Your Foodie’s Map Through Hong Kong

In a region packed with over 15,000 restaurants, cafes, and stalls, Hong Kong is a veritable paradise for those who love sampling flavors from around the world. No matter where you find yourself, there is some kind of culinary delight to be found.

That is why, as I wandered the roadways and districts of Hong Kong, I found myself amazed by the breadth of dining experiences found in every area. Here is a foodie’s map through Hong Kong:

Sai Ying Pun

A blend of old and new, Sai Ying Pun is sloping roads of traditional Hong Kong lifestyle mixed with a decent amount of gentrification. Next to tofu stalls, you will find craft beer bars, Italian, and KFC. The area is beautifully quirky and can sate your cravings, no matter what they are for.

I recommend taking a saunter along High Street, as it has ever-changing facades. Some of the mainstays include Craft Beer & Co., Flying Pig Bistro, and Ollies. Every place has amazing decor, decent seating, and menu items that range from healthy to deliciously naughty. Take Craft Beer & Co.’s perfectly fried fries with truffle dipping sauce.

Other notable streets include Third Street, for Potato Head, a great place for brunch, or Stack, a place with pancakes that come with eyebrow-raising (yet insanely tasty) toppings. People rave about the pulled pork.

Lan Kwai Fong

This raucous location is where expats, tourists, and locals go to have an amazing night out. There are over 90 restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the area, meaning whether you are looking for shooters, craft beer, or wine, you are going to find it in Lan Kwai Fong.

The top recommendations are Tokio Joe, Sushi Kuu, Brickhouse, Casa Lisboa, and SOUVLA Greek restaurant. Have your camera at the ready, too, because you never know when a famous Cantonese celebrity is going to wander by.

One of the main reasons you should check out Lan Kwai Fong is for the seasonal parties. Carnivals, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year are all celebrated here. Beer lovers will relish LKF’s renowned Beer and Music Fest, usually held at the end of July.

Wan Chai

There are two main eating locations in Wan Chai that deserve your attention: Starstreet Precinct and Queen’s Road East.

The Starstreet Precinct is comprised of Star Street, Moon Street, Wing Fung Street, and Sun Street. These four roads contain lifestyle stores and an array of upscale dining restaurants with international cuisine. Try St. Francis. St., a gallery and cafe with delectable baked goods and elegantly brewed espresso. Or seek out Wagyu Cafe for something heartier.

Queen’s Road East (QRE) is where antique shops, luxury brands, Western facades, and Chinese values all mesh into an astounding atmosphere. Here you will find The East, a collection of (oddly) European markets and Asian dining. But aside from that, look up.

Many of the dining options are on the loftiest floors of the buildings, meaning panoramic views of the night sky. Also look out for FUNtastic QRE Festival, which has food booths, wine tasting, and more.

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Kowloon City

A break away from the hotels, luxury dining, and restaurant chains. Kowloon City is a melting pot of international concepts sprinkled over homegrown Cantonese cooking. Asian specialties are in force here, so if you are craving Southeast Asian, Thai, Cantonese and Chiu Chow, you can find them here.

Many places are fairly inexpensive and family-owned, but if you do not have a good grasp of the language, you may have some difficulties. One of the best places is Lok Yuen Restaurant on the 3rd floor of the Kowloon City Municipal Services building. Lok Yuen has Hong Kong comfort food, like French toast and icy red bean milk, Beef Satay French Toast, and more.

There is a lot of creativity on the menu that you will enjoy. Or go for the modern coffee shop feel at Glady’s Estate Coffee at 6-8 Lion Rock Road. The cappuccino is to die for.

Tsim Sha Tsui

One of the reasons I love Tsim Sha Tsui is the multitude of Halal and Vegetarian restaurants to be found throughout the streets. Hong Kong is largely a carnivore’s dream, so when I stumbled upon all veg dining, like Branto South Indian on Lock Road, I thought I stumbled down a manhole into nirvana.

Even along Nathan road and around Tsim Sha Tsui East, you are going to find alfresco dining opportunities ranging from Cantonese, Italian, Korean (be sure to check out Kimberly Street for Seorae Restaurant), Japanese, Mexican, Irish, and more.

If you are looking for dim sum, Tsim Sha Tsui has a tourist-friendly location called Loong Yat Heen in Kowloon Hotel, 19-21 Nathan Road. You are going to pay a pretty penny, but the menu is translated, extensive, and full of delicacies.

Lamma Island

Though not reachable on foot, as you have to take a ferry (Central Pier 4), this pleasant little island is just 30 minutes away from downtown Hong Kong. Lamma Island is a unique blend of Western and Chinese lifestyle, where multicultural puts a spin on everything – even the food.

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But what you should go for is the famous seafood of Sok Kwu Wan. The tiny fishing village known as Sok Kwu Wan is basically houseboats and a row of restaurants built over the bay. Here, you can dine alfresco while feasting on fresh crab, prawns, squid, and fish, as well as steamed and braised vegetables.

Hong Kong is a dizzying spread of food. A smorgasbord of Asian and multicultural flavors. You will be astounded by just how much you can enjoy here, no matter your dietary restrictions.