Tatum Ancheta

Whether you're looking to catch a beautiful sunset or planning a romantic dinner under the stars, our city has it all. If there are no dreary overcast, embrace the weather and take the opportunity to enjoy Hong Kong's harbour and the skyline. Dine at eateries with the best views of the city. Here's a roundup of restaurants that offer the most stunning backdrops for your meal.  RECOMMENDED: Prefer sticking to street level? Head to some of Hong Kong's newest restaurants.

In case you haven’t heard, Hong Kong is giving out over 700,000 free airline tickets under the Hello Hong Kong campaign to boost city tourism. These tickets will be distributed in phases through airlines Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines. Apart from the 500,000 tickets allotted for overseas travellers, around 80,000 tickets will be given away to Hong Kong residents.  Cathay Pacific has already rolled out several phases for Asian regions like Southeast Asia, mainland China, as well as Europe and the Middle East. For the campaign’s latest instalment, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines will be distributing over 30,480 tickets to travellers from Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. We’ve gathered all the key information that you need to know, so that you can apply with ease. Please note that all giveaway pages will be written in their respective market’s languages. Make sure to bookmark this page, as we will update this with new information as soon as we hear it.RECOMMENDED: Take a look at our roundup of the 50 best things to do while you're in Hong Kong.

Get ready to explore the trendy and vibrant neighbourhood of Mid-Levels. Nestled just above Central on the slope of one of the highest points on Hong Kong Island, its prime location makes the area one of the most sought-after spots in the city. The vicinity is well-connected to the rest of Hong Kong and is filled with artisanal cafes and restaurants, museums, and stunning parks that draw visitors from all corners of the city. Keep reading to discover how to make the most of this vibrant neighbourhood. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK THINGS TO DO STAY What are the Mid-Levels known for?The Mid-Levels is known to be a quiet residential area with a quick commute to the CBD. Why do the locals love it?The Mid-Levels is located between the mountains and a gastronomic haven, giving you the best of both worlds. A short hike up and you’ll find yourself getting lost in nature, only to end up at the Peak to take in panoramic views of the city. A short walk down will give you access to a myriad of restaurants, art galleries, and interesting shops. How do I get to Mid-Levels?The easiest way to come here is to take the MTR to Central and then ride the iconic Mid-Levels escalator to go up. There are also minibuses that will take you to Caine Road. Map of Mid-Levels If you only do one thing Ride the famous Mid-Levels Escalators, the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system, people watch, and enjoy the cityscape of the neighbourhood’s winding str

Hong Kong is an expensive city, not just for visitors but also for the locals who live in it. But that shouldn't stop you from exploring what it has to offer. If you're not ticking off your must-try Michelin-starred and fine dining restaurants list or 'staycationing' in the trendiest hotels in town, there are actually tons of amazing free activities to do in the city. And if you're penny-pinching, we've got your back with these cheap and cheerful activities around the city that won't burn a hole in your pocket.  RECOMMENDED: Explore the 50 most incredible things to do in Hong Kong.

If you're looking for the latest foodie news in Hong Kong, you've come to the right place. From exciting product launches and giveaways to new menus, here are all the delicious happenings in the city that should be on your radar. Save this page for more updates! We'll keep adding the latest news as soon as we hear it! RECOMMENDED: Check out our roundup of Hong Kong's newest bars that you need to visit.

Looking for alternative eats away from the city? Consider heading out to restaurants and bars that offer the best seafront views in town. You can escape the hustle and bustle, get out for a bit of a breather, and take in the panoramic ocean views. So, without further ado, here it is. Our list of the best beachside dining and drinking spots in Hong Kong.    Before you visit, make sure to contact the venue to check if there are any changes to their opening hours. RECOMMENDED: Enjoy a meal at one of Hong Kong's secluded dining spots.

Central is home to quite a number of bars in Hong Kong. You’ll find drinking dens on almost every corner, and even restaurants offer standalone bars. So finding where to drink after work hours is not difficult, but finding the best ones is a different task altogether. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the best bars in Central that offer some of the finest libations in the area. From bars showcasing the best city skyline and harbour views to hidden gems, themed bars, and pubs offering specific spirits, there’s something for everyone.  RECOMMENDED: Visit this list if you want to check out the latest bar openings in Hong Kong. 

As we roll into a new month, we’re taking you on a journey to eat your way through Hong Kong and try the city’s latest openings. This month, check out all the best additions to the city's dining scene, from a Transformers-themed restaurant and a teppanyaki steakhouse to a vegetable-focused French restaurant and a contemporary Cantonese cha chaan teng and more. Think we missed a new great dining place in Hong Kong? Shoot us an email at info.hk@timeout.com so we can check it out! RECOMMENDED: Take a look at our roundup of the 50 best restaurants and bars in Hong Kong.

