The Best in Michelin Star Rated Dining in Hong Kong
Prepare for eclectic and extravagant eating in one of Asia’s most diverse destinations
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CategoryEat & Drink
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Written byDavid Duran
Hong Kong is a city full of indulgences, as evident by its impressive skyline—architects keep going higher and higher, creating over-the-top steel masterpieces. In this massive metropolis that makes New York City look small in comparison, visitors are being spoiled with world-class, high-end shopping literally on every corner, inside every mall and within most five-star hotels.
It’s easy to get turned around in the city if you are using designer name storefronts as a reference. It’s also an entertaining game to try to count how many Louis Vuitton stores you can see in one day of walking around the city center.
But beyond the shopping, Hong Kong is an epicenter for food … and the number of Michelin Star restaurants in one concentrated area is proof of that. With such high standards all around, chefs are stepping up their game and presenting menus that could be hung on a gallery wall—pure extravagance and beauty. Even the neighborhood restaurants—including the ones that have been there for generations, frequented by locals—are worth your time and dollars.
Hong Kong isn’t just a stopover city on your way through Asia. It’s a destination of its own. Come prepared—and hungry.
Stay. Eat. Repeat.
Many of Hong Kong’s best restaurants can be found in the city’s high-end hotels … five-star service with five-star dining, and in some cases Michelin stars too.
Tosca at The Ritz-Carlton
High ceilings, majestic chandeliers and stately fountains dominate this stylish dining room. Tosca’s innovative Italian menu features thrilling interpretations of the region’s notable cuisine as well as improved favorites. This is one of the many options inside the Ritz-Carlton, all of which rival one another. For after-dinner drinks, head upstairs (via elevator) to the world’s highest bar—way up in the clouds—for a spectacular view of the city (clouds permitting) as well as an ambience that’s incomparable. OZONE is the most celebrated rooftop sky bar in Hong Kong. International Commerce Ctr.,
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Lung King Heen at Four Seasons
The world’s first Chinese restaurant to be awarded the coveted Michelin three-star rating is located in one of Hong Kong’s most popular hotels (which also has one of the most amazing rooftop pools, with views of Victoria Harbour). Executive chef Chan Yan Tak leads the operation, including a team of regionally renowned chefs. Using the freshest local ingredients, Chef Chan expertly combines textures and flavors with his creative presentations that will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste buds.
8 Finance Street, Central
Felix at The Peninsula Hotel
Located within one of Hong Kong’s most prominent locations—inside the city’s oldest and most glamorous hotel—Felix offers spectacular views of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Renowned avant garde designer Philippe Starck is the mastermind behind this gem, inside The Peninsula tower on the 28th floor. Chef Yoshiharu Kaji pushes boundaries and shocks both the taste and visual senses with his creations.
Salisbury Road, Kowloon
KITCHEN at the W Hotel
This stylish and welcoming bistro was inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland, and it truly is magical. Expertly led by culinary director Alain Allaire, this spot is best known for its buffets: breakfast, lunch and dinner (there is an à la carte menu as well). “Bubbly Sunday Brunch” is among the most popular of the buffets. The seafood selection is drool-worthy; Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne is free-flowing.
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon
Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
One of the most visually impressive dining rooms in the city, the contemporary interpretation of French cuisine led by culinary director Richard Ekkebus has earned various awards—including two Michelin stars and the designation of being #20 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 2016. Chef Ekkebus uses his classical training and creativity to invent dishes to please even the fussiest of jaded palates. The combination of the restaurant’s cutting-edge style with inventive lighting provides a memorable setting for Amber’s coveted cuisine.
The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road, Central
Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Oriental
Hong Kong’s favorite watering hole for decades—50 years, to be exact—is almost as famous as the hotel itself. The cozy and classic bar rewards regulars with engraved silver tankards used to drink Captain’s Bar Beer by Young Master. But while sipping on this epic local craft beer, enjoy the lamb samosa and chicken tikka makhani—two staples of the bar which pair perfectly with the beer.
5 Connaught Road, Central
T’ang Court at The Langham
Only four Cantonese restaurants in the world are recipients of the Michelin three-star rating, and T’ang Court is one of them. Reflecting the timelessness of China’s golden age, the restaurant’s décor is represented by lavish furnishings amidst authentic Cantonese culinary masterpieces. This legendary Cantonese restaurant will satisfy every craving while creating new food taste desires.
8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Can’t-Miss Legacy Options
Sometimes going old school can be beneficial, especially when it comes to these three coveted spots.
Kung Lee
Sixty years later, and three generations deep, this unsuspecting corner store has been quenching the thirst of locals and don’t expect it to ever change. Hand-making sugarcane juice each day, Kung Lee also tempts their loyal customers with gelatin-like squares of the juice—so popular now that Uber Eats stops by multiple times per day to deliver the squares around town.
60 Hollywood Road, Central
Tai Cheong Bakery
Established in 1954 and now a popular chain, when it comes to desserts this brand is a Hong Kong staple. The traditional bakery is best known for its egg tarts—arguably produces the best tarts in the city. Egg tarts, by the way, are among the top five most popular snacks in Hong Kong, so earning the reputation of having the best isn’t something they take lightly.
35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Lan Fong Yuen
Founded in 1952, this is one of Hong Kong’s most historic cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants). It started out in the style of a dai pai dong—an open-air food stall, which is increasingly rare now in the city. The main operation is inside a building, but its classic green stall is still visited by crowds of loyalists and spectators each day. Lan Fong Yuen is said to be the origin of classic local beverages yuan yang and stocking milk tea.
2 Gage St, Central
Hip Hangouts in Old Town Central
Old Town Central, which really isn’t a district but more of an area with imaginary borders, lies in the heart of central Hong Kong. A mixture of old and new is carefully scattered throughout Old Town.
Reserva Ibérica
Because who doesn’t love perfectly cured ham? The founder, Manuel Lopez, grew up in a family that lived and breathed ham—as in they had a retail shop. He’s taken all that soaked-up information and brought it to Hong Kong. An expert in the selection process, he only picks the most premium quality meat and oversees the curing process using premium sea salt. The ham shop is a fun place to experience some of the options. Shop C, G/F, 15 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan
Craftissimo
It was only about five years ago that finding a decent beer in Hong Kong was something of a challenge, aside from the few bars that sold Belgian Brews. The passion and desire to change all of that is evident in Hong Kong’s first beer shop. Rated “top destination for craft beer in Hong Kong” for three years in a row, Craftissimo and its 280+ types of beers from the best breweries in the world—including new, local ones—may not serve food, but it does provide some really great outdoor seating where one can thoroughly enjoy a tall cold one.
Shop D, G/F, 22-24 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan
Canto VI May Be in Chatsworth but the Wines Make It worth the Drive
Food is pretty darn good, too.