6th April 2023 – (Hong Kong) Indulge in the latest culinary delights of Hong Kong as we bring you the April 2023 edition of the best new restaurants in the city. From opulent decor to innovative menus, these dining destinations are sure to tantalise your taste buds.
The Merchants, located on the 45th floor of Gloucester Tower, Landmark Atrium in Central, is the first of four dining concepts in the new multi-experience space, Forty-Five. Collaboratively designed by Sean Dix and Victoria Tang-Owen, The Merchants boasts embroidered wallpapers and custom cherry wood banquettes. The menu features traditional fare from Shanghai and neighboring provinces, such as drunken crabs in 25-year Hua Diao wine, jasmine tea-smoked duck, and osmanthus honey glazed Jinhua ham with crispy bean curd sheets.
Address: 45/F, Gloucester Tower, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Voynich, the latest addition to Harbour City’s growing list of restaurants, offers a unique dining experience centered around the mysterious world of secret agents. With multiple dining spaces, each with its own dedicated theme related to the overarching topic, such as The Bespoke Wardrobe and The Room of Wisdom, Voynich takes inspiration from James Bond’s DB5 car. The menu features traditional Cantonese cuisine with modern twists, including fish maw stirred noodles with ginger and scallions, crispy salted chicken topped with aromatic Chinese rose wine, and various dim sum classics.
Address: Shop 401, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Francis West, located on Peel Street, is a new Soho location of the popular Wan Chai restaurant. This warm and welcoming space focuses on the vibrant cuisine from the Maghreb, the region comprising Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco. Known for its fragrant spices and smokiness, Maghreb cuisine presents a fusion of Mediterranean and African flavors. Must-try dishes on the menu include stone-baked Frena, a Moroccan flatbread, and the Whole Turbot, cooked to perfection with pumpkin “chershi”, preserved lemon, and black olives. The wine menu is also worth exploring, with a selection of Mediterranean gems, including rare skin-contact wines and house-infused arak.
Address: Felicity Building, 42 & 44 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
Cafe Bau, a new project by two-Michelin-starred “Demon Chef” Alvin Leung, in collaboration with Lubuds F&B Group, is a farm-to-table concept that pays homage to Hong Kong. The restaurant focuses on locally sourced ingredients and is committed to reducing carbon emissions. The three-course dinner menu offers a choice of appetizer, main, and dessert, with options that change with the seasons. Current offerings include Homemade Pasta with Fresh Tiger Prawns and Dried Shrimp Sauce, and Honeycomb and Honey Gelato with Seasonal Fruit. For a more decadent feast, the seven-course tasting menu features Cafe Bau’s prized dishes, such as Hand-cut Macaroni Cacio e Pepe with Preserved Clams and Crispy Chicken Wings, and Grilled Squid with Spicy Shatian Pomelo Jam, Smoked Flounder Barley, and Squid Ink Chips.
Address: Shop 8, Podium 1/F, J Residence, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 – 2126 7212
Bino N’ Booze, located in Hong Kong, is a unique restaurant that offers hearty soup bases infused with alcohol. With four alcohol-infused soup bases to choose from, including Signature Red Wine Oxtail and Tomato Soup, Hua Diao Chinese Herbal Soup with Chicken or Beef Shank, BnB Seafood Soup with flower crabs, shrimps, abalone, mussels, scallops, and Japanese Nanshan Sake, and Pig Tripe and Chicken in Beer Soup, there’s something for everyone’s taste buds.
In addition to the delicious soup bases, Bino N’ Booze also offers a variety of mouthwatering toppings. Don’t miss out on the hand-wrapped Abalone and Black Truffle Dumplings, Drunken Chicken Dumplings, and Hand-cut Steer Meat Deluxe Platter. For vegetarians, there are also options such as Vegetarian Mushroom Soup and various fresh vegetable platters.
Address: Shop A, G/F & 1/F, 205 Hai Tan Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 – 2682 4300
Can you ever have too much burrata? Not at Cielos Cafe & Bar! The new restaurant whips up plump and creamy homemade burrata everyday – a rarity in the Hong Kong Italian food scene. This bistro serves traditional, handmade dishes with burrata cheese being a key ingredient for many. The Burrata with Parma Ham 24 Months; Tagliolini Al Pomodoro Burrata; Signature Burrata Pizza; and more all utilise this carefully made cheese. In addition to these cheesy dishes, authentic Italian items are also available, such as Beef Tartare and Linguine Al Pesto. Furthermore, Cielos Cafe & Bar offers artisanal beer as well as signature cocktails made with truffles – talk about decadence!
Address: 4 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 – 2398 7629
Indulge in a classic Italian feast overlooking the beautiful Victoria Harbour at Pleka. With its comprehensive tasting menu, Pleka is committed to showcasing its cooking process to its guests. Chef Ken Lau’s culinary skill and creativity makes the star here, demonstrated by his playful recipes. Inspired by the Chef’s travels around the world, the menu spans from seafood to handmade artisanal pasta, to meats and desserts. Highlights include Sicilian Red Prawn Tartare with Caviar and Celeriac Puree; Charcoal-grilled Miyazaki A4 Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce; and Spaghetti with Hokkaido Sea Urchin. And don’t worry, vegetarians – a veggie tasting menu is also available here!
Address: Shop 4010, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 – 2889 3839
Experience the fresh flavours of Vietnam at Bistro Hoi An. You’ll be transported to a quaint village in Southeast Asia right when you walk in, with ceiling lanterns and photos that pay homage to old Vietnam. Here, traditional Vietnamese dishes are enhanced with contemporary elements. Three types of fish sauces are made in-house to fully showcase the unique flavours of the key Vietnamese ingredient. On the menu are Sauteed Frog Leg; Chargrilled Pork Belly; Eggplant and Crab Meat Salad; amongst many other dishes. To complement the meal and make its way onto your Insta grid, Bistro Hoi An offers signature and specially curated cocktails. Pro tip: be sure to hit Bistro Hoi An on a special occasion, because you might just get a free dessert, like the Affogato or Coconut Sherbet!
Address: Bistro Hoi An, Shop 1A, Gold Coast Piazza, 1 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 – 3421 0060
Indulge in luxury at the hidden oasis of La Rosabelle Restaurant & Bar, located in Tseung Kwan O. This colourful and elegant restaurant blends modern sophistication with traditional rural English charm, featuring walls adorned with flamingo decor. The menu draws inspiration from around the globe with a unique twist. Start with Fresh Japanese Uni Toast and Escargot de Bourguignonne, and then savour main dishes like Spanish Iberico Pork Tomahawk, German Pork Knuckle, and Typhoon Shelter Crab. For dessert, indulge in Tiramisu or Cinnamon Apple & Blackberries Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream. Whether you’re planning a cosy date or a casual meal, La Rosabelle Restaurant & Bar has something for everyone.
Address: Shop 4, G/F, Alto Residence, 29 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong
La Paloma is back with a fresh new look! Located at 1/F, 189 Queen’s Road West in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, this trendy restaurant has undergone renovations, including a bespoke Paella Station, a ham-slicing station, and a wine fridge. Known for its vibrant atmosphere perfect for dates or group meals, La Paloma now also offers a more intimate experience at Chef’s Table.
Address: 1/F, 189 Queen’s Road West in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong