Or at least get 'em while they are still there.

New restaurants in HK - it can feel like a revolving door of bars and restaurants, not to mention friends and colleagues. Never forget the old friends or the old favourites, but do make new friends - and find new favourite restaurants to enjoy with them!

Each month we write a little about all the hot new openings in HK, and summarise the list here.

What are we missing? Let us know!

Related: Best New Restaurants and Bars 2019

December Openings

BASAO

For those who love the coffee shop vibe but tea is their drink of choice, BASAO's new tea shop may be the perfect new hangout. Contemporary interiors and a menu of teas, each with a deep connection to the tea farmers that make them, has landed in the sweet spot that sits up on Moon Street in Wanchai. This is the first tea shop for the brand and all their fine teas are ‘clean-grown’, with the range including black teas like Lingia Second Flush ($58); sweet and refreshing Seaside Honey ($48) from the ‘Kararuan Coast’ of south-eastern Taiwan; and oolongs like Gardenia Dancong ($48) from Phoenix Mountain, Guangdong; and Japanese green tea Wazuka Sencha ($42) from Wazuka, near Kyoto. BASAO is also serving Nitro Cold Brew ($58), and Fruit-Infused Nitro Cold Brew ($58), and a First Crush Kombucha ($55). They're also serving up a few select cakes like the Homemade Tea Cake Roll ($36), made with BASAO teas and the Belgium Waffle ($62), with BASAO home-made tea syrup. They've also enlisted one of Hong Kong's renowned tea masters to conduct workshops on a new approach to sineculture if you're interested in continuing your tea education further than your own cuppa. Open daily from 11am to 8pm.

G/F, 17 Moon Street, Wanchai, 3752 3800

Draft Land

Draught cocktails? We’re in! Taipei master mixologist Angus Zou has teamed with our own cocktail king Antonio Lai to open a HK branch of Taipei’s award-winning Draft Land, which launched there earlier this year. Every seasonal, garnish-free tipple will be served on tap here, with a focus on quality, consistency and affordability (each drink is priced at $90). The minimalism continues with the food menu, featuring street-food-style skewered snacks (no cutlery, folks).

63 Wyndham Street, Central

Homeslice

Killer name, huh? Along with the burger craze sweeping through HK, comfort food in general seems to be where its at, with pizza also making a stand. Set to open soon in Sai Ying Pun, cool-cat Homeslice is a Neapolitan pizzeria with an international twist, serving up sourdough pies topped with everything from traditional mozzarella to local fermented chilli sauce. Also on the menu are small plates like burrata with fig, olives and rocket and padrón peppers with Pedro Ximénez grapes, desserts and creative cocktails and craft beers.

321 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 3619 4026

Hotal Colombo


Without exception, Black Sheep Restaurants’ concepts haven’t failed us yet – from Carbone to New Punjab Club, they’ve nailed the food, style and service to a T. Black Sheep new kid on the block Hotal Colombo is all about the laid-back vibrancy of Sri Lankan cuisine. They’re not offering any rooms for lodging, but what these folks are serving up – from an open kitchen overseen by native Sri Lankan chef Gisela Alesbrook – are classic dishes like pol roti, hoppers, fish curry and masala dosa, with staff decked out in Hawaiian-style shirts, baila background beats and pastel-hued, beachy decor. The cocktail list celebrates the fruits of South Asia in all their tropical splendour. Read our Hotal Colombo review here

31 Elgin Street. SoHo, Central, 2488 8863 (no bookings)

Pici (Sha Tin)

Ever-popular Pici is adding to its pasta-loving portfolio with a branch in Sha Tin – the biggest yet – joining its siblings in Central, TST and Wanchai. We’re Pici-philes here at Foodie, especially for the good-value tasting, lunch, brunch and kids’ menus.

Shop 251, 2/F, Phase I, New Town Plaza, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, 2776 6222 (no bookings)

SHÈ

Put your feet up post-shopping spree at ifc mall at contemporary Chinese restaurant SHÈ, tucked away inside Lane Crawford, where a healthy, modern take on Chinese cuisine is the focus. There’s also an al fresco terrace with harbour views, an ideal spot for sipping one of SHÈ’s unique “teatails”, tea-flavoured tipples.

Portion A of Shop 3025–3026 and 3031–3066, Lane Crawford, 3/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2110 0153

Closures

Amber (reopening Spring 2019)

Chef Richard Ekkebus’ two-Michelin-starred Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Central will temporarily serve its last dinner on Sunday, 9 December, shutting for several months while the eatery gets completely spruced up with more than just a lick of paint. Ending 2018 on a bang, Chef Ekkebus will be hosting a series of special dinners – A Feast for the Future – on 3–8 December ($3,488/person) showcasing a 14-course tasting menu, with each signature dish representing a year in the life of Amber. And if you’re a real Ekkebus fangirl (or boy), the dinner on 9 December ($6,888/person) includes both the 14-course menu and the pre-launch menu featuring eight all-new dishes.

7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2132 0066, mhkg-amber@mohg.com

The Excelsior

Open since the early 70s, The Excelsior hotel in Causeway is closing it doors at the end of March 2019, after which it will be redeveloped into a mixed-use commercial building. That gives us just over three months to enjoy the hotel’s excellent range of dining options – including Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Yee Tung Heen, ToTT’s and Roof Terrace with its breathtaking views and British-style gastropub Dickens Bar (top tip: order the chicken tikka masala).

281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2894 8888

November Openings

Harley’s

Now when you head to your local Cali-Mex Bar and Grill shop (of which there are many), you don’t have to be craving Mexican but can instead opt for a burger. Harley’s gourmet burgers have been concocted by Chef Nate Green, previously of Rhoda. He’s unveiled 10 burgers that feature the likes of mac ‘n’ cheese, beer-battered fish and chilli con carne, and any of these can be made with Impossible meat (the alternative plant-based meat - get it in HK) upon request. Chef Green hasn’t stopped there – he’s also whipped up four milkshakes to go with your burgers, which can be liquored-up versions or virgin.

Read more about Harley's here

Branches around town; click here for locations

MIC Kitchen (relocation)

This one-Michelin-starred restaurant may have previously felt a bit out of reach in its Kwun Tong location, but perhaps now it will feel a bit closer to home with its relocation to Central, also giving the restaurant panoramic views of the city. MIC Kitchen is by Hong Kong’s well-known Demon Chef Alvin Leung, who specialises in delighting diners with his particular brand of modern Asian cuisine.

26/F, Stanley 11, 11 Stanley Street, Central, 5186 3282,

click here to book online

Peking Garden (Star House)

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Peking Garden has overhauled its Tsim Sha Tsui branch and will be launching some exclusive dishes that will only be available at the Star House restaurant. It will reveal its makeover the first week of November and is set to continue its role of bringing the best of Beijing cuisine to Hong Kong. Whatever you order, don’t leave without trying the signature Peking Duck (there’s a reason the Peking Garden brand has been going strong since 1978).

3/F, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, TST, 2735 8211

SaladStop! (Exchange Square)

Filling the gap for fast and healthy food since 2009, SaladStop! has been building a loyal crowd in Hong Kong at its Taikoo Place and Pacific Place branches. After several international openings, they’re planting a flagship store smack bang in Central. We love the local farm-to-plate concept and how fast and easy it seems to be, so we’re very excited to be able to grab our fave salads and wraps in Central now too.

