We love a tipple after-work and on the weekend, but finding good sangria in Hong Kong can be a bit tricky. So, we sent seasoned sangria drinker (and former resident of Valladolid, Spain) Jo Robinson out to find her top picks in the city
From the best Chinese restaurants to the most beloved halal restaurants in Hong Kong, one of the best things about living in The 852 is access to all of the different cultures and communities who call the city home. While Spain may be over 6000 miles away, you’re never far from a pitcher of tasty sangria in Hong Kong, so we’ve rounded up a few of the best places to enjoy the Spanish tipple, most of which include it on their daily happy hours – what are you waiting for?
Sangria in Hong Kong that you should try
1. La Paloma
La Paloma – which translates as pigeon en español – will never fail to disappoint with their five types of sangria. All served in (large) kitsch mason jars, choose from red, peach & mango, ruby & roses, sparkling and even a sake sangria. If alcohol isn’t your thing, there’s a virgin sexy sangria on the list too; this is the home of sexy tapas after all. On Wednesday nights, take advantage of the 2 for 1 offer on pitchers of red sangria, and don’t leave without experiencing the explosive air baguettes and the churros; your tastebuds will thank you.
La Paloma, 1/F, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, p. 2291 6161, 西環皇后大道西189號西浦1樓
2. 22 Ships
This cosy Wan Chai tapas bar offers a typically laid back Spanish dining style. Both the red and white sangrias on the menu are delightful, however the white just wins the race here with its light fruity flavours to complement the modern take on traditional tapas dishes. There’s no reservations here, so join the queue with a sangria in hand; it’ll be worth the wait. Definitely one of the best sangria in Hong Kong.
22 Ships, 22 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2555 0722, 灣仔船街22號地下
3. Classified
Offering up one of the cheapest happy hours of sangria in Hong Kong, glasses of the Spanish favourite are only $30 from 5-8pm every day. Whether it’s roadside in Sheung Wan, or beachside at Stanley, Classified has ten locations in Hong Kong for you to sample their fragrant and fruity classic. And with a food menu (which tells you in clear, bold letters that YOU DESERVE IT – because you do) dishing up classics such as mac & cheese and spaghetti & meatballs, what are you waiting for?
Classified, multiple locations across Hong Kong.
4. Limewood
Repulse Bay’s Limewood Bar & Restaurant serves up something slightly different with its tequila sangria. With flavours of nutmeg and rosemary, this drink has something of a mulled wine vibe about it, and it works perfectly alongside the vast menu which takes its inspiration from Southeast Asia, Hawaii, South America and the Caribbean. With sharing plates featuring heavily on the menu and a communal bar and dining feel, it’s the perfect beachside spot for groups to indulge in a pitcher or three.
Limewood, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Shop 103/104, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, p. 2866 8668, 淺水灣海灘道28號The Pulse地下103及104號舖
5. Spasso
The whole lane along Mody Road is lined with restaurants, each with a different vibe. It almost feels like you’re no longer dining in Hong Kong! This Italian restaurant is famed for its delicious weekend brunch. We recommend going for free-flow sangria next time you’re brunching here, maybe a little boozy for day drinking but it’s the weekend, what could go wrong?! Plus, it’s only $198 for the basic free flow.
Spasso, Empire Centre, 68 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, p. 2730 8027
6. La Rambla
Honestly, why have a glass of sangria when you can have a jug? (Don’t forget to drink responsibly!) La Rambla is the perfect place to be for post work drinks. Their happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 3-8pm and offers tapas and sharing plates. Now let’s get to the sangria – you can opt for the classic sangria de vina, or go for its sparkling alternative, sangria de cava – both jugs are $100 off during happy hour!
La Rambla, 3071 – 73 Level 3, IFC Mall, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2661 1161
7. Bathers
Sunset, sand, and sangria! Sip near the open sea (Hong Kong’s longest beach!) at Bathers, a mini getaway tucked on Lantau Island. Their red sangria is made with red wine, cognac, lemonade, and seasonal fruits, and is only $80 for a glass and $350 for a jug. And there’s plenty to add to the table from the restaurant’s all-day menu.
Bathers, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau, Cheung Sha Lantau Island, Hong Kong, p. 2504 4788
Iberico & Co (CLOSED)
Located in a perfect people watching spot on the SoHo escalator, this restaurant serves up a staggering eleven different sangrias, all of which feature on the daily 3-7pm happy hour. Try one or all of them by the glass or jug, alongside your favourite tapas bites or cured meat selection. Part of the Enoteca Group of restaurants, Iberico & Co offers relaxed dining with some of Spain’s most traditional dishes such as paella, broken eggs (a personal favourite which I discovered in North-West Spain many years ago) and pan fried chorizo. Top tip: grab the bar table in the window and watch SoHo go by to your heart’s content.
Iberico & Co, 18 Shelley Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2752 8811, 中環蘇豪些利街18號地舖
