restaurants

Dim Sum
63 Sing Woo Road, Happy Valley (2834 8893)
Happy Valley | Dim Sum | Casual
Happy Valley locals just adore this place, where all dim sum is guaranteed MSG-free and always fresh. Expect a long wait for a table on weekends and peak times.

Fat Kee Seafood
7A Po Toi O Pier, Clear Water Bay (2719 9129)
Seafood | Po Toi O (New Territories) | Super Casual
On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than taking a taxi out to Po Toi O in the New Territories. Choose your fish in advance and settle into the non-luxe setting (e.g. toilet roll instead of napkins on the table) for a great meal!

Frites
1/F Queen’s Place, 74 Queen’s Road, Central (2179 5179)
Central | Belgian | Casual
The draw is the beer, mussels and of course the delicious fries served with homemade mayo. Other choices such as Wiener Schnitzel are also delicious. The buzzing beer hall atmosphere is great for guys and groups.

iCaramba
26-30 Elgin Street, Soho (2530 9963)
Soho | Tex-Mex | Casual
Won’t be winning any culinary prizes any time soon, but for tex-mex comfort food, you’ve come to the right place. Wash down the heavy but tasty burritos with a jug of frozen margaritas. The nachos are just Doritos unfortunately, so maybe avoid that choice.

Life
10 Shelley Street, Soho (2810 9777)
Soho | Vegetarian | Casual
A good Soho lunch option if you’re in the mood to feel virtuous or have overindulged the night before. Vegetarian/vegan menu, which manages mostly to be tasty, plus great juices and smoothies.

Lucy’s
64 Main Street, Stanley (2813 9055)
Stanley | Mediterranean | Smart Casual
Has a charming cottage feel, with daily modern European specials and set lunches. So good they sell their own cookbook. Great for low-key romantic dinners in the evenings.

Nepal
G/F 14 Staunton Street, Soho (2521 9108)
Soho | Nepalese | Casual
Head for Nepal for if you’re craving comfort and spice. With similar flavours to Indian food, Nepal’s cuisine has a light touch and non-greasiness that doesn’t leave you feeling bloated. Perfect for a rainy evening, or with a group. Great veggie options, like the fried aubergine appetizer which is finger-licking good!

Red SoHo
2/F, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road, SoHo (8199 8189)
NYC American | Soho | Casual
A new Sassy favourite – this casual restaurant has a menu that seems to cater for all moods and times of day. We chow down on the Cobb Salad, Chicken Quesadillas, Burger and Reuben sandwich – perfect if you’ve just worked out at Pure Gym upstairs!

Under Bridge Spicy Crab
Shop 1-2, G/F Chinaweal Centre, 414-424 Jaffe Road, Wanchai (2834 6268)
Chinese | Wanchai | Casual
When the rain is coming down outside there’s nothing better than traditional typhoon shelter spicy crab! Unless you’re dexterous with the chopsticks, eating this won’t be pretty, but it’s yum-yum good! Choose your level of spiciness.

Treat Yourself

Bistecca Italian Steak House
2/F Grand Progress Building, 15-16 D’Aguilar Street, Central (2525 1308)
Central | Italian | Smart Casual
This relatively new steakhouse in LKF is definitely the place to satisfy your red meat craving, and a great date night destination if you’re looking to impress a boy! Don’t miss the amazing Asiagio Cheese Fondue appetizer which is sinfully indulgent.

China Club
13-15/F Old Bank of China Building, Central (2521 8888)
Central | Guangdong | Smart/Dressy
A private club, you will need to persuade a member to take you along. Don’t miss the dim sum lunches and the Tea Man who performs incredible tea-pouring acrobatics. The modern art collection is out of this world.

Cococabana
Deep Water Bay Beach, Island Road (2812 2226)
Deep Water Bay | Continental | Casual/Trendy
For a holiday feel within Hong Kong, Cococabana is a great destination restaurant for long, lingering weekend lunches. Glamorous feel. Beware going on too hot days when you will slowly bake on the terrace.

Isola
Podium 3 & 4, ifc Mall, Central (2383 8765)
Central | Italian | Smart Casual
A Sassy favourite! The outdoor terrace and white, breezy interior make for the perfect choice for lingering lunches, impressing out-of-town guests and romantic dinners. Sip a glass of wine, gaze over the harbour and feel lucky to live in HK!