Shop 311–312, 3/F, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central, 2877 1600

Terrible Baby

We like the name as much as we expect we will like the Eaton HK’s new terrace bar. Terrible Baby is bringing a whole new type of watering hole to Jordan. Former Jinjuu bartender Edgar Santillan will be concocting his creative cocktails alongside the live local and international music performances that are at the heart of this elegant and intimate venue.

4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, 2710 1866

October Openings

A Happy Pancake

Oh-so-fluffy soufflé pancakes are all the rage on the sweet scene, and A Happy Pancake is the first overseas outlet of this famed Japanese pancake purveyor hailing from Osaka. The all-natural pancakes – made without baking powder – come in an variety of creative flavours, but the original with whipped manuka honey butter and caramel syrup is a thing of beauty in its own right. We’re also craving the organic matcha and ogura butter pancake with brown sugar syrup and, on the savoury side, the “meal” pancake with salmon, avocado and cheese mousse. Ridiculous lines - get there early or drool in line.

Shop 203–205, 2/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, 2338 4315

Watch: The Happiest Pancakes

Artisan de la Truffe

Truffles take centre stage at Parisian import Artisan de la Truffe, landing at Harbour City mid-month. From sweet to savoury, every dish on the menu is accented with truffle, whether it be the black, white, summer or Australian varieties. Attached to the restaurant is a concept shop dedicated to fresh and packaged truffle items from around the globe including truffle-flavoured olive oil and balsamic vinegar and truffle pralines.

Shop OT303, 3/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2885 2030

Chullschick

Peruvian food seems to be having a moment right now in Hong Kong, and Chef Abel Ortiz Alvarez is throwing his hat into the mix with his new, first-of-its-kind Peruvian rotisserie chicken concept, along with tiger's milk ceviche and pork sandwiches with bread made in house. At Chullschick, expect exceptional produce (caihua anyone?) paired with traditional Peruvian cooking techniques, authentic flavours and a host of out-of-this-world chicken at very good prices. French poultry is marinated in dark beer and spices for two days, then grilled on a unique rotisserie set-up until juicy and crispy. Drooling yet?

Shop D, 45–53A Graham Street, Central, 2668 3948

DEAN & DELUCA

Beginning its life back in 1977 in NYC’s SoHo, upscale grocer, deli and café DEAN & DELUCA is now a global name. D&D made it to Macau last year, and its gourmet food items and beloved baked goods will finally be available in Hong Kong at not one, but two, locations. The Hong Kong International Airport branch (Terminal 1, Departures Level) is the perfect spot for those jetting off who are in need of a gift for the fam, while the second shop is set to open in a prime Wanchai spot.

For opening details, follow D&D’s HK Facebook page

Ding’s Club

Another exciting H Queen’s fine-dining newcomer is Ding’s Club, the brainchild of Chinese celebrity chef Steve Lee Ka Ding and veteran chef Li Cheung. Chef Ding’s second venture following the success of private kitchen Ding’s Kitchen in Causeway Bay, Ding’s Club is all about classic Cantonese dishes reinvented. Highlights include lobster two ways with Sichuan spicy-sour sauce and Thai sweet sauce, crispy chicken with foie gras, cucumber and toast and steamed minced pork with sun-dried fresh squid and aged dried tangerine peel.

23/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2327 1398

La Petite Maison

The laid-back chic ambience and delicious French-Med cuisine of the London-based La Petite Maison global restaurant empire has hit H Queen’s in Central, with the buzzy, sultry space already full most nights. Click here to read more.

G/F, H Queen’s, 23–29 Stanley Street, Central, 2887 1113

LUMI

Mid-October sees the opening of LUMI at Pacific Place. With an ethos of “borderless cuisine” meets relaxed luxury, Chef Kihachi Kumaga’s all-day-dining menu is a mix of East and West, showcasing salads, pasta dishes and seasonal fish and meat. Open from 8am for takeaway, from 10am for dine-in service.

Shop 301, 3/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918 1313

maze Grill

After months of anticipation, Gordon Ramsay groupies will be heading to the Hong Kong outpost of the chef’s stylish London-based steakhouse maze Grill, which has opened its doors at Harbour City.

4/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2765 0890

Watch: Gordon Ramsay has his say at the opening

Paradise Classic and Paradise Dynasty (Carnarvon Plaza)

The latest HK branches of these two stalwarts of Singaporean Paradise Group sit right next to each other in the heart of TST. The more well known of the two, Paradise Dynasty is famous for its signature eight-flavour xiao long bao and will be debuting an exciting exclusive XLB flavour at this shop: chilli crab. Paradise Classic places a focus on Nanyang-style Chinese cuisine, with new dishes including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a Malaysian dish showcasing fresh seafood in a robust seafood broth), stewed silver-needle noodles with salted fish in clay pot and Singapore-style chilli crab.

2/F, Carnarvon Plaza, 20 Carnarvon Road, TST

Watch: Paradise in action

PONG (Knutsford Terrace and Midtown)

Joining its location at ifc mall, nightlife and entertainment venue PONG has recently debuted two new locations, at Knutsford Terrace in TST and Midtown Soundwill Plaza II in Causeway Bay. Open from 5:30pm until the wee hours, taking centre stage at PONG is the PARTYConnect table, an interactive touchscreen platform offering a selection of games for up to eight players. A line-up of hot guest and house DJs, a state-of-the-art sound system, a customisable LED ceiling and top-notch cocktails are also on the cards.

Knutsford Terrace: 2/F, Knutsford Court, 10 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2536 0322

Midtown: 26/F, Midtown Soundwill Plaza II, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, 2301 3988

Shake Shack (new location)

You’ll soon be able to get your ShackBurger and frozen custard fix at a second HK location. Joining the ifc mall branch, Shake Shack will open at Pacific Place sometime later this year. In the meantime, head to the ground floor of Pacific Place to check out the interactive art installation #Happy2Gather by local illustrator Miss Quai, where guests can digitally create and personalise their own “Shackvatar”. Guests who post their Shackvatar or a photo taken at the installation with the hashtag #Happy2Gather will stand the chance to bag an invite to the Pacific Place pre-opening VIP party.

Check out what happened when we made a shake shack burger

September Openings

Aaharn

Hailed as THE authority on Thai cuisine, celebrity chef David Thompson’s Thai restaurant at Tai Kwun in HK, Aaharn, is opening this month. Situated on the top floor of the Armoury building overlooking the Parade Ground, Aaharn is described as Hong Kong’s “first truly elevated Thai dining experience”.

Australian-born Chef Thompson was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 for his commitment to preserving the heritage of Thai cuisine, and his London restaurant, Nahm, was the first-ever Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star.

