into soups, served as appetizers, and presented in full glory in numerous entrées. The lobster bisque is creamy yet light, with great chunks of meat at the bottom. The seafood platter—Boston lobster, seasonal oysters, Alaskan crab, prawns, and fresh clams—doesn’t disappoint. If you prefer your shellfish cooked, go for the lobster thermidor or a simple steamed preparation. With a vibe that is at once formal and cozy, the restaurant is also great for before- or after-dinner drinks at the bar and features live jazz performances Monday to Saturday evening.

Hidden inside the famous Stanley Market, this warm, intimate eatery is rarely discovered by tourists. You may feel like you’ve walked into someone’s house when you enter the dining room, but Lucy’s is a professionally run restaurant offering excellent home-cooked dishes made from the freshest ingredients. The menu has a Mediterranean slant and often features light salads and grilled meats or fish. Desserts, especially the pecan pudding, are not to be missed. More upscale than most of the beachside restaurants in Stanley, and with lots more character, Lucy’s is a perfect end to a relaxed day browsing in the market, and easily your best bet in Stanley.

Dubbed Little Thailand, Kowloon City is home to some of the best Thai restaurants in town. Lung Jie is one of the more popular choices, and for good reason—the food is excellent and the flavors are authentic. The extensive menu covers all the basics, from stir-fried pad thai noodles to hot-and-sour tom yum soup. For something a little more adventurous, try the raw prawns, which are topped with garlic and chilies and served with a deliciously spicy dipping sauce on the side.

Inspired by New York’s 2nd Avenue Deli, with a gleaming tiled interior to match, Main St. Deli introduced traditional Big Apple neighborhood favorites to Hong Kong and found immediate popularity with visitors and locals alike. It continues to make lunch favorites such as pastrami on rye and hot corned-beef sandwiches. Reuben sandwiches and matzo-ball soup satisfy homesick New Yorkers. On the drinks side, kids can indulge in the wide variety of milk shakes, while the grown-ups enjoy the selection of American microbrews.

Mak’s may look like any other Hong Kong noodle shop, but this tiny storefront is one of the best known in town, with a reputation that belies its humble decor. The real test of a good Cantonese noodle shop, however, is its wontons, and here they’re fresh, delicate, and filled with whole shrimp.

The guys at Mana! have come up with the concept of “fast slow food”—a convenient and eco-conscious mode of eating that’s good for the body and the environment. Utensils and containers are all biodegradable, while the menu brims with plant-based dishes prepared from sustainable organic produce sourced from local farms. Enjoy mixed salads, veggie burgers, and good-for-you shakes and juices. The main attractions are the flatbreads, which are freshly baked in Mana’s brick oven. They’re spread with za’atar (a Middle East herb-and-spice mix), then topped with hearty items like roasted veggies, garlic mayo, or hummus. Saving the planet never tasted so delicious.

For a dose of Indian and Nepalese food, head to Manakamana. The restaurant serves the essentials, like brightly colored curries and meat-filled steamed momo dumplings, as well as plenty of vegetarian options. There's also a decent selection of South Asian beers. Nepalese music completes the atmosphere.

This famous dining room at the Mandarin Oriental mixes old-school elegance with chef Uwe Opocensky’s progressive gastronomical creations. While the menu sounds straightforward at first, the actual dishes appear like works of art, with plenty of playful flourishes. Perfectly cooked meats are served on plates shaped like giant cookbooks, while the restaurant’s famous “flower pot” salad is composed of organic greens arranged in edible soil. It’s no wonder that this restaurant has remained a firm fine-dining favorite with the city’s discerning foodies.

This eatery has won rave reviews since the first outlet opened in Bangkok. The Hong Kong branch lives up to its predecessor's reputation and boasts a winning formula of designer decor, friendly service, and tasty, refined takes on authentic regional Thai dishes. You can start with char-grilled pork neck before moving on to one of the spicy-and-sweet soups or salads. We also recommend the herb-laden duck and lamb curries, as well as a stir-fried noodle dish to anchor the meal.

Pui O is famous for its beautiful beach, but not for its dining scene. This seaside restaurant, however, aims to change that by combining a laid-back surfer’s attitude with a reverence for top-quality cooking. Locally sourced ingredients feature heavily on the menu, which includes house-ground burgers and nachos made with pork wontons instead of tortilla chips. The restaurant also serves regionally brewed ales and cocktails designed to beat the summer heat.

Come to Mian for the Chinese pappardelle—flat egg noodles that are great for holding thick, flavorful sauces. Enjoy these noodles tossed in sweet soy sauce and topped with plum-flavored spareribs and preserved vegetables. The restaurant also serves Taiwanese-style “QQ” noodles, which are made from potato starch and have a springy, al dente bite. If you’re up for it, order a side of crunchy pig’s ears to go with your bowl of noodles.

