Get a delicious taste of Hong Kong at the city’s beloved cha chaan tengs, where pineapple buns, milk tea, and other authentic classics are served just like decades past.
Hong Kong’s beloved cha chaan tengs (茶餐廳) are local-style restaurants serving up classic comfort foods like egg tarts and Hong Kong-style breakfasts. With menus packed with sweet and savoury dishes from fluffy French toast to piping hot noodles, these casual cafes are cherished by locals and visitors alike for solo dining or gathering with friends. Far from mundane, cha chaan tengs offer a tasty glimpse into local flavours and culture. Beyond the food, their laidback settings overflow with old-school vibes, making them lively spots for an authentic Hong Kong experience. This list shines the spotlight on the city’s very best cha chaan tengs, from decades-old establishments to up-and-coming holes in the wall.
Egg tarts, milk tea, and beyond: Exploring Hong Kong’s best cha chaan tengs
1. Lan Fong Yuen
A true Hong Kong institution, Lan Fong Yuen is a humble cha chaan teng hidden among the high-rises of Central. Though unassuming on the outside, this retro eatery has earned iconic status for pioneering the Hong Kong-style “silk stocking” milk tea. In addition, Lan Fong Yuen attracts locals and tourists with comfort foods, like pork chop buns and chicken noodles. Originally a stand-alone dai pai dong stall, Lan Fong Yuen has managed to retain much of its original charm even after moving indoors and expanding to several locations in the city – and that’s why we love this place!
Lan Fong Yueng (蘭芳園) has various locations across Hong Kong.
2. Mido Cafe
Hong Kong’s retro icon Mido Cafe transports you back to the 1950s, when it first emerged as a neighbourhood staple. Complete with vintage mosaic floors, wooden booths, and iron-framed windows, Mido’s captivating vintage backdrop has starred in countless Hong Kong films, from Wong Kar-wai’s classics to action flicks. While you snap away at the nostalgic decor, tuck into Mido’s cha chaan teng classics, such as baked pork chops, milk tea, and more.
Mido Cafe, G/F, 63 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong, p. 2384 6402, 油麻地廟街63號地舖美都餐室
3. Honolulu Coffee Shop
Nestled in the bustling neighbourhood of Wan Chai is Honolulu Coffee’s flagship shop. This historical cha chaan teng opened its doors in the 1940s and remains a beloved culinary mainstay today. Honolulu never fails to wow us with its exceptional egg tarts, pineapple buns, and classic cha chaan teng grub.
Honolulu Coffee Shop (檀島咖啡餅店) has locations in Wan Chai and Tseung Kwan O.
4. Cafe Match Box
Travel back to the 1980s at this Hong Kong cha chaan teng. With its eclectic decor, mismatched chairs, and creative accents, Cafe Match Box blends quirky vibes with old-school cha chaan teng charm. The diverse menu matches the playful interiors, dishing up nostalgic favourites from fluffy French toast to sizzling steaks to baked pork chop rice. With its laid-back atmosphere and delicious takes on Cantonese comfort cuisine, Cafe Match Box offers a delightfully unique cha chaan teng experience in Hong Kong.
Cafe Match Box, Shop C&D, G/F, Fashion Walk, 57 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2868 0363, 銅鑼灣百德新街57號 Fashion Walk 地下 C&D 號舖喜喜冰室
5. For Kee Restaurant
With its decades-old legacy, For Kee Restaurant continues to attract a loyal following despite the growing number of trendy eateries around Sheung Wan. Its signature Gold Medal Pork Chop Rice is made with tender pork marinated in a sweet soy sauce and paired with soft white rice. The popularity of For Kee’s delicious pork chops is evident by the daily line of eager diners waiting outside from lunchtime until closing. Although the wait may be long, it’s undoubtedly worth it!
For Kee Restaurant, Shop J-K, G/F, 200 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2546 8947, 上環荷李活道200號地下 J-K 號舖科記咖啡餐室
6. Hoi Chiu Canteen
Tucked within its nondescript exterior in an industrial Kwun Tong building, Hoi Chiu Canteen harbours a menu full of reimagined cha chaan teng classics. While serving up staples like macaroni soup and French toast, this cafe excels at inventive fusion creations like mala-spiced macaroni wok-fried with meat and scallions. Signatures also include playful takes like condensed milk toasts sprinkled with Ovaltine powder, and shrimp and brisket stuffed inside crispy noodle pancakes.
