gourmet-adventures:-five-dining-experiences-to-rediscover-hong-kong
Spread the love

These restaurants offer mouth-watering meals and memorable dining experiences that showcase what the newly reopened Fragrant Harbour has to offer. 

Hong Kong has finally opened its doors to travelers this year, and the reinvigorated city isn’t holding back when it comes to creating unforgettable trips for its visitors. For instance, highly-anticipated events like Clockenflap, Art Central, and the 2023 Hong Kong Flower Show will be making a comeback in the coming months. Travelers can also enjoy sumptuous meals while sightseeing and shopping, as a slew of both new and recognizable restaurants are ready to provide guests with gustatory experiences that capture the multicultural spirit of Hong Kong. 

If you’re looking for your next great meal in the city, below is a list of where to dine next time you visit.

READ ALSO: Rediscover Hong Kong: The Country Welcomes Global Visitors With Half A Million Free Air Tickets

Calle Ocho 

Visitors who plan on doing some shopping in Causeway Bay—which is home to a variety of shops, boutiques, street markets and multi-storey malls—can also sink their teeth into the delectable tapas being served at Calle Ocho. 

Calle Ocho opens its doors to diners looking for Spanish tapas | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

The brand new restaurant and bar is located on 8 Cleveland Street (hence the name “Ocho,” which is Spanish for “eight”) and serves traditional tapas, which are all freshly made and boldly flavored. These include dishes like their Iberico ham croquetas, fluffy Spanish tortilla, and grilled baby corn with Manchego cheese. The dining spot also has a roster of hearty and show-stopping dishes like arroz negro and roasted Spanish suckling pig ‘boneless’ terrine. 

Some of Calle Ocho’s signature dishes | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

Pane e Latte 

The coastal enclave of Stanley provides a taste of seaside living with its special blend of sand, sea, hiking trails, and shops. Here, visitors can stop by Stanley Market for a big shopping spree or go for a swim at Stanley Beach. Once visitors have worked up an appetite, they can hop to Pane e Latte, a cozy panetteria with Italian sensibilities. 

An outside view of Pane e Latte | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

Decorated with antiques, paintings, and real family photographs from Italian beachside holidays, Pane e Latte creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for taking Instagram-worthy photos. The spot serves a number of familiar and satisfying dishes that evoke a sense of homey comfort. Some examples include artisanal breads, pastries, cakes, pizza al taglio, and sandwiches—which are all made from scratch using fresh ingredients and flour from Italy. 

An assortment of Pane e Latte’s cornetti and bomboloni pastries | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

Besides their usual fare of baked goods, the establishment also serves hand-crafted gelato, Italian coffee, wines, and cocktails, giving guests a little piece of Positano during their stay. 

The Sixteenth 

On the eastern side of Hong Kong island lies the commercial complex Taikoo Place and its surrounding neighborhood Quarry Bay, which comprise the city’s newest business and entertainment district. 

Located at Taikoo Place’s Oxford House is The Sixteenth: a collection of four restaurants nestled within a single self-contained dining environment. In this collection of dining spots are two Italian restaurants and two Japanese restaurants, each one sporting their own unique spirit and menu. 

La Favorita 

The first Italian restaurant, La Favorita, features grand and theatrical interiors that call to mind Italian opera houses in the 1960s. Staying true to the timeless grandeur of its aesthetics, the establishment serves tantalizing classics like handmade lobster tagliatelle and a 1-kilogram Bistecca alla Fiorentina. 

La Favorita’s Cheese Wheel al Tartufo. Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group.

Tempo Tempo

The second Italian restaurant, Tempo Tempo, provides its guests with a dining space enveloped by breathtaking views from its vast outdoor terrazza. This creates an atmosphere that embodies il dolce far niente, which is Italian for “the joy of doing nothing.” Indeed, guests are encouraged to linger and savor each bite or sip of the restaurant’s offers—which include classic martinis, Aperol spritzes, and inventive vodka infusions—as they enjoy the peaceful ambiance. 

Happy Hour at Tempo Tempo. Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group.

Honjokko 

Visitors with a taste for life’s finer things can dine and relax in Honjokko, a more intimate iteration of the well-known contemporary Japanese restaurant Honjo. Some of its menu highlights include a nigiri experience featuring bold combinations like the fragrant hamachi truffle and the buttery wagyu uni, and grilled items such as wagyu beef, pork belly, and barramundi. 

Honjokko’s Uni Truffle | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

TMK Funk & Rolls

TMK Funk & Rolls—the third iteration of the popular music-inspired temakeria TMK—is The Sixteenth’s second Japanese restaurant. Within its groovy interiors, guests can enjoy TMK’s signature handrolls while soaking up a fun and casual atmosphere filled with funk music. 

The Optimist 

With its mix of skyscrapers, street markets, hidden temples and neon-lit nightlife districts, Wan Chai captures an inimitable part of Hong Kong that every traveler should witness before the end of their trip. 

Visitors can enjoy an assortment of appetizing meals in the dining establishments at 239 Hennessy Road. Located in the building’s third floor is The Optimist, a chic Barcelona bar and restaurant that serves authentic Northern Spanish cuisine. It provides guests with all the fresh bounty that the land and sea can offer, from grilled prime cuts to towers of fresh seafood. 

Afternoon tea at The Optimist | Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group

Guests can then wash down the mouth-watering dishes with the establishment’s wide array of refreshments. These include ice-cold champagne, sangria, and even bubble tea. A Spanish Afternoon Tea Set will also be available from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. It offers sweet and savory pinchos and a selection of refillable beverages. 

Pirata 

Also located at 239 Hennessy Road—but on its 30th floor—is Pirata, a restaurant dedicated to serving Italian culinary treasures at great prices. The accommodating eatery offers traditional family-style dining alongside warm and hospitable service, all against the breathtaking backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline.

Pirata’s Carabineros Tagliolini. Photo courtesy of the Pirata Group.

These are just a few of the exciting dining experiences that Hong Kong and the Pirata Group can offer. The Pirata Group’s goal is clear and simple—to create memorable dining experiences centered around quality food, great service and value for money. 

To celebrate the Fragrant Harbour’s reopening, all travelers will receive an extra special house welcome drink when dining at any Pirata Group restaurant, including the ones above. Simply present your passport or travel tickets to avail of this promo, which will end on November 30, 2023. For more information on these eateries and other brands under the Pirata Group, you may visit https://piratagroup.hk/.  

Banner photo courtesy of the Pirata Group.