So, you've been thinking about adding sex toys in the bedroom to boost your intimate time with your partner but don't know where to start? Well, landing on this feature is the first step. It means you're ready to bring up the heat to your coupled sex life. With the help of sex educator – Sally's Toy and Women's Festival HK co-founder – Vera Lui, we've curated a list of products that will help you kickstart your sex toy journey and take your bedroom play to a new level. Whether you're shopping for some fun tool to spice up your sex life or looking to explore sex toys with your partner for the first time, this list has everything for every type of stimulation.  RECOMMENDED: Also, check out the latest sex toys products in the market.

With the number of sex toy shops scattered around Hong Kong, it looks like the city is not shy about experimenting and getting a little naughty in the bedroom. So, we did a bit of window shopping to look at what these shops are actually offering, and checked out the weirdest inventions that sex toy companies are coming up with. Get ready to be amazed – if you haven't seen or used these already (don't worry we are not judging) – or to shop for some fun, otherworldly, kinky toys you might want to explore for yourself or your partner for Valentine's Day – or any day! Who knows, you might discover something that you never thought you actually needed. If not for its function, some of these items deserve to be in a museum just for its design and form.  RECOMMENDED: Looking for sex toys that you can share with your partner? Check out these couple-friendly bedroom staples that you can buy in Hong Kong.  

The sex toy market is an evolving tech industry, so there’s always something new in the market when it comes to adult toys. Whether you’re looking for sex toys for couples, gifts for yourself, or something more unhinged for more advanced sex toy users, Hong Kong’s adult toy shops have something in store for you. This year, we’ve seen a few naughty launches in the city that will get you heated up for the cooler season.   RECOMMENDED: Need some help to get the mood going? Take a peek at some of Asia's most erotic fantasies. 

Hong Kong’s dining scene is constantly evolving. Week after week, a new restaurant joins the F&B industry, so narrowing down where to actually book a table can be daunting. To help you, we created the Time Out Eat List and handpicked the best eateries in the city. From well-seasoned stalwarts to tasty newcomers, here’s a list of restaurants that we think you’ll be glad to try at least once or return to again and again. Read on for our pick of the 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong right now.  Rankings change every month depending on the latest and most creative offerings, so bookmark this page to keep updated and get some inspiration for where your next meal could be.  Eaten somewhere on this list and loved it? Know of a restaurant that should be on this list? Let us know! Tag us on Instagram and use the hashtag #TimeOutEatList. Click the video below to see a sneak peek of the top restaurants to visit this month View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)   RECOMMENDED: Looking for bars? Whatever drinking experience you’re after, there's a bar waiting for you to explore in Hong Kong. Click here for our list of the 50 best bars to visit right now. Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in Hong Kong’s city news, culture, and dining.

Hong Kong’s bar scene is continuously evolving, with new establishments popping up almost every month. As the weather warms up, even more, new bars are set to open in the city. Following the recent announcement of The Savory Project’s opening - the second project of renowned bar Coa – top bar at Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2021 and 2022 - another highly anticipated addition is Bar Leone - the first independent venture by award-winning mixologist Lorenzo Antinori, formerly the beverage manager at Four Seasons Hong Kong’s Argo.    Set to open in June on Bridges Street in Soho, Bar Leone is a venue that aims to celebrate the community and spotlight classic cocktails. “We hope to become a reference point within Hong Kong’s F&B community, but also be known as a neighbourhood bar that you can come back to again and again,” shares Lorenzo. “Our aim is to create a curated experience which is unapologetically nostalgic whilst also having a bit of fun,” he adds.  Bar Leone aims to embody the spirit of the strong, sovereign lion, which is the symbol of Trastevere – Lorenzo’s hometown – and draw inspiration from traditional Roman bars that are an integral part of the city’s 21 neighbourhoods. Expect burnt orange banquettes, a mahogany bar, church-style candles, and beats from an eclectic soundtrack that celebrates Italian pop culture from the 70s to 80s.  The bar programme will showcase revived classic cocktails using a ‘low-intervention’ approach and will focus on ingredients and seaso

Watch the video below for a sneak peek on their new offerings: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Fireside, a concept under the Cupping Room group, is all about open-flame grilling and allowing the flavour and complexity of each ingredient to shine. Expect dishes from seafood, vegetables, and meat, including desserts all grilled and smoked with punchy flavours of smoked embers using binchotan charcoal and firewood from lychee, almond, and applewood. Not confined to one culinary direction, the restaurant initially opened in 2021 with executive chef Miguel Gallo at the helm, featuring a tasting menu of hot and cold dishes fired with flavours of smoke from their open-fire grill. In September 2022, head chef Jaime Ortolá (formerly of La Paloma) took over the kitchen, changing the offering from a tasting menu to an à la carte and set options that can be paired with approachable wines, beer, and cocktails. Along with grilled premium cuts of meats from Australia, Italy, and Spain, Fireside signature and crowd favourites such as the mouthwatering carabinero made with Scarlet cardinal prawn served with flambadou forged beef fat drippings can still be found on the menu. New additions include a rotating weekly special from chef Jaime’s kitchen, which changes based on the freshest produce available at the restaurant. This special utilises the freshest seafood or vegetables and may sometimes include Norwegian wolffish – a botto

