WHEN HONG KONG FINALLY reopened to the post-covid world in March 2023, it did so with a bang. Clockenflap, Art Basel and the rugby Sevens were held in quick succession, and it seemed the good times were back. But the expected visitor rebound didn’t go to plan, and by year’s end, numbers are still well down both on Hong Kong’s pre-pandemic levels and compared to destinations such as Singapore and Thailand. That’s meant tough times for the hospitality sector, leading to some high-profile closures. This is not a city, however, to wallow in the past. A slew of major openings took place in 2023, including by star French chefs, affirming the Fragrant Harbour’s reputation as a global culinary capital. Here then, are 2023’s best new restaurants, hotels, bars and spas to bookmark for your next visit to Hong Kong.
Best New Restaurants in Hong Kong 2023
Leela
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FROM LEFT: Chef Manav Tuli; interiors by lauded designer Andre Fu. Courtesy of Leela
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Must try menu at Leela. Courtesy of Leela
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FROM LEFT: Bone marrow biryani; boneless masala chicken wings. Courtesy of Leela
When Manav Tuli left Chaat at the Rosewood, fans of his were left guessing what would come next. The answer is Leela, which the now chef-owner launched with backing from JIA Group (they of Michelin-starred Mono, Ando, Estro, Duddell’s, et al). At Leela, Tuli presents new dishes that draw on India’s rich, royal history but with tongue-tingling twists. Curries are a standout, with a luscious gosht made with oxtail and beetroot, smoked butter chicken with the showstopping option to add 10-year-old Laprhoag whisky (do it), and a slow-burn pork pandi that’s possibly better than a vindaloo. Also noteworthy: the creamy-meets-crispy uni butter naan and a fluffy bone marrow biryani. Interiors by lauded designer Andre Fu evoke the palaces of Rajasthan, making it easy to forget you’re in a shopping mall. www.leela.hk
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
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Le Berlingot ©ASP Sobacha. Courtesy of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
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White Millefeuille Tahtitian vanilla cream Jasmine jelly and Voatsiperifery cloud – carte ouverture. Courtesy of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
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Chef Anne-Sophie Pic. Courtesy of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
What do you get when the most Michelin-decorated female chef (yes, we know chefs don’t get stars) joins forces with luxury brand Baccarat? The fabulous Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, within the stylish Forty-Five wine and dine hub. Glimmering, shimmering, mirrored interiors are complemented by stunning Victoria Harbour views. It’s Madame Pic’s meticulous haute French cooking that takes center stage, however. The seasonal tasting menu is a mix of her signatures such as Les Berlingots ASP, a pasta dish filled with Comte cheese aged for 24 months swimming in mushroom consommé, along with new creations overseen by head chef Marc Mantovani. If you need an excuse to dress up, this is it. cristalroombyasp.com
Plaisance
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Beetroot Caviar. Courtesy of Plaisance
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Rosemary. Courtesy of Plaisance
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Plaisance by Mauro Colagreco 1st floor interior. Courtesy of Plaisance
Mauro Colagraco, of three-Michelin-starred Mirazur and World’s Best Restaurant fame, has made his highly anticipated debut in Hong Kong. The marine-themed venue, Plaisance, takes its name from the French for ‘leisure,’ with three levels of culinary indulgence. On the ground floor is P Lounge, an all-day Mediterranean eatery that turns into cocktail bar at night. Upstairs is the fine diner where executive chef Héloïse Fischbach turns Colagreco’s vision into reality via six- or eight-course tasting menus. Seafood stars, whether in a signature dish of beetroot carpaccio with caviar sauce, or crescent of abalone rice topped with shaved white truffle. The basement houses private dining rooms that are open to members only. plaisancehk.com
Feuille
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Chef Joris Rousseau (left) and French chef-owner David Toutain (right). Courtesy of Feuille
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FROM LEFT: Chia Seeds – Lemon Tree Kombucha; Tomato – Longan – Marigold. Courtesy of Feuille
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Zucchini – Spiny Lobster – Mint. Courtesy of Feuille
Pleasing herbivores and omnivores alike can be a challenge. Not at Feuille, by acclaimed French chef David Toutain, whose first overseas venture is an evolution of his eponymous two-Michelin-starred fine diner in Paris. Leading the kitchen is Joris Rousseau, who works closely with local growers and suppliers to deftly execute Toutain’s sustainable and low-waste philosophy inspired by nature. The tasting menu showcases the life cycle of plants; vegetables, grains and seeds take center-stage without eschewing meat and seafood completely. Chia seed kombucha makes for a refreshing start to the meal, before progressing to dishes featuring leaves, stems and roots, for example, pumpkin with spiny lobster and saffron. The dill pil pil accompanying the bread is lip-smackingly good. www.feuille.hk
Racines
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Artichokes, Cailette, Girolles, Pickles. Courtesy of Racines
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Pigeon, Eggplant, Liquorice, Olives. Courtesy of Racines
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Racines’ Interiors. Courtesy of Racines
Racines opened with little fanfare a year ago and soon found itself one of the hottest tables in town. The southern Gallic charm of chef co-owners and friends Romain Dupeyre and Adrien Castillo is part of the reason. So is the delectable French neo-bistro storm that the pair cook up in the tiny kitchen. The seasonal menu changes regularly, but always includes the Insta-friendly sourdough bread served with smoked butter, and a roasted pigeon or duck main, perhaps accompanied by pickled figs, celeriac puree and lavender sauce. Vegetable-based desserts such as Jerusalem artichoke, hazelnuts, dulce chocolate and ice cream show creative flair at this elevated neighborhood gem. www.racineshk.com
Basehall 2
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Courtesy of Basehall 2
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Courtesy of Basehall 2
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Courtesy of Basehall 2
At last, a top-notch food court serving well-priced local cuisine in comfortable surrounds in Hong Kong’s Central district. The basement venue brings together several of the city’s favorite street food vendors, including Kamcentre Roast Goose, which is also known for its barbecued char siu; Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling for boiled and pan-fried dumpling goodness; and On Lee Noodle for classic noodle soups such as wonton, beef brisket and fish ball. Higher-end options are also available, including Japanese-style pork cutlet joint Porker; and An Soy, the unique soy-based eatery by Vicky Lau, who in 2015 was voted Asia’s best female chef by 50 Best. order.second.basehall.hk
Dolos
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Dolos Facade. Courtesy of Dolos
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FROM LEFT: Liver with Japanese Fruit Tomato, Banyuls Vinegar – Sesame Semolina Sourdough; Grilled Eel with Shiokara, Tomato – Parmigiano Reggiano. Courtesy of Dolos
In a low-margin industry where alcohol sales make money for restaurants, it seems like madness to allow guests to bring their own wine and not charge corkage. But that’s what Dolos does. Co-owners and twin brothers Caleb and Josh Ng want guests to be able to enjoy a good bottle with their meal, and diners, suffering from rising prices, are grateful for it. The seafood-focused menu, by chef Sean Yuen, combines Japanese and French influences in a tasting menu format. Think crispy-skinned amadai with chrysanthemum and celeriac, or scallop with Jerusalem artichoke and coffee. Oh, for more places like Dolos. www.twins-kitchen.com/dolos
The Merchants
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Dim Sum. Courtesy of The Merchants
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Roasted Peking Duck. Courtesy of The Merchants
Good food, great views and stylish surrounds make for a winning combination at The Merchants, a Shanghainese restaurant that’s part of the much hyped Forty-Five at Landmark. It’s a happening wine and dine destination that also includes Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, rooftop bar Cardinal Point, and Japanese steakhouse Kaen Teppanyaki. The Merchant’s menu is big; try the crispy eel, drunken crab, sweet and sour whole Mandarin fish, jasmine tea-smoked duck, braised meatball in sweet soy sauce, and its array of dim sum dishes. themerchantshk.com
Kanesaka
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Semi-fatty Tuna. Courtesy of Kanesaka
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Courtesy of Kanesaka
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Interior with Hong Kong cityscape. Courtesy of Kanesaka
Ambitious sushi master Shinji Kanesaka adds to Hong Kong’s already excellent roster of sushi-ya with the opening of his eponymous restaurant in the city’s central business district. The chef, who has Michelin-starred venues in Tokyo and Singapore, as well as an outpost in London, is renowned for serving premium Edomae (Tokyo)-style sushi. Guests can choose from one of two menus at lunch while a single omakase menu is served at dinner. The eight seats at the blond wood counter in front of head chef Seiji Taniguchi are the most coveted. kanesakahk.com
Café Bau
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Courtesy of Cafe Bau
Farm-to-table dining isn’t new but remains a challenge in land-starved Hong Kong. Chef Alvin Leung, of two-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation, tries it on with Café Bau, a contemporary east-meets-west eatery that champions local produce and producers. A three-course set menu or eight course tasting menu is offered, featuring dishes such as pork schnitzel with berry jam and housemade XO potato stir fry, and catch of the day with laksa beurre blanc. lubuds.com/cafe-bau-wan-chai
Best New Bars in Hong Kong 2023
Bar Leone
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FROM LEFT: Mixologist Lorenzo Antinori with a quick espresso; the terrific mortadella sandwich. Courtesy of Bar Leone
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FROM LEFT: Leone Martini; Santa Maria Daiquri. Courtesy of Bar Leone
Talented mixologist Lorenzo Antinori has struck out on his own with Bar Leone, a buzzy neighborhood joint that’s the opposite of his glitzy, envelope-pushing former creation—Argo at the Four Seasons hotel. This time, Antinori channels the local watering holes of his native Rome, serving classic cocktails such as negronis, martinis, and bellinis. Guests are also welcome to drop by for a quick espresso, though if you’re there, be sure to order the terrific mortadella sandwich, which has become a cult hit. www.barleonehk.com
Cardinal Point
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Courtesy of Cardinal Point
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Chips Dip. Courtesy of Cardinal Point
A city with the visual wow factor of Hong Kong gets a bar to match with Cardinal Point, a rooftop lounge atop Forty-Five at Landmark, with an expansive sky terrace that commands sweeping views of the harbor and skyline. Specialty cocktails by bar director John Nugent lean playful, tropical and fruity, with the likes of watermelon margarita, pandan highball, and pineapple-infused white negroni. Food ranges from dumplings to pizza, with some items from sibling restaurants The Merchants and Kaen Teppanyaki. www.cardinalpoint.com.hk
The Savory Project
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Dirty Martini. Courtesy of The Savory Project
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Courtesy of The Savory Project
Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung, the duo behind Coa, voted No. 1 for three consecutive years by Asia’s 50 Best Bars, have taken a food-based approach with The Savory Project. That means mind-boggling cocktails like Thai Beef Salad, a rum-based concoction with notes of beef, peanut, kaffir lime, chili and coconut, or the Biryani, a mix of arrack, plum shochu, butter biryani masala, tonka bean, pineapple, peppers and a yogurt ball. Somehow, it all works. thesavoryproject.com
La Suite
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FROM LEFT: Max Traverse; The Missing Key. Courtesy of La Suite
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FROM LEFT: Le Smoking Old Fashioned; La Suite. Courtesy of La Suite
