Has it been awhile since you’ve enjoyed a good buffet? It’s certainly been awhile for me, not for any reason in particular – perhaps one just hadn’t popped up on my radar. Recently, I broke my non-buffet-dining streak when I visited Island Shangri-La’s cafe TOO to try their new Local Bites buffet (from $498/person for lunch; from $758/person for dinner).
cafe TOO is an all-day-dining restaurant that aims to offer something different from the many hotel buffets in town by focusing on local favourites. With this promotion, they’ve partnered with some of Hong Kong’s most well-loved restaurants; the first five to be featured are Yat Lok Restaurant, On Lee Noodle, Mui Kee Congee, Honolulu Coffee Shop and the Shangri-La’s own Summer Palace.
Michelin-starred treats
Both Yat Lok and Summer Palace hold Michelin stars, so if you love quality roast meats, this buffet should be one to bookmark. From Yat Lok comes their signature roast goose, and from Summer Palace comes their honey-glazed BBQ pork and marinated chicken in rose wine and soy sauce.
Hearty comforts
On Lee Noodle was founded in 1966, so you might have tried it plenty of times, but it was a first for me. I loved their fresh fish balls and fish cakes – very light and bouncy. I’m still thinking about their homemade chilli oil, which packs quite a sharp punch. The glossy noodles were cooked to the perfect bite.
Mui Kee Congee began life in 1979, and they continue to use a fish and pork-bone stock for their congee base, which has been passed down for three generations. Choose from the fish-belly congee and homemade pork-ball congee, cooked on demand in one of their signature copper pots.
Honolulu Coffee Shop is serving up their signature egg tart and HK-style milk tea. Their popular pineapple bun, cocktail bun and chicken pie are also available in bite-sized pieces to allow diners to enjoy but not fill up too quickly.
Not to be left out, the cafe TOO team have created some new dishes such as a pandan pineapple bun, mini pineapple bun burger with Impossible meat and HK-style fish balls in lobster sauce (I highly recommend the latter – the sauce is very rich).
International selections
In addition to the new “local bites”, the rest of the buffet still beckons. Some of the Western dishes have been taken out to make room for the pop-up stations, but the most popular Japanese, Thai, Indian, salad and dessert spreads remain.
Verdict
If you’re missing your local favourites and are craving a convenient (and comfortable!) way to enjoy them, consider giving this new promotion a try. As always, cafe TOO is a great place for families. For Shangri-La Golden Circle members (free to join), kids under age four get the buffet without charge (for the first two children with one accompanying adult, with each additional child given 50% off the regular buffet price) and kids aged 4–11 get 50% off the regular buffet price.
Local Bites buffet prices per adult
Lunch:
Monday–Friday, 11:30am–2pm: $498
Saturday, 11:30am–2pm: $558
Sunday and public holidays, 11:30am–2pm: $708
Dinner:
Monday–Thursday, 6:30–10pm: $758
Friday, Sunday and public holidays, 6:30–10pm: $788
Saturday and public holiday eves, 1st seating (5:30–7:30pm): $788
Saturday and public holiday eves, 2nd seating (8–10pm): $758
🌐 cafe TOO
📍 7/F, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, 2820 8571
This write-up is based on a complimentary media tasting provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
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