Love the fresh flavours of authentic Italian food? Craving a good wood-fired pizza or homemade pasta? Whatever your fancy, here’s a selection of some of the top Italian restaurants in Hong Kong that won’t disappoint!
5 of our favourites – tried and tested!
Stazione Novella
Friendly and welcoming, Stazione Novella offers all-day casual dining; think toasted paninis with freshly brewed coffee, charcuterie and cheese platters – all using the finest Italian ingredients. Within seconds of entering the venue, on the corner of Staunton and Aberdeen Streets, you’ll feel magically transported to a little corner of Italy.
The all-Italian drinks menu features an interesting selection of wines, cocktails and liqueurs. Start with a crisp and refreshing Aperol Spritz ($88) – the perfect blend of Prosecco, Aperol and soda, topped with a slice of orange. Then, move on to an Italian vino; the range of “bianco” and “rosso” wines includes the likes of Pinot Grigio and Nero d’Avola. And here’s a bonus: from 5pm to 9pm daily, the bar offers “Aperitivo”, featuring complimentary delectable bite-sized finger food, perfect to nibble on while chatting with friends. (The freshly toasted paninis with melted mozzarella are to die for!)
52-56 Staunton Street, Soho
2559 0559 | stazionenovella.com
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!
There are eight family-friendly brunch mains on offer. I chose the fabulous Breakfast Carbonara and my husband devoured 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. I must admit to eyeing up a neighbouring table’s portion of My Auntie’s Toast – toasted brioche mascarpone with berry compote. Next time!
This is a fabulous alfresco brunch spot. You get generous portions of delicious food, 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
Carbone
Carbone presents a slice of the Big Apple’s Italian side, right here in Hong Kong. The restaurant pays homage to the essence of the great Italian restaurants of mid-20th century New York; that is, delicious food served in an elegant yet unpretentious setting.
Fittingly, the menu has plenty to get nostalgic (and excited!) about, with the likes of veal parmesan, linguini vongole and spaghetti carbonara on offer. One highlight is Mario’s Meatballs; they come so highly recommended that we felt it would be a sin not to order them on our most recent visit. Juicy and smothered in fresh tomato sauce with a healthy helping of parmesan, they were everything they’d been talked up to be! By the way, don’t leave Carbone without digging into the NY lemon cheesecake – every bite is a creamy, lemony delight.
9/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central
2593 2593 | carbone.com.hk
Spasso
This spacious and light-filled restaurant overlooks Victoria Harbour and is perfect for families, with an outdoor terrace that’s a particularly good option for large groups. It’s no surprise that Spasso’s Gourmet Italian Brunch is especially popular; it features loads of breakfast treats and comforting classics, with a seafood carousel, a carvery, free-flow options and more.
Meanwhile, the à la carte menu is a single page only, reflecting the emphasis on chef-driven dishes that are created daily. This might include premium cuts of grilled meat, or fresh seafood prepared in seasonal ways according to available ingredients. There are plenty of classic dishes, too. In fact, the restaurant has a resident “pizzaiolo” – specialist pizza chef – who hand-tosses the bases and bakes them in an open-flamed Stonewood oven. A special mention to the staff in general; they’ve mastered the art of being attentive without being obtrusive, and they’re a large part of why Spasso is among our favourites!
G5-8, 12-17, Empire Centre, 68 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East
2730 8027 | divinogroup.com
Pici
Neighbourhood pasta bar Pici has captured the imagination of Italian food fans in Hong Kong, with its commitment to serving fresh pasta, handmade daily. In line with the focus on freshness, the menu changes regularly. But you can expect to find flavoursome offerings such as pappardelle with eight-hour slow-cooked beef cheek, tagliolini with fresh-shaved black truffle, smoked salmon ravioli, a simple but divine cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper) and more. Oh, and a classic lasagna, of course! Want to try more than just one of these? Ask about the tasting menu. And make sure you round things off with a serve of tiramisu or panna cotta with raspberry coulis.
With a team hailing from Turin, Treviso, Sicily and so on, it’s no surprise that what you get at Pici is real Italian pasta that’s as down-to-earth as it should be. It’s a great spot to drop in for a bowl of fork-twirling goodness and a tasty Italian wine.
Four locations across the city: St. Francis Yard, Wan Chai; Aberdeen Street, Central; Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui; and New Town Plaza, Sha Tin.
pici.hk
Best of the rest …
8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Opened in 2010 by Italian chef Umberto Bombana, this eatery is the first and only Italian restaurant outside Italy to receive three Michelin stars. You can expect the freshest ingredients in a fine-dining atmosphere here.
Shop 202, Landmark Alexandra, 18 Chater Road, Central
2537 8859 | ottoemezzobombana.com
Associazione Chianti
This soulful Tuscan trattoria boasts warm service, flowing wine and classic dishes. Ingredients are a highlight, exemplified by the Bistecca (steak) – the star of any Tuscan feast – which uses USDA Super Prime cuts of grass-fed Black Angus.
15 Ship Street, Wan Chai
3619 3360 | associazionechianti.com
SPIGA
SPIGA is the first restaurant outside Italy for Chef Enrico Bartolini, who has accrued eight Michelin stars in his career. The home-style recipes feature authentic ingredients. Try the Chef’s Tasting Menu for a real treat!
3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queens Road, Central
2871 0055 | sandshospitality.com
Cucina
You’ll be wowed by the Victoria Harbour views here (equally stunning at lunch and dinner), but also by the hearty Italian food on offer, crafted by Piedmont-born Chef de Cuisine Andrea Delzanno.
6/F, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, 3 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
2113 0808 | cucinahk.com
Babacio
You’ll get a Insta-friendly bird’s-eye view of Tai Kwun from the airy terrace of casual pizzeria Babacio. All the classic pizzas are available on the menu, along with antipasti, salads, gnocchi and desserts.
5/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central
2808 1961 | babacio.hk
Grappas
Something of a Hong Kong institution, Grappa’s is a great laidback location for a home-style Italian meal; the pizzas and pastas, in particular, hit the spot. There’s also a generous drinks list, highlighted by a selection of Italian vino.
G/F, 18 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
2868 0086 | elgrande.com.hk
Motorino
Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so if you want an authentic slice, head to a Neapolitan pizzeria like Motorino. Not only is the food excellent, but you can book a pizza-making party for a group of friends or kids!
14 Shelley Street, Soho | 2801 6881
15 Ship Street, Wan Chai | 2520 0690
blacksheeprestaurants.com
Amaronis
For an excellent New York-style pizza, it’s hard to look past Amaroni’s. There are some NYC classic pies on the menu, along with designer options that put a different twist on things; plus, plenty of pastas and main dishes.
5/F, Moko, 193 Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok, Kowloon
2368 8256 | amaronis.com
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