If you’re looking for activities to do to celebrate Mother’s Day with your mums, head to GiG at Ovolo Southside and catch the insightful exhibit of award-winning Filipina Xyza Cruz Bacani. Presented by Ovolo Hotels, PathFinders, and Morgan McKinley, the exhibit will feature thought-provoking photographs from her published book We Are Like Air, offering a raw and insightful look into migration and motherhood. Mark your calendars on May 13 and 14, and don’t miss the opening party on Friday, May 12, from 6pm to 9pm. Xyza is known for photographing monochrome images of Hong Kong that reflect her experience as a second-generation Migrant Domestic Worker, covering topics like migration, motherhood, and social issues. Her works led her to showcase exhibits all across the globe and earned her a scholarship at New York University (NYU), which she recently finished in 2022. Her images for We Are Like Air are a celebration of the unconditional and sacrificial love of migrant women mothers. The exhibition hopes to honour migrant women and mothers and see them as champions.   Catch Xyza during the event and grab a signed copy of her book ($400). Tickets are available at $300 per person for the launch (with a complimentary $100 voucher for Ovolo Southside’s Mediterranean restaurant Kömune) and $100 for regular dates. Book your tickets via eventbrite.hk.  

  Hong Kong is home to many pseudo ‘speakeasies’ and ‘hidden’ bars inspired by the vestiges of the Prohibition era. But unlike the olden times, their locations and offerings are not really a secret and are inaccessible to everyone. That’s what makes the 1930 cocktail bar from Milan – ranked number 35 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 – different from the rest. Touted as ‘the most inaccessible bar of all Milan’, 1930 is a secret. No one knows the address unless they’re ‘in the know’, and you have to be invited and to even be granted entry. Lucky for us, we don’t have to fly all the way to Italy to make it a mission to try its offerings. All you have to do is head to The St. Regis Bar on May 2 and 3 to catch the bar shift of 1930’s mixologist Benjamin Cavagna. For two nights, from 7.30pm, Benjamin will work his magic behind the stick to present exclusive cocktails made with Moët Hennessy Diageo spirits.  If you’re a cocktail and bar enthusiast, this is a bar shift you wouldn’t want to miss. Who knows, maybe you can get up close and personal with Benjamin, and he might just grant you an invitation to his secret bar. Though it’s not a guarantee, it’s worth a try, so you can visit 1930 on your next trip to Milan! For enquiries contact The St. Regis Bar at 2138 6800.

The legendary Highland Park distillery, located on the Orkney Islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland, known for its delicate, sweet and aromatic peated whiskies, is celebrating its 225th anniversary in style with the release of its rare 54 Year Old whisky – a true testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to craft and quality. The liquid was meticulously crafted by master whisky maker Gordon Motion and bottled in a packaging designed by John Galvin, an award-winning luxury, bespoke objects designer. The 54 Year Old whisky (46.9 percent ABV) was originally distilled in 1968, combining four refill butts and six refill hogsheads in February 2008, which were then transferred into first-fill European sherry seasoned oak casks for their final maturation. The result is a whisky that is deep and complex, bold and intense, yet nuanced and refined. It marks the brand’s oldest-ever release to date, with only 225 bottles available in the market. Whisky collectors will have a chance to bag one of only 10 to 12 bottles available in the city at an auction with Bonhams Auction in Hong Kong on May 18, 2023. The starting bid is $320,000 and may go up to $400,000 or more, and proceeds of the sale will be donated to Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, a leading humanitarian organisation for children in Hong Kong and around the world. The winning bidder will receive a unique adventure for two in Orkney, where the distillery resides, complete with plane ticket

After the successful collaboration with The Peninsula Hong Kong for an afternoon tea cruise by the harbour, the famous Star Ferry partners with The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and invites everyone to come on board for a harbour tour with their cute doggies. From April 29 to May 1, fur parents can enjoy a fun tour across the harbour with their precious pooches onboard the iconic Star Ferry for the first time. The event aims to promote pet-friendly public transportation in Hong Kong, at the same time, encourage the community to support animal rescue, adoption services, desexing welfare programmes, and all other SPCA projects. The 45-minute harbour tour will run on three-time slots from 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm just before the sunset and will start at Central Pier No. 7. The first 50 dogs to register on the platform for the event will receive a VistaJet - VistaPet Pochettes ($500) that includes bio-organic pet food, treats created by a renowned chef, water-free pet shampoo, wipes for salon-quality fur care, and a rope toy. All dogs participating in the tours will receive a sailor-themed hat and bandana and a customised certificate of harbour tour completion. Those who will book on April 29, 3pm, will be able to join the Pet-A-Hood-themed ferry date and will receive a special goodie bag with a tote bag, envelope, treat box, water bowl, and a Pet-A-Hood sticker.  Tickets for the ride are priced at $200 per adult and child aged two or above and $199 per dog. Al

