12 New Hong Kong Restaurants to Try This Summer

In a city with endless new restaurant openings, this summer sees a surge in eateries of all kinds popping up around town: from casual concepts by well-established chefs like Shane Osborn of Arcane, to Michelin-starred chef Julien Royer’s first Hong Kong venture, to The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s new sommelier-led casual neo-bistro. There’s no better time than the fun summer months to check out all the newcomers. Here are 13 new Hong Kong restaurants to add to your upcoming reservations list.

L’Envol

The St. Regis Hong Kong has been making quite the buzz since its opening. Adding to the hurrah is its new restaurant, L’Envol, by Chef Olivier Elzer. Everything about this place embodies French fine dining, from its contemporary salon interiors to the painstakingly detailed dishes, to the incredibly impressive cheese and wine room: a cave with over 25 different varieties of French cheese!

L’Envol, 3/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive; Wan Chai; +852 2138 6818 

Louise

At the top of the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is Singapore’s two-Michelin-starred Odette, so you can imagine our excitement when its chef, Julien Royer, decided to expand to this part of the world with Louise. Taking over Aberdeen Street Social at PMQ, the new restaurant serves a fresh take on traditional French cuisine in a casual setting.

Louise, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; +852 2866 0300  

SOMM

Backed by a passionate team of sommeliers led by the hotel’s wine director, John Chan, SOMM is proud to house Hong Kong’s widest range of wine and sake by the glass (over 1,000 to be exact), making it a popular spot to pop in for a quality pour. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, SOMM’s European-style cuisine features predominately Japanese ingredients designed to pair with its bottles, reversing the order for a change to really focus on its drinks list.
SOMM, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0188

Castellana

If you don’t spend much time in Causeway Bay, it’s time to make trip for a change of scenery at Castellana. The Piedmontese fine-dining restaurant focuses on classic dishes and ingredients from Northern Italy, particularly outstanding wine and truffles. Truffles are served table side and guests are encouraged to shave as much as they wish on their dishes.

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay; +852 3188 5028

Cornerstone

Little brother to French fine diner Arcane, The Final Table chef Shane Osborn’s new restaurant takes a more relaxed and casual approach. Conveniently located on Hollywood Road, Cornerstone is an all-day dining spot serving elevated comfort food like smoked salmon on malt bread, Wagyu bavette and fresh homemade pastas.

Cornerstone, 49 Hollywood Road, Central

Kinship

Celebrating the lasting bonds of family and friendship (hence the name of the restaurant), former executive chefs of Lily and Bloom, Chris Grare, and Gough’s on Gough, Arron Rhodes, join forces to create their first co-venture restaurant, Kinship. The farm-to-table concept focuses on sustainability, sourceing from local suppliers in Hong Kong as much as possible. 

Kinship, 3/F, 2 – 4 Shelley Street, Central; +852 2520 0899

The Leah

After his global tour with One Star House Party, British chef James Sharman returns to Hong Kong with new British restaurant The Leah. The style of food served here is based on the chef’s personal experiences more than his training or a single type of cuisine. He describes it as super hearty, unfussy, good British food, done right. Look out for simple classics like chicken and leek pie, or Scotch egg and solders as well as reimagined dishes of scallops, leeks and black pudding.

The Leah, 3/F, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay; +852 2337 7651 

Le Pain Quotidien

The simple task of searching for a quality Western bakery in Hong Kong is more daunting than one would think. Good bread is hard to come by, but few and far between, there are a few notable spots to get a rustic loaf or a cheeky pastry. Happily, Le Pain Quotidien has just opened its fourth branch in Tsim Sha Tsui, adding to the existing branches in Wan Chai, Admiralty and Elements.

Le Pain Quotidien, Shop G3, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2352 4588

Nhau

Just a stone’s throw away from Man Mo Temple, Nhau is Chef Que Vinh Dang’s first Vietnamese concept — a cumulation of heritage, culinary experience and passion for innovation. Don’t expect your everyday bowl of pho though, because at Nhau, they serve a modern take on Vietnamese flavours using French cooking techniques like the popular banh mi rice tacos and 40n fish sauce dry aged striploin.

Nhau, 12 Circular Pathway, Central; +852 3612 4568 

Rajasthan Rifles

Good news for residents of The Peak: Black Sheep Restaurants has opened its first establishment in the area. Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Palahs Mitra of Michelin-starred New Punjab Club, Rajasthan Rifles is the place to find hearty Anglo-Indian fare such as soola salmon served on a sizzle plate, smoky plates of goat seekh kebab and classic comforts like butter chicken.

Rajasthan Rifles, G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak; +852 2388 9974

Sip Song

The Pulse strip is a nice place to cool off from the summer heat down by Repulse Bay Beach. And now with the opening of Sip Song — Thai Eatery & Bar, weekenders can enjoy Southern Thai comforts from their coast at ours. Menu highlights include jungle curry clams, whole steamed mullet fish, hanger steak and banana roti pancake.

Sip Song, Shop 114 & 115, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay; +852 2328 8285

Tapa Room

For some wholesome Spanish fare and a couple of cocktails, Tapa Room is a friendly neighbourhood joint that offers just that. Home cook turned chef, Kora Wong heads up the kitchen where she whips up classics like tortilla de patata, Iberico ham croquets, foie gras bikinis, and a killer piri piri whole roasted chicken.

Tapa Room, Gloucester Hotel, 217 – 218 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai; +852 2881 8877