New must-try restaurants this February

Brunch in Hong Kong is the ultimate weekend indulgence, with awesome food and bevvies to boot. With diners’ options ranging from humble eggs benedict and pancakes to mouthwatering fry-ups and everything in between, it’s hard to know where to start. Whether it’s free-flow champagne or #yolkporn you’re after, this is your definitive guide to Hong Kong’s best brunches. 

Since 2014, Jamie’s Italian – the Italian restaurant chain brought to us by much-loved Brit chef Jamie Oliver – has served hungry Hongkongers in Causeway Bay since 2014, with a subsequent branch opening later in TST’s Harbour City. All this is about to change, however, as both eateries are set to close their doors tomorrow, on February 28. According to the restaurants’ operators, both branches have gone through tough times in recent months, with the civil unrest in the city initially driving customer numbers down in the latter stages of 2019, and the recent outbreak of the coronavirus apparently proving the straw that broke the camel’s back for Oliver’s HK outposts.  Unfortunate as it may be – especially as it comes as part of a string of recent venue closures and event cancellations – it’s hardly a huge shock. Tourism numbers are down to a fraction of what they were this time last year, and Hongkong dwellers are generally eating out much less these days in the wake of the virus outbreak. Let’s hope this isn’t the last we see of Jamie and his pukka restaurants in our city.

Got a case of cabin fever? In need of finding a quiet spot to fit in some quality time to work? Yes, there’s always Starbucks or Pacific Coffee Company, but there are actually plenty of other great cafés that can provide a haven for you and your trusty laptop, complete with free internet and excellent coffee brews. Here are some of our favourite coffee shops that are ideal for you to up your productivity game.  RECOMMENDED: If you’re on the lookout to set up a more permanent workstation or a space to call your own, take a look at our recommendation on the best co-working spaces in Hong Kong. 

One of our most favourite people are bartenders; they listen to our woes, make us feel good, and give us the best medicine off the counter, a cocktail. On February 24, let’s all celebrate World Bartender Day and appreciate the hard-working bartenders in our local cocktail scene. We picked the brains of some of our local favourite tipple makers to know what they are really thinking when working behind the bar, so that we the customers, can put happy in their happy hour. From customer orders to their favourite – and not so favourite – drinks to make, read below what our local bartenders have to say. RECOMMENDED: From speakeasies to sake joints, these are the top Hong Kong bars shaking and stirring your favourite drinks. If you’re trying to cut back on alcohol, though, these Hong Kong bars serve excellent mocktails every bit as creative as their alcoholic offerings.

Laksa is one of the most popular dishes in Hong Kong when it comes to Southeast Asian cuisine. With a rich and slightly spicy soup base paired with a variety of ingredients like beancurd puffs and fresh seafood, it’s no surprise that we drool just seeing it on the menu. While this noodle dish can be found at most regional restaurants, a truly good bowl can be hard to find. So here are six of the best laksas in town, from rich curry-flavoured to the hot-and-sour. Happy slurping!RECOMMENDED: Keen to taste more of Asia? Tuck into these amazing boat noodles or pop over to Kowloon City’s best Thai restaurants.

The Diplomat is the brainchild of award-winning mixologist John Nugent (formerly of Lily & Bloom) who is known for his innovative twists on old classics. True to the nature of a diplomat, you’ll see Nugent being friendly to his customers, helping them decide on orders, and chatting with them at every opportunity.  At first glance, the exterior of the bar looks stiff and corporate with a suited bouncer greeting customers at the door. This all changes as you enter the premises and become immersed in the bar’s light and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is replete with leather seats and brass finishings, and while taking these in, it’s easy to miss the intricately detailed ceiling tiles that bear the bar’s logo. Should your inner diplomat have important business to attend to, a lavish hallway with shades of pink and copper will lead you to the washroom.  The bar’s menu is easy to navigate and reasonably priced compared to neighbouring bars. We started with the signature Diplo Daiquiri; house rum blend, pineapple, anise, and salt ($95) followed by Pearl, made with vodka, Campari, French herbs, Mr. Black Coffee Amaro, pineapple, and almonds ($95). The two drinks are okay to whet your appetite, made for easy drinking, but aren’t standouts. To gain a better appreciation of the signature menu, ask the staff about the famous diplomats who inspired the drinks.  What seem to be the real crowd pleasers are the reimagined classics. "Oh, I should have gotten the same drink as yours!" "

OCTOBER 2019: As our city’s vibrant restaurant scene continues to evolve at a rapid pace, we’ve made more than a few additions to our list this time around. Most notably, the new-in-town French cuisine maestros at Louise have stormed in to take the coveted top spot, and we’ve also welcomed to the pack visionary French-Japanese fusion eatery à nu retrouvez-vous, laidback Vietnamese spot Chôm Chôm, and down-to-earth noodle paradise, Mak Man Kee, among others. Welcome to the Time Out EAT List, for which we’ve been busy scouring the streets and alleys to bring you the very best restaurants in Hong Kong. As usual, this line-up has been compiled by our ravenous food and drinks editors who aren’t just on the hunt for a delectable bite – although taste certainly doesn’t count for nothing – but also consider the buzziness of the atmosphere, the price (for those on a tight budget, check out our dedicated cheap eats list), and the relevance of the concept in our ever-changing metropolis.  From long-time favourites to newbies, we've sorted everything, from restaurants in some of Hong Kong’s best hotels to the city's most delectable street eats. In short, this is whatever serves the best food in Hong Kong right now. Let’s dig in! Eaten somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutEatList Looking for more recent openings? Check out our pick of Hong Kong's best new restaurants.

There are so many outstanding Hong Kong bars that it’s hard to decide how and where to allocate your time, money and rapidly diminishing sobriety. Whether you want a fancy cocktail at a speakeasy, a bottle of biodynamic wine, a hazy IPA at a craft beer joint, or something else entirely, there’s something for you in our famously crowded and fast-paced city. We’ve put our livers on the line to deliver you a definitive list of the 51 best Hong Kong bars. Enjoy! Visited somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDrinkList. You can also find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews bars here.

Escape above the hustle and bustle of the city at these bars with fantastic views and fantastic drinks to match.

As celebrity chef Paul Prudhomme once put it: you don’t need a silver fork to eat good food. In honour of that adage, the Time Out Hong Kong food team has trawled the islands to sniff out the 51 best bites under 50 bucks. This summer, celebrate the noodle vendors, skewer sellers and eggette experts that make Hong Kong such a wonderful place to eat.  RECOMMENDED: Sink your teeth into a spread at some of Hong Kong’s best restaurants.

There are many hidden bars in Hong Kong, did you know? Or are they just so well hidden you had no clue? Well, that’s what Time Out is for. In fact, the whole ‘hidden bar’ thing can sometimes feel like a gimmick or a substitute for actually serving decent drinks. The few establishments like that have given the rest a bad name because some of Hong Kong’s very best bars are ones that are a little secretive and not so easy to find. Read on to discover the best.