Argo is Four Seasons Hotel's multi-awarded bar, started by its former beverage manager and Time Out's 2020 Bartender of the Year, Lorenzo Antinori. The bar docked in Hong Kong in 2021 to challenge the way we think about drinks. As part of the second phase of the hotel's renovation, it replaced the former Blue Bar located in the hotel's lobby.  Compared to Caprice bar, located on the sixth floor of the hotel, which has a more formal setting and focuses on wines and cocktails with seasonal ingredients, Argo is more relaxed, highlights innovative spirits, and offers a conceptual cocktail programme.  Their inaugural cocktail menu, 'Here Today, Gone Tomorrow,' – Time Out's Best Cocktail Programme winner in 2021 – celebrates six staple ingredients – coffee, honey, rice, cacao, vanilla, and apples – that face an uncertain future because of climate change or the way it is cultivated. Replacing this menu in 2022, the bar launched the second volume of its cocktail menu, Cook Book, inspired by Hong Kong's culinary traditions. The menu features 12 new cocktails using soybean, apricot kernel, XO sauce, vegan char siu, black vinegar, and aged tea.  Spirit aficionados can explore unique liquors – available in 50ml shots, tasting flights, or as a classic cocktail – with the help of the bar's spirit bible, 'Field Guide to the World's Innovative Spirits', that highlights each bottle's unique story and origin. Interesting bottlings include the world's first AI-created gin Monker's Garkel, lab-m

Renowned chefs Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Ricardo Chaneton from Michelin-starred restaurants Ando and Mono have banded together to open Rosita in late 2022. Located on Ship Street in Wan Chai, the Latin American restaurant is fast becoming a neighbourhood favourite among residents and an after-work crowd from various parts of the city. Rosita, meaning 'little flower' in Spanish, brings a modern take on Latin American cuisine inspired by dishes that the founders typically eat from their family table. The kitchen is led by young Italian chef Marco Livoti – founder of Holy Cannoli and previously Sake Central's chef – who gives each Rosita plate his utmost care and attention and interprets familiar Latin American dishes using flavours and culinary techniques from French and Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a filling tasting menu (lunch, only available on weekends – $488/four-course or $788/six-course; daily dinner – $988/six-course) that starts with corn cakes arepa, a staple food in Venezuela and Colombia, which guests can enjoy with a mousse or butter depending on the availability. This is followed by refreshing amberjack ceviche with kohlrabi and celery before sharing plates of hearty lobster stew guiso – that Marco gives an Italian twist by adding pasta shells and using lobster instead of meat mixed with cherry tomatoes, carrots, and radishes – or the chef's special (+$628) South American chicken rice called arroz con pollo. Guests can end the meal with the creamy popcorn sea salt ice

Agora is the second restaurant venture by Madrid-born chef Antonio Oviedo. If 22 Ships is any indication of what Agora is like, it is nothing short of amazing. Unlike the ever-popular 22 Ships focusing on upscale casual tapas, Agora is a contemporary Spanish fine-dining concept that focuses on the chef’s roots to push out degustation menus highlighting seasonal ingredients from Spain and innovative cooking techniques like cultivation and dehydration.  Dine amidst intimate surroundings and enjoy elevated Spanish dishes carefully crafted in the open kitchen. The best seat in the house is, of course, the bar where you can watch the theatrical preparation of each dish. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner seasonal menus (starts at $1,388 to $1,788 per head), which serves predominantly fish and shellfish, one or two meat courses, and desserts. If you'd like to request pescatarian options, you must send your request ahead when you book as it is subject to availability. The meal ritual starts with a freshly baked serving of candeal bread – a traditional Spanish bread, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, which you can dip on Agora's Verdial extra virgin olive oil that came from centenary mountain olive trees from the Axarquía region in Malaga – followed by Erizo, a sea urchin flan topped with sea urchin served with slices of muscat grapes, a good prelude to the meals that come after. Standout dishes include Ventresca – tuna belly soaked in Agora's homemade fermented fi

