Full to the brim with restaurants, bars and cafes, the Mid Levels escalator is always buzzing with groups of people wining and dining. We decided to get in on the action and put together a list of a few of our favourite Mid Levels eateries. From afternoon tea to good ol’ fish and chips, there’s something for every taste and budget in this chilled out area, so dig in and eat up!
Panevino
Simple and fresh is what Italian home cooking is really all about, and Panevino is sure to make you feel like a member of the famiglia! The interior is decorated beautifully, and coming here is like stepping into a little Italy. With a long list of starters that are great for sharing, this is the perfect place to bring a big group of family and friends. Their antipasti buffet brunch is great value for your money at $198 per person and includes free flow bubbly, whilst their desserts are definitely worth cheating on your diet for!
Panevino, 30-32 Robinson Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2521 7366, www.panevino.com.hk
Pure Veggie House
For any vegetarians out there, this place is a gem – we cannot rave more about the incredible food and fab service here! Pure Veggie House is a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant serving high-standard traditional cuisine in a rustic Chinese setting; our favourite dishes include the turnip puffs and clay pot mushrooms. Be warned though, being a Buddhist restaurant, no alcohol is served (although they do have alcohol-free beer!).
Pure Veggie House, 3/F, 51 Garden Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2525 0552, www.topstandard.com.hk/en/12-english/pvh/20-pvh-home
Seasalt
Seasalt is definitely not your standard fish and chips joint! After playing around with the concept, visiting the best chippies in the world, and experimenting in the kitchen, Seasalt’s modern take on the British classic is the result. Their beer-battered cod and sweet potato chips are sure to quell any chippie cravings! Due to popular demand, their once temporary taco menu has earned a permanent place on Seasalt’s menu, and we couldn’t be more delighted (their shrimp taco is to-die-for!). This laid back eatery also does takeaways (with 10% off!) so you can grab some grub on the go. Read our full review here.
Seasalt, 23 Mosque Street, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2790 7211, www.seasalt.com.hk
IPC Foodlab
Dedicated to creating healthy food from farm-fresh ingredients, IPC Foodlab takes the term ‘eco-friendly’ to a whole new level! They work closely with local farmers to ensure their food is made from organic, high quality produce at very reasonable prices. Even though they have a takeaway menu, it would be hard to resist eating-in, as this Mid Levels eatery is bright, open, filled with plants and has a great atmosphere!
IPC Foodlab, G/F Gramercy Serviced Apartments, 38A Caine Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2810 6083, www.ipcfoodlab.com
Peak Café Bar
The Peak Café Bar (confusingly, not on The Peak) is a popular hangout along the Soho escalator, so grab a table before it gets busy. There’s an indoor and outdoor area, a bar, lounge and a garden courtyard! They offer a huge range of traditional cuisines from Chinese and Southeast Asian specialties, to salads, sandwiches and pizzas (made fresh in their pizza oven!). You’ll be spoilt for choice with their impressive drinks menu too, and if you’re anything like us, you won’t be able to say no to one of their daiquiris!
Peak Café Bar, G/F, 9-13 Shelley Street, Soho, Hong Kong, 2140 6877, www.cafedecogroup.com
Koh Thai
Craving the Thai food you ate on that Bangkok vacay a couple months ago? Indulge in your favourite classics at reasonable prices – it’s almost as good as the real deal! Koh Thai is like a piece of Thailand in the heart of Hong Kong. The friendly service, flavoursome Thai favourites and relaxing ambience is what brings us back again and again. Its location, right in the thick of Wyndham Street, makes it a great bite for both before or post clubbing. Bring on the Pad Thai…
Koh Thai, 38 Mosque Street, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2179 5779, www.kohthai.com.hk
Orange Tree
Get your first taste of Dutch cooking at Orange Tree. This cosy little restaurant is always filled with loyal Dutch customers who swear by the delicious food! Head up for a teatime treat and order the Dutch pancakes, or ‘poffertjes’, or taste test an appetiser of smoked eel. This call themselves the only real Dutch restaurant in HK, so make sure you experiment and order the traditional dishes – probably the most authentic Dutch you’ll get in the city!
Orange Tree, G/F, 17 Shelley Street, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2838 9352, www.orangetree.com.hk
Cosmos House Pancake Café
This little cafe specialises in pancakes (the name is a big giveaway…), and is the perfect place to satisfy that sweet tooth! With a huge range of toppings to choose from, you can personalise your pancakes to suit whatever you fancy – we’re talking maple syrup, strawberries, nuts and whipped cream! They even have some more unusual options, like the salmon and avocado pancakes served with cream cheese.
Cosmos House Pancake Café, Shop 2, Skylight Tower, 64 Bonham Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2517 7122
Eric Kayser
The gorgeous fresh bread, croissants and cookies on display in the window here will stop any carboholic in their tracks! The renowned Maison Kayser Parisian bakery and cafe has locations all over the world, and their Mid Levels branch is a welcomed addition to the Hong Kong food scene. This is one of our favourite places for a quick after-shopping snack! They do takeaways and dine-ins here, and serve everything from baguettes to muffins to croque monsieur.
Maison Kayser, 38 Caine Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong 2178 2566, www.maison-kayser.com.hk
Tea Saloon by Another Fine Day
You can leave those pinkies down while enjoying afternoon tea here! This low-key tearoom is much more affordable and casual than most places around town, but promises to be just as delicious. Decorated in pink and purple, complete with chandeliers and Victorian era style furniture, this is any girly girl’s heaven. A menu of mouth-watering treats like macarons, mini cupcakes and scones accompanies their long list of teas from all over the world. Their Ladies’ Afternoon Tea set is great to share with a friend at only $498 for two people! Check out more afternoon tea options here.
Tea Saloon, 80-82 Peel Street, Mid Levels, Hong Kong, 2525 8257, www.facebook.com/AnotherFineDay