Love the flavours of authentic Italian food? Craving some homemade pasta or a wood-fired pizza in Hong Kong? KATE and KARL WOODBURY sample some of the best Italian restaurants in Hong Kong that won’t disappoint!
8 of our favourites for Italian food – tried and tested!
Dieci Italian restaurant in Central
Dieci is a wonderful little haven tucked away in one of Central’s most charming streets. It’s a big hit with the in-crowd, too, delivering with a combination of a sleek and modern dining room and light, homestyle cooking.
Warm fresh sourdough from a neighbouring bakery, Il Pane de Julien, arrived soon after we did. We devoured it with outstanding organic olive oil and a pork butter made with the finest Tuscany lardo.
The starters that followed were equally good. Bruschetta with buffalo ricotta and a very generous sprinkling of Yunnan black truffle truly hit the spot. The Prosciutto – 24-month Tanara ham – had incredible depth and lusciousness, and it was cleverly served on ultra-fine crisp Carasau bread.
Then we both opted for an intermediary pasta course. The Tortellini is an unctuous dish of traditional pork ravioli in a creamy sauce of aged parmesan, while the al dente Pappardelle came enveloped in a light and tasty wild boar ragú.
Mains and desserts
The star of the night was unquestionably the Guancia di Maiale, tender braised pork cheek, which we enjoyed with decadent mash and delightful aglio olio wild chicory. The pork cheek was of the highest quality – this delectable dish will light up the coolest winter night.
To finish the evening, we ordered the refreshing Agrumi, a vibrant citrus tart topped with blood orange and pink grapefruit. Dieci also served up some of the finest pistachio gelato, sourced from a nearby gelateria.
Our fabulous feast was vast yet light. The cooking is delicate and well executed, the dining room has a relaxed buzz to it, and it’s a lovely touch that Dieci supports their neighbouring artisans. For their attitude to relaxed dining, we’d score Dieci a ten!
Basement, 29-31 Gough Street, Central
WhatsApp 9077 2629 | diecihk.com
Sky-high Italian dining at Pirata
Trundling along Hennessy Road, we gazed up at a high-rise tower to see a soft twinkling glow emanating from the top floor. We were delighted to discover this was to be our destination for the evening. That’s the beauty of dining out in dynamic Hong Kong! Hiding away in unassuming office buildings are some gastronomic gems.
The lift doors opened up on level 30 to reveal a dimly lit dining room with ornate chandeliers and a plush velvet sofa. Pirata packs a punch straight from the off. We were escorted one level down to see fellow diners tucking into very attractive antipasti – wild mushroom arancini, eggplant parmigiana, aged cold cuts and mussels.
This time, though, we wanted to dive straight in to the restaurant’s sumptuous pasta. We were happy we did, too! The Gnocchi Sausage and Porcini ($190) will please every lover of Italian food – plump potato dumplings bathed in glorious porcini cream. And the Ravioli Ricotta e Spinaci ($150) is stunning “happy food”. Think al dente pillows generously filled and garnished with sage and served in a vibrant tomato sauce.
Other popular orders from the Primi list include spaghetti ai frutti di mare and lobster risotto. We’ve also noted the tagliatelle truffle and pappardelle Tuscan ragu for a future visit!
Mains and desserts
The Secondi dishes are equally enticing. The cacciucco seafood stew and baked seabass fillet with zucchini cream caught our eye, as did the lamb chops, roasted whole baby chicken and wagyu beef cheek. However, the most popular order was The Butcher’s Cut – a generous Australian flap steak dressed with rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes.
We couldn’t look past that tremendous trattoria triumph, Veal Milanese ($420). Our waiter proudly presented a vast crumbed veal chop with a mound of rocket and a frying pan laden with roast potatoes. Carved tableside, it was delightful to share. The crunchy crumb and tender veal were truly outstanding.
Desserts here are very generous. The Panna Cotta ($90) is delightfully creamy while Il Grande Tiramisu ($140) really hit all the right notes.
