Unmissable restaurants

Wesley Ho: Peter Find is the owner and chef behind Heimat (8/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central), which means ‘home’ in German. Having grown up in rural Germany, he wants to share the true essence of German cooking with a delicate touch. A former executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton, he will completely disrupt your perception of German cuisine with his cooking. Always Joy (Shop No. 1, G/F, Nam Wo Hong Building, 148 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan), as the name suggests, is my perfect spot for gathering with friends and chitchat over drinks and food. Founded by Lindsay Jang and Matt Abergel, the restaurant’s twist on Japanese food, together with their amazing sake selection and extremely chic interior, is magic. Dionysus & Loong (G/F, 3 Tsing Fung St, Causeway Bay) is an addictive contemporary Chinese fusion-style izakaya! Mala Watermelon, Chicken Skin Crackers, and Lavender Smoked Pigeon are their signatures. My favorite is the divine oyster spring roll, which has a whole juicy oyster inside a crispy crust!

Charlotte Lafont-Hugo: LockCha (G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, 10 Cotton Tree Drive, Admiralty) is an institution in Hong Kong. This yum cha spot serves vegetarian dim sum and sells loose tea leaves and tea wares. Maison Libanaise (10 Shelley St, Central) is one of my favorite places in Central. The restaurant occupies the full three-story walk-up building. I usually go to the first-floor room for lunch and choose the outdoor rooftop terrace for dinner.

Favorite watering holes

WH: I call the Japanese whisky and cocktail Bar De Luxe (7/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central) my ‘second home’ and have been their customer for almost a decade! Their cocktails range from light and sweet to strong and smoky, and are of supreme quality. You can never go wrong with their signature daily fresh-fruit cocktail with customized alcohol mix, while my favorite is a hidden item from their old menu called ‘Misty,’ which is a Zen-looking sake-based honey liquor cocktail that is silk smooth but strong.

Slightly away from the Central and Soho area lies Tomo (37 Sun Chun St, Tai Hang), an extremely low-key but urban-chic bar in Tai Hang, a neighborhood famous for its iconic Mid-Autumn Fire Dragon Dance. If you are a fan of street culture and music, this is the place for you: they feature incredible DJ performances and events.

CL-H: For a good beer or a glass of wine, I like to go to Bound Kowloon (G/F, 32 Boundary St, Sham Shui Po), where I often run into friends. The ambiance is just fancy enough to be cool, but not too gentrified.

Best places to shop

WH: If you are looking for exquisite Nordic designs, WOOL (G/F, 97-99 Hill Rd, Sai Ying Pun) is the best in town. The shop has excellent curation with a cozy and tasteful setting near the University of Hong Kong’s main campus. They also feature some of the best ceramic work in town, such as Éphēlis by Queenie Chan. Aside from architecture and design, I am really into astrology, tarot, and crystals. The founder of Stone & Star (by appointment only), Joyce Tsang, has become a great friend of mine and has shared so much of her knowledge with me. If you are new but curious, she will be a wonderful guide with a kind and open heart.

A family business in Hong Kong since 1928, Yuet Tung China Works (3/F, Kowloon Bay Industrial Centre, Unit 1-3, 15 Wang Hoi Rd, Kowloon Bay) is more than a shop. Their hand-painted porcelain is an important part of the historical and cultural heritage of Hong Kong – a perfect place to shop for a meaningful and unique piece to bring home. Founded in Hong Kong, KAPOK (several locations) is a lifestyle shop that focuses on individual and artisanal brands sourced from around the globe. The entire shop is layered with products ranging from clothing and gadgets to home decor.

CL-H: I like to stroll around the Sham Shui Po neighborhood. I walk through Apliu Street Flea Market (Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po), then stop at HONG KONG (133 Yu Chau Street, Tong Mi) for some scented candles, hip-hop vinyls, and fancy accessories, then walk further to the souvenir shop at 122 Nam Cheong Street.

Best place to catch the sunset

CL-H: West Kowloon Art Park (West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui) after an afternoon at the M+ museum is a classic. You can enjoy the iconic Victoria Harbour view and look at the sun disappearing between Peng Chau and Lantau Islands.

Favorite cha chaan teng

WH: Lan Fong Yuen (544 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui) is a legendary name among cha chaan tengs, though it actually started as an open-air food stall dai pai dong. It has really mastered all the classic cha chaan teng dishes to gain recognition over time. Their silk-stocking milk tea, instant noodles with egg and spam, and French toast are simply timeless.

Don’t miss

CL-H: In between art fairs, art exhibitions, and art parties, maybe a bit of architecture will feel good? This month, the Hong Kong University architecture lecture series will host Marina Tabassum (Serpentine Pavilion 2025) on March 27 and Dong Gong from Vector Architects (Aranya Art Center, Guangzhou) on March 30.

Top tip for first-time visitors

WH: Hong Kong is famous for its skyline, but the city itself is full of treasures and surprises that are worth getting lost in. As one of the safest cities in the world, I highly recommend all first-timers be open-minded and fully embrace the city on foot in its different neighborhoods.

CL-H: Hong Kong is not only a magical concrete jungle; go explore the dense country parks!