Central is a bustling area packed with everything you might need, from shopping at high-end malls, staying at luxury hotels, and dining at the finest restaurants. If you want to be at the heart of Hong Kong's frenetic energy, this is the best place to be.
EAT
Ho Lee Fook
Central boasts a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants and offers a variety of cuisines. Among the favourites for locals and expats is Ho Lee Fook, blending modernity with nostalgic Hong Kong flavours. Chef Archan Chan serves innovative Cantonese dishes, from creative dim sum to hearty specialities like Wok-Fried Wagyu Short Rib and the signature Ho Lee Duck, requiring a 72-hour pre-order. The restaurant's fun retro ambience, complete with Instagram-worthy elements like mahjong tiles and a giant fortune cookie sculpture, makes it a popular choice for group gatherings.
Explore our list of the best Central restaurants.
DRINK
Bar Leone
There are tons of drinking joints in CBD, but if you only have time to visit one bar, make a beeline for the Italian drinking joint, Bar Leone. The bar is buzzing these days, especially after being crowned The Best Bar in Asia and The Best Bar in Hong Kong on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. But if you’re able to get a seat, the wait is worth it. The place is led by celebrated mixologist Lorenzo Antinori and offers a laid-back hangout spot for well-crafted drinks and filling bar bites like its crowd-favorite mortadella sandwich.
Click this list for the 50 best bars in Central.
DO
Tai Kwun
A trip to Tai Kwun offers a mix of dining, art, shopping, and culture. It is the former Central Police compound, now a vibrant and successful revitalisation project, serves as a central hub for arts, live performances, and diverse dining experiences, making it a must-visit heritage site in Hong Kong.
STAY
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Four Seasons is the go-to luxury hotel in the city, known for its stunning views of Victoria Harbour and The Peak. Conveniently situated in Central, linked to the IFC mall, it offers a beautifully renovated lobby flooded with natural light, inviting seating areas, and warm, welcoming staff. Here guests can enjoy multiple pools – a lap pool for morning exercises, a plunge pool for muscle relaxation, and an infinity pool with underwater music speakers providing picturesque views of Victoria Harbour for a leisurely swim experience.
If you do just one thing…
Hop on the Central to Mid-Levels escalator, famous as the world's longest covered escalator system. There's truly nothing like it; not only does it shuttle locals back and forth in Central, but this iconic spot has also served as a backdrop in numerous local and international films.