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Finding a genuinely great neighbourhood restaurant always feels like a win. Landing in Sai Ying Pun with exactly that ambition is Don Pedro, an intimate 35-seat steakhouse and wine bar dedicated to bringing the warmth and romance of Argentinian hospitality to this corner of town.
The project comes from veteran restaurateur Chris Mark and his business partner Vidur Yadav. Instead of a flashy new dining spot, Mark – a long-time SYP resident himself – pitches the restaurant as a laidback neighbourhood hangout with stripped-back interiors, simple white tiles, and the gentle glow of candlelight. It’s an unpretentious backdrop built for community rather than clout. “Success for us isn’t a Michelin star,” Mark explains, “It’s walking in a year from now and seeing that every guest in the room has been here before, that they know the butcher by name, that we know what wine they like and that it’s waiting for them before they even order it.”
Speaking of the butcher, there’s some great local history built into the space. The butchery programme is led by Seth McKenzie, a master craftsman in selecting, cutting, and ageing meat, who previously ran a butcher shop out of the very same site where Don Pedro now sits. The beef used at the restaurant is sourced from the same premium farms that supply the legendary Parrilla Don Julio in Buenos Aires – widely known as the world’s best steakhouse. You can opt for a 12oz ribeye that’s been dry-aged in-house for 75 days, or an 8oz tenderloin aged for 40 days.
If you don’t want to roll home completely weighed down by beef, the rest of the menu also explores the broader landscape of Argentinian culinary culture. Diners can begin their meal with housemade charcuterie, including Hong Kong black pork terrine with apricot and pistachio, which arrives at the table with a complimentary condiments trolley. Other appetisers include beef empanadas, chorizo flambé, and a bone broth tea, while the sides are deliberately kept minimal with bravas potatoes, crispy oyster mushrooms, fresh asparagus, and wedge salad with smoked provolone and salsa golf. For dessert, be sure to save room for the restaurant’s namesake treat, the Don Pedro, featuring freshly turned gelato topped with toasted walnuts and a generous pour of whisky.
As for the drinks, the wine programme is dedicated to exploring Argentina’s signature grape while highlighting some of the country’s boutique wineries. Guests who enjoy their sips of Malbec will definitely appreciate the exclusive ‘Malbec flight’, a curated progression that spans from a vibrant Malbec-based rosé to unconventional blends with Pinot Noir and structured classics.
Don Pedro is available for bookings, with doors open from 5pm to 11pm, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays). Reservations can be made via the restaurant’s official website or by calling +852 7075 8631.
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