A.P.E (A Perfect Escape) is a small hidden whisky bar tucked inside Esc coffeeshop in Tin Hau. The venue is brought to you by the same people behind InterContinental Grand Stanford's 1920s-style Tiffany's New York Bar. But compared to Tiffany's posh and classic gentleman's bar interior, A.P.E is more relaxed with a raw industrial design made for the younger crowd. The menu features over 30 bottles of Scotch from Speyside, Highland, Islay, and Lowland regions which can be tasted in three flight selections or as 30ml single drams (from $80 to $520, depending on the bottle). You can find whiskies from Independent Bottlers Douglas Laing, Thompson Bros, Elixir Distillers, and Asta Morris, among others, as well as Original Bottlings from Ardbeg, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Bruichladdich, and Auchentoshan distilleries. Those who want to drink cocktails can also choose from six classic whisky cocktails, including highball, Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, and whisky sour. Complimenting the drinks are sweet and savoury dishes, including cold cuts, nachos, fish and chips, creamy kimchi carbonara, and other desserts like churros and a whisky-infused raisin trifle (tip: order an extra shot of smoky whisky and drizzle it on the trifle for added depth).  Learn more about A.P.E from this feature. 

Update, March 1, 2023: The bar is relocating in Central, watch out for their reopening in April.  Just like its name, Barcode, short for bar, coffee, and dessert, serves all three of those things. Located on Glenealy Street, just below Smoke & Barrel, the shop serves snacks and desserts, as well as a variety of hand drip coffee in the morning, but once the clock strikes six, head into their hidden room for some after-work drinks. The brains behind the bar is tea-cocktail connoisseur and Tell Camellia's co-founder Gagan Gurung. Expect a menu of classic drinks and a roster of new signature coffee cocktails aka ‘coffee-tails’, designed to pair with their desserts and appeal to the sweet tooth crowd, like their Matcha Mousse parfait with chestnut. Try out the Coffee and Yu, Barcode’s take on an espresso tonic with the addition of locally produced coffee liquor, and yuzu. Other coffee infused drinks include their in-house redistilled gin with flavours like mango strawberry, blueberry, and hazelnut – if you can’t decide which to choose, try all three in a tasting flight.

Dara – means ‘auntie’ in Kapampangan (one of the eight major languages of the Philippines) and spoken primarily in the entire province of Pampanga – is a family-run business and is named after the restaurant’s executive chef and founder Imelda Bunoan, also known as Darang Mel (Auntie Mel). Expect traditional Filipino dishes with Kapampangan touches like the savoury sizzling sisig ($98) made with juicy bits of pork and chicken liver; the moreish palabok ($148) rice noodles with flavourful shrimp and smoked fish sauce, topped with crunchy chicharon, spring onion, and boiled egg; the sour and savoury stew called beef sinigang ($158); and their signature deep fried spring roll, lumpiang laing ($68), made with taro leaves, green chilli, and coconut milk. You can end your meal with servings of ube (purple yam) delights like ube pandan cake and ube cheesecake ($58 per serving).  On the drink menu, chef Mel’s son and Dara’s head mixologist and bar manager, Jon Bunoan (formerly from 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Bar Q88), mix up signature drinks ($118 per serving) inspired by Filipino produce as well as a modern interpretation of classic cocktails (starts at $108). Sip on herbal sour Gubat (forest) made with pandan cordial, dill-infused vodka, lemon, matcha, and fresh mint; the spirit forward Boulevardier called Usok (smoke) made with bourbon, Campari, vermouth, banana liqueur, infused with applewood-smoke; and Bunga (fruit) made with salted tamarind puree, vodka, raspberry cordial,

After being closed off from the rest of the world, Las Vegas Sands and Sands China celebrated Macau’s renewed tourism with a grand party to officially open The Londoner Macao on Cotai Strip. The festivities took place at The Londoner Arena last May 25 and were attended by A-listers and top officials of Macau. The event was officiated by none other than the iconic English footballer David Beckham, who also serves as the global ambassador of Sands Resorts Macao. He has been seen in Macau and Hong Kong in the past few days, making appearances to support the hotel’s much-awaited opening. Photograph: Tatum AnchetaGuests of honour, including David Beckham, officially mark the celebration of The Londoner Macao at The Londoner Arena The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Cotai Strip, as The Londoner Macao set the standard for luxury and entertainment in the region. Performances during the celebration included renowned piano virtuoso Lang Lang, Hong Kong singer-songwriter GEM, and Chinese musical theatre artist and actor Ayanga. The star-studded celebration was a reminder of the city’s resilience and its ability to bounce back stronger than ever.  Photograph: Tatum AnchetaDavid Beckham with piano virtuoso Lang Lang and vocalist and actor Ayanga The resort’s impressive redesign, inspired by London’s iconic landmarks, has elevated its status as a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike. Guests can immerse themselves in British history and culture throug

