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Travel Insighter spoke to Hilary Li of Hilary Eats to create the ultimate foodie guide to Central, Hong Kong’s most important city district. Hilary is a foodie who takes her meals seriously, so carve out a little bit more stomach real estate for your Hong Kong itinerary to experience the best of Central, Hong Kong’s food scene through Hilary’s eyes (and taste buds).
I’m Hilary, a food content creator from Hong Kong. My journey to starting my Instagram account stemmed from my struggle with anorexia. Hilary Eats has became an important aspect of my recovery process in that, by documenting and sharing my meals, I gradually overcame my fears and rediscovered the joy of eating.
Eventually, what started as a coping mechanism developed into a genuine passion for the culinary arts and appreciation for different cuisines. Over the past year and a half, I have tried and visited various restaurants across Hong Kong, as well as Japan, Korea, Macau, London, and Paris. I’m super excited to be able to share my experience and make sure you have the best one day in Hong Kong possible.
I love the lively and busy atmosphere of Central, and the fact that there are numerous restaurants from local to fine dining all within walking distance. I’ve lived in Hong Kong all of my life so I feel I know a thing or two about how to make the most of your time in Central. And for me, making the most of your time in Central means eating your way through Central.
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Must-visit places in Central, Hong Kong
If you are interested in artworks, small clothing and accessory shops, PMQ is a must-visit. There’s myriad unique and local shops to experience and discover what is inspiring young artists in Hong Kong. Besides that, there are also art workshops and studios where you can create art yourself.
If you are visiting Hong Kong between January and March, I recommend visiting AIA, which is a carnival hosted annually on Lung Wo Road, Central. They have a variety of fun carnival games and roller coasters, as well as pop-up shops and a number of well-known restaurants in Hong Kong like Smoke and Barrel serve food at the carnival. Go in the late afternoon on weekdays to avoid long queues.
Make sure to ride the ferris wheel or giant swing at night to capture the breathtaking night view of Hong Kong. You should have time for it with one day in Hong Kong.
Best lunch in Central, Hong Kong
Fiata Pizza
Fiata Pizza is one of the best pizzas in Hong Kong, not least because it won pizza of the year in 2024 for Hong Kong. The dough crust is thick and chewy, as if you were eating mochi, with a slight crisp on the edges, while the base is flat and thin, paying attention to the flavors of the toppings.
All pizzas are worth trying but if you are looking for a more basic option, I would recommend the Diavola. If you want to try something more unique, the A’Salsicca, the Bronte 5.0, the Estate, and Fiata’s deep-fried pizza will keep you very satisfied.
Prices are reasonable with a set lunch price of HK$178 (US$23 per person) including a starter, pizza and beverage. The restaurant may be busy, so make sure you book ahead of time – and on a weekday.
Somm
For those looking for a more high-end, fancy yet casual brunch, I recommend Somm at Landmark Mandarin Oriental. Their interior is stunning, with a chic and classy décor, and the food and service is amazing. Their weekend brunch menu is around HK$768 (US$100) including 90 minutes of free flow drinks.
The bread selection was one of my highlights, as the pastries and bread were freshly baked. My absolute favorite, however, is the cinnamon roll and matcha brioche bread, both chewy and soft on the inside. Another highlight was the roasted Ping Yuen chicken, which had a crispy skin yet tender meat that pairs delightfully well with the sweet and tangy sauce.
The signature chocolate soufflé is also a must-try for dark chocolate lovers. The soufflé is light and fluffy, with an intense dark chocolate ganache on the inside, making it neither too sweet nor too bitter. There are also other dishes on the menu such as the bresse pigeon & foie gras pithivier which is a must-try, and the aka uni toast. Somm is certainly on the pricier side, but it is definitely one of the best restaurants for lunch in Central.
Hilary’s favorite cafes in Central, Hong Kong
Fineprint
In my humble opinion, the best cafe in Central, Hong Kong is Fineprint. They have several branches around Hong Kong, but the Central location has a particularly cool atmosphere. They are well known for their sourdough that has the perfect sour and tangy taste, and soft interior with a crunchy exterior.
My favorite dishes are the spicy salami toastie, which feels like a lot an nduja pizza. You can trust Fineprint to toast the sourdough for the toastie to perfection, and the homemade nduja sauce adds a tingling spice on your tongue. It’s quite moorish.
