Hong Kong's top new restaurants for 2019

With over 25,000 dining options, Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers, constantly refreshed by a stream of exciting new eateries opening regularly.

The inspirations, ingredients, and creative twists behind the city's finest new restaurants in 2019—spanning from the Peruvian Andes to northern England—are elevating Hong Kong's global culinary scene.

Here are 11 of the most exciting new additions to Hong Kong's restaurant scene, bringing an incredible range of flavors for those who visit:

Ichu Peru

Virgilio Martinez, widely regarded as Peru's leading chef, is behind the renowned Central restaurant in Lima, along with several other international ventures. His latest project, Ichu Peru, in Hong Kong is named after a rare plant from the Peruvian Andes, which thrives in extreme conditions.

This marks his first restaurant in Asia, offering a modern take on Peruvian cuisine that is both innovative and full of comforting, delicious flavors. Chef Sang Jeong, who worked alongside Martinez at Central, leads the kitchen at Ichu Peru in Hong Kong's Central district.

Designed by Joyce Wang, the restaurant features interiors with seating for up to 80 guests, while its outdoor terrace has quickly become a popular spot for alfresco dining.

Ichu Peru, 3/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2477 7717

Kytaly

It’s a bold claim – and one that is certainly up for debate – but 'The World’s Best Pizza' has now arrived in Hong Kong.

The name Kytaly blends the Japanese concept of life energy, 'Ki,' with 'Italy,' reflecting the fusion of cultures. At the helm is Franco Pepe, the renowned pizza master behind this unique venture.

This is his first international restaurant, located in the lively Wyndham Street area of Central, Hong Kong. A third-generation baker, Pepe created a signature pizza dough using his own flour and topped it with 99% Italian ingredients, such as pork from Caserta and buffalo mozzarella from Campania.

Pepe’s pizzas, served at his Caiazzo, Italy-based restaurant Pepe In Grani, have earned numerous prestigious awards, ensuring a steady stream of customers at his Hong Kong location.

Kytaly Hong Kong, 5/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2808 1961

Roganic

Simon Rogan is a household name in the UK culinary scene, with five restaurants collectively holding four Michelin stars.

He has launched two neighboring restaurants in Hong Kong’s vibrant Causeway Bay district.

Aulis Hong Kong, an experimental dining space with just 12 seats, and Roganic, a modern 40-seat restaurant dedicated to farm-to-table cuisine, bring the flavors of England’s Lake District and its finest ingredients to Hong Kong.

Always inventive and ahead of the curve, Rogan’s culinary creations continue to impress, reminding Hong Kong's diners and chefs that there is still plenty of room for creativity in the kitchen.

With a focus on natural wines, fresh foraged ingredients, and flawless execution, Roganic is definitely a restaurant to keep an eye on in 2019.

Roganic, Shop 8, UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 2817 8383

SHÈ

SHÈ, a name derived from the Chinese character for hospitality, is a contemporary Chinese restaurant located in one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious department stores, Lane Crawford, inside the IFC Mall.

The restaurant’s dishes put a modern spin on Chinese classics with inventive and health-focused twists, perfect for its style-savvy guests.

The menu offers everything from Cantonese roast meats and dim sum to noodle dishes and afternoon tea paired with cocktails. The terrace, with its stunning view of Victoria Harbour, has quickly become a fashionable spot to see and be seen.

SHÈ, Level 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2110 0153

Wagyumafia

For beef lovers, Wagyumafia in Wan Chai is a must-visit. This exclusive 18-seat dining and butcher’s club, originally founded by Hisato Hamada in Tokyo, specializes in serving the finest Japanese wagyu beef from Kobe and Tajima.

The restaurant offers a single tasting menu that showcases a range of cuts and cooking methods, including shabu-shabu and yakiniku.

However, the true star of the show – especially on Instagram – is the cutlet sandwich. A thick Chateaubriand cut is breaded in Japanese panko, fried, and served on soft Japanese milk bread with the restaurant’s signature sauce.

Wagyumafia Hong Kong, Shop 1B, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai; +852 2812 0500

John Anthony

Located in Causeway Bay’s Lee Gardens mall, John Anthony is a Chinese restaurant with an intriguing name. The menu highlights regional Chinese cuisines such as Szechuan, Hunan, and Shandong, with Cantonese dishes also playing a significant role.

The expansive 7,000-square-foot space features three custom-built barbecue grills, essential for preparing many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The Flat Bed BBQ specializes in traditional Cantonese char siu roast meats, including Iberico pork, Black Angus short rib, and Australian wagyu fillet.

