Long-known for its prosperous dining scene, Hong Kong offers excitement with its the newest openings. Here are our picks of the latest and best.
The Merchants
A private members’ club, a rooftop bar and three restaurants, including The Merchants, make up the spectacular new Forty-Five at the Landmark, set on the 43rd, 44th and 45th floors of Gloucester Tower in Central. The elegant dining room is adorned with hand-painted murals of misty mountains and cherry wood banquettes – a perfect complement to the sophisticated Chinese cuisine, which includes intricate dishes such as double-boiled chicken soup with wontons and jasmine tea smoked duck.
Kaen Teppanyaki
Also worth visiting at the Forty-Five is the sleek yet playful Japanese restaurant Kaen Teppanyaki, expertly overseen by Executive Chef Yoshiyuki Sato, an alumnus of three Michelin-starred L’Effervescence in Tokyo. Choose from two tasting menus: Matsu, an eight-course seafood-focused selection, and Ta-Ku, also eight courses and including select cuts of Wagyu beef sourced from small holdings in Japan. Afterwards, guests are invited to the shadowy lounge for dessert and Japanese whiskey.
Feuille
Translated from the French for ‘foliage’, Feuille is the first overseas outpost of two-Michelin star Chef David Toutain from Paris. As the name and Toutain’s additional Michelin green star suggest, plants take center stage – courgette (zucchini) with scallops and chives; parsnip, poultry and rice; cep mushroom, spiny lobster and cassis – and more than 80 percent of the ingredients come from small farms in Hong Kong. The dining room’s esthetic is contemporary luxe, with polished concrete walls and dark wood accents complementing the sophisticated menu.
Nobu
Following a four-year hiatus, Nobu has returned to Hong Kong as the showpiece restaurant at the newly unveiled Regent Hong Kong hotel. Headed up by chef Jason Au, the a la carte menu features Nobu’s most popular dishes – black cod with miso, yellowtail jalapeño, Nobu ceviche, toro tartare with caviar – or you can opt for an hours-long omakase tasting session. Book in advance for a window table with up-close views of Victoria Harbour.
El Taquero
Mexico has been having a bit of a moment in Hong Kong lately, what with agave experts Coa swiping the 50 Best Bars in Asia title for the third year in a row. Tapping into the trend is El Taquero in Wan Chai. The perfect neighborhood joint, it’s got upbeat staff, windows that open onto the street, and a menu of authentic trompo-grilled tacos, steamed tamales and big plates of short rib mixiote for sharing – plus excellent margaritas, of course.
The Dining Room
The Dining Room is an Italian restaurant within an Italian restaurant at the Rosewood Hong Kong. Tucked behind the more casual BluHouse, it’s a genteel space decked out in smokey tones with romantic banquettes and a window into the kitchen. The a la carte menu and set menus are seasonal and sustainably sourced and might feature chef Giovanni Galeotta’s heavenly burrata cheese tart with baby peas and vermouth Kaluga caviar or feather-light gnocchi with Sardinian red prawns. Also worth noting: there’s a dress code of no shorts, sandals or sleeveless shirts for gentlemen.
Niras
Hidden behind a wall of green marble on the seventh floor of the K11 Musea mall, Bangkok’s Chef Tonn is building on the success of Le Du – recent winner of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 – with a slick Hong Kong outpost. It’s only open in the evening for tasting menu dining, covering either four or six courses, with the latter showcasing some of Chef Tonn’s biggest hits, including crab and mushroom with homemade sriracha and Wagyu with fennel and holy basil.
Leela
Having bagged a Michelin star for his outstanding Indian cuisine at Chaat at the Rosewood Hong Kong, Chef Manav Tuli has now opened his own restaurant, Leela, inside the swanky Lee Garden Three building in Causeway Bay. It’s been designed by Hong Kong hotshot Andre Fu. However, it’s the menu of ancient royal dishes drawn from across India, made from sustainably sourced ingredients, that really wows. If Tuli’s form at Chaat is anything to go by, there will be a months-long waiting list for a table.
Falcone
Sometimes, you just want a great pizza and a gallon or two of fabulous Italian wine served by affable staff in an attractive space – for this, Falcone has got you covered. Located inside the ifc mall (a regular occurrence in sweltering, space-conscious Hong Kong), this smart-casual Italian restaurant has been inspired by Napoli’s high-energy style and cuisine. The menu is simple – pizza, pasta, dolci – and the portions are hearty. We suggest you save space for what might be the creamiest vanilla gelato ever made.
