When it comes to choosing where to dine in Hong Kong, it’s always good to hear first-hand recommendations of different restaurants. That’s especially the case if you’re going to be spending a fair bit of money! We recently reviewed a handful of restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway and Central, with a focus on alfresco dining – for that ‘wow’ factor. From sky-high venues to tasty treats on terraces with a view, see what we thought of just a few of the best Hong Kong restaurants.
# Restaurants in Causeway Bay
ALTO – Exceptional steakhouse dining in Hong Kong
Perched on the 31st floor, ALTO is famed for its stunning rooftop bar and drinks – and rightly so! However, since Scott Shulman arrived to helm the kitchen last year, he’s been quietly reinventing the restaurant menu with new dishes and flavours, so we were excited to revisit and find out more. This Hong Kong restaurant interior is warm and welcoming, but our eyes were instinctively drawn to the panoramic harbour views. Seated by the window, we sipped on a cocktail while perusing the menu.
We started with the French onion soup. Chef Scott adds his own twist on this classic and infuses the rich broth with pho-inspired warming notes. An oozing piece of grilled cheese sourdough served as an oversized crouton – perfect for tearing and dunking. Superb! My husband also couldn’t resist the roasted bone marrow served with a sherry reduction and short rib marmalade, a rich and decadent dish. In contrast, the light and fresh burrata salad was a feast for my eyes. It came garnished with zucchini flowers, grilled asparagus and roasted almonds, and tossed together with a zesty house dressing.
ALTO is renowned for its steak and offers a wide selection of well priced cuts and weights to suit all appetites. Chef Scott recommended one of his signatures, the Zabuton (top sirloin cap), a Japanese cut of wagyu that translates to “little pillow”. This was a delicious steak, both succulent and full of rich beefy flavour. There’s a selection of signature sauces, too; I enjoyed the chimichurri, which balanced well with the steak’s richness, while my husband preferred the classic pairing of the red wine sauce.
We shared two other standout dishes: the beef short rib in a 31-spice molé sauce (one ingredient for each of the 31 floors leading up to the restaurant!), and the Iberico pork ribs seasoned with a coffee dry rub and served with a bourbon barbecue sauce. Both dishes demonstrated Chef Scott’s culinary flair for combining and balancing bold flavours.
Desserts and drinks
There are four desserts to choose from; we shared a yuzu lime pie, which is served with seasonal berries, and the smoked chocolate brownie – a must-try for chocoholics like me!
The team has curated a very interesting wine menu with recommended pairings for different dishes. But don’t save this spot just for a special dinner – there are some well-priced set menus, too, including lunch, afternoon tea and brunch. The five-course Discovery Menu offers tremendous value, and a special mention should go to the non-alcoholic drinks pairing here, with some innovative tipples. As ALTO enters an exciting new chapter, it remains a standout steakhouse in Hong Kong and worthy of a visit or two. We’ll be returning soon!
31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay
2603 7181
sandshospitality.com/portfolio/alto
# Restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui and nearby
Carna – a stunning restaurant in TST
Carna restaurant greets guests with a bang. Stunning dining rooms await either side of a lobby, with welcome bubbles and nibbles, and then you enter a secret world of opulence.
We’re mesmerised by the gold and copper interior created by renowned local designer, Joyce Wang. The stain-glassed bar is such a fabulous focal point, you almost forget there are stunning harbour views.
Seated at a sumptuous booth, we’re soon getting acquainted with legendary Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini’s nose-to-tail concept: it espouses zero waste, sustainability and partnering with the best local suppliers.
Carna is a contemporary Italian steakhouse but the menu has depth. Amazing appetisers include Cappesante Scottate, pan-seared scallop with endives, kale, orange and a black truffle jus. Equally excellent is the Brodo di Manzo – braised beef tortellini, porcini and morel in a beef consommé with a splash of port.
Raw blue-fin tuna and zucchini spaghetti sit comfortably alongside warm beef shin salad and veal tongue. Among the mains, you’ll find grilled octopus, crispy-skinned seabass, calamari and mussel tagliolini, and Iberico pork with figs. There’s truly something for everyone.
One for beef lovers
Beef from Carna’s charcoal grill features pretty much every cut; tonight, we’re keen to share the 1kg Marango ribeye from Italy. Thick cut, tender and charred to perfection, it’s out of this world. The Béarnaise and red wine sauces are perfect, as are the sides of fries, spinach and asparagus. Chianti from Tuscany is the ideal pairing.
To the delectable desserts, and the Bellini is a playful peach pavlova, while Il Giardino di Agrumi is a citrus garden of sorbet, gel, curd and granita with an almond crunch.