Hoi Chiu Canteen, Shop G6, G/F, Shing Yip Industrial Building, 19-21 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, p. 2343 9160, 觀塘成業街19-21號成業工業大廈地下G6號舖海潮食堂
7. Cheung Hing Coffee Shop
Step back in time at Cheung Hing Coffee Shop in Happy Valley. This cha chaan teng has been faithfully serving regulars since 1951. Its wooden booths, chequered floors, and chalkboard menus ooze nostalgic charm. While its decor has largely remained unchanged since the 1950s, Cheung Hing’s food is as fresh as ever. Sink your teeth into its renowned pineapple buns and pair it with silky-smooth Hong Kong-style milk tea. What’s more, Cheung Hing plates up classic cha chaan teng fare like satay beef noodles, HK-style French toast, and flaky egg tarts that melt in your mouth.
Cheung Hing Coffee Shop, G/F, 9-11 Yik Yam Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, p. 2572 5097, 跑馬地奕蔭街9-11號地舖祥興咖啡室
8. Snow Mountain Cafe
Sham Shui Po is known for its diverse selection of local eateries, and Snow Mountain Cafe is one of our go-tos in the area when we crave a taste of home. Snow Mountain has been serving up quality Hong Kong food since opening in 1956. In fact, its offerings are so popular that the owners had to open a second branch just down the road in Cheung Sha Wan! Among the abundant dishes on offer, you can’t go wrong with Stir-fried Beef Rice Noodles or Pan-fried Pork Chops with Spicy Salt.
Snow Mountain Cafe (雪山冰廳) has locations in Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan.
9. Australia Dairy Company
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without joining the queues at Australia Dairy Company. This cha chaan teng is a local legend for its buttery scrambled eggs, fluffy steamed milk pudding, and other egg-cellent dishes. Despite its name, there’s nothing Aussie on the menu – just classic Hong Kong comfort food prepared with mastery. Squeeze in among packed tables and savour the famed scrambled eggs and toast breakfast set. Or, opt for a macaroni soup to start your day the local way. Just come prepared to order fast, eat fast, and make way for the next eager diners at this perpetually busy hot spot – the extra speedy (and blunt) service is all part of the experience!
Australia Dairy Company, G/F, 47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan, Hong Kong, p. 2730 1356, 佐敦白加士街47-49號地舖澳洲牛奶公司
10. Swiss Cafe
Swiss Cafe is a local favourite for fast, fresh, and affordable Hong Kong comfort food. Despite its name, Swiss Cafe doesn’t serve anything genuinely Swiss – just classic cha chaan teng dishes like fluffy scrambled eggs, macaroni soups, and Swiss-style chicken wings. These addictively tender soy-sauce braised wings put Swiss Cafe on the map. With cosy booths crammed with hungry office workers and families, Swiss Cafe captures the essence of Hong Kong cha chaan teng culture.
Swiss Cafe (瑞士咖啡室) has locations in Kwai Chung and Central.
11. Kam Wah Cafe
Locals and tourists alike flock to local gem Kam Wah Cafe for its world-famous pineapple buns. Pair them with a slab of butter sandwiched between fluffy buns with a delicately crispy outer layer and you’re good to go! In addition, Kam Wah plates up local comfort fare, like creamy French toast and pork chop noodles, in a packed and unfussy dining room. Just be prepared to share a table with fellow diners at this humble neighbourhood cafe.
Kam Wah Cafe, G/F, 47 Bute Street, Prince Edward, Hong Kong, p. 2392 6830, 太子弼街47號地舖金華冰廳
12. Hong Kong Wing Nin
Combining two staples in Hong Kong cuisine – cha chaan teng fare and cart noodles – Hong Kong Wing Nin is an unmissable cha chaan teng in the 852. The menu is chock full of reimagined nostalgic eats, whether it be quintessential staples or delectable cart noodles. The signature God and Goddess Noodles are must-tries, both featuring classic toppings like beef entrails and fish maw. Pair your noods with a bottle of HK-style milk tea or a thirst-quenching matcha red bean ice for the full experience.
Hong Kong Wing Nin, Shop 113, 1/F, New Town Plaza Phase I, 18-19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, p. 2117 2368, 沙田沙田正街18-19號新城市廣場一期1樓113號舖香港永年車仔麵茶冰廳
[This article was originally published in September 2023 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