Hong Kong has no shortage of innovative bars but sometimes you just want an expertly made classic cocktail and that’s what La Suite delivers. Hidden within Clarence restaurant, the venue features seating around a horseshoe-shaped bar and a handful of tables on the outdoor terrace. French chef Olivier Elzer, who also heads up two-starred L’Envol, has tapped mixologist Max Traverse to oversee the drinks program. Expect excellent martinis, vespers, and the like, or go for a traditional with a twist drink such as the saffron negroni. A small menu of tasty snacks is also available. www.lasuitehk.com
Kinsman
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Main bar. Courtesy of Kinsman
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FROM LEFT: Kowloon Dairy; drinks with Hong Kong-style bites. Courtesy of Kinsman
Overlooked Cantonese and Chinese liquor are the foundation of drinks at Kinsman, a cocktail bar inspired by Wong Kar Wai’s classic movie In the Mood for Love. Co-founder Gavin Yeung scoured the city’s old and forgotten local distillers and bottle shops in search of spirits to use in an unconventional menu of libations. Among them: the Rednaxela, a play on the brandy Alexander, but made with Luo Han Kuo Chiew, a monkfruit-infused red rice spirit. Wash it down with Hong Kong-style bites such as squid curry and shrimp toast. book.bistrochat.com/kinsman
Plantation Tea Bar
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Classic cocktails family. Courtesy of Plantation Tea Bar
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Signature Menu. Courtesy of Plantation Tea Bar
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Courtesy of Plantation Tea Bar
Plantation Tea Bar is, as the name suggests, the place for all things tea. It’s the more sophisticated incarnation of the beloved Teakha café, offering not just premium brews of puerh, oolong and the like, but also tea-inspired cocktails. Founder Nana Chan wants Plantation to be both educational and fun, with tea tastings and a tea boutique, as well as tea cocktails devised by mixologist Antonio Lai. Think jasmine sake and tangerine puerh rum, which can also be made as non-alcoholic drinks. plantation.hk/pages/plantation-tea-bar
Best New Hotel in Hong Kong 2023
Regent Hong Kong
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Suite Harbour View King Bedroom. Courtesy of Regent Hong Kong
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Infinity Pool. Courtesy of Regent Hong Kong
After an absence of more than two decades, Regent makes its return to Hong Kong at the same waterfront site in Kowloon it occupied all those years ago. Hong Kong-born architect Chi Wing Lo surprises with a soothing, understated redesign that feels at times like you’re on a giant luxury cruise ship. It’s all the better to enjoy the unrivaled views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline from most of its nearly 500 rooms and suites. The hotel’s food and drink offerings are strong too, including The Steak House, one of the city’s best joints for surf and turf, and two-starred Lai Ching Heen. The brand new Qura is set to be a destination cocktail bar, and a spa is due to open in 2024. hongkong.regenthotels.com
Best New Spa in Hong Kong 2023
Yun Wellness
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VIP Lounge. Courtesy of Yun Wellness
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FROM LEFT: Treatment Room; Million Dollar Men’s Facial. Courtesy of Yun Wellness
It’s not enough for luxury hotels to just offer a spa and massage these days, which is why the Island Shangri-La launched Yun Wellness. The nature-inspired holistic wellness center now offers a heap of therapies and treatments, from personal training and physiotherapy to nutrition advice and support for expectant and new moms. Of course, those seeking pure pampering are well catered for too, with Million Dollar Facials, Chakra Balancing Massages and other indulgences. The concept is due to be rolled out to other Shangri-La hotels worldwide. www.shangri-la.com/landing/isl-yunwellness
Best New Attraction in Hong Kong 2023
Frozen
Hot, humid Hong Kong might seem an unlikely location for the world’s first Frozen-themed attraction, but that’s where you’ll find the recreation of Arendelle, the fairytale land from Disney’s blockbuster Frozen films. Boat rides and roller coasters allow visitors to explore highlights such as Elsa’s Ice Palace, Arendelle Castle, and Anna and Elsa’s playhouse. Repeated broadcasts of the hit song “Let it Go” assured. www.hongkongdisneyland.com/zh-hk/hkdl/world-of-frozen
Lede and hero image courtesy of Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic.
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