Renowned Thai chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn, known in the region for his contemporary and innovative approach to Thai cuisine, is setting up shop on the seventh floor of K11 Musea this June to introduce his new restaurant Niras.  The new restaurant is named after ‘niras’ or ‘nirat’, a form of Thai poetry that celebrates travel, adventure, and romance. It will mark the first time that chef Ton and his business partner, Rungroj 'Tao' Ingudananda, bring the taste and essence of their acclaimed Bangkok restaurant, Le Du - crowned no.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 - overseas. According to chef Ton, cooking is his poetry, and it's his way of showcasing Thailand's diverse and vibrant cuisine to the world. Therefore, naming the restaurant Niras felt appropriate. Photograph: Courtesy NirasBanana prawn with seaweed and spicy beetroot Niras aims to embody the same cooking philosophy as the famous restaurant Le Du, offering classic Thai dishes with international influences, using only the best seasonal ingredients. The culinary team at Niras is led by head chef Mai Naruemon Ratiphuthilap, who brings eight years of invaluable experience from Le Du, and second head chef Bua Sarocha Rajatanawin, formerly of Siwilai City Club and The House on Sathorn at W Bangkok. Together, they will create a Thai fine dining experience with lunch and dinner tasting menus that change with the seasons.  Photograph: Courtesy NirasNiras chefs Mia Naruemon Ratiphuthilap, Ton ThiTid Tassanakajohn, and

Located on Lantau Island, just a short distance from Disneyland, is Discovery Bay, a resort town that offers picturesque scenery and respite from the bustle of the city. It is a residential and commercial area popular as a weekend day trip destination for people looking for serene ocean views and outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, water sports, and golf. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Discovery Bay is the perfect place to explore, with many hidden gems waiting to be discovered, including rare bird species and ecological spectacles. To help visitors explore its natural wonders and learn more about the neighbourhood, Discovery Bay has released a new nature guidebook called ‘A Breath of Discovery.’ Those interested can get a copy of the guidebook at DB Plaza concierge, or you can visit this site to download a digital copy.  Photograph: Courtesy Discovery Bay The book provides routes, tips, and nuggets of information that, unless you’re in the know, would be left undiscovered. By following the recommended hiking routes, visitors can uncover historical spots and lush forests where they can observe fascinating species of birds, plants, and other animals. Those who want to get started on the adventure can join the scheduled hiking tour on May 28, guided by hiking expert and wildlife photographer James Kwok. The route will take visitors from Mui Wo to Discovery Bay through Nim Shue Wan.  Photograph: Courtesy Discovery BayDiscovery Bay Nature Guidebook Discovery Bay is

The highly-anticipated unveiling of the Michelin Guide’s 15th edition for Hong Kong and Macau culminated in a live event hosted at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau and Grand Lisboa Macau on April 26, 2023. This is the first time the ceremony has returned to a physical format in three years because of the pandemic. It was attended by the city’s top chefs, restaurateurs, and food enthusiasts.  The 2023 edition recognises 95 restaurants across the two territories, comprising 78 venues for Hong Kong and 17 spots for Macau.  In Hong Kong, nine new one-star additions were announced - six newly awarded and three promoted – including contemporary Italian restaurant Noi by celebrated Argentinian chef Paulo Airaudo, Italian restaurant Estro serving elevated Neapolitan cuisine by Naples-born chef Antimo Maria Merone, Japanese omakase restaurant Godenya by chef Goshima Shinya, contemporary European restaurant Neighborhood, and Chinese restaurants The Chairman (who got a new star for their new address), D.H.K. (which closed the same day it received its star) and The Demon Celebrity by chef Alvin Leung and with chef Cheng Kam Fu, among others.  Photograph: Courtesy Noi Chef Hideaki Sato’s innovative Japanese-French restaurant Ta Vie was promoted to three Michelin stars. Meanwhile, chef-owner Alvin Leung’s newly relocated Bo Innovation and Lai Ching Heen (renamed from Regent Hong Kong’s legendary Yan Toh Heen) were given two stars, while The St. Regis Hong Kong’s Rùn is promoted from

Over the years, Hong Kong has consistently been featured on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, with a number of its bars ranking among the top 10 and two consecutive years listing Oaxan inspired by Coa as number one. Since Asia's 50 Best Bars launched in 2016, the top spot has been shared between Hong Kong and Singapore. This year, as travel comes back into the fold and SAR is now open to the rest of the world, we're finally hosting the most-awaited live annual awards ceremony, a testament to the city's vibrant bar scene, fueled by a growing community of bartenders and mixologists who are constantly pushing the boundaries of the cocktail industry. The annual Asia's 50 Best Bars list celebrates the best bars across the continent and recognises the talent, creativity, and dedication of the many bar personalities driving the industry. The list is chosen by Asia's 50 Best Bars Academy, a panel of 250 industry experts, including bartenders, journalists, cocktail aficionados, and other industry professionals. Every year, the prestigious list is eagerly awaited by bartenders and bar enthusiasts across Asia, as well as around the world. It serves as a guide to the best bars in the region, highlighting the latest trends and innovations in the world of drinks. The eighth annual edition will be revealed on July 18 and will launch a series of events across the city in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. It will be the first full-scale gathering of the bar community in Asia since 2019, a

