By now, it probably won’t surprise you that I often choose my travel destinations based on their reputation for great food. So when I recently decided to spend five days in Hong Kong, my preparation mainly consisted of compiling a long list of restaurants and cafes to visit.
For foodies, Hong Kong is a fantastic city. The best dim sum, affordable Michelin-starred restaurants, and a wide range of trendy hotspots as well as traditional Hong Kong cafes where time seems to have stood still.
Are you heading to Hong Kong soon and looking for places to eat? Then this article with my personal top 10 of best restaurants in Hong Kong will definitely help you out.
1. Ho Lee Fook
There’s no specific order in this top 10 Hong Kong restaurants, but I do want to start with my number one: Ho Lee Fook. According to the super friendly staff, the name is mostly made up (‘fook’ means good fortune), but I think it’s brilliantly chosen. Just say it out loud.
By chance, I overheard a couple of tourists enthusiastically talking about their experience at this restaurant. “It’s a vibe,” was their conclusion, and I completely agree.
At the entrance, a gigantic fortune cookie greets you, and as you walk down the stairs into the restaurant, you pass a wall filled with gold-colored waving cats (Maneki-Neko).
Inside, it’s dimly lit with dark red walls, carpeted floors, and cozy seating. It feels Chinese, but with Western 80s music playing in the background.
The (female) head chef is from Hong Kong but has worked in Singapore and Melbourne for years, incorporating those influences into the Cantonese dishes on the menu.
The portions are meant for sharing, but that doesn’t stop me. I can’t quite finish the ‘prawn toast x okonomiyaki,’ but it’s absolutely a must-try. The char siu with its delicious honey glaze is subtly sweet, incredibly tender, and juicy. So good!
The ‘pandan milk French toast’ on the dessert menu sounds amazing, but by now the staff warns me that it’s more of a three-person job, so I’ll save that for next time.
It’s not cheap, but absolutely worth it for a fantastic night out. Reservations are a must.
Address: 3-5 Elgin Street, SoHo, Hong Kong
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Michelin star restaurants in Hong Kong
Eating at Michelin-starred restaurants isn’t something I do often when traveling. But in my search for the best restaurants in Hong Kong, I simply couldn’t ignore them. The city has a huge number of Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants, and many of them are surprisingly affordable.
During my five days in Hong Kong, I dined at quite a few Michelin-starred restaurants. However, I should note that a Michelin star doesn’t always guarantee the ultimate culinary experience you might expect. Sometimes, it’s more about one outstanding dish rather than an entire exceptional meal. Still, it’s a fun experience to try, and you generally get the level of service and experience you pay for.
2. Kam’s Roast Goose
One of the affordable Michelin-starred restaurants that’s recommended everywhere is Kam’s Roast Goose in Wan Chai (conveniently close to my hotel).
This restaurant, which has been around since 1942, has held a Michelin star for 10 years, and as you can guess, it’s all about roasted meat.
Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, and even on a regular Monday, I had to wait an hour in line just to have lunch here.
Before queuing, make sure to grab a ticket with a number inside. It might seem chaotic with people constantly coming in and out for takeout orders, but trust the process!
I order the signature 1/4 roast goose. You can choose between the ‘lower’ or ‘upper cut.’ The lower cut is more expensive and fattier. I opt for the lower cut, and within five minutes, my meal arrives. Super tender and juicy, but indeed quite fatty. I also get the marinated cucumber with vinegar. The Japanese lady who sits next to me just points at my table and orders exactly the same thing.
Even though I waited an hour, I’m back outside within 30 minutes, but with a new Michelin-star experience under my belt, all for just HK$300 (about €35).
Address: 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hongkong
3. Yardbird
For my last night in Hong Kong, I dine at Yardbird. This popular, modern Michelin-starred restaurant is all about Japanese yakitori dishes.
No white tablecloths here, but informal seating with high tables and stools.
The staff is super friendly, chatting with everyone and offering great recommendations since the menu descriptions are short and cryptic. I decide to just order everything they’re suggesting.
It all tastes amazing, but two dishes really stand out for me. The ‘KFC’ (Korean Fried Cauliflower) is a must-try—slightly spicy, lightly sweet, and sticky. Absolutely delicious. The other highlight is the ‘meatball.’ It may not sound exciting, but wait until you see it. The skewer with a chicken meatball comes with a sauce containing a raw egg yolk. You mix it into the sauce and then dip your meatball in. So unique, and now I totally understand why they have a Michelin star.
