These Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong whip up amazing flavours that will please your palate and take you on a tour of all the wonderful culinary styles of the country.
With an abundance of restaurants in the buzzing 852, whether it’s yum cha, hot pot, or traditional tea houses – the competition has always been fierce when it comes to Chinese cuisine. From sophisticated Shanghainese fare to Cantonese dim sum delights, we’ve rounded up our fave Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong that represent the best of the diversity and deliciousness that China has to offer.
Top Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong
1. The Chairman
If you’re looking for authentic Cantonese cuisine made with the finest ingredients, you really can’t beat The Chairman. Using locally sourced ingredients, products from local stores, and seafood from local fishermen, it’s no surprise that this restaurant has remained one of the most influential Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong for years.
One of the best chefs in Hong Kong, Chef Kwok Keung Tung, is at the helm of The Chairman and aims to blend traditional and original flavours into memorable dishes. The culinary team at The Chairman believes that even the simplest dishes should be made with finesse. A popular pick is the Steamed Fresh Flowery Crab with Aged ShaoXing Wine, accentuated with Fragrant Chicken Oil and Flat Rice Noodles. Another wonderful dish is the Pork Belly Slow Cooked in Preserved Chinese Vegetables comes with Chinese Buns that add a nice touch to the dish.
The Chairman, 3/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2555 2202
2. Above & Beyond
Located on the 28/F of Hotel Icon in Tsim Sha Tsui, Above & Beyond offers unrivalled views of the Hong Kong skyline alongside some of the city’s most admired Cantonese cuisine. Helmed by Executive Chinese Chef Chi Ki Wong, the menu presents a selection of classic and contemporary dishes as well as an impressive wine list of vintage wines from around the world.
Signature dishes include Wok-fried Lobster with Egg White and Black Truffles, Wok-fried Prawns with Tangerine Peel and Fermented Black Beans, and more. Also featuring Deep-fried Wontons served with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Whole Smoked Pigeon with Oolong Tea, and a popular weekend dim sum menu, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice. If you’re looking for fancier Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong, Above & Beyond delivers with sky-high views and sky-high quality dishes.
Read our full review of Above & Beyond.
Above & Beyond, 28/F, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3400 1318
3. China Tang
Founded by famous gourmand Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok and the late Sir David Tang Wing-Cheung, China Tang never disappoints with its refined Cantonese cuisine and fine dining surroundings. An array of traditional Chinese artworks are dotted around the restaurant, including embroidered tapestries and precious manuscripts, as well as gorgeously detailed interiors.
Led by Executive Chef Menex Cheung, the culinary team at China Tang creates classic Cantonese dishes while also being inspired by recipes from Sichuan and Beijing. With dishes plated to appeal to all five senses, the Executive Chef Selection includes Crispy Marbled Beef Ribs with House-made Gooseberry Sauce; Braised Whole Suckling Pig with Preserved Pickles served in an iron pan; and much more. In addition, there are plenty of other a la carte dishes worth trying at China Tang as well. Be sure to pay the restaurant a visit during memorable occasions to taste seasonal special menus and enjoy the exclusive gastronomic journey for yourself.
China Tang, Shop 411-413, 4/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2522 2148
4. Twelve Flavours
If you like your food spicy, a trip to Twelve Flavours will be perfect for you. This affordable Sichuan restaurant is hard to miss with its striking exterior decorated with handwritten Chinese couplets, red lanterns, and traditional window frames. The interior is equally charming with hanging birdcages and cartoon panda illustrations, while the menu is not for the faint-hearted.
Along with fresh and spicy hot pot chock-full of pork balls, bean curd skin, and rice cakes, the hot dishes like Boiled Fish with Rattan Pepper leave your lips burning. At Twelve Flavours, the many savoury and spicy dishes will tempt your taste buds and tease your sense of smell. However, if the dishes prove to be a little too spicy, cool your cheeks with the Sichuan-style jelly dessert that will freshen up your palate in no time.
Twelve Flavours has locations across Hong Kong.
5. Lao Shang Hai
Known for its family-style dining and scrumptious Shanghainese cuisine, Lao Shang Hai has long been a local favourite Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong. The food is both hearty and delicious, including the classic xiao long bao, steamed pork buns, and of course, plain flour noodles in chicken soup – simple yet quintessentially Shanghainese. Pay extra attention when the hairy crab season begins, as Lao Shang Hai imports some of the freshest and most succulent crustaceans from Taihu in the Jiangsu province. Though the décor is old school and the restaurant is understated, Lao Shang Hai has garnered a popular reputation over the past 20 years and counting – showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Lao Shang Hai, Shop 101-104, 1/F, Emperor Group Centre, 288 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2827 9339
6. Tim Ho Wan
Winning the hearts of critics and gourmands around the world, Tim Ho Wan boasts the honour of being one of the cheapest Michelin recommended dim sum joints in town. With a no reservation policy, a trip to the “dim sum specialists” requires patience, but don’t fret, it’ll be well worth the wait.
Grab a number from the counter and select your dim sum delights from the checklist paper menu, offering everything from the classic shrimp and minced pork siu mai to taro spring rolls and the famous char siu bao (baked BBQ pork buns). If you’ve got room left for dessert, the signature steamed egg cake is a popular choice that will leave you feeling suitably satisfied.
To get your fix of Tim Ho Wan dim sum without getting hangry, we recommend that you arrive early and avoid busy lunch and dinner times.