From the grand entrance to the grand finale – in a stunning Kowloon space with warm generous hospitality – Carna is a carnival of excellence.
39/F, Mondrian Hong Kong
8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui
3550 0339 | carna.hk@mondrianhotels.com
Harbourside Grill for alfresco dining in TST
A sunset dinner and drinks with a stunning terrace view of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline? Yes, please!
We recently had a wonderful evening at Harbourside Grill in Tsim Sha Tsui, enjoying the restaurant’s warm and sophisticated atmosphere; the floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow for a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour from every corner, ensuring everyone has a memorable dining experience.
We started with some bubbly and a bread basket. I had to remind myself not to be too greedy with the freshly baked buns, but it was impossible to stop dipping the pieces into the soft butter!
Next came a seafood platter, served on chilled ice and one of our favourites of the night. Every bite was truly a delight, with ingredients freshly harvested from the nearby seas.
While steaks are a key feature of the menu here, if you fancy something else for mains, there are plenty of options, including vegetarian dishes. I had the sea bass with crushed potatoes and lobster bisque, and my husband tried the Ibérico pork chop. The size and tenderness of the meat was perfect, complemented by delicious Asian greens and triple-cooked chips. The restaurant’s suggested wine pairing was also excellent.
Finally, I highly recommend Chef Armand’s signature Apple Tarte Tatin with fresh cream and salted caramel sauce for dessert. It’s a must-try and impossible to leave a single crumb behind, despite its generous size! We enjoyed every bite, washing it down with a nice latte to complete a perfect meal.
Harbourside Grill offers an incredible dining experience with high-quality food and exceptional service by staff who go the extra mile to make sure their guests receive the best.
About the venue
Opened mid-2020, this sensational Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant sits on the edge of iconic Victoria Harbour. This is a bonus from the start, as you get unobstructed 180-degree city vistas. Harbourside Grill makes the most of the awesome location too, with alfresco dining on an expansive terrace. (Don’t miss the creative cocktails for sundowners!) With experience in a three Michelin-star restaurant, Executive Chef Armand Sablon serves up a grill-centric menu of fine meats, delectable seafood dishes and more. And all of it is prepared with typical French finesse!
Shop OTE401, Level 4, Ocean Terminal Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
2619 9100 | harboursidegrill.com.hk
O’Thai restaurant for alfresco dining
If you’re looking for a Thai restaurant near Tsim Sha Tsui, newly opened eatery O’Thai if a great pick. It shares its space with sister restaurant The Bayside on the Hung Hom waterfront. The two restaurants are separated by the bar area. Guests can choose to eat in either space and from both menus.
However, it’s hard to go past the spacious terrace with stunning views of the eastern side of the island. It was the perfect spot to enjoy the harbour breeze with a cold beer in hand as we perused the menu.
Chef Amoo’s winning dishes
Helming the kitchen is native Thai Master Chef Amoo, who has been delighting Hong Kong diners for years. Here at O’Thai, he expertly combines authentic Thai flavours and cooking techniques with quality produce. The result is a range of delicious dishes, with a menu well balanced with a solid selection of familiar favourites including appetisers, soups, salads, noodles, curries and a handful of desserts.
We started off with two appetisers. The grilled Iberico pork neck was perfectly charred and tender, and the crispy vegetarian spring rolls came with zesty dipping sauces. Our mains were both top-notch, too. They were also well-priced for the excellent quality. We devoured the flaky pan-fried halibut in aromatic green curry. (Highly recommended!) In contrast, the dry aged wagyu bavette paired perfectly with the robust spicy red curry. A side of steamed rice and stir-fried morning glory fragrant with garlic and chilli rounded off a super tasty meal.
Shop G1, One Harbourfront, 18 Tak Fung Street,
Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom
2123 2177 | silverspoon.com.hk/o-thai
# Restaurants in Central
Spiga
If you’ve not had a chance to visit renowned restaurant Spiga, by Italy’s 14-Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini, it’s a sight to behold! Local designer Joyce Wang has conjured up all the romance and intrigue of 1950s Italy, with a vintage long bar, private dining alcoves and a wonderful outdoor terrace. It’s a harmonious and stunning space.
Naples native Pasquale Russo helms the kitchen and his passion shines through in every dish. The antipasti are delicate with vivid colours. Asparagus cream with soft egg and truffle is refreshing and the red Mazara prawn with stracciatella and avocado is a work of art.
The pasta and risotto creations showcase the wonder of Italy; acquerello rice with Fine de Claire oysters, burnt wheat farfalle with turnip greens and sausage, and spaghetti with langoustines all sound amazing. Even more so the two sharing platters: Tuscan pici with wild boar ragu, and linguine with blue lobster.