Pirata promises honesty at the heart of all its fare: simple recipes of fresh ingredients cooked with love. It truly delivered on this night, and had us dreaming of a summer odyssey to the old boot!
29 & 30/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wanchai
2887 0270 | pirata.hk
Juno – Italian food in Sheung Wan
Juno’s light and breezy interior of olive green and cream is a calming reprieve from busy Sheung Wan. Billed as an Italian-Mediterranean restaurant, this eatery has an extensive à la carte menu along with various set menus.
We chose the tasting menu ($538 per person), which is a great option for a group. Chef Jordi Vallés Claverol is adept at showcasing quality ingredients, and this was on display in the sharing plates we started with, including 48-month aged jambon serrano served on freshly baked rosemary focaccia. We also enjoyed smoky charred peperonata, a zesty tuna tartare and lightly fried padron peppers. The star of the show? Burrata Pugliese: creamy cheese served with perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes, with pesto and the subtle crunch of hazelnuts. A delight!
Mains and desserts
There are four main courses to choose from. We opted for the hearty Juno Truffle Tagliolini – rich and creamy with a generous portion of shaved truffle – and the Angus Truffled Beef Cheek Risotto, which was a knockout. The perfectly cooked risotto was umami rich and would have been a treat in itself but the succulent beef cheek took this dish to another level. Another generous shaving of truffle added an indulgent touch.
To finish, we had the option of three different desserts; the tiramisu was a perfect end to our meal. There’s a solid menu of cocktails, well priced at $120, and the restaurant offers an interesting list of wines from Spain, Italy and France.
G/F, 88 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan
2703 5188 | juno.hk
Coffeelin in Fortress Hill
Styled on a Milan coffee house, Coffelin brings a touch of Italian flair to Hong Kong. Famed for its coffee, breakfasts and all-day dining, it recently opened its fourth café, on Oil Street in Fortress Hill.
This is a true neighbourhood gem, where chef Umberto D’Avino serves up delicious and very well-priced Italian fare. The seasonal menu is split into starters, primi piatti, mains and desserts. We started with (and devoured!) a portion of gnocchi with basil pesto ($106), the soft pillows of loveliness lightly sautéed and smothered in a rich, fragrant pesto. The tagliatelle with beef ragu ($136) was similarly delicious, and a generous serving for sharing.
Coffeelin recently expanded its culinary offering in Fortress Hill with a selection of snacks and signature cocktails to enjoy in the evenings. The Crocchè (mozzarella croquettes) are perfectly crisp on the outside and lusciously gooey on the inside; and the parmesan truffle fries are generously adorned with grated grana padano and black truffle.
From the extensive cocktail menu we enjoyed the Negroni, a perfect blend of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. And, from the newly introduced signature list, we just had to try the signature Coffeelin Express – one of the best espresso martins we’ve had. It paired perfectly with the coffee tiramisù for a whopping caffeine hit!
With its vintage-meets-Memphis interior style that’s stylish and relaxed, this is an ideal spot to enjoy great food and drinks.
G/F, 228 Electric Road, Fortress Hill
IG @coffeelin_hk
Spiga Italian restaurant in Hong Kong
Spiga is among the best Italian restaurants in Hong Kong, with its culinary director none other than Italy’s 14-Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini. The venue is a sight to behold, too. 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.
Mains and desserts
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 Italian food: 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 Neapolitan 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
Swiss-Italian cuisine at Nocino
We’re always striving for something a little different in our dining choices and Nocino fits the bill perfectly. The striking vibrant red façade is easy to find in the labyrinth of cutesy eateries in Tai Hang village. Diners are happy to queue outside for the Swiss-Italian cuisine – with Swiss-Italian wines to match – that the restaurant proudly offers.
The House Rosemary Focaccia ($30) soon arrived, followed by some outstanding Arancini Ticinese ($38 each) – crispy risotto balls studded with porcini, merlot and mozzarella. Malakoff ($68) is the firm favourite in these parts and it’s easy to see why, with fried Swiss gruyere fondue wrapped up in a crispy croquette.
