Hong Kong Restaurants

1. Little Bao

Slide into one of the dozen-some seats and tuck into the delicious baos—fluffy steamed buns sandwiched with all types of delicious ingredients. The rest of the menu is globally inspired and includes to-share plates such as drunken clams, short-rib dumplings, and truffle fries.

2. Yau Yuan Xiao Jui

It might look like any other tiny, storefront noodle joint, but its humble appearance belies its culinary prowess. The restaurant serves authentic Shaanxi snacks, which can be best described as some of the heartiest and delicious chow that China has to offer.

3. Café Matchbox

The decor, staff uniforms, and—of course—the food all capture the retro vibe of the 1960s Hong Kong cha chaan teng (local café). Cantonese pop songs from that era play over the sound system while diners relish bowls of elbow macaroni served in soup and topped with ham and eggs. Other staples include spaghetti served in chicken broth with cha siu pork and green peas. But the sweets here are what really stand out. The egg tarts are rich and custardy, and the French toast is served with a giant slab of butter. Surely the best items, though, are the hotcakes topped with bananas, buttered walnuts, and soft-serve ice cream.

4. C’est La B

Indulge your sweet tooth with C’est La B’s wide array of gorgeously whimsical cakes and desserts. The sugary creations at this bakery-café are decidedly extravagant and come with playful, tongue-in-cheek names like Better Than Sex (chocolate fudge cake with caramel crunch and red sugar lips) and Blessing in Disguise (carrot and cheesecake with berry glaze). Most cakes are available in miniature portions, so feel free to sample a few. C’est La B operates a second branch in Tsim Sha Tsui.

5. Delicious Food

The street stalls of Hong Kong are filled with interesting snacks of all shapes and sorts. The intrepid should trek over to Delicious Food for the infamous stinky tofu.

6. Fei Jie Snacks Stall

Dundas Street in Mong Kok is filled with street vendors. The Fei Jie Snacks Stall is one of the best, with its dizzying selection of skewered choices ranging from chewy squid to duck gizzard to pig intestine (best eaten with a squirt of mustard).

7. Ho Ho Shanghai Restaurant

Just beyond the northern boundary of Tsim Sha Tsui, on a side street off Nathan Road near the Jordan MTR station, this humble place is popular among locals seeking a quick bowl of noodles or a simple, tasty Shanghainese dish. Try a dish of Shanghainese rice with vegetables, topped with your choice of meat, or the fried noodles, soup noodles, and sweet spareribs.

8. Kam Fung

The space is dingy, the tables are cramped, and the staff is brash—but the food makes it all worth it. Kam Fung has been around for more than five decades, serving traditional Hong Kong café fare such as crumbly crusted freshly baked egg tarts, and pineapple buns wedged with a thick slab of butter. Wash everything down with the velvety smooth milk tea after a meal that’s cheap, quick, and absolutely satisfying.

9. La Crêperie

This French-owned spot specializes in authentic, thin Breton crêpes filled with all sorts of sweet or savory fillings. Most of the clientele is French, which is a good indication of the authenticity of the food. Fillings for these made-fresh-to-order pancakes range from traditional to experimental; La Complète buckwheat galette is loaded with a classic combination of egg, ham, and deliciously gooey melted cheese, while L’Italienne has tomato, mozzarella cheese, anchovies, and olives. The dessert crêpe selection is just as wide-ranging. La Crêperie also carries a delicious apple cider—the traditional drink of choice for accompanying galettes in Brittany.

10. La Crêperie

11. Lee Keung Kee

Bubble-shaped egg waffles are a local specialty in Hong Kong, and Lee Keung Kee offers a delicious version. The waffles here are crisp on the outside but soft and cottony on the inside.

12. Mana!

The guys at Mana! have come up with the concept of “fast slow food”—a convenient and eco-conscious mode of eating that’s good for the body and the environment. Utensils and containers are all biodegradable, while the menu brims with plant-based dishes prepared from sustainable organic produce sourced from local farms. Enjoy mixed salads, veggie burgers, and good-for-you shakes and juices. The main attractions are the flatbreads, which are freshly baked in Mana’s brick oven. They’re spread with za’atar (a Middle East herb-and-spice mix), then topped with hearty items like roasted veggies, garlic mayo, or hummus. Saving the planet never tasted so delicious.

13. Mido Café

This old-school cha chaan teng (local café) has plenty of charm, since the decor hasn’t changed much since the ’60s. Although prices have gone up somewhat over time, the food still draws plenty of loyal fans. Try the famous baked-pork-chop rice or enjoy a slice of crispy French toast with a cup of milk tea.

14. Petite Amanda

For western-style treats, head to Petite Amanda, opened by model-turned-pastry-chef Amanda Strang. The sweets shop sells traditional French cakes and pastries such as the layered hazelnut-and-chocolate plaisir sucré.

15. Shui Kee

Fold-up tables and stools are scattered around this small stall, which specializes in cow offal served with noodles in broth. Tender beef brisket and deep-fried wontons are also popular options.

16. Si Sun

One of the pioneers of American fast-food-style dining in Hong Kong, Si Sun still looks and feels like an eatery from the swinging '60s. The plastic fixtures have stayed the same over the past few decades, and the menu doesn’t seem to have changed much either. Burgers are geared toward local tastes, and the freshly grilled beef patties are sandwiched between two soft buns and topped with ketchup and mayo. Add cheese or a fried egg and your meal will still be a steal. Si Sun also offers pork and fish fillet burgers, as well as a few rice and noodles dishes.

17. Sing Heung Yuen

This outdoor stall has been in operation for well over 30 years and the canopied tables are pretty much always packed from 8 am to 5:30 pm. The iconic dishes here are the instant ramen noodles or beef and macaroni served in a sweet tomato broth, as well as the toasted, crispy buns drizzled with condensed milk.

18. Tan Ngan Lo

Chinese herbal teas are served by the bowlful at this Temple Street institution. Some of the bittersweet beverages may not be to everyone’s taste, but most of them—such as the five-flower tea—are said to have beneficial medicinal properties and are especially refreshing on a hot day.

19. Yee Shun Milk Company

Expect to wait in line if you want to try the famed milk desserts from Yee Shun Milk Company. The velvety-smooth, double-boiled milk pudding is rich and comforting. The ginger-flavored milk pudding has a nice spicy kick, making it the perfect stomach warmer—a must-try if you’re visiting Hong Kong in the wintertime. Chocolate and coffee puddings are also available.