We opted for the bottoni filled with sheep ricotta and the lightest tomato essence. It’s a wonderful prelude to the next stunning pasta, finished tableside by chef Pasquale. Candele alla Genovese features robust tubes with the most tender beef cheek – authentic Sunday dinner fare prepared by mammas and nonnas all across Italy.
Naturally, we were super excited for the mains. For sharing, there’s a plentiful Porterhouse and a mixed grilled seafood platter, plus a smoky salmon with caviar and a monkfish tail in anchovy butter. But we set our hearts on a contrast of modern and classic: an innovative slow-cooked lamb neck with smoked eggplant, red pepper and goat cheese, and a classic veal Milanese. The latter is a vast cutlet on the bone, breaded to perfection with wonderfully strong pecorino notes, silky smooth saffron mash potato and the freshest mound of broccolini.
There was also the comforting aroma of authentic pizza, as you’d expect from a Napolitan chef. But we decided to save our tiny bit of remaining space for dessert. The warm chocolate mousse with hazelnut ice cream was rich and decadent, and the olive oil cake with roasted peaches a perfect partner.
Throughout, sommelier Alberto Schiavon took us on a magical Italian adventure with fine selections from Piedmont and Soave in the north, down to the Amalfi coast, then a quiet corner in western Sicily. The wine, design and delectable dining are a stunning tribute to
Italy.
3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road, Central
2871 0055 | reservations@spiga.com.hk
Fumi Joe
Sitting pretty on the 23rd floor above Lan Kwai Fong is a little piece of Japanese heaven. Fumi Joe is currently offering a spectacular allyou-can-eat dinner, with a choice of free-flow drinks packages, at very generous prices. When they invited us to join for a Saturday night, how could we possibly say no?
The menu offers amazing variety, with something for everyone, and repeat orders are greeted with huge smiles. Seafood and meat lovers alike can rejoice in the bounty on offer, while creative vegetarian delights are abundant here too.
We kicked off with the Chef’s Special: a half-kilo Hokkaido king crab leg – super fresh and superb. The sashimi platter was also a joy, with lean tuna, young yellowtail salmon, Funka Bay Octopus, scallop and razor clam.
The hits kept on coming with avocado salad, tomato egg salad, crab roe cucumber salad, Japanese pickles, edamame, mini crab and a spicy vegetable tempura tartare that stole the show. A deeply umami miso soup was a wonderful foil for these hugely appealing appetisers.
Next up, the Fumi Joe sushi rolls and spicy yellowtail salmon, tempura shrimp and the California roll were all first class, but the real star here was the A4 wagyu sukiyaki roll – tender beef inside delicate rice, truly outstanding.
From the grill, we had delightfully crispy Miyazaki chicken wings, excellent crunchy tofu with soy sauce and wonderfully smoky Miyazaki sausage. We sneaked in a few more sausages – the perfect accompaniment to our beer-andsake package. Shirayaki eel and mentaiko (cod roe) with courgette are also available.
Each guest can choose one main course, from beef short ribs, assorted tempura, tuna sushi platter, teppanyaki lobster, grilled miso silver cod, small hot pot, or deep-fried cauliflower with sweet and sour sauce. The silver cod was rightfully popular across the room and the tender meaty beef ribs were stone-grilled to perfection. A complimentary dessert platter for each guest sealed the deal.
Fumi Joe’s food is a symphony of colour and texture with a strong accent on quality and freshness. This wonderful weekend package is worthy of any celebration: fabulous food, superb staff, lovely location and pretty amazing prices. Way to go, Fumi Joe!
23/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
2328 3302 | lkfconcepts.com
Porterhouse
Porterhouse’s new sophisticated home in the California Tower gives penthouse vibes with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning city views. The décor is bright and bold but welcoming, with turquoise and orange seating and marble-topped tables.
It’s fitting that along with its stunning new location, Australian Chef Mick has introduced an exciting new menu. Loyal Porterhouse fans will be relieved that steaks and seafood still take pride of place, but there are plenty of additions to tempt diners.
The menu’s Raw Bar & Cold Dishes and Appetizers are all small plates perfect for sharing. We started with NZ Ora King Salmon Yuzu Ponzu, and Sea Scallop Yuzu “Lao Gan Ma”. Both dishes demonstrated Chef Mick’s skill in blending Asian and European flavours. Next, perfectly grilled lamb skewer was served with a creamy gorgonzola dressing and sweet pears, another tasty, well-balanced plate.
The tableside Parmigiano Wheel Pasta is always a feast for the senses; our waiter skilfully melted 36-month-old parmesan, tossed in freshly cooked farfalle and finished with a light champagne emulsion. Utterly delicious!
