Where to eat in Hong Kong: A 2D1N guide

Start your day with: Bolton Cafe

Why visit? Everyone tells you to go to Australia Dairy Company for breakfast in Hong Kong, but we think Bolton Cafe, one MTR stop away at Tsim Sha Tsui, is the more charming of the two, and with less queues, too. Did we also mention that the staff here are incredibly friendly and patient? (I still have some nightmares about being railed at, at the former, so this was a nice change.)

Not only does Bolton Cafe serve up quintessential cha chaan teng fare, such as milk tea, pork-chop bolo buns, and French toast, its interior also oozes that 1970s charm, with old-school Canto-pop hits in the background, to boot. It serves up different menus across the day, giving you even more reason to head back, even if you’ve been before.

Crowd favourites: If you’re there before 11.30am, it is not uncommon to see its breakfast sets on everyone’s tables, with its breakfast set B (HKD40 or S$6.54) being the most popular. 

You can opt for ham, luncheon meat, or sausage to go on top of your instant noodles, rice vermicelli, or macaroni. It also comes with eggs — fried or scrambled — on top of bread. Definitely add on a Hong Kong-style milk tea, whether hot or cold, for just HKD2 or HKD5, respectively. 

If you want to try its signature pork lard rice, however, you’ll need to go after 5pm. Choices run from a simple option A (HKD68) of salt and pepper pork chop, fried egg, and lard rice, to option H (HKD75), a decadent plate of garlic-sauce stir-fried shrimp with pork lard rice. Each option also has complimentary red bean paste dessert, and a drink — not a bad deal at all. 

Customisation is the name of the game at cha chaan tengs, or Hong Kong-style cafes, so don’t be afraid to ask, customise, and savour!

Grab lunch at: One Dim Sum

Why visit? Now if you prefer good ol’ dim sum over eggs and bread, One Dim Sum, which has outlets in Central, Prince Edward and Tsim Sha Tsui, is a good, fuss-free go-to. Its newest Tsim Sha Tsui outlet is just a skip away from Bolton Cafe, too. 

The casual dim sum spot first began in Prince Edward in 2007, with the goal of providing good, affordable dim sum in a more modern setting. The modest concept even had a Michelin star in 2012 and 2013. But star or no star, it’s a brand that still shines brightly on its own, judging by the numerous reviews and queues — of not just tourists, but locals, too — even after all these years. 

Crowd favourites: Dim sum is a deeply personal affair, and we’re sure that you’ll have your own favourites even before we tell you what the best-sellers are here. But if you’re clueless, the steamed pork dumplings with shrimp (HKD36 for four pieces) or siew mai, are a great place to start. 

The steamed rice rolls — starting at HKD26 for plain ones, and up to HKD40 for ones with prawns — are good chasers, as are the baked Snow White BBQ pork buns (HKD25 for three pieces. The latter is a crisped up version of the regular steamed BBQ pork buns (HKD28 for two pieces)  and are a fun mix of sweet and savoury flavours, as well as textures. 

Pick up snacks at: Bakehouse

Why visit? Bakehouse, which has outlets all over the city, may not be your usual Hong Kong fare, but it’s iconic enough that you ought to visit it at least once. Swiss chef Grégoire Michaud first started a wholesale bakery, with the goal of elevating Hong Kong’s bakes scene. That eventually evolved into a neighbourhood store, and many others that now dot the city.

While Bakehouse serves up a variety of bakes, including sourdough and pastries, it’s most known for its egg tart, a popular snack in Hong Kong, and its warm, attentive service. Oh, and its queues, too — a wait is almost always to be expected, but the good thing is that its queues move fast. 

Crowd favourites: It would be remiss not to get Bakehouse’s sourdough egg tart (HKD14), it is after all what garners it the crowds. It has all the hallmarks of a good egg tart — buttery, flaky pastry and a creamy egg custard filling that isn’t too sweet. I ordered half a dozen, gobbled one down right after I exited the shop, and saved the rest for later. I would recommend doing the same, though you probably shouldn’t keep the tarts for too long, to ensure they’re fresh! 

Word has it that chef Grégoire added egg tarts to the menu after making them with the leftover dough from his croissants (HKD25). They were meant to be the bakery’s star pastry when he first started, so you should definitely grab some, too. And since you’re already queuing, you might as well get favourites such as the sausage roll (HKD48), scones (from HKD24 for a plain one), and sourdough (from HKD32 for a baguette). 

Have coffee at: Venner Coffee

Why visit? If you’re grabbing tarts from Bakehouse’s Central outlet, the relatively new Venner Coffee is a short walk away, with just one slope or flight of stairs in the way. The cafe, whose name means “friends” in Norwegian, serves up small-batch Nordic bakes, coffees, and wines.It had just opened on my last visit to Hong Kong in mid-2025, and is essentially a rebrand and refresh of its previous concept Hjem, also a Scandinavian-style spot. 

