Today we take a break from this hectic period of dining restrictions celebrating the exceptional restaurants that once again have made it into the Michelin Guide. With existing and new stars, we cheer to the incredibly passionate and hard working F&B community in Hong Kong.
Three Stars
Described by Michelin as a restaurant that offers “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey“, there are fewer than 150 3-Star restaurants in the world. With the 2021 Michelin Guide released for Hong Kong on January 19, there was no change to the seven Hong Kong restaurants that have the coveted “special” seal of approval from Michelin’s inspectors.
Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Otto e Mezzo Bombana is a Three Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in Central, the first Italian restaurant to receive the 3-star award outside of Italy. The establishment boasts a spacious dining area, overlooking the street view of Chater Road. Otto e Mezzo delivers the first Italian cuisine using the freshest ingredients, showcasing Chef Bombana’s culinary virtuoso. The restaurant name, selected by Bombana as a tribute to his favourite Italian director Federico Fellini’s 1963 autobiographical movie “8 ½”, the restaurant pays homage to both Italian lifestyle and art and an invitation to enjoy and discover life’s pleasures. Signatures on the degustation tasting menu include the veal and mushroom agnolotti pictured below and scampi risotto.
Caprice
Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Guillaume Galliot, Three Michelin Starred Caprice in the Four Seasons Hotel is a Classic French savoir-faire restaurant that takes on “global accents”. Trained in classic techniques and describing gastronomy as an “emotion”, Chef Galliot serves up inventive dishes at Caprice, constantly experimenting with the myriad of flavours he discovers across the world. Signatures include the Racan Pigeon (pictured below) from Maison Bellor, cooked in cocoa pod, pumpkin purée, salsify and natural jus, part of 7-course Menu Connaisseur.
Lung King Heen
Helmed by Chef de cuisine Chan Yan-tak, Lung King Heen was the first Chinese restaurant to be awarded the coveted Three-Michelin-stars. The fine dining restaurant is housed in the Four Seasons hotel, offering an impressive experience next to a spectacular view of the Victoria Harbour. The extensive menu showcases the finesse and delicacy of traditional Chinese culinary skills, presenting a wide range of classic and contemporary Chinese dishes. Signatures include wok fried prawns, superior pottage and steamed lobster.
Other Three Michelin Starred Restaurants in Hong Kong
Forum
1/F, Sino Plaza, 255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Reserve here
T’ang Court
8 Peking Road, Hong Kong. Reserve here
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Sushi Shikon
15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Two Stars
Described by Michelin as a restaurant that offers “excellent cooking that is worth a detour“, there are only 12 2-Star restaurants in Hong Kong. With the 2022 Michelin Guide released for Hong Kong on January 19, there were two changes to the Hong Kong restaurants with the 2-star seal of approval from Michelin’s inspectors, with Octavium and Yan Toh Heen gaining a well deserved second star.
Octavium (up from one star)
Congrats to the team at Octavium for the second star! Helmed by Austrian chef Roland Schuller and German chef Bjoern Alexander, Octavium is a classy refined Italian restaurant located in the heart of Central on Des Voeux Road. Opened by renowned chef Umberto Bombana of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Octavium serves contemporary Italian cuisine using only the finest ingredients. The menu changes from time to time to take advantage of seasonal ingredients including luxurious Lobster, Caviar and White Truffle. And of course Artisanal Pastas can be found such as a Garlic & Chilli Tagliolini served with rare Matsutake Mushrooms or a ‘Gentile’ Linguine served with Spanish Red Prawns.
Tate Dining Room
Tate celebrates avant-garde cuisine and design, combining both of these elements into every dish. The newest 2-star restaurant in Hong Kong draws inspiration from its culturally diverse home of Hong Kong. The French X Chinese 8-course menu of “Edible Stories” brings guests on a creative journey of the senses with a specially curated wine and cocktail pairing. Pictured below is the Ode to Scallop, Smoky Hokkaido Scallop with Jerusalem Artichoke and Creamy Scallop & Caviar Sauce.
