Hong Kong: 10 unmissable restaurants for first timers

8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana brings the finest Italian flavours to Hong Kong, thanks to the work of the renowned Italian chef Umberto Bombana, celebrated as ‘The king of white truffles’. Here, every dish is a standout, combining technique and generosity, from the scampi risotto to burrata ravioli to sea urchin pasta. The service is warm and personal, making every guest feel welcome in the elegantly decorated, contemporary dining room. Why go? It’s the world’s only three-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant outside Italy.

Set in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Amber is a true institution on Hong Kong’s fine-dining scene. Three-Michelin-starred since 2025, the restaurant is led by Dutch-born chef Richard Ekkebus, who brings a deeply personal, contemporary vision of French cuisine. Here, everything is about balance: confidently pared-back cooking, free from dairy and refined sugar, celebrating the natural flavours and elegance of each ingredient, with subtle Asian touches. Amber is the place to go for a taste of the city’s most refined culinary soul.

Caprice is far more than a three-Michelin-starred table at the Four Seasons Hong Kong; it is a true celebration of French haute cuisine, with breathtaking views over Victoria Harbour. Chef Guillaume Galliot combines precision with innovation, blending classical techniques with global inspirations. His creations, from Brittany blue lobster to coconut soufflés, reflect the chef’s deep love of French produce and refinement. For anyone visiting Hong Kong for the first time, Caprice is simply unmissable.

In the heart of Happy Valley, Hong Kong Cuisine 1983 is the kind of place that lets you discover the true soul of contemporary Cantonese dining. Led by chef Silas Li, the restaurant blends heritage and modernity, preserving authentic Chinese flavours while embracing creativity. It is the perfect place to enjoy classic Cantonese dim sum with a twist, from rice rolls to irresistible dumplings. Warm and deeply rooted in tradition, it offers a memorable journey through the culinary traditions of Hong Kong. 

At Lung King Heen, every meal is a refined journey into the heart of Cantonese cuisine, guided by chef Chan Yan Tak. Delicate dim sum and refined fish dishes reveal the chef’s unique style. Not to be missed are the famous pineapple pork buns with barbecued pork and pine nuts, or the fish maw casserole with abalone, prawns, scallops and chicken. With two Michelin stars, this is an absolute must for anyone wishing to experience the very best of Chinese gastronomy, while enjoying breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour.

Mono is a hidden gem in Central, Hong Kong, where Venezuelan chef Ricardo Chaneton pays tribute to his Latin American roots through a deeply personal cuisine. His dishes blend French technique with South American flavours, with must-tries such as imperial langoustine with Ecuadorian cacao, reimagined arepas, and delicate fish enhanced by sun-drenched spices. With just 22 seats and a relaxed atmosphere, accompanied by a soundtrack of carefully selected vinyls, Mono feels like home. Inventive and full of character, it’s the perfect destination for curious food lovers. 

The two-Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room is a journey through refined flavours led by chef Vicky Lau. She tells ‘edible stories’ through her innovative tasting menus that marry Hong Kong’s culinary influences with Western techniques, treating each ingredient like a small treasure: scallops with sea urchin and caviar velouté, royal foie gras or locally-sourced vegetables crafted to perfection. Her visual creations are enhanced by the intimate dining room, softly decorated in neutral tones. Inventive, poetic and full of character, Lau’s cuisine is unmissable on any visit to Hong Kong.

Since 2009, chef Danny Yip has redefined Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist at The Chairman, winner of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 (and currently ranked at no. 2). The restaurant charms with an authentic atmosphere and exquisite dishes such as steamed crab in aged huadiao wine, Longjing tea-smoked pigeon, and razor clams steamed with 10-year-aged lemon. This one-Michelin-star restaurant is often fully booked, so it’s worth planning ahead to enjoy this unique culinary experience in Hong Kong.

Tim Ho Wan has delighted both locals and visitors in Hong Kong with its dim sum since 2009, thanks to the expertise of chef Mak Kwai Pui and his partner Leung Fai Keung. Currently recognised with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the restaurant remains a reference point for Cantonese cuisine at an accessible price in the city. Among the must-order dishes are the iconic baked barbecued pork buns, steamed fresh prawn dumplings, and beef balls with bean curd. The restaurant offers an authentic experience not to be missed when visiting Hong Kong for the first time. [Various locations] 

Nestled in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, Wing is a temple of contemporary, refined Chinese cuisine, led by the celebrated chef Vicky Cheng, renowned for his one-Michelin-starred VEA. Here, the chef blends the finesse of French cooking with the essence of China’s eight great culinary traditions, adding a personal, modern twist. The tasting menu showcases dishes such as crab meat thick soup, chilli-spiced Alaskan king crab, and sea cucumber with abalone sauce served on rice. For a non-alcoholic experience, try the curated selection of teas, perfectly complementing this unmissable journey through Chinese flavours.