Another one of my favorites is the ricotta cheese toast. The homemade ricotta is creamy and not too sweet. The texture is thick yet not too heavy, and it’s complemented by the blueberries and honey makes it the perfect dish for a light breakfast or lunch when you are craving something sweet. You can always ask for a half-half where you can choose two different types of toasts to try.
South Lane
If you are looking for a quiet but aesthetic atmosphere to work or catch up with your friends, South Lane is the cafe to go to. They serve a wide range of healthy dishes for those who want to go green, but also have some meat options too. I recommend getting the sweet potato pancakes; they’re super fluffy, with a unique sweetness to them.
Where to find classic Hong Kong dishes in Central
Luk Yu Tea House
Luk Yu Tea House is one of the oldest dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong having opened in 1933. It has been a go-to spot for locals (including me). The interior, service and food evoke a sense of nostalgia for old Hong Kong that is almost impossible to replicate elsewhere. This is definitely the place to experience old-fashioned Hong Kong, and a visit to Luk Yu will be a strong memory of your one day in Hong Kong.
I recommended trying the shrimp toast; it’s crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, yet not too oily. The sweet and sour pork is simply magnificent. Luk Yu makes it with a thin layer of batter that gives it a nice light crisp and a tender inside, and it’s coated with a not too thick or thin sweet and sour sauce that somehow doesn’t take away the crisp of the pork.
The prices at Luk Yu are a bit high compared to others, but the main attraction here is the ambience and experience. As in Travel Insighter’s guide to three days in Hong Kong, a yum cha lunch is a must. If you’re vegetarian, there are plenty of amazing vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, including a dim sum restaurant that is entirely vegetarian.
Lin Heung Tea House
Lin Heung Tea House is the ultimate traditional dim sum experience in Hong Kong. It’s been going strong for over a century and the dining experience probably feels much the same as it did a century ago.
Just like in the old days, diners pick the dim sum they want from the old trolley such as siumai, hargao, turnip cake, malaigou and countless others. The other joy of the experience at Lin Heung is that it’s designed for locals and that means prices are not too high. In fact, you might find it a little bit difficult to understand exactly what is on the trolley unless you speak Cantonese or Mandarin.
Ho Lee Fook
This Australian-style Asian-fusion restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong generally. The cuisine is a mixture of contemporary dim sum and Chinese cuisine more broadly. If you’re looking for a restaurant that is playful in its flavor offering yet somehow stays true to so many Chinese dishes, Ho Lee Fook is the place to go.
The interior design has a retro feel to it, with lucky cats, mahjong tiles and a giant fortune cookie sculpture. The dishes that I recommend are the Wagyu short rib, char siu, roast goose, e-fu noodles tossed in cheese sauce with seaweed butter and Australian lobster, and the Hong Kong-style French toast. In fact, you absolutely must get the French toast. It’s part of the fabric of Hong Kong society.
Special Mention: Best Ramen in Central, Hong Kong
Ramen holds a special place in the hearts of Hongkongers. Yes, this is a dish of Japanese origin, but Hongkongers love it and have adopted it as their own. In my opinion, Maru de Sankaku has one of the best ramens in Central if not in all of Hong Kong. They use a fish base for their soup which is unlike many ramen restaurants in the region.
Dishes are not only well presented but also taste great. The noodle texture is bouncy and chewy, yet is still dry, smooth and silky. I would recommend the clear fish base ramen for those who prefer a more clean and light dish. It has bits of fish inside that enhance the soup with a charcoal taste. For those who prefer heavier and flavorful dishes, I would recommend the Tsukumen.
There is limited space so it is best to come either early when they open, or around late in the afternoon to avoid a queue. Staff are very friendly and helpful. During the winter, they hand out warm soy milk for customers lining up, and they offer to repour your soup if it gets too cold.
What are the best desserts in Hong Kong
There are so many incredible desserts that you simply must try in Hong Kong, but if I had to choose, the desserts that I think are symbolic of Hong Kong (and super tasty) that all visitors to Hong Kong have to try are tofu pudding, coconut pudding with black sesame glutinous rice balls and Hong Kong-style shaved ice.
You can contact Hilary on Instagram at @hilary.foodie. She’s always happy to help you find the best new places for food and drink in Hong Kong. And in a city that is always changing, it pays to have a local insighter keep you up to date on where to find the best of the best.
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