The Best Barbecue Spots in Hong Kong

Cooking up some summer fun

Nothing says summer quite like the smoky smell of a barbecue. When the weather is nice, the best thing to do is fire up that grill, gather your family and friends, and feast! While there are plenty of free public barbecue sites around Hong Kong, not all are created equal (don’t even think about getting a barbecue pit at Deep Water Bay on a Sunday!). So which ones do we think rank as the best in town? Here are our top picks!

Shek O Beach

Located on the southern coast, Shek O has got to be one of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong. It has one of the largest barbecue sites in town with a whopping 40 public barbecue pits. It can get extremely crowded on weekends, so if you don’t want to take a chance on there actually being space, you can reserve a spot at one of the privately-run barbecue areas right on the beach. For $400, you’ll be provided with charcoal and unlimited barbecuing time. Whilst the public site is open all day, every day, (it works on a first-come-first-serve basis, so get there early!), the private barbecue area stays open only until 11pm. If you want to book a private site, call 2809 4579 to get a pit at Liu’s Barbecue on Shek O Main Beach.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan, find the exit A3 and then take bus 9, or a taxi, to Shek O. From there, head towards the colourful houses when entering Shek O Village, and the paved road will lead you to the Shek O Back Beach.
Opening hours: 24 hours, daily
Charcoal: Not provided (except by privately run areas)
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: light refreshments restaurant, barbecue pits (39), changing room, shower facilities, toilet (including accessible toilet), raft, playground, car park (including three accessible parking spaces) and obstacle golf course.

Tai Tam Country Park

Tai Tam Country Park is the largest on Hong Kong Island. The Chinese words ‘Tai Tam’ mean ‘Big Pools’ in English, referring to the four huge water reservoirs found inside the park. There are some very scenic hiking trails and many areas with picnic tables, benches, barbecue pits and playgrounds. Though you can’t reserve a table in advance, there are so many here, so we are sure you won’t have any problems finding a vacant pit to grill up some burgers – but stock up on supplies before you leave as there aren’t any supermarkets nearby!

How to get there: Take Exit A from Central MTR station and you will emerge on Connaught Road Central. Directly opposite the road is the Exchange Square Bus Terminal. From there take City Bus 6 and alight at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park, Wong Nai Chung Gap Rad bus stop. Alternatively, take Exit A from Sai Wan Ho MTR station and you will arrive at Tai On Street. From there, take bus 14 from Tai On Street bus stop and alight at Tai Tam Country Park bus top.
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Shelter: Rain shelters
Facilities: Picnic and barbecue areas, one rain shelter children’s play facilities, jogging trail, walks and trails, one morning walker garden

Stanley Main Beach

One of our favourite beaches is also one of our favourite spots to have a barbecue. There are more than 15 barbecue pits, but you better get there quickly if you want to reserve a spot. The barbecue area is only a 10 minute-walk from the nearby restaurants and supermarkets, which is super useful if you need to top-up on booze (er, food). Warning – this beach is very popular and can get really busy. This is not the place to come to if you want to get away from the crowds!

How to get there: From Central Exchange Square (near Hong Kong Station MTR, Exit D), take bus 6, 6A, 6X, or 260, and alight at Stanley Village bus stop, which should take about 50 minutes. You can also hop on the same buses from Connaught Road outside City Hall and Queensway at Admiralty MTR Station – if this is more convenient for you! To reach the beach, follow Stanley Beach Road for about 200 metres from the bus stop. You could also take a taxi from Central, but as there is only one road into Stanley, it’s not likely to be much quicker, and will be more expensive.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: Wellcome, 88 Stanley Village Road, Stanley (about a 5-minute walk from Stanley Main Beach), A&M US Groceries, Shop 209, 2/F Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley.
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: fast food kiosk, barbecue pits (15), changing room, shower facilities, toilet (including accessible toilet), bathing shed and raft

Read more: Sassy’s Guide to the Best Beaches in Hong Kong

Lion Rock Country Park

Located in the New Territories, Lion Rock Country Park is one of the most underrated green spaces in Hong Kong: a huge stretch of trees, gardens and barbecue pits just under the Lion Rock. The barbecue area was renovated just a couple of years ago making it one of the best in Hong Kong. There are 26 pits, each with comfortable benches and a spacious picnic table. As there aren’t any facilities near the park to stock up on food, make sure to pick up all of your supplies beforehand. There’s also a little hiking trail leading up the mountain slopes from the barbecue site, so you can walk off your lunch!

