Keep up to date with the city’s ever-changing dining scene thanks to our roundup of the best new restaurants in Hong Kong!
Looking for some new dining inspiration for the month ahead? Whether you feel like dining-in or supporting from a distance with takeaway or delivery, have a read of our ultimate guide to new restaurants in Hong Kong, packed full of the best new eats our city has to offer. From indulgent Italian comfort food to wholesome bakeries, lively East Asian-inspired watering holes and more, here’s where we’ll be eating this January.
Editor’s Note: Social distancing regulations are currently in place in Hong Kong, so please make sure you follow the latest government advice if choosing to dine out.
Read more: 10 New Restaurants We Tried (And Loved) In 2020
New Restaurants In Hong Kong
January
OBP
New in from the team behind 11 Westside is OBP – a Korean “sool-jip”, or alcohol house, where cocktails and sharing plates are the order of the day. Hidden in an alleyway behind Old Bailey Street, OBP promises to be the next hidden gem of Soho, filling the void left by LKF favourite Jinjuu. In the kitchen, Chef Junwoo Choi leads the charge with an offering of inventive yet traditionally-inspired dishes, including the likes of Spicy Braised Pork Rib, Kimchi Pancake and Boneless Fried Chicken. Behind the bar you’ll find Daniel Eun, the Beverage Director of Westside Hospitality, mixing up a range of light and elegant tipples, of which we can’t wait to try Dokdo (Sour Apple) Gimlet, featuring Korean sake, and the rice wine-infused Damun Premium Makgeoli.
OBP, 3-5 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong (enter via alleyway behind Old Bailey Street), www.instagram.com/obp.hk
SAKImoto Bakery
Great news for carb-lovers this month; Japanese brand SAKImoto Bakery has made its way to Hong Kong, complete with its signature “healthy” bread recipe. Specialising in artisanal Shokupan (a type of light and fluffy Japanese bread), the brand is best known for its Gokubi Natural loaf, which is made without eggs and milk. Enjoy your slice with a slathering of the bakery’s premium handcrafted butter and jam (take your pick from 15 different flavours!). To ensure authenticity, the equipment, ingredients and production process all strictly follow Japanese operational guidelines, and is overseen by one of the brand’s Japanese chefs.
SAKImoto Bakery, Shop 3208, L3, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/SAKImotoHK
Lucciola Restaurant & Bar
New luxury hotel, The Hari, quietly opened its doors at the end of last year, bringing us not one but two new restaurants to savour in 2021. First up is charming Italian hotspot Lucciola, helmed by chef Francesco Gava. Hearty classics are the order of the day, with menu highlights including the 24-hour braised Piedmontese veal shank, whole sea bream baked in a sea salt crust and the creamy La Burrata Pugliese. When it comes to pasta, the Spaghetti – a Gava family favourite that has been perfected over generations – is not to be missed. As for dessert, we’ve heard on the grapevine that Lucciola’s tiramisu is up there as one of the best in Hong Kong.
Head over now to try Lucciola’s fantastic set lunch offer, which includes two courses for just $198 or three courses for $298.
Lucciola Restaurant & Bar, 1/F, The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2129 0333, [email protected], www.thehari.com
Zoku Restaurant & Terrace
From Italy all the way to Japan, The Hari’s second restaurant opening looks to the East for inspiration, serving up a refreshing take on Japanese cuisine centred on quality and ingenuity. Led by Chef de Cuisine Phillip Pak, who has worked alongside renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, expect to find seasonal Japanese produce featured in reimagined classics ranging from sushi to tempura and kushiyaki, all updated for the modern palate.
Zoku Restaurant & Terrace, 2/F, The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2129 0338, [email protected], www.thehari.com
Rise by Classified
If you’re in the Central area and in need of a midday pick-me-up, look no further than Rise by Classified – a brand new artisan bakery concept from the Classified Group. From viennoiserie classics, like croissants and pain au chocolat, to an ever-changing array of daily specials, Rise has just the thing to help you get through yet another work day. For something a little more satisfying, opt for the Benedict on Sourdough Tartine, Dutch Baby or the signature Rise Burger. Plus, don’t miss the retail section, which features a range of locally-sourced products from Hong Kong brands, including PÜRA VÏDA, Alive Food, and Nicole’s Kitchen.
