Hong Kong Restaurants and Dining

(Hong Kong, China)

The locals in Hong Kong are as passionate about cooking good food and fine dining as their mainland neighbours, and so visitors are in for a treat if they have a taste for fine oriental cuisine. Restaurants and eateries across the Hong Kong territory dish up traditional Chinese dishes, as well as a number of local oriental specialities.

Prices can vary significantly when dining out, but there's something to suit budget conscious and affluent tourists alike. If you have the means to splurge, Hong Kong has some outstanding restaurants offering superb views of Hong Kong Island at night, which just add to the overall ambiance and experience.

When to Eat / Opening Hours

Hong Kong locals do follow the regular pattern of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner but they're fond of snacking or eating at irregular times, so it's possible to find somewhere to eat at pretty much any time of the day. Some foods are traditionally eaten at certain times of the day so establishments specialising in those dishes may open only for a few hours.

More upmarket restaurants keep dining hours more in line with Europe, opening for lunch and dinner only. Establishments offering international cuisine also stick to continental opening hours.

What to Eat

Local cuisine is varied and subject to a variety of influences including Cantonese, Sichuan and Teochew. However, there are a number of restaurant dishes that might be considered typical of the territory, with the delicacy known as 'dim sum' arguably the most famous local speciality.

Popular also in Hong Kong, is the style of cuisine offered at 'cha chaan teng' dining establishments, which is a fusion of eastern and western styles, and is amongst the most affordable food to be found anywhere in the city. Notable dishes include baked rice with cheese, stir-fried spaghetti, rice with ham and chicken fillet, and instant noodles with luncheon meat.

Where to Eat

Cha chaan teng restaurants can be found across Hong Kong and are a solid option for anyone wanting to eat a good-sized meal without breaking the bank. They offer sets for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, and an eclectic mix of dishes is usually offered. Dishes to order are also available for anyone not wanting the set menus.

Seafood restaurants are popular in the territory and can be found in their highest concentrations in the coastal regions of Hong Kong. Choosing a dining venue can be tricky in light of the number on offer, but the City Chiuchow and the Super Star Seafood Restaurant in Kowloon, and the Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar in the Central district, are considered among the more reputable.

If it's international fare that you desire when dining out, then Hong Kong's entertainment districts such as Soho, Lan Kwai Fong and Knutsford Terrace are among the best areas to head for. Here you will find Japanese, Indian, French, Spanish, Italian and American restaurants, as well as fast food joints, steakhouses and the odd vegetarian-friendly venue. For the best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, Kowloon is a good choice, but it's fair to say that this style of eatery can be found throughout the territory.