The revamp has proven to be a good move, because in less than a year, Venner has grown to be quite the cult favourite, thanks to its cosy and calm vibes, welcoming crew, and… cinnamon buns (yum!). 

The cafe also has a strict “no laptops on weekends” policy — one that even garnered it some media attention in Hong Kong, no thanks to disgruntled customers. To the cafe’s credit, it is simply because they want you to disconnect and slow down.     

Crowd favourites: The rye cinnamon and cardamom bun is what it’s gone viral for, as well its Norwegian custard bun (HKD48), or a skolebrod. There are mixed opinions on whether its pastries are worth the hype, which we can understand, given its virality, but we’d say: Catch them fresh, and have them with your fave cuppa — you can’t go wrong with that.

For something more filling, the breakfast plate (HKD88) is a great go-to, with rye sourdough, soft-boiled egg, cheese, lingonberry jam, and whipped butter. It’s got a good dose of everything to start your day right, on a satisfying note, and just like how they’d dine in the Nordics.

Its popular bun is also available as a cinnamon bun latte (from HKD50), but if you’re hoping for something more conventional, it has espresso-based drinks from HKD35. 

Sneak in pre-dinner drinks at: Montana

Why visit? If you love your cocktails, you’ll know that Hong Kong is home to the World’s top bar, according to folks at The World’s 50 Best Bars. That bar is none other than Bar Leone. But getting in there can be a struggle, even before all of its accolades, which is why we’re suggesting you head to its sister bar Montana, especially if you’re already on a 2D1N time crunch.

It’s a joint project by two highly regarded bartenders Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone, and Simone Caporale, who is behind Sips in Barcelona — another bar that’s gotten its fair share of top accolades.

Located right behind Bar Leone, Montana spotlights Cuban-style cocktails, set against the backdrop of Miami in the 1970s. It’s a vibrant, buzzy space with Latin funk playing as the bartenders shake up round after round of exciting drinks. It’s fun, energetic, and everything you need to start a night out. 

Crowd favourites: The menu is concise, with just under 10 cocktails that neatly fit into one page, so if you have a whole evening and more folks in your party, you could easily work your way through it. But for starters we’d suggest the Montana daiquiri (HKD120), with rum, raspberry eau de vie, and lime — sweet, tangy, and adequately boozy. 

If you happen to catch sight of a pineapple being roasted right behind the bartenders — that goes into the Pina Colada (HKD140), a refreshing drink of rum, BBQ pineapple, coconut, and guava.

The food menu here is small, so it’s really more of a place for drinks, but definitely grab some of the iconic Bar Leone’s smoked olives (HKD98) here, or have it in the chips & dip (HKD100), which is served in open-faced chips packet, topped with chipotle cream, chorizo, said olives, and pickled chilli. 

Dine at: Cruise Restaurant & Bar

Why visit? Located at the top of the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong hotel, Cruise Restaurant & Bar has unparalleled sunset views set against the iconic Victoria Harbour. Most places with amazing views don’t always have food offerings to match, so I’d usually temper my expectations, but the restaurant’s modern Asian spread is bold on flavours, fresh, and very delicious. 

To give you an even greater reason to visit, it has a Feed Us! tasting menu, which provides diners with a curated spread of the restaurant’s highlights. While prices vary depending on the selection, you can get a decent selection of about eight courses to share, at HKD580 per person. 

Crowd favourites: If you prefer going a la carte, the Hiramasa kingfish sashimi (HKD288), dressed with lime and herb, pickled green chilli and sweet Thai basil is a perpetual favourite. It features thick slabs of fresh sashimi in a spicy-tangy sauce that’ll have you licking the plate clean.

The Changs pork belly ssam (HKD188) with chunky grilled iberico pork belly, served with gem lettuce, perilla, and mustard relish is another great choice that’ll fill you up, even though it’s an appetiser. But if you want something more, go for the Cheeky massaman (HKD298), a braised wagyu beef-cheek Thai curry with potatoes, shallots, and roasted peanuts, served with a shallot bread roll. 

The restaurant also has a comprehensive menu of alcoholic beverages, including craft cocktails inspired by the stories and landmarks on various Hong Kong islands, that’s perfect for you to sip on while you watch the vessels sail across the harbour. Want to drink but save some pennies? There’s also a 50% off Happy Hour deal on weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, on selected drinks.  

Rise and shine on Day 2 with: Lan Fong Yuen — Central

Why visit? Established in the 1950s, Lan Fong Yuen is an institution in itself. Situated on the steps of Central’s Gage Street, the decades-old eatery has been charming locals and tourists with its Hong Kong-style milk tea. It is also said to be the first to start serving up Pantyhose milk tea, so named because the tea strainer used resembled the garment. 

Sure, a plethora of options have popped up since this quaint diner first came about, but there’s just something about squeezing into its tight space, feeling the buzz and chatter of its crew and the diners next to you, and digging into its comforting cha chaan teng-style fare. 