Tim Ho Wan has locations across Hong Kong.
7. Qi – House of Sichuan
Helmed by Chef Wong Chun Fai, one of Hong Kong’s top Sichuan chefs, Qi – House of Sichuan had been the proud owner of one Michelin star between 2016 and 2019. The menu reflects authentic dishes representing ‘the seven flavours of Sichuan’ – spicy, aromatic, sweet, bitter, sour, peppery and salty – with a contemporary twist.
Stepping into the sleek and sultry restaurant, guests should prepare to experience an array of explosive and mouth-watering flavours that are certainly not for the faint-hearted. Should you wish to sweat out the chilli in the Hong Kong heat, the terrace lends the perfect spot.
To make it easy for guests to choose, the menu is classified using symbols that distinguish numbing dishes from hot to fiery, as well as vegetarian dishes and those recommended by the chef. From chilli oil wontons and mala chicken to sizzling lamb, Qi House of Sichuan will definitely stimulate your senses.
Qi House of Sichuan has locations in Wan Chai and Quarry Bay.
8. Ho Lee Fook
Combining old school Hong Kong dai pai dong food with the spirit of late-night Chinatown hangouts in 1960s New York, Ho Lee Fook (meaning good fortune for the mouth) quickly became one of the most well known Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong since its opening in 2014.
From hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll beats to underground vibes, this charming restaurant – albeit having a constant chatter – is the perfect fuss-free eatery for a night out with friends. Highlights include the Steamed Live Razor Clams; Smoked Crispy Skin Three Yellow Chicken with Sand Ginger and Spring Onion Sauce; and Whole Fish in Chef’s Choice of Preparation.
Ho Lee Fook, G/F, 3-5 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2810 0860
9. The Legacy House
A prestigious dining room with killer harbour views, The Legacy House is helmed by Chef Li. The restaurant specialises in refined Cantonese cuisine with a focus on dishes from the Shunde region of Guangdong. The dim sim menu features classic delicacies like sea cucumber, juicy and savoury dumplings, and more. If you want the best of the best, be sure to choose some of the Chef’s recommendations: Minced Fish Soup, Steamed Crab Claw, Pan-fried Dace Fish, and Wok-fried Lobster among others. A little bonus, try out one of their cocktails, some are presented in a glass that has bamboo patterns and pandas – it’s all in the small details!
The Legacy House, 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3891 8732
10. Ming Court
Located inside Cordis Hotel, Michelin-starred Ming Court not only focuses on delivering an exciting culinary experience, the restaurant also has an extensive collection of world-class wines. We recommend trying the degustation menu; our favourites from the eight-course set include the stuffed crab shell, fish maw soup, and the lobster that comes with a striking presentation. Pair that with your preferred wine and be amazed by the attention to detail in the techniques, taste, and textures of each dish.
Ming Court, L6, Cordis Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3552 3300
11. Jiangsu Club
As evident from its name, Jiangsu Club delivers rich and authentic dishes from China’s Jiangsu Province. The elegant, lively atmosphere and tasteful modern decor makes it fit for any gathering of friends or family. Signature dishes include the labour-intensive Jiangsu Eight Treasures Duck; Hangzhou Beggar’s Chicken; and Braised Sea Cucumber. Traditional Su cuisine is the star here, with the flavourful food extensively prepared and thoughtfully presented.
Jiangsu Club, 2/F, Alliance Building, 133 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan Hong Kong, p. 6230 8973
12. Hong Kong Cuisine
Local Hong Kong dishes are in the spotlight at Hong Kong Cuisine, with traditional food being presented by Chef Silas Li with innovative and modern twists. The dim sum is a big draw here, but the other Cantonese dishes are just as noteworthy. Our favourites include Steamed Black Truffle, Foie Gras, and Prawn Dumpling; Crispy Mashed Taro Puffs with Hokkaido Scallop; and, from the dinner tasting menu, the delicate “layers of steamed egg white, fresh crab meat with huadiao wine sauce, lily flower root foam, served in eggshell.”
Hong Kong Cuisine, 1/F, Elegance Court, 2-4 Tsoi Tak Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, p. 2893 3788
13. Duddell’s
Michelin-starred Duddell’s offers innovative twists on Cantonese cuisine. In addition to its famous dim sum menu, the tasting menu at Duddell’s is always a treat – with the appetiser selection and Crispy Local Beef Brisket. Located in the heart of Central, you can also find one of the best executive lunch deals in town for when you want to impress for a business lunch in Hong Kong. With a great appreciation for the arts, as seen through the stylish interiors, Duddell’s a great place to relax and connect over quality food.
Duddell’s, L3, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2525 9191
14. Man Ho
Needing no introductions to the local foodies of Hong Kong, Man Ho has long been a go-to destination for reliable, quality Chinese fare. With exquisite homemade dim sum, live seafood, and classic Chinese dishes all prepared with high quality ingredients, Man Ho’s reputation in Hong Kong’s dining scene is rock-solid. Along with an extensive range of thoughtfully selected wines, a locally sourced tea list is also available to enjoy alongside your meal. Try the Baked Crab Claw, Deep-fried Crispy Chicken, and Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles. Additionally, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can order in advance a Whole Roasted Suckling Pig!
Man Ho, L3, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, p. 2810 8366
[This article was originally published in February 2020 and updated in 2024 by Min Ji Park.]