Shop 2, 2/F, Armoury, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2703 9111, hi@aaharn.hk

Artemis & Apollo

Hot on the heels of Black Sheep Restaurants’ first overseas opening – Canton Disco at The Shanghai EDITION hotel – the restaurant group is set to open Greek taverna Artemis & Apollo in Wanchai. They’ve tackled varying cuisines, from Indian, to Italian, to Lebanese, to near universal acclaim, so we have high hopes for Black Sheep’s foray into Greek cuisine. Expect the likes of classic Greek dishes such as fava mash, taramasalata, chicken souvlaki, charcoal-roasted lamb and grilled calamari, complemented by a Greek-only wine list and plenty of ouzo.

9 and 11 Moon Street, Wanchai

BIZOU (new chef)

Argentine chef Duilio Desimoni is now helming the kitchen at American brasserie BIZOU at Pacific Place, having cut his culinary chops at several top restaurants in Buenos Aires before arriving in Hong Kong. Chef Desimoni is now serving up dishes like carpaccio with olives, capers and Creole mustard, sautéed scallops with corn mousse and mushrooms and key lime pie with charred meringue.

Shop 132, 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2871 0775

click here to book online

Chiuchow Garden (Cityplaza)

With several branches around town, Maxim’s Group’s Chiu Chow cuisine stalwart Chiuchow Garden has reopened its Cityplaza outlet following a complete refurbishment. The refreshed interior has a European slant, featuring an open kitchen, beechwood furniture, sofas and natural lighting. In addition to signature dishes such as soyed goose and pan-fried baby oysters with scrambled egg, a selection of new dishes has been added, exclusive to the Cityplaza branch, including bird’s nest with pomegranate and crabmeat and pan-fried e-fu noodles stuffed with meat. During lunch hours, Cityplaza Chiuchow Garden is the only outlet to offer character dim sum (think pig-shaped egg-yolk buns and the like).

Shop 100, 1/F, Cityplaza Four, 12 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, 2885 0212

CHOP CHOP

Modern Chinese roast houses (siu mei) are on the rise (think Madame Ching and John Anthony, below), with Piccolo Concepts’ CHOP CHOP in Fortress Hill a notable contender. Opened in consultation with “Hong Kong God of Cookery” chef Dai Lung, CHOP CHOP is all about Cantonese-style roast meat delicacies like char siu – but with all-natural, organic ingredients and no artificial additives, MSG or artificial colouring. We can’t wait to dig into that luscious-looking pork belly char siu rice with egg.

18 Wang On Road, Fortress Hill, 3618 7718

Dragonfly

Back in July, we first told you about Australian designer extraordinaire Ashley Sutton’s latest whimsy, cocktail bar Dragonfly at Tai Kwun, which has experienced a slight delay. For this, Sutton has taken his inspiration from the bohemian decadence of American glassmaker Louis Comfort Tiffany, a leader of the art nouveau movement at the turn of the 20th century. The ceiling of Dragonfly is a sea of turquoise glass lamps adorned with yellow butterflies, while hundreds of cast-iron dragonflies decorate the bar. We’re sure the global tipples on the cocktail menu will make for easy drinking, but we’ll likely spend most of our time feasting our eyes on the gorgeous space.

Shop 10, G1, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2777 2633

Ebisoba Ichigen (Harbour City)

First opened on Wanchai’s Ship Street in April, Ebisoba Ichigen’s flagship store has now launched at Harbour City in TST. A popular ramen eatery originating in Hokkaido, Ebisoba Ichigen is famous for its intense broth made with sweet-shrimp heads. Exclusive to the Harbour City shop is ebi maze soba, created by Ebisoba’s founder and flavoured to the max with shrimp-head essence, shrimp oil and shrimp soy sauce. It’s topped with BBQ pork, soft-boiled egg, shrimp-flavoured tempura bits, spring onion and seaweed.

Shop OTG59, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 3105 1199

HAZUKIDO

Photo credit: Cute Diner

Japanese-style croissants by way of Taiwan will be baked up from 15 September at the first branch of HAZUKIDO in Hong Kong, located at AEON STYLE in Quarry Bay. We can’t wait to try the cult-fave flavours of honeycomb, custard, lemon icing, apple, black sesame and chocolate (not sure about the cod roe, though).

Shop G11, G/F, AEON STYLE, Kornhill Plaza South, 2 Kornhill Road, Quarry Bay, 2884 6888

hEat

Casual grill restaurant hEat by Chef Israel “Isy” Freitas serves a curated selection of meat and fresh seafood, all cooked to order on the Josper grill. There’s also a “hidden” lounge room serving late-night small plates and drinks, open until 2am.

23/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, 2246 8805

Hunter & The Chase

Those still lamenting the demise of Shore bar and steakhouse in Central – and its incredible al-fresco terrace – will be pleased to hear that it’s been reincarnated into a split-level bar and restaurant by Shore Hospitality, opening mid-September. The lower level – The Chase – is a contemporary cocktail bar with a casual dining area, cheese bar (ooh la la!) and that spacious terrace reinvented. Upstairs, restaurant Hunter is all about alternative meats and seafood such as bison, wild boar and line-caught fish.

3/F and 4/F, the L. place, 139 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Jade Garden (Star House)

Another grand reopening by Maxim’s, Cantonese fine-dining restaurant Jade Garden is back with a bang at its flagship location at Star House in TST. First opened back in 1971, Jade Garden is considered a pioneer in combining upscale Chinese cuisine with refined Western service. Taking centre stage in the stylishly refurbished space is a transparent rotating oven for roasting meats, for which Jade Garden is justly famous. Michelin-starred chef Tsoi Wai Ping has introduced his 18 Best Picks menu at this flagship, highlighting must-order dishes such as drunken flaming prawns, roast goose and honey-glazed BBQ Angus beef. More than 20 varieties of hand-picked Chinese teas are also available for sipping.

4/F, Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, TST, 2730 6888

John Anthony

The intriguing name of Maximal Concepts’ latest venture is in reference to the Chinese trade merchants of days gone by, who were given English nicknames by their Western counterparts. Three custom-built barbecues and a sustainably designed interior (including the use of upcycled paper and plastic for the coasters and menus, using reclaimed terracotta from old village houses to tile the floors and the implementation of an in-house composting system in the kitchen) set this spot apart, as do the charcoal-grilled meats – Ibérico presa pork char siu and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with cumin dry rub, for instance – and playful East-meets-West dishes such as Black Angus tenderloin ma po tofu (pictured). The eco-conscious drinks are of the same calibre, with the bar team using leftover ingredients like fruit rinds and excess liquids to create cordials and edible garnishes, as well a selection of 12-litre “gin tubes” around the bar, each infused with a different blend of botanicals. Opens 21 September.

Edit: read our review of John Anthony here.

Shop B01–B10, Basement, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, 3105 3668, reservations@johnanthony.hk


Related: What does it take to build a sustainable restaurant?

KONG

A nighttime concept by and at the newly refurbished Bread & Beast, daytime purveyors of out-of-this-world sandwiches, KONG is a sit-down bar and restaurant that opens for dinner, offering progressive Cantonese cuisine. Ideal for groups, the after-dark menu uses local ingredients to turn classic HK dishes on their heads. The names of the dishes have already got our mouths watering – there’s KONG fried chicken with preserved lemon jam and dried plum shichimi, Cherry Kola brisket cheung fun and Angry Cali (slow-cooked charred cauliflower with toban djan broth and chilli oil; pictured).