After opening a series of new standout venues in Hong Kong – including Mostly Harmless, Call Me Al, Ponty Cafe, and Quality Goods Club – bar industry heavyweights and real-life partners Beckaly Franks and Ezra Star are giving the city another cool new spot to enjoy. Located in Jardine House's new BaseHall 2, modern Japanese eatery Artifact is finally opening its speakeasy-style bar adjacent to the restaurant.      Photograph: Courtesy ArtifactArtifact Bar rendering Inspired by "surreal geometry and the serene atmospheres found in underground water reservoirs", the venue design is transportative, reminiscent of dystopian sci-fi movies like the 1997 American film Gattaca. According to the founders, the bar experience – through hospitality and service – aims to transport guests to a third place that is neither home nor work.  Photograph: Courtesy ArtifactArtifact Bar rendering It will seat 40 people, and the bar will be helmed by J Frank, a hospitality manager with extensive experience in the F&B industry hailing from different venues around London, including Absolute Taste from The View from The Shard, Another House, and Shoreditch Bar Group.    Photograph: Courtesy Artifact "Transporting guests by way of food or drink is what Artifact does. It is the journey of taste and place by way of flavour and connection," shares Ezra. The bar will feature a rotating cocktail menu inspired by time and terroir, strongly focusing on brown spirits and bottles not found elsewhere in Hon

Maison Courvoisier, the world's most awarded Cognac house, recently held its first cocktail competition in Hong Kong, challenging a new generation of bartenders to push the boundaries of Cognac in mixology. Hosted by one of Hong Kong's leading wine and spirits distributors, Jebsen Wines and Spirits, the competition was held at The Mixing Room by Iron Fairies on March 29, 2023. Eight talented bartenders representing top bars in the city, including venues The Daily Tot, Quality Goods Club, Mostly Harmless, Four Seasons Hong Kong's Argo, The Mixing Room by Iron Fairies, Gishiki, and Ozone, were tasked to create a signature serve that highlights the versatility of Courvoisier Cognac. Photograph: Tai Ngai LungCourvoisier VSOP   Photograph: Tai Ngai Lung A delicate marriage of four crus, Courvoisier, presented in the bottle's new design inspired by the vibrant countryside of the Cognac region, is a rich and complex spirit with floral and woody notes that's great for sipping or mixing with other ingredients in a spirit-forward or refreshing cocktail. Each bartender was given nine minutes to present their signature cocktails encapsulating Courvoisier's flavour notes and brand heritage. A panel of judges composed of bar and media industry experts, including Time Out Hong Kong's editor-in-chief Tatum Ancheta, Whisky Magazine HK & Macau's executive editor Eddie Chui, and Tatler Asia Group's regional head of dining Andy Cheng, scored the participants based on technical skill, origina

After years of being closed to many visitors all across the globe, the 'Las Vegas of the East' is once again bustling with energy as the city sees a positive return to tourism. From the ferry and bus terminals to the many casinos busy with players, Macau's renewed spirit is apparent.  This year, along with a slew of concerts and events, Hong Kong's sister SAR is opening a lot of new facilities. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions that have opened during the pandemic are finally welcoming tourists. And as one of Asia's popular luxury shopping destinations, Macau has been ramping up offerings from the most sought-after brands, as well as up-and-coming retailers. This season, the DFS Group (DFS), the world's leading luxury travel retailer, has partnered for the second time with City of Dreams Macau to host the annual Masters Of Wines & Spirits, a signature programme of DFS Masters Series showcasing an exhibition of the world's rarest fine wines, spirits, and Champagnes.  According to DFS Group's president of merchandising, Christophe Marque, they have chosen to return to Macau this year to meet the growing demand of their valued Mainland Chinese customers as travel resumes. The gala event that marked the opening of the exhibition welcomed over 300 guests from across Asia, compared to last year's Chinese and Macanese-only guest list.    Photograph: Tatum AnchetaChampagne collection   Macau embraces beverage alcohol premiumisation trend The alcohol sector in the Asia Pacific re