Écriture
2-Michelin star Écriture is a fine example of how two cultures can be brought together with exceptional ingredients and elite culinary technique. Chef Maxime Gilbert excellently blends French and Japanese cuisines together to bring his gastronomic creations to life, all whilst guests enjoy views of Hong Kong from the top of H Code in Central. The tasting menu at Écriture changes with the seasons, but be sure to try their signature Akamutsu and Kuro Awabi dishes when available. Pictured below is the exceptional “Cold Cuts Our Way”, part of the 7-course weekend lunch menu including bonito, John Dory, grouse, ikura, pickles, blinis, uni, paté en croute, carentec oyster; served with homemade focaccia.
Photography Credits: Dishtag. “Cold Cuts Our Way”
Amber
Amber is a 2-star fine dining restaurant housed in The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. At the helm of the kitchen is chef Richard Ekkebus, a culinary master who takes a thoughtful approach to his new menu, catering for the dietary preference of a new generation of food lovers. The award-winning establishment offers a immersive dining experience. From learning about the carefully sourced ingredients, to the visual pleasure from looking at the delicate plating, to enjoying the fresh and finely constructed flavours, the restaurant is committed to creating a lasting impression. Menu is subject to seasonal changes with a number of tasting menus available including Amber Experience, Extended Amber Experience, Full Amber Experience and Vegetarian Experience menus.
Arbor
Arbor is a classy 2 Michelin-starred restaurant that is heavily influenced by nature and serenity. Located in H Code in Central, Arbor’s menu is a collective of innovative Nordic-Japanese dishes that use the best seasonal ingredients, mostly from Japan, and are prepared with traditional French cooking techniques. Ever-changing tasting menus are available for lunch, dinner and brunch, ensuring something different with every visit. Botan Ebi, Wagyu Bee A4 and ‘Citrus’ Dessert are some of the signature dishes that may be available. Pictured below is the delightful “Edammame Inspiration”, part of the Chef Menu and Tasting Menu.
Sushi Saito
Sushi Saito in the Four Seasons hotel is the Hong Kong outpost of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Japan. Celebrating the freshest seasonal seafood, Sushi Saito transports the hand-picked ingredients from Tokyo to Hong Kong every day. The intimate establishment boasts a modest interior, putting emphasis on the Japanese culinary art form. The omakase menu is subject to market price, with a wide array of premium sakes, white wines, and champagnes available.
Other 2-star restaurants in Hong Kong
Ting Lung Heen:
Hong Kong Dim Sum. Level 102, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West Kowloon, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Ta Vie:
French. 2/F, The Pottinger, 74Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Bo Innovation:
X-treme Chinese cuisine. Shop 8, 1/F The Podium, J. Senses, 60 Johnston Road,Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Sun Tung Lok:
Shop 401, L4, FoodLoft, Mira Place One, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Reserve here
Yan Toh Heen (up from one star)
Regen Hotel Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Ying Jee Club:
Exquisite Cantonese Cuisine. Shop G05, 107-108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. Reserve here
One star
Aaharn
Chef David Thompson’s Aaharn brings classy, authentic Thai dishes to Tai Kwun in Central. The one Michelin Star restaurant uses only the best quality ingredients and offers a truly unique culinary exploration of the finest that Thailand has to offer. Classics such as their Grilled Chicken Skewers and Green Chicken Curry are elevated to the next level and can be paired with a carefully curated selection of wine pairings. For those that like a little bit of everything, Aaharn also offers seasonal tasting menus, with a special vegetarian tasting menu also available.
Photography Credits: Aaharn
Andō
Ando is a modern Jpanese-Spanish restaurant helmed by chef Agustin Balbi. Located in Wellington street, Central, Ando’s modern tasting menu is a translation of Chef Augustin’s unorthodox journey onto the plate.
Arcane
Belon – NEW
Chaat – NEW
Duddell’s
Duddell’s is a Cantonese Michelin Star restaurant in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district. The interiors are designed by the celebrated Ilse Crawford and feature beautiful art pieces changing regularly. Signature dishes include peking duck, crispy chicken and the weekend dimsum free-flow brunch.