The beverage menu is just as creative, placing the spotlight on Chinese spirits and some of the oldest alcohols in the world such as Huadiao, baijiu and glutinous rice wine. Live music and trivia nights will also feature at KONG.

3 Swatow Street, Wanchai, 2237 1868

KYTALY

Pizzerias in this city have some serious competition on their hands with the opening of KYTALY along Wyndham. The first overseas branch of the Geneva restaurant co-owned by Chef Franco Pepe – whose restaurant Pepe in Grani currently stands at number 1 on the 50 Top Pizza in Italy list – is set to serve up 19 pizzas, from classic to creative, plus antipasti and desserts. Hong Kong’s first campari bar and a sprawling terrace are part of the draw of KYTALY.

5/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, 2808 1961

Le Bistro Winebeast (new location)

One of Foodie’s favourite French eateries, Le Bistro Winebeast is reopening on 5 September in a brand-spanking-new spot in Wanchai. Husband-and-wife duo Johan Ducroquet, the head chef, and sommelier Cristina Carranco remain, thank goodness, continuing their focus on French bistro cuisine with a modern twist, attentive service and affordably priced, quality wines, including eco-friendly vino.

G/F, Newman House, 35–45 Johnston Road, Wanchai, 2782 6689

Little Bao Diner

Fans of Chef May Chow will rejoice at the news of a Little Bao expansion into Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk. Get ready for an indoor-outdoor 100-seat restaurant with views of Victoria Park that’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. This new flagship shop will also feature an expanded menu with vegetarian-friendly dishes.

Shop H1, 9 Kingston Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay

Watch: Little Bao Diner opens in Causeway Bay

Made in HK (Langham Place)

Joining its sibling in Kwun Tong, Made in HK has landed at Langham Place in Mongkok, offering a unique take on HK-style Western cuisine. The fusion menu by Chef Zero Yu includes innovative dishes such as chilli stir-fried Wagyu beef cubes, mapo tofu nachos, spicy tiger prawn noodles with bacon, twisty pasta in Russian borscht with beef shin, farm egg and garlic toast (pictured) and mini Ovaltine garden – not your standard milk tea and crispy bun with butter and condensed milk combo, that’s for sure.

Shop 02–03, 8/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mongkok, 2918 1655

Next Door Café & Bar

Following the success of his Michelin-recommended restaurant TOWN comes Chef Bryan Nagao’s Next Door Café & Bar, located just down the block and next to Danish furniture shop BoConcept. The decor is furnished with pieces from BoConcept, with the design of the space reflecting the brand’s minimalist style. The all-day-dining menu has a decidedly healthy focus, featuring organic produce, fresh seafood and hormone-free meat. Of most interest to us are the 12 salads available daily, with the niçoise salad with smoked tuna a standout.

Shop 206–210, 2/F, Lee Garden Three, 10 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 2606 6665

Papa Joe

If you find yourself in Tsim Sha Tsui craving grass-fed Argentine steak, keep Papa Joe in mind. The menu features seven grilled steak cuts, with the majority of the beef imported from La Pampa, Argentina, and a range of Mexican and other Latin American dishes including tacos and fajitas. Late-night live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.

8/F, 1 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2726 2611

click here to book now

Paper Street

Sport bar-slash-flight club Paper Street is Buzz Concepts’ newest venture. This “hidden” concept is accessed through a boxing studio. We’re told they host mighty fine happy hours with live music.

On Tuesdays evenings, Paper Street offers unlimited chicken wings and 2 drinks for HK$200. Check out their Facebook for other deals - such as the UFC229 buffet this coming 7th October.

G/F, The Pemberton, 22–26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 3590 2296

PIQNIQ

Restaurant group Le Comptoir recently opened superb French-Japanese restaurant ÉCRITURE at the new H Queen’s building in Central, and PIQNIQ is its casual-chic rooftop neighbour. With a stunning terrace sheltered beneath a white-sail tent, the international menu features “piqniq” baskets made up of sharing dishes from around the globe. The al-fresco space sounds like it would also make for a picture-perfect spot for nighttime tipples with a view.

27/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Quan Alley

Those familiar with the dining scene in Taipei will know that hotpot is a big deal. Opening on 6 September at Harbour City is Taipei hotpot specialist Quan Alley, famous its fermented spicy soup base made with 15 different herbs from Sichuan and artfully presented meat and veggie dippers.

Shop OTG57, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 3188 2840

Sun’s Bazaar/Kiki Tea

Lai Sun Dining – which operates 18 high-end restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau including 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Beefbar and China Tang – is branching out to casual dining with the opening of Sun’s Bazaar at Pacific Place in the third week of September. The eatery will showcase Asian comfort-food dishes such as stir-fried rice noodles with pork neck, chilli and crispy garlic, homemade rice rolls with crabmeat and sakura shrimp and Kiki Noodles – that Taiwanese handmade instant noodle brand we all know and love – with aubergine and minced pork in garlic and chilli sauce. To go with the Kiki Noodles, Kiki Tea will be launched at the same shop, offering top-notch Taiwanese bubble tea (Sichuan-flavoured pearls, anyone?).

Shop 112, 1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 5599 8136

Sweet Fashion House

No, Sweet Fashion House isn’t a purveyor of trendy haute couture but a “designer dessert boutique” in the heart of Causeway Bay, opening on 10 September. Seasonal collections of cakes, macarons and chocolates feature, with a focus on beauty, creativity and attention to detail. From Dragon – dragon fruit and coffee on brown-rice genoise – to Paris-Hong Kong – a twist on the classic Paris-Brest choux, with the addition of HK-style milk tea – SFH’s creations are (almost) too pretty to eat.

Shop G16, G/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, 2658 8218

Wagyumafia

The don of sandwiches is Chef Hisato Hamada of Tokyo’s Wagyumafia with his beloved Wagyu katsu sando (Wagyu beef cutlet sandwich), which has achieved cult status in Japan and has the dubious distinction of being the most expensive sarnie in the world. A HK outpost of Wagyumafia is set to launch in late September in Wanchai.

G/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai

Read: Celia's review of Wagyumafia

WHY SO FRESH

The first gourmet butcher and grocer in the Eastern District has been unveiled in Shau Skei Wan. WHY SO FRESH offers premium frozen meat like dry-aged beef and Japanese grape pork, plus ready-to-serve slow-cooked dishes and a selection of tableware and cooking utensils from around the world, Japan in particular.

G/F, Tak Fook Building, 3 Factory Street, Shau Kei Wan, 6733 6828

Yukinoshita

We ain’t never seen pancakes like these before. Acclaimed Japanese dessert house Yukinoshita is opening its first overseas shop, hitting Causeway Bay this month. The café specialises in both atsuyaki­ – or super-thick, fluffy pancakes the likes of which we’ve never seen in Hong Kong – and kakigori, shaved ice flavoured with syrups made with Japanese seasonal fruit. Get ready to queue!

1–5 Haven Street, Causeway Bay, 3460 3989

August Openings

Bear’s Lab

Getting in on the “bowl“ craze is this new Central offering on Stanley Street. Using only natural ingredients and plenty of superfoods, you’ll find every ingredient marketed as “healthy” all packed into one tub. If you‘re on the hunt for foods like açai, spirulina, turmeric, charcoal, flaxseed, chia and cashew butter, Bear’s Lab offers them all in smoothie bowls, smoothie drinks and even smoothie lattes.