Rise by Classified, Exchange Square Podium, Shop No. 313, 3/F, 8 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong, www.risebyclassified.com
Rollin
Food meets fashion at this new Korean concept, which serves up delicious savoury rice rolls and roll cakes to go. Housed in LANDMARK’s new retail urban wear concept Belowground, Rollin’s offering comes in stylish sneaker boxes, and is available in a myriad of gourmet flavours like Korean fishcake and tofu, Mortadella and Truffle beef. Launched by Francesco Lee of Aberdeen Street’s Moyo and Moyo Sik at BaseHall, the rolls start at $40.
Rollin, Belowground, Basement Floor, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.instagram.com/rollin.rollbar
Passepartout Brunch & Coffee
Brunch your way around the world this month, courtesy of new Causeway Bay addition Passepartout Brunch & Coffee. Describing itself as a “creative international brunch restaurant”, the menu spans the globe, offering a dizzying array of fusion dishes, each named after the cities they represent. Highlights include the signature Calcutta, a Butter Chicken Waffle which brings together the flavours of West Bengal with an American classic, the Apple Crumble Pound Cake and, of course, the Hong Kong – a luncheon meat and rice Scotch egg.
Passepartout Brunch & Coffee, Shop 2, G/F, 447-449, Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2882 0828, www.instagram.com/passepartoutcoffee
KollaBo
Calling all fans of Korean and Japanese food! Travel might not be on the cards for us just yet, but new opening KollaBo is here to ensure our stomachs don’t miss out by bringing us 15 different Korean and Japanese cuisine brands to enjoy, all under the banner of one restaurant. Originally a Japanese concept, head here to tuck into the likes of raw crab marinated in soy sauce from SoBackJa Ganjanggejang, spicy fried chicken with cheese from Myongmul Dakgalbi and barbecue meats from Wagyu Yakiniku. We can’t think of a tastier way to satiate our wanderlust!
KollaBo, G1014-1015, G/F, Yiu Sing Mansion Stage 10, Taikoo Shing, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, 2529 3330, [email protected], www.facebook.com/kollaBohk
The Coffee Academïcs, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Coffee Academïcs already has over 20 locations to its name throughout Hong Kong, but we have a feeling its new Harbour City outlet will be its best yet. Inspired by the art of urban hortology (indoor plants) and glamping, the new concept ties together together a coffee dispensary and retail shop with a dine-in café and restaurant, complete with a Coffee Bean Bar where guests can enjoy a customised roasting experience. Food-wise, the brand’s signature dishes will be available, alongside new delights like the KFC 2.0 with crunchy Korean fried chicken, spicy and sweet chili glaze, egglettes and salted egg yolk “cheese”, and the Braised Pork Cheeks with Miso and Mash.
The Coffee Academïcs, Shop 4201K, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 3620 3028, www.the-coffeeacademics.com
The Aubrey
Mandarin Oriental’s newest dining destination, The Aubrey, makes its eagerly-anticipated debut this month, joining the ranks of Clipper Lounge, The Chinnery, Café Causette and more. Founded in collaboration with Maximal Concepts, guests can look forward to an eccentric Japanese izakaya experience: think craft cocktails and whiskies matched with traditional cuisine, all set against the backdrop of that iconic harbour view.
The Aubrey, 25/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4001, [email protected], www.mandarinoriental.com
Pazta
Easy breezy casual Italian dining has landed in Hong Kong by way of Pazta, located within the courtyard of Tai Kwun. Serving up Italian cuisines from across the country, including provinces such as Venice, Bologna, Rome, and Sardinia, this newcomer presents a winning combination of simple yet quality food. Menu highlights consist of golden battered stuffed zucchini flowers, Pizzette Margherita and Pappardelle with slow-cooked wild boar. The piece de resistance? Pazta’s lively outdoor space, just like you would find in a traditional Italian piazza.
Pazta, Shop 03-G08, G/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2626 1186, [email protected], www.facebook.com/Paztahongkong
Featured image courtesy of Zoku Restaurant & Terrace, image 1 courtesy of OBP, image 2 courtesy of SAKImoto Bakery, image 3 courtesy of Lucciola Restaurant & Bar, image 4 courtesy of Zoku Restaurant & Terrace, image 5 courtesy of Rise by Classified, image 6 courtesy of Rollin, image 7 courtesy of Passepartout Brunch & Coffee, image 8 courtesy of KollaBo, image 9 courtesy of The Coffee Academïcs, image 10 courtesy of The Aubrey, image 11 courtesy of Pazta.