The friendly staff urged us to try the signature Wagyu Beef Tartare ($148) from the “Small Plates” section of the menu. It comes with milk aioli, roasted celeriac and pickled shallot to perfectly complement the tender tartare. The clever potato mountain peak added some crispy contrast.
Mains and desserts
Nocino’s mains are no-nonsense: the meat in the Ox Cheek and Pickled Walnut Ragù Pappardelle ($178) is braised for 12 hours and will have you yodelling for more. Intense and indulgent, it also comes crowned with a generous pecorino dome.
As wonderful as that is, the star of the show for us is the Braised Duck Leg Reginette ($178). Delightful duck meets al dente pasta with rosemary, juniper and pecorino. The flavours and textures are to die for – the table next to us hoovered up their plate too!
Our meal rounded off with Odette’s Tiramisu ($68/$100), which totally hits the spot.
We admire Nocino’s passion as a self-proclaimed “Swiss-Italian Grotto”. The wine list is on the pricey side but they are looking into more affordable choices. In the meantime, diners were happily pairing their food with cocktails. Either way, it makes for a lovely night out, with dishes of note that certainly get our vote.
92E Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang
6012 1098 | nocinohk.com
Michelin-starred Italian at Octavium
While Michelin-starred restaurants normally come with a fairly hefty price tag, many offer tasting menus that can be a great way to sample the fine-dining experience. Octavium, for example, is famed for its seasonal Italian tasting menus.
The lunch menu at this Italian restaurant has options for two courses ($620), three courses ($760) or four courses ($980), and you can add a wine pairing for the full experience. We chose three courses starting with slow-cooked milk-fed veal cheek, which is served with a crispy polenta croquette adding some contrasting texture to the silky smooth beetroot purée. A balsamico sauce gives a touch of acidity to balance out the flavours.
From the pasta selection, Spaghetto Quadrato is delicately flavoured with wild garlic and perfectly paired with tender Scottish blue lobster. For our main course, we chose the Poularde de Bresse, with prized tender chicken accompanied by the prettiest white asparagus and tarragon garnish.
The restaurant recently welcomed new Executive Chef Giuseppe De Vuono to helm the kitchen and, without doubt, the dishes showcase his exceptional culinary expertise and are flawlessly executed.
The dining room is a bright, elegant contemporary space oozing understated elegance – the perfect match for this superb cookery.
8/F, One Chinachem Central, 22 Des Voeux Road Central
2111 9395 | octavium.com.hk
Alfresco eats at Ask for Alonzo
Just off Tong Chong Street and tucked behind Dorset House, you’ll find Taikoo Piazza, a leafy space that’s home to six restaurants all with indoor and outdoor dining. It’s the ideal spot to escape the Quarry Bay bustle. On this visit, we headed to Ask for Alonzo, renowned for its wholesome Italian cuisine, to try the new weekend Auntie Maria’s Brunch.
We kicked off with a warm bread basket paired with truffled butter. Then came a generous grazing platter piled high with tasty morsels such as crispy calamari with a zesty lemon mayo, and Italian cold cuts, cheeses and bruschetta. Delicious!
Mains and desserts
There are eight family-friendly brunch mains on offer. Our two choices were the fabulous Breakfast Carbonara and the TLC “Tender Loving Care” Sandwich with tasty Bolognese, mozzarella and red cheddar, served with parmesan fries.
There are three choices for a sweet finish; we chose the rich and creamy tiramisu and the white chocolate panna cotta with a tart wild berry compote to balance the sweetness. We must admit to eyeing up a neighbouring table’s portion of My Auntie’s Toast – toasted brioche mascarpone with berry compote. Next time!
If you love Italian food, this is a fabulous alfresco brunch spot. You get delicious and generous portions, and it’s reasonably priced at $268 per person. We also added the two-hour free-flow for only $198 each. This included house wine, beer, lemonade as well as vodka and gin with mixers.
G/F, PCCW Tower, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay
(and other locations around town)
2856 2911 | askforalonzo.com
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