Shop F, G/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley Street, Central, 2702 0802

BEDU

New Middle Eastern restaurant and bar BEDU, by the same peeps who brought us Brazilian-Japanese restaurant Uma Nota, will open its doors mid-August. With dishes spanning from North Africa to the Middle East, the powerful flavours will combine spicy, sour and smoky notes in the menu by Chef Corey Riches.

Read our BEDU review here or go ahead and book online

40 Gough Street, Central

Cafe Terceira

Spinning tradition on its head in Causeway Bay is relaxed Macanese-Portuguese restaurant Cafe Terceira. Expect dishes like crispy suckling pig bun with piri-piri sauce and rack of lamb curry. An inexpensive Macanese tea set for two is a highlight, offering up pork chop buns, squid cakes and Portuguese egg tarts.

Shop 1302, 13/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, 3101 9539

The Coffee Academïcs RØASTERY

The Coffee Academïcs has launched its latest concept, The Coffee Academïcs RØASTERY. Along with its nine shops across the city, this new roastery offers a custom-blending service where coffee lovers can select their chosen coffee origin, taste and scent profiles, then individualise their packaging preferences, all digitally via iPad. This pop-up will be at ifc mall for the next six months.

We had the Coffee Academïcs team at our recent Food's Future Summit, serving barista style Oatly milk - and it was the best coffee many of us had ever had.

Shop LA5, 3/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central

Confusion

Here to clear up the confusion that plant-based cuisine is limited to just salads and smoothies is new vegan diner Confusion in Sheung Wan. Its mission is to expose people to a plethora of cuisines and flavours that are free from animal products. Offering a wide range of choices – with daily and weekly specials and everything from breakfast burritos to burgers and soups to bento boxes – this welcome spot is bringing yet another option to the increasing trend of vegan dining.

Confusion is serving the Beyond Burger and Impossible Dumplings too!

103 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 2563 3699

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao – noodle bars

Reliable favourite (and Michelin-recognised) Crystal Jade – our go-to spot for a xiao long bao fix – is rolling out contemporary open-kitchen noodle bars, starting with its shops in Times Square, Mongkok’s MOKO Mall and New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. Diners can watch the chefs in action hand-pulling their noodles in three different shapes: the standard double width, triangle or “dragon beard” style, which particularly complements spicy, Sichuan-style dishes. A great-value children’s set menu has also been introduced, featuring an assortment of kid-friendly goodies including noodles with scallion oil and deep-fried spring rolls.

Read more about the noodle bars here.

Times Square: Shop B221A, Basement 2, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, 2506 0080

MOKO: Shop 505B, 5/F, MOKO, 193 Prince Edward Road West, Mongkok, 3586 9498

New Town Plaza: Shop A238, 2/F, New Town Plaza Phase III, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, 3580 8772

Greyhound Cafe (ELEMENTS)

Opening its first flagship across the water at ELEMENTS, this contemporary Thai restaurant has unveiled a 4,500-square-foot space featuring the brand’s first Thai noodle bar and an open drink and dessert bar, bringing with it a range of new dishes and cocktails. Look forward to the lobster tom yum super bowl, braised pork leg with Japanese udon, yellow curry crab on rice and spicy hotpot seafood pontoon. Go, Greyhound!

Shop 2001B, 2/F, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, TST, 2386 6008

Hugger Mugger/Chaiwala

Another cloak-and-dagger addition to the secretive cocktail scene storming Hong Kong, Hugger Mugger is Pirata Group‘s British-themed cocktail bar taking over the downstairs spot on Wyndham Street held previously by Zafran. The menu features a range of cocktails inspired by eclectic British characters from history like William Shakespeare, Charlie Chaplin and Pink Floyd.

Beyond the bar will be modern Indian restaurant Chaiwala. With three different spaces – a chai bar, dining room and kitchen – culinary director Balaji Balachander of London’s famed Benares restaurant will bring dishes from Kerala to Kashmir to Hong Kong.

Basement, 43–55 Wyndham Street, Central

click here to book now

LCB express

Opening in Causeway Bay is café LCB express, inspired by the chilled seaside style of the South of France, with a healthy menu and outdoor area. Yoghurt bowls, salads and hot panini are staples, along with smoothies and a wide selection of coffee and tea – the star of the show is the intriguing Ripple Coffee (above), where an image of your choice will appear on the foam like magic.

3/F, L’Hart, 487-489 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, 2467 1388

Little Tipsy

The newest restaurant to add its creative presence to Hong Kong’s rapidly evolving Kwun Tong neighbourhood, Little Tipsy opened its doors at the end of July and knows just what diners need as they progress through their busy days. The delicious yet balanced lunch menu curated in partnership with a local nutritionist is complemented by a salad bar that is packed with flavour and freshness (soft-launch lunch priced at $88 from now until 20 August 2018, available Monday–Saturday, 11:30am–3pm). This price includes a daily soup, salad bar and coffee or tea.

Highlights of the salad bar include a selection of cold cuts, potato salad with spring onion and bacon, quinoa salad with roasted cauliflower, carrot, feta and mixed herbs and a Mediterranean-inspired salad of roasted courgette, aubergine, bell pepper, okra and house-made pesto. For something a little more substantial to help you to fight through the day, the set lunch also features add-on main options ranging from mushroom risotto with onsen egg and Parmesan cheese, to spaghetti with clams, to pan-seared sea bass with mashed potato, to slow-cooked strip loin with roasted potato and green salad. Fans of fine tea will be spoilt for choice, with signature blends including roselle dried fruit tea and rose chrysanthemum tea. A free-flow option with unlimited red/white wine and Prosecco is available every Saturday from 12–3pm, priced at $128 per person.

Read our Little Tipsy review here

Room A, 9/F, Wong Tze Building, 71 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong, 2360 0188

McSorley’s Brewhouse & Grill

Local craft beer, whisky and classic pub grub take centre stage at no-frills modern Irish gastropub McSorley’s. Located on the rooftop of ELEMENTS shopping mall, this laid-back spot spreads itself across two floors. The menu offers a plentiful seafood selection, featuring freshly shucked oysters, mussels with white wine and garlic and traditional fish and chips.

McSorleys has a special Oktoberfest menu until Oct 31st

Shop R0001, Civic Square, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, TST, 2736 4888

Oh My Goose!

Taking food-court dining to the next level is Oh My Goose!, which presents updated takes on Hong Kong roast-meat faves such as BBQ pork and roast goose. Dig into wallet-friendly, creative dishes like baked BBQ pork and goose with cheese on a sizzling plate and – limited to just 10 portions per day – stewed rice with mushroom and sea urchin topped with roast goose. Or go for the classic roast goose with glass noodles – Chef Sky Lin trained at HK’s iconic Sham Tseng Chan Kee Roasted Goose and inherited the secret recipe, so we have very high hopes indeed.