How to get there: Take Exit B3 from Wong Tai Sin MTR station, turn right and walk towards the mini-bus terminus. Head left after you reach the terminus then turn left again onto Shatin Pass Road. Walk up and or take a taxi up Shatin Pass Road and you’ll arrive at the trail head of Lion Rock Country Park.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Shelter: Pavilions
Facilities: Twenty-six sets of tables and benches at barbecue area, men’s and women’s toilets (including accessible toilet), lighting system, one children’s play area, three elderly fitness corners and one designated disabled parking space.

Anglers Beach

With lovely views across the water to the three bridges that connect Hong Kong Island to Lantau, this stretch of beach on Kowloon has seven barbecue pits. While it’s a great spot to start a fire for grilling, there is no swimming allowed on the beach, so don’t expect to cool off in the water if it gets too hot. This shouldn’t stop you from topping up your tan on the sand, though!

How to get there: From Tsuen Wan West MTR Station, take Exit A1 or E1 to Tsuen Wan West Station Public Transport Interchange. Take bus 234A, 23B or 53 from there and alight at Sea Crest Villa Phrase 3 bus stop, which is right opposite to Anglers’ Beach. Alternatively, take minibus 308M from Tsing Yi Station Public Transport Interchange or 96M from Tsuen Wan MTR Station and alight at Sea Crest Villa Phrase 3 bus stop.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: Wellcome, 1/F, Chan Kee Comm. Center, 48 Castle Peak Road, Sham Tseng, NT, Sham Tseng (about 8 minutes from Anglers Beach)
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: Changing room, shower facilities, toilet and seven barbecue pits

Butterfly Beach Park

First of all, we already like this location because of its cute name. Second, we love that it has great views, and third, there’s also a campsite, so you can make your barbecue into an overnight outdoor trip! The clean, tidy environment and stunning scenery make this a must-visit if you’re looking for the ultimate barbecue destination. Check out the nearby parks and enjoy the space and calm – yep, this is probably one of the least busy beaches in Hong Kong, so it is worth the trek out to the New Territories.

How to get there: From Tuen Mun MTR station Exit C2, hop onto MTR shuttle bus No. K52 and alight at Butterfly Beach Park bus stop. Alternatively, take KMB 59X, 59M or 59A that travels towards the direction of Tuen Mun Pier Head and alight at Butterfly Estate bus stop.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: Wellcome Superstore, 2/F, Butterfly Plaza, 1 Wu Chui Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories (about 10 minutes from Butterfly Beach)
Pet-Friendly: No
Facilities: Barbecue Pits (80), jogging track, a light refreshment kiosk, toilets (including accessible toilet), a five-a-side football soccer pitch/volleyball court/ basketball court, one elderly fitness corner
Shelter: No

Lamma Island

Lamma’s close proximity to Hong Kong Island makes it a great place to go for the day if you fancy escaping the busy city! Getting there is easy enough, with ferries from Central Pier 4 taking only 20 minutes.

There are many beaches to choose from, one of our favourite’s being Hung Shing Yeh Beach, which is partially sheltered by trees and has a slightly larger barbecue area.

