Kennedy Town: Ultimate guide

From local holes-in-the-wall to Michelin-recommended spots, Thai and Indian to Mexican and Egyptian, Kennedy Town's bounty of restaurants offer a truly moveable feast of international cuisine. If you're lucky, you might even get a coveted spot that overlooks the waterfront or an al fresco table where you can people-watch. 

One of K-Town's hottest tables is 11 Westside, created by La chef Esdras Ochoa of Netflix's The Final Table fame. Deliciously authentic tacos are the house special – try the El Pastor and Carne Asada – and the tableside guac is justifiably popular. 

Seeking authentic international fare? Bresola is one of Kennedy Town's oldest restaurants and has been consistently dishing up decadent Italian cuisine – pizza, pasta, risotto – in a convivial setting. Nearby, Aziza is a go-to for Egyptian and Mediterranean food. What the restaurant lacks in space, it makes up for in the flavours of its tagines, shawarmas and more. Start with the hummus and finish with the Special Kounafa.

Photograph: Joshua Lin | Yuan is Here 

Kennedy Town also boasts myriad options for delightful Asian food. Queues go around the block at Yuan is Here, a Bib Gourmand-certified street food chain that offers affordable Taiwanese favourites like fatty minced pork on rice, oyster omelette, and sweet plum fried potato. Sheung Hei Claypot Rice is another popular Michelin-recommended spot offering 30 kinds of claypot rice variants – the secret's in the rice – a mix of fresh and leftover grains flavoured with pig fat. For something more eclectic, try Missy Ho's, an intimate space featuring funky décor and a menu of popular Asian fusion dishes—try the famed pork belly bao.

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Whether you're after a barista-made artisanal coffee or craft cocktail or anything in between – you'll find somewhere to quench your thirst in Kennedy Town. 

Stylish % Arabica outlet dishes up signature espresso brews alongside popular Spanish or matcha lattes, while Little Cove Espresso serves up a selection of coffees using beans from Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and Ethiopia.

Several places even pair soothing hot bevvies with booze. For Single is a stripped-back concept store focusing on single-origin coffees and single-malt whiskies. 

Photograph: Courtesy For Single

A few blocks away, Winstons Coffee is a popular all-day spot that does cracking coffees and cheeky coffee-infused cocktails. Try and grab a coveted spot and treat yourself to a latte and lamington—or perhaps an espresso martini. 

Then there's Grain. A collaboration between Hong Kong's Gweilo craft brewery and Woolly Pig restaurant group, the gastropub has a covetable list of exclusive and imported beers, along with the Gweilo Brewlab, an on-site R&D brewing facility where visitors can taste experimental brews. There's also a menu of hearty food to soak up all that booze.

Arguably the best drinking den in the neighbourhood, The Wilshire is a cosy speakeasy hidden in the back of 11 Westside. Headed by Daniel Eun, the former head bartender of PDT New York, The Wilshire shakes up a range of classic and avant-garde cocktails—the team will even create a bespoke drink based on your preferences.

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For now, Kennedy Town seems to be evolving into a real drinking-and-dining destination. But for those looking to get some retail therapy, there are a few places worth checking out. 

One of the pioneers of eco-friendly shopping in Hong Kong, Slowood is a haven of green products and produce, from organic and vegan food to natural skincare and good-for-the-environment cleaning supplies. Plus, you can buy many things in bulk and without any plastic packaging. 

Photograph: TA | Spice Box Organics

Inspired by the herbal remedies and Ayurvedic traditions of India, Spice Box Organics is a grocery store packed with more spices, superfoods, keto-friendly items, and vitamins than you can shake a stick at. The Kennedy Town outpost even has a café that whips up coffee and a menu of wholesome, healthy dishes. 

Photograph: TA | Shing Fat Coconut & Spices 

With a legacy stretching back to the 1950s, Shing Fat Coconut & Spices is a legend of Hong Kong – though its Kennedy Town location opened relatively recently in 2017. The city's gourmands flock here to find an assortment of coconut products – fresh, milk, water and more – and rare herbs and spices. 

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With so much going on in this revamped neighbourhood, there's not a moment for boredom. Start at the Belcher Bay Promenade, a public space facing the water that features a boardwalk, children's playground, and even a community farm and garden. During the weekend, it is filled with renegade skateboarders, dogs, picnickers, and couples looking for a romantic moment.

Also near the water, the Sai Wan Swimming Shed is popular with swimmers — though the beloved 'Instagram Pier' is off-limits. 

Looking to swim somewhere more official? The Kennedy Town Swimming Pool is arguably one of the best public bathing houses around. Overlooking Victoria Harbour, the facility offers indoor and outdoor pools and a jacuzzi.

Photograph: Cara Hung | Golden Scene Cinema

If you fancy catching a movie, Golden Scene Cinema is Kennedy Town's only temple of film. There are just four houses, but you'll find new releases and a wealth of old Hong Kong movies screening here. Better yet, round up the gang and head to Wheat and Wood for a few hours of friendly competition. This café is dedicated to fun, classic board games, so you can play while enjoying some snacks and drinks.

Photograph: Shutterstock | Lo Pan Temple

If something with a little more history is what you're after, pay a visit to the Lo Pan Temple. Built in the early 1800s, the temple is dedicated to the god of builders and carpenters, Lo Pan, who is believed to have the power to determine the location and orientation of buildings.

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From chic lofts and warehouse conversions to cosy French-inspired boltholes and modern apartments with harbour views, there are several enticing accommodation options available in Kennedy Town through AirBnB. If you're looking for a classic hotel, though, book a room at the conveniently located Mia Casa. The simple but comfortable boutique hotel in the heart of the district offers easy access to everything Kennedy Town has to offer.

Rooms are welcoming oases rendered in white walls, wood-panelled flooring, crisp white sheets, and all the mod-cons you could want. For an extra treat, the Deluxe Terrace Rooms are spacious 500sqft and offer exquisite harbour views and a snug patio that's perfect for sundowners.

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