Shop F1, 4/F, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mongkok, 2110 3998

Room 309

Tucked inside The Pottinger hotel in Central lies the intimate Room 309 cocktail bar. In over-the-top fashion, access is only by key card, revealing a lavish, antique-embellished interior in which to have a tipple. With award-winning mixologist Antonio Lai shaking and stirring up personalised cocktails and classic concoctions, including an “invisible” menu of clear cocktails, it sounds like quite the chi-chi drinking experience.

The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2308 3188

Sugarfina

All the way from Beverly Hills comes luxury confectionery boutique Sugarfina. Harbour City in TST is its Hong Kong home, with the shop offering a colourful array of exotic and innovative candy flavours from across the globe. Customers can design their own candy bento boxes, hand-selecting their candies according to their tastes. Pretty sweet!

Shop 3327, 3/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2116 4688

Te Quiero Mucho

Aiming to refresh the image of the traditional hotel model is Mojo Nomad, which seeks to provide guests with modern, innovative and stylish private and shared accommodation. It features the latest technology alongside a collection of design-heavy bars, stimulating workout spaces and a vibrant two-storey Mexican eatery, Te Quiero Mucho. This opening follows the success of Mojo Nomad Aberdeen, with the Central branch setting out with the same shared vision: connecting travellers.

288 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 3728 1000, info@mojonomad.com

The Wise King

Although we don’t know much about King Alfonso X of Castile from back in the 1200s, we do know that he was often referred to as “the learned king”, so it makes sense, were he alive today, that he would have used all his knowledge to set up a trendy cocktail bar. Regardless of the reasoning, this modern bar is hidden away, as all the coolest new watering holes are, behing a basement entrance off Staunton Street in SoHo.

The Wise King’s menu is filled with exotic ingredients and includes drinks such as the Turrón Sour, made with toasted almond and herbal brandy liqueurs, and a tapas selection featuring the usual suspects like patatas bravas, cheese and charcuterie.

Basement, 25 Staunton Street (entrance on Tsun Wing Lane next to Pure Fitness), SoHo, Central, 2326 5822

Yan Toh Heen (reopening)

Two-Michelin-starred Cantonese superstar Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental is even more stunning following a complete makeover by CAP-ATELIER, with the interior design inspired by an elegant jade jewellery box. Standout features include the jade entranceway, handmade 3D silk screens with custom-designed Suzhou double-sided embroidery and a private collection of Yixing clay teapots. Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai remains at the helm, having been with the restaurant since 1984. He’s created a series of new dishes that match the grandeur of the interior refurbishment including a selection featuring Kagoshima Wagyu and pork.

Lower Level, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 2313 2323

click here to book online

Coming soon

maze Grill

Gordon Ramsay will open his third Hong Kong restaurant this autumn, upscale steakhouse maze Grill, which will thrill fans of the famed TV chef in its Harbour City spot come October.

4/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST

Closures

Rhoda

Our favourite neighbourhood place to have a great meaty meal that we could feel good about enjoying, Rhoda, is closing its doors. Founded by Chef Nate Green, our Foodie Ethical Meats columnist, Rhoda paved the way for using whole animals and larger cuts to decrease waste and promote sustainable sourcing practices in Hong Kong, with the restaurant nostalgically named for Chef Green’s grandmother, who inspired his way of cooking. Rhoda will leave a hole for many who are seeking to be conscious carnivores or those who just want to eat a delicious meal that’s made from scratch using ethically sourced ingredients. Rhoda’s last supper will take place on Saturday, 8 September 2018, but before closing, they will host two “whole animal” dinners to celebrate the restaurant’s time in the city.

Read Chef Nate Green’s Ethical Meats columns here

Wing Wah Noodle Shop

This Bib Gourmand noodle purveyor in Wanchai will shut shop on 31 August after nearly 70 years in business. Famous for making its egg noodles using a bamboo pole, the owner is staying mum about the reasons for its closure. So we say goodbye to another slice of local history...

Read more on these restaurants in our August Openings 2018 article

July Openings

BEDU

From the folks behind cool-cat Brazilian boteca Uma Nota comes relaxed, contemporary Middle Eastern bar and restaurant BEDU, featuring seasonal and bold dishes like beetroot and mint labneh, sweet spiced tuna with honey harissa and preserved lime salad, twice-cooked duck claypot and rack of lamb with garlic labneh and za’atar oil. Like the Bedouin for which the spot is named, the focus is also on community, with local produce used whenever possible, natural wines selected from neighbourhood suppliers and the use of handcrafted plates by a Hong Kong–based ceramicist. We’re big fans of the flavours and vibe at Uma Nota, so we can’t wait to check out BEDU.

40 Gough Street, Central, 3163 0180

Chua Lam’s Pho

This one has come from out of nowhere, but we’re excited to report that, as of 5 July, revered Chinese food journalist and TV presenter Chua Lam is opening up his very own spacious pho shop in Central, partnering with popular Melbourne pho specialist Pho Dzung. After years of searching for the best pho recipe, Mr Lam says he will be serving up “a bowl of pho to remember”. We’re ready!

G–1/F, 15–25 Wellington Street, Central, 2325 9117

Dragonfly

This one sounds like another winner from Australian designer Ashley Sutton of Ophelia, The Iron Fairies and Dear Lilly, again working in collaboration with Dining Concepts, this time opening at the newly unveiled Tai Kwun arts and heritage hub in Central. This one has a whimsical nature element at its core juxtaposed with a tribute to decorative glassmaker Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Shop 10 and 13, G/F, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central

Elephant Grounds Tea Room

Coffee specialist Elephant Grounds has turned its attention to thirst-quenching iced tea this summer at this sweet little Pacific Place pop-up, on from now till the end of August. Showcasing loose-leaf teas by home-grown PLANTATION by teakha, the spotlight here is on three fruit-based teas and a Thai iced tea with a vanilla milk cap. Coffee and cakes are also on the menu.

Shop 200D, 2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Fishsteria Waterside (Kennedy Town)

Sibling to Fishsteria Seafood Place in Wanchai, this casual, under-the-sea-focused eatery by Chef Gianni Caprioli will open towards the end of July in a prime waterside location. In addition to signature dishes like lobster macaroni and grilled, braised or salt-baked Orbetello fish, sandwiches feature on the menu – we’re already drooling over the lobster roll and tuna poke focaccia. There’s also a retail counter stocked with fresh fish, seafood and cheeses and Italian pantry staples like olive oil and dried pasta.

New Fortune House, 2–5A New Praya, Kennedy Town, 2796 6004

Flamingo Bloom (ifc mall)

Since its opening last summer, handcrafted floral tea specialist Flamingo Bloom on Central’s Stanley Street has gone from strength to strength, launching another tea salon in TST and an international outpost in Kuala Lumpur – and picking up a Foodie Forks award for Best New Concept along the way. The latest branch at ifc mall – opening on 5 July – means that when we’re in Central, we’ll never be far away from FB’s addictive iced Highland Oolong Latte (with boba and a salted milk cap, natch). Note to self: the eats at ifc mall are looking mighty fine these days – we’re looking at you, Shake Shack and Irvins.

