Our local guide reveals Tai Po’s tastiest eats, hippest cafes, scenic trails, and unique attractions waiting to be discovered.
Honeys, prepare to fall head over heels for Tai Po – the Northern wonderland that has all the makings of an urbanite’s blissful escape. Lace up your trainers and explore the area’s hiking trails, where panoramas of lush hills and sea await both at sunrise and sunset. Afterwards, refuel with a brew or two at Tai Po’s fine cafes, all charming and serene. Whether you’re a lover of good food, epic views, or gorgeous design, Tai Po has something for you. Come along for the ride!
Tai Po guide: Where to eat
1. Tai Po Hui Market and Cooked Food Centre
We find ourselves swooning over Tai Po Hui Market. With around 40 stalls spanning dim sum, dai pai dongs, and dessert shops, this two-storey foodie paradise has us spoiled for choice. Must-tries include Tung Kee’s fried pork chop noodles – pure pillowy perfection – and Sweet Bon Bon’s sesame-stuffed mochi that practically melts in your mouth. From revered Tai Po specialties to flavours from across China and beyond, this spacious market satisfies every craving.
Don’t miss our guide to Hong Kong’s cooked food markets for more of these local gems!
Tai Po Hui Market and Cooked Food Centre, Tai Po Complex, 8 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 2638 1948
2. Boundless By Reaction
This serene two-storey cafe in Tai Po exudes laidback vibes with its whitewashed minimalism and abundant greenery. Sip on aromatic osmanthus milk coffees that epitomise autumnal cosiness, or try the sublime French mille-feuille paired with silky pudding and ice cream. In addition to the drool-worthy drinks and pastries on offer, Boundless delights with globally inspired savoury bites like Dutch baby pancakes and Mexican wagyu burgers, just to name a few. We simply adore whiling away afternoons, unwinding in this urban oasis, whether people-watching from the windows or fuelling up on the artfully plated fare.
Boundless By Reaction, Shop C, G/F, 15 Tin Kok Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 2365 1888
3. Mr Cardigan Plant House
Our go-to for the perfect laid-back weekend? Mr Cardigan Plant House, tucked away in Tai Po’s lush greenery. Housed in a converted shipping container, this stylish oasis overflows with botanical fabulousness. We’re talking walls of cacti and palms begging for a photo op! Snag a patio seat amidst the jungle vibes and unwind with ‘gram-worthy treats, coffee, and homemade cakes. But make it snappy – this plant-filled cafe is only open weekends and often booked for events.
Mr Cardigan Plant House, Shan Liu Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong
4. Kopi Coffee & Eatery
Nothing perks us up more than an artful new cafe, and Kopi Coffee & Eatery has certainly breathed new life into Tai Po’s dining scene. With its punchy yellow and white decor, inventive dishes, and pet-friendly policy, this cafe is simply fabulous. The menu is a mix of the classic and the creative, such as honey-glazed lychee chicken wings and dreamy HK-style carbonara. Plus, the quality is simply divine, considering the prices!
Looking for more inspo for your next coffee break? Check out our round-up of the new cafes in Hong Kong.
Kopi Coffee & Eatery, Shop 7, G/F, Beautiful Garden, 11 Chui Lok Street, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Tai Po guide: Where to drink
5. King’s Belly
For those who love a chill Brit-inspired gastropub, King’s Belly will quench your thirst. This alcove channels English pub realness with craft brews, classic cocktails, and delicious pub grub. Sip some Boddingtons, Guinness, or Stella as vintage sports screens provide fab ambience. And the menu – beer-battered fish and chips, bangers and mash, full English brekkies… Yes, please! From cold pints to hearty British faves, King’s Belly brings refinement and comfort in spades.
If you’re looking for more spots to catch the game, check out our roundup of the best sports bars in Hong Kong.