Macau's tourism is in full bloom. Since our neighbouring SAR opened, their terminals have been busy with travellers eager to explore the city. Beyond the casinos, historical landmarks and iconic tourist spots, the best way to explore Macau is through taste.  Heralded as a UNESCO designated Creative City of Gastronomy, Macau's culinary landscape is backed by nearly 500 years of food culture and presents an amalgamation of East and West. This month, Galaxy Macau, a world-class luxury integrated resort boasting 120 dining experiences ranging from authentic delicacies to global cuisine, collaborated with Macau SAR Government to launch 'Tastes of Macau, Artisans of Flavor', spotlighting the diverse culinary offerings of the city.  Photograph: Courtesy Galaxy MacauGalaxy Macau's team Photograph: Tatum AnchetaLai Heen's double-boiled fish maw in coconut shell with sea crustacean Galaxy Macau is giving you access behind the scenes, revealing the delicious secrets of its award-winning restaurants through a series of short films featuring talented chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality professionals, including Sichuan restaurant Feng Wei Ju's head chef Chan Chek Keong, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana's executive chef Riccardo La Perna, The Ritz-Carlton Macau's Chinese executive chef Jackie Ho, among others. From sourcing the freshest premium ingredients to working the chopping board, firing the stove, and pairing the dishes with precious wines and teas, the series presents a flavourful journey

Because art is for everyone, celebrate the creative collaborations between talented international and Hong Kong artists of diverse abilities at the Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s ‘No Limits’. From now until May 2023, catch various programmes, from film, music, dance, and theatre, via in-venue and online showcases.  Those who want to watch in-venue can catch the mesmerising performances of Gravity (and other attractions) by Un-Label Performing Arts Company ($100/person) at Black Box Theatre, Kwai Tsing Theatre and The Super Special Disability Roadshow by Birds of Paradise Theatre Company ($100/person) at Sheung Wan Civic Centre, on March 17 to 19 with post-performance meet-the-artist sessions. Musical performances by Connie Wong on A Wonderful Journey ($80-$150/person) is showing on March 18 at Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, while Adrian Anantawan in concert with Nicholas McCarthy ($60-$100/person) is happening on March 30 at Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.    Photograph: Bibi June SchwithalWithin Sight by Ellen Renton Exclusive complimentary online screenings of concerts, theatres, and films will also be available to the public. These programmes include musical performances of Adrian Anantawan and Leigh McAllister for Beyond Limits Education Concert featuring works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Molly Joyce; the multimedia-infused performance Within Sight by Ellen Renton; and films Imperfect by Regan Linton & Brian Malone and Back

The long Easter holiday is coming up. If you’re already planning for your holiday leaves and ticking your next travel bucket list, check out this newly launched hotel booking app now available in Hong Kong. HoteLux initially launched in Singapore in 2021 and has since expanded to Japan and Thailand, and now in our city. It is a members-only based hotel booking app that gives you easy access to over 4,000 global luxury hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis, Edition Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, Park Hyatt, Andaz, Rosewood, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Peninsula Hotels, and more.    Photograph: Courtesy HoteLux It is a booking app and a mobile travel concierge that allows you to get the best-priced accommodation offers, hotel upgrades, flash sales, and loyalty points that you can apply to your existing hotel loyalty programmes like Marriott Bonvoy, Hiltons Honors, World of Hyatt.   An upgrade to annual HoteLux Elite membership costs US$299 (over HK$2,347) and gets you more perks and benefits, including exclusive promotions, free extra stay, guaranteed room upgrade, and additional hotel credits.     Photograph: Justin WangFour Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay If you’re a frequent Japan traveller, HoteLux is a great app to have because it allows you to book luxury Japanese ryokans – traditional Japanese inns that typically feature tatami-matted rooms and communal baths that provide an immersive experience into Japan’s age-old customs and hospitality. Th

There are a lot of places in Hong Kong where you can taste authentic Filipino cuisine, but Dara introduces your palate to the Philippines’ culinary capital, Pampanga – a province in the Central Luzon region –  and welcomes you with various signature cocktails highlighting the country’s local ingredients in a contemporary setting.  Click below for a first look at Dara: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk)   Photograph: Courtesy Dara Dara means ‘auntie’ in Kapampangan, one of the eight major languages of the Philippines and spoken primarily in the entire province of Pampanga. The restaurant is a family-run business and is named after the restaurant’s executive chef and founder, Imelda Bunoan, also known as Darang Mel (Auntie Mel). Chef Mel started her catering business in Hong Kong together with her kids Jermaine, Jon, and Joanna, delivering made-to-order well-loved Filipino dishes like sinigang (sour soup), pinakbet (stir-fried vegetables with shrimp paste), and dinuguan (pork blood stew), as well as popular regional staples like sisig (chopped pork face and chicken livers), menudo (pork and sliced liver stew in tomato sauce), and tocino (sweet cured pork). In 2022, the family decided to expand into a restaurant and bar and partnered with Filipino investors, including Mark Korponay, Dara’s current director, to make their dream a reality.  Photograph: Courtesy DaraDara's team At the heart of this 30-seater venu