Hong Kong's top new dining destinations of 2016

Once again, Hong Kong proves its place as a culinary powerhouse, with a remarkable range of new restaurant openings, from Michelin-starred dining to hidden gems serving quick bites.

Here are some of the standout new eateries making waves in the city this year:

Mercedes Me

The Mercedes F1 race car (occasionally the safety car) parked outside Mercedes Me is a clear indication that this new restaurant is all about speed and precision.

Opened just this fall, this stylish yet relaxed spot is already a favorite for lunch, dinner, and evening drinks. With Spanish chef Edgar Sanuy in the kitchen, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

A twist on the San Sebastian classic kokotxas, these Basque-style hake throats are made with salmon instead, offering a fresh take on a traditional delicacy.

The iconic Catalan ‘bikini’ sandwich, featuring sobressada (a paprika-laden cured sausage) and mozzarella, stands out as one of the city’s best versions of this classic.

Beefbar

With locations in Monaco, Mexico City, and Moscow, Beefbar is a global brand known for its expertise in premium meats.

Located in the heart of Central, Beefbar’s sophisticated interior sets the stage for its world-class beef offerings.

The meats are seared at incredibly high temperatures before being char-grilled, ensuring a perfect combination of a crispy, flavorful exterior and a tender, juicy interior.

Don’t forget to sample the creamy mashed potatoes and the fresh sashimi from the raw bar — both are standouts in their own right.

Le Garcon Saigon

The latest venture by Black Sheep restaurants takes inspiration from Vietnam, offering bold flavors and a hands-on dining experience.

While the interior of Le Garcon Saigon evokes the charm of a Parisian brasserie, the dining experience encourages guests to roll their own rice paper rolls, complete with skewers, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, vermicelli, and a variety of dipping sauces.

The banh xeo features a delicious mix of chorizo, bean sprouts, and prawns, all wrapped in lettuce and accompanied by a dipping sauce of nuoc mam fish sauce.

The desserts are creative and definitely worth guarding closely.

Vea

Located on the top floor of The Wellington Building, Vea brings together two renowned figures in Hong Kong's culinary world: chef Vicky Cheng and mixologist Antonio Lai.

In a sophisticated setting with marble tabletops and bronze accents, Vea offers a modern French dining experience through an eight-course tasting menu that changes weekly.

Each dish is paired with a cocktail (fortunately, they’re on the smaller side), and the focus is on celebrating local seafood and fresh produce wherever possible.

The Ocean

Repulse Bay on Hong Kong Island’s southern shore became one of the top dining spots of 2015 with the opening of The Pulse, a sprawling beachside complex featuring over a dozen new restaurants.

The Ocean occupies the prime spot on the top floor, offering the best views in the building.

It’s no surprise that seafood is the star here, with creative and beautiful dishes like a stunning wild mushroom tortellini (who knew tortellini could be this impressive?) paired with a rich lobster bisque.

Almas

No other spot on Kowloon offers a more spectacular view than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, perched in the tallest skyscraper in the city.

Located on the 102nd floor of the International Commerce Center, the Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive seven-seat Almas venue offers caviar and champagne in a breathtaking setting.

On the menu, alongside the luxurious and pricey 'black gold,' you'll find Balik salmon, a dish originally served to Tsar Nicholas II.

Koko

The new Japanese eatery Koko boasts star power, thanks to Japanese soccer legend Hidetoshi Nakata.

Nakata teams up with Kee Club to create this izakaya-style venue, featuring a rare Hong Kong luxury – a spacious terrace.

Highlights include rock shrimp tempura with wasabi peel and king crab with uni hotpot, both sure to impress.

Drinks also take center stage, with a notable sake collection, including Nakata’s very own N sake, crafted from the finest Yamadanishki rice.

KOKO, 5/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2109 1777

Mr and Mrs Fox

Swire Hotels' latest addition is sleek and stylish, located in the bustling media hub of Quarry Bay.

Spanning three levels, Mr and Mrs Fox offers a laid-back bar and dining area on the ground floor, with the main restaurant located on the second floor.

The menu features premium steaks and inventive seafood, blending global flavors with a variety of Asian ingredients.

The desserts are a must-try, with the retro baked Alaska standing out as a particular favorite.

The Fat Pig

British chef Tom Aikens brings his second Hong Kong restaurant, The Fat Pig, where the focus is on celebrating the pig in all its glory.

The menu showcases locally sourced pork prepared in an array of ways, from charcuterie to roasted, barbecued, pulled, and pickled varieties.

For those still craving more pork, the local brewery Moonzen offers The Fat Pig Bacon Red Ale to complete the experience.

Viet Kitchen

Chef Peter Cuong Franklin, originally from Central Vietnam, made his way from Yale and investment banking to follow his culinary dreams.

His newest culinary endeavor in the city is Viet Kitchen, where he brings his passion for Vietnamese flavors to life.

A standout dish on the menu is the grilled Kurobuta pork chops, glazed with fish sauce and pork jus for a rich, savory flavor.

The Manila clams are perfectly prepared, bathed in a lime butter sauce, accented with basil, lemongrass, and topped with fresh coriander.

Both dishes are quickly stir-fried over intensely high heat to impart a delicate smoky flavor.

Tri

At Tri, Indonesian cuisine is elevated with a focus on Bali’s authentic flavors, all set in a chic space with stunning views of Repulse Bay.

Sambal Tempeh features fermented soybeans, chili, and crispy cauliflower, served alongside delicate peyek crackers.

The beef short rib is another dish that stands out with its rich flavors.

For dessert, Dadar Gulung offers delightful little Balinese pancakes filled with a vibrant mix of coconut and mango, making for the perfect ending.

Tri, Shop 302, 3/F, Lobby C The Pulse, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong +852 2515 0577

El Mercado

A fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines might seem unusual at first, but the historical connections between the two countries make it a natural pairing.

Led by Jose Manuel Meza, formerly of the renowned Astrid y Gaston in Lima, the vibrant new El Mercado offers an outstanding lunch bento box featuring ceviche, salad, and sushi.

For dinner, expect heartier dishes where seafood takes center stage.