Magnolia
17 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan (2375 1133)
Sheung Wan | Cajun/Soul Food | Casual
This private kitchen is a real home away from home with authentic Cajun comfort cooking. Tuck into huge plates of sticky ribs, gumbo soup and pecan pie. Expect a warm welcome. BYOB.

Olive
32 Elgin Street, Soho (2521 1608)
Soho | Middle Eastern | Casual/Smart Casual
A dependable Soho favourite for a delicious romantic meal that really stands out amongst other over-themed Elgin Street haunts. Portions are generous and the menu changes often enough to keep you entertained. Service is pleasant and unobtrusive and the wine list is good.

Rokkaku
6 Kwong Ming Street, Wanchai (2866 8166)
Wan Chai | Sushi | Casual
We don’t really want to share this one, but it’s a tiny hole in the wall in the Star St. area with some of the best sushi in Hong Kong. Ask the chef to prepare something fresh and he’ll not fail to impress.

Shui Hu Ju
G/F 68 Peel Street, Soho (2869 6927)
Soho | Chinese (Northern) | Casual/Trendy
Owned by Aqua group, who also own Hutong and Yun Fu, you will find similar décor and ambience, but the food here is by far superior to the others. The fennel Beijing-style dumplings stand-out, and don’t miss out on the more-ish lychee wine – just be careful, it’s a little stronger than it tastes!

The Pawn
62 Johnston Road, Wanchai (2866 3444)
Wanchai | British | Smart Casual
Housed in a former Pawn shop and spread over three floors for your eating and drinking pleasure, this gastropub offers good, hearty, if slightly overpriced meals. Great atmosphere and delicious Sunday Roasts.

Uno Mas
1/F The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai (2527 9111)
Tapas | Wanchai | Casual/Trendy
If it’s tapas you’re craving, you can’t do better than Uno Mas with its bar-like vibe, outdoor conservatory area and scrummy tapas. We also love the sangria which we have renamed Sassy Sangria! The perfect venue to start a night out in Wanchai with your buddies.

Wagyu
The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central (2525 8805)
Central | Australian | Casual
Classic Hong Kong expat hangout with great people watching. Mid-priced unless you go for the wagyu beef (and you should every now and then); great set lunches; weekend brunch; unfailingly friendly and attentive service.

Yakitoritei
49 Sing Woo Road, Happy Valley (2838 5377)
Japanese | Happy Valley | Casual
This teeny yakitori restaurant packs a big punch. All the food is prepared on skewers, grilled and served on plates to share. The beef absolutely melts in the mouth. Great atmosphere with closely packed tables.

Yung Kee
32-40 Wellington Street, Central – 2522 1624
Central | Cantonese | Smart Casual
A Hong Kong institution filled with tourists and locals alike; it’s a good place to ease yourself into the local cuisine since you’ll find both ‘authentic’ Cantonese dishes as well as more Westerner-friendly dishes. Pre-order the goose special 24 hours in advance.

Very Special Occasions

Cepage
23 Wing Fung Street, Wanchai (2861 3130)
Wanchai | French | Dressy
High dining in the Star Street area, this is a place to take the in-laws if they’re looking to foot the bill. Huge wine selection, and arguably the best cheese board in Hong Kong.

Hutong
28/F One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (3438 8342)
Tsim Sha Tsui | Northern Chinese | Trendy
The best place to take visitors who are new to Hong Kong as the view of the harbour from the dark and atmospheric interior is unbeatable. Begin with a cocktail at Aqua upstairs. Don’t miss the Crispy Mutton or Garoupa. Recently awarded 1 Michelin Star.

Inagiku
4/F Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central (2733 2933)
Japanese | Central | Smart Casual
Simple, fresh, understated Japanese food. A great place for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. We think Inagiku makes the best tempura in Hong Kong! Expensive, but a truly great experience. Sassy recommends you make a reservation in advance!

Restaurant Petrus
56/F Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty (2820 8590)
Admiralty | French | Dressy
A special occasion sort of place; elegant, old world atmosphere; beautiful views; excellent service often missing from five-star establishments throughout Hong Kong; the food is good, but prepare yourself to receive the bill.