Shop 1032, 1/F, ifc mall, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, 8300 8034

Glasshouse (Quarry Bay)

Along with its first location at ifc mall, Gaia Group’s Glasshouse has hit Cityplaza. This relaxed, homey bar and restaurant focuses on premium East-meets-West food and drink, with dishes including Caesar salad with runny egg and soft-shell crab, Ibérico pork belly rice and Singapore noodles with lobster and serrano ham. The dessert offerings sound particularly appealing – think butter-custard fondue and Chiu Chow waffle with sesame, peanut and sugar – as do the summery cocktails.

Shop 101A, 1/F, Cityplaza, 18 Tai Koo Shing Road, Quarry Bay, 2114 0063

The Green Platters

Launching in mid-July, The Green Platters is an ethical catering company run by mum-of-two founder Bhawna Shetty that prepares beautiful and bespoke meat-free platters, boxes and grazing tables for any occasion (we think they’d be perfect for a beach barbecue or junk outing in addition to corporate parties and birthday celebrations). A big thumbs up to the eco-friendly packaging and commitment to sustainability. We can’t wait to dig into one of these beauties!

ICHU Peru

The newest restaurant to hit art-focused building H Queen’s in Central (May saw the opening of French-Japanese restaurants Arbor and ÉCRITURE) is ICHU Peru, a partnership between Dubai-based Bulldozer Group and acclaimed Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz, whose restaurant Central in Lima, Peru, currently ranks at number 6 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Chef Martínez says that ICHU is set to showcase “much-loved Peruvian dishes in a comfortable, welcoming, casual environment”, along with a dynamic, contemporary interior design, bar, chef’s table and spacious outdoor terrace.

Impressively, three key members from the chef’s kitchen staff at Central have been relocated to ICHU, with Korean chef Sang Jeong leading the team. Follow them on Facebook for regular updates.

3/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 6111 8560

La Petite Maison

La Petite Maison is coming to H Queen’s in Central! This branch of the London-based LPM mini restaurant empire is set to serve up the same stellar Niçoise and Mediterranean dishes in chic but relaxed surrounds.

Read more about La Petite Maison here

1/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe (The Peak)

For those nostalgic about old-timey sweets, there’s no better place than global confectionery chain Mr Simms, which is all about candy, candy and more candy, with a particular focus on British sweets. This newest location joins other HK branches in Central, Mongkok and at the airport. Pick ‘n’ mix, here we come!

Shop 201, 2/F, Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, The Peak, 8192 6138

Old Bailey

This JIA Group eatery is a laid-back yet sophisticated newcomer to Tai Kwun, focusing on homestyle but complex Jiangnan cuisine (think Shanghai and Hangzhou) using seasonal, regional and organic ingredients prepared by Jiangnan native chef Wong Gwan Man. Highlights include Longjing tea-smoked pigeon, mala Ibérico pork xiao long bao, ten-treasure duck and double-boiled lion’s head hand-minced pork meatballs with hairy-crab roe. The contemporary space is designed by Basel-based Herzog & de Meuron to mimic an artist’s studio and includes an outdoor terrace.

Shop 20, 2/F, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2877 8711

Popinjays

Rooftop bar and restaurant Popinjays is the latest addition to The Murray hotel’s stunning F&B selection. Taking its name from the resident cockatoos along nearby Garden Road in Central, this stylish Foster + Partners-designed spot (the views from the wraparound terrace are to die for – take it from us) is set within a purpose-built glass pavilion filled with natural light and features French-influenced menus by seasoned chef Didier Quennouelle – both seasonal tasting menus on weekdays and a weekend Birds of a Feather menu with shared dishes and free-flow cocktails. There’s also a private room charmingly dubbed The Aviary and a resident DJ on Wednesday–Saturday come sundown.

Rooftop, The Murray, Hong Kong, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, 3141 8888, popinjays@niccolohotels.com

Sabatini Ristorante Italiano (new chef)

Sabatini at The Royal Garden hotel remains just as popular as it was back when it was first opened in Rome in 1964. The elegant, old-school decor is complemented by the addition of newly appointed chef Claudio Favero, whose CV includes a stint at two-Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 restaurant in Italy. Chef Favero has devised a six-course tasting menu that spotlights the best-of-the-best seasonal Italian produce. Dishes include smoked kingfish with zucchini, spaghetti with crab and sea urchin and cherry-and-ricotta tart with limoncello sauce.

3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, TST East, 2733 2000, sabatini@rghk.com.hk

Starbucks Flagship Store (Causeway Bay)

How does this Lee Gardens Starbucks differ from other Starbucks around town? There’s a lot of exciting, all-new stuff on offer for coffee and tea fans. Think creative tea beverages at Hong Kong’s first Teavana Bar, coffee-inspired cocktails at the flagship-exclusive Mixology Bar, premium Starbucks Reserve coffee at the Starbucks Reserve Coffee Experience Bar and tempting new food items like all-day gourmet toasts and made-to-order American-style pancakes.

Shop 101–110, 1/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay

The Sultan’s Table

Reincarnated on Old Bailey Street in Central is Turkish-Mediterranean bar, restaurant and late-night shisha lounge The Sultan’s Table, which formerly resided on nearby Arbuthnot Road. The space features a mix of traditional and contemporary design elements, and Turkish chef Isa Dereli’s new menu spotlights cold and hot mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and authentic pides (Turkish pizza).

Read our review on The Sultan's Table here

LG/F, 3–5 Old Bailey Street, SoHo, Central, 2555 7678

Tenkei

Opening on 6 July, Tenkei is a jack-of-all-trades Japanese concept in the heart of LKF with three distinct ares: a spacious, contemporary main dining room, a private party room and an al-fresco terrace, where both Japanese-inspired cocktails and shisha can be enjoyed. The izakaya-style menu with a twist includes signatures like Tenkei gunkan – a selection of spicy tuna, sea urchin and scallop sushi – maguro (tuna) tartare with avocado and yuzu dressing and matcha soba.

Read our Tenkei review here.

3/F, On Hing Building, On Hing Terrace, LKF, Central, 2789 3812

Tiger Room

F&B group Buzz Concepts has opened this bold and buzzy (geddit?) yakitori joint in Central. Tiger Room is an offshoot of Japanese curry house Tiger San and specialises in skewers, bento boxes and sake.

24 Gough Street, Central, 2110 1163

Closures

FLY

After eight years of shaking things up on Ice House Street in Central, iconic nightclub FLY by Buzz Concepts will spread its wings for the last time on Saturday, 7 July. Something bigger and better is slated to open in the space come September, so stay tuned.

Hooters

This American chain specialising in hot wings, burgers, beer and scantily clad waitresses with dead eyes (at least at the Hong Kong branch) has shut on Wyndham Street in Central. We’re told Hooters have plans to relocate their HK shop to Kowloon. You have our sympathy, Kowloon folk, though we have to admit that their wings were truly delicious.

Joël Robuchon (Singapore)

The fine-dining scene of our fair-weather friend Singapore is looking bleak at the moment. Joël Robuchon’s eponymous restaurant in Sentosa – the only three-Michelin-starred eatery in Singapore – is shockingly closing its doors this 30 June. With Chef André Chiang also shutting his lauded Restaurant André earlier this year after eight years of Michelin-starred success, we hope the remainder of the Lion City’s fine-dining restaurants can stay afloat.