It’s not a quiet, intimate dinner spot (the acoustics aren’t great with fairly loud music), but it’s perfect for a fun, laid-back evening with amazing food. Reservations are required (available from two weeks in advance).
Address: 154-158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
4. Duddell’s
A Michelin-starred restaurant with a more upscale ambiance is Duddell’s in Central. This is the city’s business district, and you can tell when you come here for lunch. At 1 PM, it’s peak time, filled mostly with business people. It wouldn’t hurt if they could do something about the acoustics here as well, as the sophisticated decor with white tablecloths contrasts with the lively, noisy atmosphere.
I assume everything here is delicious, so I go for the well-priced ‘executive lunch menu’ to try multiple dishes. It’s all great, but I’m especially impressed by the dim sum and the chicken and shrimp in XO sauce. Next time, I’d just go for the dim sum.
Address: Level 3, 1 Duddell Street, Central Hong Kong
5. Tim Ho Wan
Tim Ho Wan is a dim sum restaurant that doesn’t immediately scream Michelin star, which they had until 2021 (it’s now a Bib Gourmand). With multiple locations – mostly in metro stations, it feels a bit impersonal with many tables, bright lighting, and paper menus where you mark your order yourself.
Not a place for a romantic dinner, but honestly, the food is really good and cheap. Their famous ‘baked bun with BBQ pork’ is fantastic. Definitely order it!
6. Samsen
Samsen is a fantastic Thai restaurant with multiple locations in Hong Kong. No Michelin star this time, but it does have a Bib Gourmand. The interior is colorful and fun, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
It can get busy quickly, and unfortunately, you can’t make reservations. But on a weekday lunch, I was lucky enough to get a table right away. I order a Thai milk tea (so good!), and the food is simple, fresh, and delicious. It really feels like being in Thailand rather than Hong Kong.
7. Little Bao
Another great spot for lunch (or dinner) is Little Bao. The original restaurant is located in Central, but there’s now another location with more seating space in Causeway Bay which is where I went.
The menu mainly features steamed bao buns with different fillings. You can order them in two sizes, so if you want to try multiple flavors, go for the smaller versions.
Address: 9 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Need more Hong Kong tips to prepare for your trip? Check out my 10 useful travel tips.
Best breakfast spots in Hong Kong
Skip the hotel breakfast and start your day at a cha chaan teng (‘tea restaurant’). These affordable, traditional cafes are filled with locals and are an essential part of the Hong Kong experience. Be sure to order a cup of Hong Kong milk tea (black Ceylon tea with condensed milk).
8. Australia Dairy Company
Probably the most famous (and oldest) cha chaan teng in Hong Kong is Australia Dairy Company in Kowloon.
You might expect Australian-style coffee and brunch dishes, but that’s not what you’ll find here. The menu features Hong Kong classics like macaroni soup, steamed milk pudding, and scrambled eggs with toast.
It’s always super busy, and they expect you to quickly finish your meal (the food arrives super fast) and leave when you’re done. I loved it—it’s a fascinating experience.
Address: 47 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hongkong
9. Cheung Hing Coffee Shop
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop is another famous cha chaan teng located in the Happy Valley district. This place has been around since 1951, and inside, the interior hasn’t changed much since then—wonderfully retro.
What makes Cheung Hing Coffee Shop worth a visit are their egg tarts and pineapple buns. A pineapple bun is a soft, sweet bread roll with a crunchy top, traditionally served with a thick slice of butter. The topping supposedly resembles a pineapple (hence the name), though there’s no actual pineapple in it. I’ve had several pineapple buns in Hong Kong, and these are by far the best.
Address: 9 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, Hongkong
10. Bakehouse
Not in the mood for a traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast first thing in the morning? Then Bakehouse is the perfect place for a delicious modern Western breakfast.
You’ll find Bakehouse bakeries all over the city. There’s usually a long line outside with people waiting to get their famous egg tarts. But in the Wan Chai district, they also have a café where you can sit down for breakfast or lunch. Highly recommended!
Address: 14 Tai Wong Street E, Wan Chai, Hongkong
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