Grills and Mains offer a selection of steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. We chose the Wagyu Picanha, served medium rare with a rich peppercorn sauce and a garnish of confit garlic and roasted shallot that didn’t disappoint.
Porterhouse has some great deals, too, including a free-flow drinks package for just $168 and an interesting bar snack menu perfect for meeting friends after work.
24/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central
2522 6366 | lkfconcepts.com/pages/porterhouse
Pier 7 Café & Bar for alfresco dining by the harbour
Located above the Star Ferry, Pier 7 Café & Bar recently reopened after a five-year absence. It’s now making a fabulous return to the city’s dining scene. The bright and contemporary restaurant interior is spacious and welcoming. However, we visited to enjoy the breezy alfresco terrace with its spectacular city and harbour views.
The casual Mediterranean-inspired menu is ideal for lazy lunches with friends or evening drinks and nibbles while soaking up the chill vibes on the terrace.
Mezze morsels and grilled highlights
We started with a Mezze Platter. With smoky baba ghanoush, beetroot hummus and whipped feta garnished with figs, grapes, cucumber, tangy sumac onions with plenty of warm, fluffy flat bread, this was a real crowd-pleaser. Other sharing dishes included a delicious charcuterie board and also a baked camembert with roasted grapes and walnuts. Both got our vote!
From the grill, we enjoyed the chicken shawarma, served on a bed of silky labneh with zesty pickled cabbage. And no visit would be complete without a serve of the restaurant’s Ras El Hanout Fries. Thes come seasoned with mixed herbs, garlic and also a touch of truffle oil.
The cocktails are fun and innovative – the aptly named Rooftop Garden blends vodka and prosecco with hints of honey and passionfruit, and is decorated with pretty butterfly pea flowers; a standout tipple!
There’s also a daily semi-buffet lunch and happy hour drinks every afternoon to keep us returning time and time again.
Shop M, Level R, Central
Pier 7, Star Ferry, Central
2167 8153
La Rambla by Catalunya – an alfresco restaurant with a view
La Rambla has long been a Hong Kong favourite and a recent refresh beaconed us for a visit. Newly renovated interiors inspired by renowned Catalan artist Antoni Gaudi create a bold and bright dining space with subtle nods to traditional Spanish décor.
But we were here for an alfresco dining experience on La Terraza, the restaurant’s expansive outdoor space offering some of the city’s finest harbour views. Inspired by Barcelona’s beach culture, the terrace has an extra-long high table that takes centre stage, perfect for communal dining. For a more intimate dining experience, there are smaller tables and comfortable couch-style seating.
Talented Executive Chef Rafa Gil (of Netflix’s The Final Table fame) is passionate about his menu. He chooses the best quality ingredients and his attention to detail is second to none. Chef Rafa has introduced some new dishes while retaining his much-loved classics. On our visit, we concentrated on the tapas menu, starting off with Boquerones. These marinated Spanish anchovies are paired with slivers of roasted red pepper, garnished with an almond emulsion and served with homemade potato crisps. Classic Spanish flavours all in one bite!
An array of Catalunya classics followed, including Pa Amb Tomàquet (tomato bread), Ham, Cheese and Truffle Bikini, Patatas Bravas with Alioli, and “Broken Egg” (or el huevo roto). Our favourite was “Bomba from ‘Barceloneta’”, the restaurant’s famous smoked potato and meatball topped with a spicy sauce. One of the new dishes is also set to be a classic: Oxtail & Red Wine Caramelised Onion Tart Tatin with Foie Mousse. It features succulent 24-hour slow-cooked Angus oxtail and is truly melt-in-the-mouth.
A Churro Sundae was the fitting finale to our meal overlooking the harbour. The crisp and fluffy churros came with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and berries. Perfect.
A great drinks menu
John Nugent, Hong Kong’s renowned mixologist, has crafted several new signature cocktails showcasing Spain’s beloved beverage, sherry. The Café Español is a clever take on the classic espresso Martini. With the addition of Pedro Ximénez, it’s a smooth and rich beverage. I also loved the Cinque Terra Spritz, which is elevated with Tío Pepe Fino Sherry. Of course, there’s a well-curated wine menu with Spanish, French and New World wines alongside sangria, cocktails and mocktails.
Final word? This really is a top spot to dine in Hong Kong. The recent refresh ensures diners will enjoy La Rambla by Catalunya for many more years to come.
3071-73, Level 3, IFC Mall, Central
2661 1161 | larambla.hk
This article on Hong Kong restaurants first appeared in the March 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
Looking for more restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Causeway Bay and elsewhere? Don’t miss our Wine & Dine section!