The dim sum menu offers a wide variety, with standout dishes like handmade Alaskan crab dumplings and steamed rice rolls filled with soft shell crab and squid ink. The bar is also a highlight, particularly the 12 'gin tubes,' each containing a house-infused gin with botanicals sourced from the ancient Spice Routes.

John Anthony, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 2898 3788

Hotal Colombo

It’s not a mistake – Hotal Colombo is intentionally named to reflect the local pronunciation in Sri Lanka, a country known for its rich culinary heritage. This SoHo-based eatery draws inspiration from the casual dining spots found throughout Colombo, where workers gather for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The pastel pink and blue decor, along with the staff’s costumes, evoke the tropical vibes of Sri Lanka, complemented by a soundtrack that enhances the ambiance. With seating for just 40 guests, this intimate space allows Head Chef Gisela Alesbrook to showcase her deep passion for Sri Lankan cuisine through sharing plates.

Signature dishes include the Bone Marrow Varuval with Pol Roti, featuring slow-cooked veal bone marrow served with freshly made roti flatbreads. Hoppers, a traditional Sri Lankan pancake enjoyed at every meal, are perfect for dipping into flavorful curries like the fragrant fish kari, cooked with coconut milk and fresh curry leaves.

Hotal Colombo, 31 Elgin Street, SoHo; +852 2488 8863

Artemis & Apollo

Though Hong Kong is home to a global array of cuisines, Greek food has long been underrepresented. Enter Artemis & Apollo, a Greek taverna in Wan Chai that brings the heart and soul of Greece’s finest dishes to the city.

The restaurant’s intimate twin dining rooms are inspired by the legendary Greek twins, and the soundtrack steers clear of traditional bouzouki music, instead offering a mix of Greek and global tunes from various eras.

Chef Andrée LeFuel, who honed her skills at Souvla in San Francisco, is well-equipped to craft exceptional dishes such as taramasalata made with cured mullet roe from Greece, and the indulgent fried Saganaki cheese.

Greek classics like calamari, octopus, and lamb chops are elevated to new heights, while the extensive Greek wine list offers some rare and hidden gems.

Artemis & Apollo, G/F, 9-11 Moon Street, Wan Chai; +852 6991 6231

KONG

Bread & Beast, a popular sandwich spot in Wan Chai, has expanded into a night-time dining experience called KONG, where it explores bold new directions in food.

By night, KONG reimagines Cantonese classics with unexpected flavors. Cheung fun rolls are smothered in gooey cheddar, reminiscent of mac and cheese. Crispy scallion pancakes are topped with a smooth liver pate infused with Hua Diao wine, while the 'angry cauli' dish brings heat with chili oil and a spicy toban djan broth.

The bar program is equally strong, featuring cocktails that spotlight Chinese spirits, popular with both locals and visitors who enjoy the tranquil street-side setting.

KONG, 3 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2237 1868

Prohibition Grill House Marriott

Located on the south side of Hong Kong Island, the Ocean Park Marriott Hotel sits just outside the city’s own Disneyland. Prohibition Grill House & Cocktail Bar embraces the glamour of the 1920s with red velvet curtains, brick walls, leather banquettes, and copper piping.

Executive Chef Jason R. Loyd leads the menu, beginning with timeless dishes like a rich seafood chowder and a superb shrimp cocktail made with wild Canadian seafood, complemented by a zesty lime jelly.

The meats take center stage, with a wide selection of premium cuts to satisfy any carnivore. M4 Japanese wagyu is a standout, while Australian ribeye also enjoys popularity. Perfectly executed sides and indulgent desserts round out the meal.

Prohibition Grill House & Cocktail Bar, G/F, Club Wing, Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen; +852 3555 1900

Ecriture

Named after the French word for ‘writing,’ Ecriture is located on the top floor of one of Hong Kong’s most sought-after dining destinations. After opening in May 2018, it earned two Michelin stars just seven months later, captivating the culinary world.

Chef Maxime Gilbert masterfully blends French and Asian flavors and textures. For instance, his pan-seared lamb is paired with choy sum, Shanghainese cabbage, and Taiwanese spring cabbage sautéed in pickled lemon and seaweed, then topped with lamb jus and black truffle.

Desserts are just as remarkable, with a beautifully crafted chestnut ganache featuring three distinct citrus fillings, all encased in delicate chocolate rings.

Ecriture, 26th floor, H Queen’s, 80 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong; +852 2795 5996