Hansik Goo – NEW
Meals in Korea are always a family affair and the East Asian cuisine is beautifully served up at Chef Mingoo Kang’s first overseas venture in Central. Literally translated to “One Family”, Hansik Goo mixes European elements with traditional Korean fare to offer a unique tasting menu that is shared family style. Having already received 2 Michelin stars for his restaurants in Korea, Chef Kang brings his contemporary flair to Hong Kong with his modern take on classics such as Ginseng Chicken Soup and Beef Tartare.
Louise
Set in a heritage house within PMQ in Soho, Louise is a French restaurant founded by JIA Group’s Founder Yenn Wong and acclaimed Michelin Star Chef Julien Royer. Their concept is a tribute to the joy of family meals and honest cooking. Louise menus, created by Executive Chef Franckelie Laloum, feature the best possible flavours from quality ingredients using cooking techniques that vary between fine dining and homestyle cooking.
Mandarin Grill + Bar
Mono – NEW
New Punjab Club
Hailed to be the best Indian restaurant in Hong Kong, New Punjab Club specialises in dishes from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Helming the kitchen is chef Palash Mitra, whose excellent culinary vision steers the establishment into a buzzing business. Signatures include murgh tikka angar, masalewali chanp and lahori seekh.
Petrus
Petrus is a French restaurant perched high above the city on the 56th floor of Island Shangri-la, offering a stunning harbour view and fine dining experience of contemporary French cuisine. Reminiscing of the grandiose era of Louis XIV, Petrus boats a decorative interior, with chandelier dotted across the dining room and heavy drapes next to the windows. The establishment serves up a 8-course seasonal tasting menu, with excellent wine pairing.
Rùn
Roganic
Roganic is the second establishment in Hong Kong of Chef Simon Rogan, the British celebrity chef who also owns Aulis and Marylebone in London. Roganic offers two tasting menus, focusing on using the best ingredients and combined with contemporary style of British cooking. The Michelin starred restaurant also offers a five-glass wine pairing or a soft pairing featuring cold-press juices and teas as an alternative.
The Chairman
The Chairman is a Cantonese restaurant in Central, dedicating to preserving the tradition of the cuisine. Ingredients take centre stage in the restaurant, which the culinary team source locally and prepare with the highest level of culinary skills in order to bring out the original flavours. Signatures include flowery crab, sauteed prawns with shrimp roes and crispy taro cakes.
Tosca di Angelo
VEA
At the helm of the French restaurant, Vea, is Hong Kong’s very own culinary master, Chef Vicky Cheng, whose innovative approach to fine dining leaves a lasting impression to discerning guests. Vea offers an eight-course seasonal menu that is best paired with expertly crafted cocktails for a wonderful dining experience.
Whey – NEW
Yardbird
The dining and social hotspot Yardbird is famous for its yakitori dishes of the many different parts of a chicken, skillfully grilled over charcoal in a semi-open kitchen. The neighbourhood restaurant also offers sharing dishes that incorporate seasonal ingredients. As a modern izakaya, the beverage list of Yardbird does not disappoint, boasting a wide collection of everyone’s favourites, from sake to shochu.
Zest by Konishi
Other 1-star restaurants in Hong Kong
Beefbar
Épure
Fook Lam Moon (Wah Chai)
Fu Ho
Gaddi’s
Ho Hung Kee (Causeway Bay)
I M Teppanyaki & Wine – NEW
Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Jardin de Jade (Wan Chai)
Kam’s Roast Goose
Liu Yuan Pavillion
Loaf On
Man Ho (Admiralty)
Man Wah
Ming Court (Mong Kok)
Pang’s Kitchen
Ryota Kappou Modern
Seventh Son – NEW
Shang Palace
Spring Moon
Summer Palace
Sushi Saito
Sushi Wadatsumi – NEW
Takumi by Daisuke Mori
The Araki
Xin Rong Ji
Yat Lok
Yat Tung Heen
Yè Shanghai (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Yong Fu – NEW
Zhejiang Heen
Zuicho