Zafran

Another F&B tenant on Central’s Wyndham Street has closed its doors, possibly owing to a combination of high rent and fierce competition from plenty of other stellar Spanish spots around town. We say adios to stylish Spanish eatery and lounge bar Zafran. Wyndham Street’s definitely becoming a bit chilly these days, despite the summer heat…

Read more on these restaurants in our July Openings 2018 article

June

Salt & Barrel - Hong Kong beers & food by Chef Taran Chadha of BlackSalt

June Openings

Irvins - Singapore famous salted egg snacks, ifc mall

Café Claudel - Parisian café style , Tai Kwun, Central

The Flying Elk (Maximal Concepts) - Swedish gastropub, 32 Wyndham Street, Central

Sushiyoshi - 2 Michelin Starred Japanese, The OTTO Hotel, TST

Trattoria del Pescatore - Milanese seafood, 11 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan

Shanghai Garden - East meets West Shanghainese, Exchange Square, Central

Salt & Barrel - Local beer taproom and kebaberie, One South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui

Nara Thai Cuisine - Thai boat noodles, New Town Plaza Phase 1, Sha Tin

Queen’s Kitchen - Thai private kitchen, VIP Commercial Centre, TST

Kind Kitchen by Green Common - Vegan, Nan Fung Place Central

Read more on these restaurants in our June Openings 2018 article

May

Yakiniku Jumbo - famed grilled meat specialists

May Openings

Arbor - French + Japanese, H Queen’s, Central

Bibo (new chef) - art + French + Japanese, 163 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan

Chifa (Pirata Group) - Peruvian-Chinese dumpling house, 26 Peel Street, SoHo, Central

ÉCRITURE - French + Japanese, H Queen’s, Central

Elia - Tapas & cocktails, Wing On Plaza, TST East

Espresso Alchemy (new branch) - Artisan coffee, Mira Place 1, TST

Fratelli - Italian, The Pulse, Repulse Bay

Fukuro (new Black Sheep) - Izakaya, Elgin Street, Central

Kuru Kuru - Pasta, Japanese style, CDW Place, Tsuen Wan

Madame Ching (Pirata Group) - Creative Chinese, 5 Star Street, Wanchai

Mercedes me Store (Maximal Concepts reopening) - East meets West, Manning House, Central

Mumm Summer Beach Club - Daytime roof parties, The Pulse, Repulse Bay

Odelice! (new branch) - French + fusion, The ONE, TST

Pinot Duck (new branch) - Duck + Pinot specialists, 18 Lun Fat Street, Wanchai

PONG - Cognac themed bar, ifc mall, Central

Shake Shack - One of the US burger big boys, ifc mall, Central

Shikigiku (rebrand) - Japanese fine dining, Central, HK Island & TST East, Kowloon

ToTT’s (new chef) - Seafood & grill, The Excelsior, Causeway Bay

Yakiniku Jumbo (comes highly recommended) - Famous Toyku Wagyu, Man Yee Building, Central

Closing

Beef & Liberty Wanchai

Peak Cafe Olympian City

Serge et le phoque

Read more on these restaurants in our May Openings 2018 article

April

Blue Supreme - Live Beer & Food

April Openings

MIC by Liberty - 1 Michelin Star, 11 Stanley Street, Central

Beef & Liberty (new branch) - Departures, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport

Blue Supreme - Interesting 'live' beer & food options, 21 Tung Street, Sheung Wan. BOOK IT

Ralph’s Coffee - Ralph.... Ralph Lauren, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, TST

Brut! by Pata Negra House - Tapas & Natural wines, 1 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun

Agave (new branch) - Mexican, 26 Hollywood Road, Central

Santé Wine Bar - Mediterranean wine bar, J Senses, Wanchai

A Tavola Bar & Grill - Live bands & shisha, Seaview Crescent Plaza, Tung Chung

Steak on Elgin - Steakhouse, 59 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central

Bistro Du Vin (new chef) - Homestyle French, 1 Davis Street, Kennedy Town

Read more on these restaurants in our April Openings 2018 article

March

Market S.E.A. - Southeast Asian dishes on an outdoor terrace

March Openings

10 Shanghai (1957 & Co) - Huaiyang cuisine, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay

The Artist House - Cocktails, coffee and craft beer, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay

Little Birdy - Roasted Aussie chooks, 15–17 New Street, Sheung Wan

Market S.E.A (m.a.x. concepts) - Southeast Asian, ifc mall, Central

Octavium - from Italian chef Umberto Bombana, 22 Des Voeux Road Central, Central

Sakana No Aji (ZS Hospitality Group) - Seasonal Japanese, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

Six Tablespoons Number 2 - Modern European, 9 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan

Sushi Hiro (new branch) - 17–19 Ashley Road, TST

Sushi Saito - by Chef Saito, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Central

Theo Mistral by Theo Randall - Italian, InterContinental Grand Stanford, TST East

WA Theater Restaurant - Japanese food & culture experience, The Pier Hotel, Sai Kung

Read more on these restaurants in our March Openings 2018 article

February

Fu Rong - traditional Sichuan delicacies in a western style

Feb Openings

Dear Lilly - Cocktails with a floral vibe (and a view), ifc Mall, Central

Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice - Famous Singapore chicken rice, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay

Bakehouse - Swiss Bakery, 14 Tai Wong Street East, Wanchai

FUMI - A 'culinary tour of Japan', LKF, Central

FRANCIS (Foodie Favourite)- Flavours of Tel Aviv, Francis Street, Wanchai

JUNON - French, Wu Chung House, Wanchai

Bahn Mi Kitchen (new branch) - Causeway Centre, Wanchai

Fu Rong (Want to try) - Chengdu & Sichuan, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, TST

Wako Teppanyaki - Izakaya, South Pacific Hotel, Wanchai

Origami Kids Café (*unique*)- Shanghai cuisine with kids play area, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Kowloon

Amber’s Table - All sorts of cuisines, Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, Hung Hom

Maison Libanaise (new chef) - Lebanese, 10 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central

Elementary - Contemporary style sharing platters, 15–16 School Street, Tai Hang

Solas Gastro Lounge - Beer Pong & more, The Centrium, Central

the study - eco-friendly & healthy cafe, LKF 29, Central

Read more on these restaurants in our February Openings 2018 article

January

Azores - Macanese cuisine

Jan Openings

Feather & Bone (new branch) - Butcher & Deli, Bohemian House, Sai Ying Pun

Dockyard - Various cult faves in 1 quality food hall, Kerry Hotel, Hung Hom

Yakimon - Western Japanese, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

Interval Coffee Bar - Nordic style cafe, 33 Wellington Street, Central

Curry Bay - (private kitchen), Email for exact address and booking

Tipsy - Modern European, Little Tai Hang, Tai Hang

ZEN (relaunch) - Cantonese, Garden East, Wanchai

Azores - Macanese, YOHO Mall I, Yuen Long

Pici (new branch) - Italian, Aberdeen Street, Central

Yum Cha (new branch) - Typhoon shelter crab, Emperor Watch & Jewellery Centre, Causeway Bay

aha - Healthy and pretty, Nexxus Building, Central

Read more on these restaurants in our January Openings 2018 article