How to get there: Take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island, which will take approximately 30 minutes. From the Yung Shue Wan Pier, turn right and walk along the Family Trail for about 25 minutes to the beach. Alternatively, take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to Sok Kwu Wan. Follow the path through the array of seafood restaurants and continue your way across the island towards Yung Shue Wan.
How to get there: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: BBQ pits (around nine), changing rooms, shower facilities and toilet (including accessible toilet), wash basin (with two taps)

Located a little further along the coast of Hung Shing Yeh Beach lies the secluded Lo So Shing Beach, which is small, set in a scenic cove and beautifully fringed by Lamma Island’s untouched hills. There are only a few barbecue pits (around six), but there are also changing rooms, shower facilities and toilets nearby. The views are amazing and Lo So Shing Beach – unlike some of the beaches on the island – doesn’t get too crowded! Both beaches are gorgeous, so you can go for a dip in the sea while the grill heats up!

How to get there: Take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan, then follow the Family Walk until you reach a Chinese- style pavilion. From there, Lo So Shing Beach is roughly a 15-minute walk.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: BBQ pits (six), changing room, shower facilities, toilet and raft

Upper Cheung Sha Beach

Tucked away in a little corner on Lantau Island lies Upper Cheung Sha Beach, the perfect place to grill. This has got to be one of the loveliest beaches in HK, with a (relatively!) clean coastline. The long stretch of beach is great as it rarely gets busy, so you can really enjoy Hong Kong at its best. If you can’t be bothered to drag your barbecue supplies to the pits here, then you could always stop by The Stoep resto instead… just saying.

How to get there: Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. Then take the 1, 2 or 4 bus to Lower Cheung Sha Village, which is about a 5-minute walk to the beach. Alternatively, take the MTR to Tung Chung and then take the 11 or 23 bus, which should take about 20 minutes to Lower Cheung Sha Village, about a 5-minute walk from the beach.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: No
Facilities: Refreshment kiosk, barbecue pits (seven), changing room, shower facilities, and toilet (including accessible toilet)

Silvermine Bay Beach **Temporarily closed until 2018**

Located in Mui Wo, a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island, is Silvermine Bay Beach. With 20 big barbecue pits with marble benches, this is one of our top spots for a summer cook up! You can come here in the day to soak up the sun while munching on a hot dog, but we recommend coming at night, when Silvermine Bay Beach really comes alive. It seems everyone in Lantau comes out in the evening to grill up some grub at the public pits or on bonfires at the beach. I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone to help out when you can’t get the fire started! What’s more, Mui Wo is barbecue food heaven, aside from the usual supermarkets, there are a couple of barbecue supply stores near the ferry pier selling a huge variety of marinated meats and barbecue-friendly veggies. 

How to get there: Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. Turn right at the pier and go to Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, then walk to Ngan Kwong Wan Road and long Ngan Shek Street to Tung Wan Tau Road and the beach.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily (barbecue areas are closed during maintenance)
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: Wellcome, G/F Shop 1240, 2 Ngan Wan Road, Gallop Court, Lantau Island, 2984 7884 (about 11 minutes from Silvermine Bay Beach)
Pet-Friendly: No
Shelter: Not listed
Facilities: barbecue Pits (20), changing room, shower facilities, toilet and beach volleyball court

Note: Due to beach improvement works, Silvermine Bay Beach is expected to be closed until mid 2018, all beach facilities and lifeguard services will be suspended until this time.

Ma On Shan Country Park

Located in Sai Kung, Ma On Shan Country Park is filled with dramatic landscapes and tonnes of trails and hikes for nature lovers! The country park has several barbecue sites: Shui Long Wo, Kei Ling Ha, Nai Chung and Ma On Shan Village. But the ones at Ma On Shan Village and Nai Chung are probably the easiest to access and the most popular for day trips. There aren’t any shops or supermarkets nearby, so you’ll have to be organised and get your barbecue supplies in advance!

How to get there: From Hong Kong Station Public Transport Interchange (near Hong Kong Station, Exit F), take bus 681 and alight at Ma On Shan Park bus stop, which should take about 70 minutes.
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Charcoal: Not provided
Supermarkets Nearby: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Shelter: Pavilions
Facilities: barbecue areas, hiking trails, public toilets

Read more: Sassy’s Top Catering Companies