This old-school cha chaan teng (local café) has plenty of charm, since the decor hasn’t changed much since the ’60s. Although prices have gone up somewhat over time, the food still draws plenty of loyal fans. Try the famous baked-pork-chop rice or enjoy a slice of crispy French toast with a cup of milk tea.

Named after a convenience store that was once at the heart of New York’s Chinatown district, Mott 32 embraces the East-meets-West identity that pervaded early immigrant communities. This is duly reflected in the interior design, which marries Imperial Chinese furnishings with grungy industrial elements. The menu offers classic Cantonese, Beijing, and Sichuan recipes prepared with modern inflections. Expect only the finest ingredients in dishes from barbecued Iberico pork cha siu to crab and caviar xiao long bao dumplings. Be sure to try one of the Asian-inspired cocktails, such as the whisky-based Old Harbor flavored with goji berries and chrysanthemum.

This izakaya offers plate upon plate of yakitori and kushiyaki (Japanese-style skewered and grilled items) in a decidely relaxed atmosphere. The ox tongue is exceptional—succulent, soft, and flavored with just the right amount of salt. Kushiyaki staples, such as chicken wings and shiitake mushrooms, are also excellent. Nightly specials are displayed on a chalkboard. And in true izakaya fashion, Nan Tei offers a well-ranging sake list to accompany the bite-sized noshes. This is a great place for a casual Japanese meal with good food and a couple of drinks.

Head chef Nurdin Topham has made it his mission to bring what he calls "nourishing gastronomy" to Hong Kong. His food—which is heavily influenced by Scandinavian cooking techniques—places emphasis on taste, nutrition, and sustainable eating. Ingredients are sourced from local farms whenever possible and are used in the restaurant’s two tasting menus. Dishes are tweaked regularly to reflect the season’s freshest produce, but dishes like heirloom tomatoes with king crab or Taiyouran egg with whole grains and shiitake mushrooms have become house favorites.

It’s hard to say what’s more impressive at the Grand Hyatt’s Cantonese showpiece—the interior design (two terraced levels boasting an incredible sense of space and motion), or the view over the harbor from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Unlike many harborside establishments, though, you don’t need a window seat to catch the view. And the cuisine is traditional but excellent—order one of the signature barbecued meats and don’t be afraid to splurge on seafood. The restaurant offers a wine-pairing menu and there’s also a knowledgeable sommelier on hand to provide pairing suggestions for specific dishes.

This place flies under the radar, but it does excellent, home-style Italian fare in a sophisticated yet relaxed and inviting environment. The traditional cuisine has won over many homesick Italian expats. The pizzas and pastas are done with respect to classic recipes—the recommended spaghetti mancini is a satisfyingly hearty dish loaded with fresh seafood and a brandy reduction. Starters also hold their own—the beef carpaccio is tender and flavorful, and the other favorite starter, octopus salad, uses dill and olives to bring out its flavors.

Against the romantic backdrop of Hong Kong’s twinkling harbor, this is the top spot in town for oyster lovers. More than 20 varieties are flown in daily and displayed around the horseshoe oyster bar, ready for shucking. The staff cheerfully explains the characteristics of the available mollusks and guides you to ones to suit your taste. Also on the menu is an excellent lobster bisque, as well as clams, mussels, crab, and fish in various preparations. The Dungeness crab cake is another standout, made with sweet and succulently delicious crabmeat. Wine aficionados are also spoiled for choice here, with the extensive wine selection that lines the walls.

Opened by one of Hong Kong’s best-known pastry chefs, this takeaway bakery offers a gorgeous collection of classic and original French-style gâteaux. The most famous creation here is the Rose—an elaborate layer cake decorated with edible chocolate petals. If you don’t want to splurge on this signature creation (or if it sells out by the time you arrive), consider equally tasty treats like the green-tea opera, raspberry napoleon, or lemon tart.

For western-style treats, head to Petite Amanda, opened by model-turned-pastry-chef Amanda Strang. The sweets shop sells traditional French cakes and pastries such as the layered hazelnut-and-chocolate plaisir sucré.

This cozy bistro stands out as a true gem in a neighborhood dominated by quick-bite eateries and cheap food stalls. Diners can choose between the two- or three-course menu, which features a short but solid selection of classic French dishes. Hearty options range from escargot in garlicky butter to beef bourguignon and the traditional apple tarte tatin. Given the quality of the food, prices are extremely reasonable for both lunch and dinner.

From atop the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Restaurant Petrus scales the upper Hong Kong heights of prestige, formality, and price. This is one of the city’s few flagship hotel restaurants that has not attempted to reinvent itself as fusion—sometimes traditional French haute cuisine is the way to go.

Opened by the acclaimed Sabatini restaurateur brothers, this small corner of Italy with sponge-painted walls and wooden furnishings has a cult following among those who crave authentic Roman cuisine. Linguine Sabatini, the house specialty, is prepared according to an original recipe in a fresh tomato-and-garlic marinara sauce, served with an array of seafood. For dessert, try the famous homemade tiramisu or the refreshing wild-berry pudding.