King’s Belly, Shop C, G/F, Mei Fung Building, 6 Wan Tau Kok Lane, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 2663 3550
6. Free House Bar and Cafe
For us, Free House Bar and Cafe is Tai Po’s ultimate gastropub. This stylish haunt entices with darts, pool, beer pong, and karaoke to amp up your night. Sip Negronis or Aperol spritzes as you mingle between the chic bar and lounge areas. Gather your besties and sing your hearts out in the KTV rooms after a riveting round of beer pong. Or, get competitive with darts – winner takes a shot! From friendly games to themed festivities, Free House promises a fabulously lively atmosphere.
Free House Bar and Cafe, 2/F, 88 Plaza, 88 Po Heung Street, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 9561 4832
7. Tamora
One of the chicest new cafes around is Tamora, tucked within Tai Po’s Tai Mei Tuk Village. This three-storey, Jeju-inspired space wows with chic industrial vibes, exposed brick, and metallic accents that have us swooning hard. Linger over iced lattes, matcha croffles, and yuzu drinks that transport you straight to South Korea’s famed island escape. With ample light and unrivalled views from each level, it’s the ultimate spot for people-watching with your besties or solo me-time. We’ll be making the journey regularly for our dose of design and deliciousness!
Tamora, G/F-2/F, 46B Tai Mei Tuk Tsuen, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Tai Po guide: Things to do
8. Cycle around Plover Cove Reservoir
One of the most exhilarating ways to experience Tai Po and the Plover Cove Reservoir is on two wheels. This crystal blue coastal lake is a cyclist’s dream with the flat 2km dam just waiting to be cruised along. Feel the wind in your hair as you pedal above the water, taking in views for days – emerald reservoirs on one side and sapphire seas on the other. Watch the sunset while parked atop the dam and see the waters bathed in golden hour hues – it’s what sweet dreams are made of! Just be sure to keep an eye on the clock for any bike rentals.
Love biking around town? Check out these scenic cycling routes in Hong Kong.
Plover Cove Reservoir, Plover Cove Country Park, Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po, Hong Kong
9. Head to Lung Mei Beach
Tai Po may not seem like the place to find a beach, but Lung Mei Beach brings all the summer vibes to the district. Though man-made, this dazzling 200m shoreline transports you to the tropics. With lifeguards on duty daily from April to October, plus changing rooms and facilities, Lung Mei makes the ultimate beach escape. Come summertime, you’ll find us here with floppy hats, sunnies, and SPF, living the coastal dream.
For more of the city’s secret shores, check out our guide to Hong Kong’s hidden beaches.
Tai Po Lung Mei Beach, 168 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 2671 1686
10. Walk to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve
When city life begins to feel stale, head to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve for a reviving dose of tropical realness. Strolling through this 460-hectare oasis, you’ll discover over 100 species of vegetation and exotic animal species. Lose yourself amidst this jungle and you may encounter leopard cats, barking deer, vibrant butterflies, and rare botanicals. It’s an eco escape worthy of your wildest nature fantasies. So lace up your walking boots, spritz on some insect repellent, and get ready to reconnect with Mother Nature – Tai Po Kau style.
Don’t miss our guide to spotting Hong Kong’s indigenous wild animals on your hike!
Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Tai Po, Hong Kong
11. Visit Tsz Shan Monastery
This breathtaking Buddhist monastery located atop Ting Tsz’s hills is a must-visit in Tai Po. From the sweeping 76m statue of Guan Yin to intricate Tang dynasty architecture, Tsz Shan Monastery is a place of immense spiritual beauty. Lose yourself amongst fragrant pine trees, tranquil gardens, and ornate halls adorned with Buddhist symbols. The towering bronze and steel goddess alone merits the trip – her elegance and grandeur are breathtaking. Make offerings of water, sit in stillness, or simply appreciate the majestic setting. However you connect, Tsz Shan’s sanctity and aesthetics create a profound experience.
Tsz Shan Monastery, 88 Universal Gate Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, p. 2123 8666