Crowd favourites: Without a doubt, the Pantyhose milk tea (HK27 for hot, HK40 for cold) is a must-order. There’s no funny business here, just really smooth, silky milk tea made with a time-honoured technique that still has people coming back time and time again. Lan Fong Yuen’s tea is so popular that there’s even a ready-to-drink version in convenience stores (and yes, you can find them in Singapore, too!). 

A personal favourite of mine is also the yuan yang (HK27 for hot, HK40 for cold), which combines both coffee and tea, for a stronger caffeinated kick. 

Recognising its strong tourist base, Lan Fong Yuen has since introduced English menus, complete with easy-to-order sets starting from HKD64 for a main and a hot drink. But if you’re zipping in and out, grab its popular pork chop bun (HKD34) or bo lo yau (pineapple bun with butter, HKD26) — snacks that are just as iconic and have stayed on the menu over the years.

Join the queue at: Shun Hing Restaurant

Why visit? Shun Hing Restaurant is another restaurant that’s about as authentic as you can get, if you want to dine with the locals, shoulder-to-shoulder. Located in Causeway Bay, a short walk from Tin Hau MTR station, Shun Hing is known for its scrambled-egg rice topped with your proteins of choice (usually char siew), and a sweet-savoury soy sauce drizzle. 

It’s a cha chaan teng (traditional Hong Kong-style eatery), so you’ll also find other dishes such as bolo buns, instant noodles, and pork chop rice, but trust us, the egg rice is what you’ll want to gun for. 

There’s almost always a queue, but everyone moves in and out quickly thanks to the swift, no-nonsense service. It’s not as brusque as you’d imagine it to be, but you should probably think about what you want as you queue, so you can order right when you sit. 

Crowd favourites: If it’s your first time, and you don’t know which protein to get, just get the all-in-one signature scrambled egg Three Treasures rice (HKD75), which comes topped with char siew, beef, and shrimp. It’s a lot of protein, especially if you consider the fluffy, silky scrambled egg too, but it’s so satisfying you’ll keep going at it. Be liberal with the soy sauce mix, too — that’s what gives the dish its special kick. 

You can get a simpler version with just one protein, starting at HKD55 for a beef rice with egg, but since you’re already all the way there, and braving the crowds and queues, you really should just go for the all-in-one. 

If you go during lunch, the price includes a drink, so we’d get its hot milk tea (HKD18, a la carte) to make the experience even more authentic. 

Grab a drink at: Silk

Why visit? If you prefer not having to jostle with the crowds at the traditional cha chaan tengs for a dose of that famous Hong Kong milk tea, there’s another popular trendy spot to grab them from — Silk. Launched in late 2022, the concept wanted to revitalise the traditional tea beverage, making it more modern, trendy, and accessible to a wider audience.

Its name comes from the silk stockings that Hong Kong milk tea is made with, and though it’s a new-ish brand compared to the institutions we’ve shared, its milk tea is made using a time-tested recipe from five decades back, so you know it’s the real stuff. 

Crowd favourites: First-timers to the brand should opt for the Smooth King (HKD42), its classic option that’s so named for its silky texture and the way it goes down easily. It comes with homemade honeycomb, brown sugar boba, and a Silk special — its cheese cloud, a cheesy foam that’s rich, but not too cloying. 

If you prefer to get the tea without its embellishments, just get the Smooth Silk (HK36).

For those who want a kick of coffee, the boba latte (HKD45) combines its signature milk tea with blended black coffee, and tops it off with a toasted creme brulee on top of the regular cheese cloud. It’s decadence in a cup, and best saved for the afternoons where you’re doing a lot of walking around the area, else you’d definitely go into a sugar high after that. 

Swing in for early dinner at: Little Bao

Why visit? Started in 2013 by Canadian-born Hong Kong chef May Chow, who has been named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2017 by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Little Bao is a casual eatery that spotlights baos, by serving them up as stacked burgers, both savoury and sweet. Every bao at Little Bao is handmade and toasted-to-order, ensuring they stay soft, fluffy, and warm. 

Even if you’re not a fan of baos, this vibey concept, with outlets in Central and Causeway Bay, also has sharable dishes and fried chicken on its menu, so there’ll be something for everyone. The Central store is a bit of a grab-and-go spot, decked out with high chairs and perfect for a quick bite, while the latter, right next to Victoria Park, is spacious and great for bigger groups. 

Crowd favourites: Grab the bao it all started with — the pork belly bao (HKD98), which features slow-braised pork belly, sesame mayo, hoisin ketchup, and shiso-leek salad, sandwiched between two fluffy bao buns. It’s generously stuffed, but still easy to manage, and the medley of ingredients work well together without being too much. 

The fried chicken bao (HKD108), with a fried chicken cutlet, glazed with black vinegar, is another good alternative for those who don’t take to pork. It also comes with Sichuan peppercorn mayo and coleslaw. I loved the crispy cutlet, though I found the vinegar glaze too tangy for my liking. 

Lastly, do not leave without getting an ice-cream bao (HKD48 each) — either with green tea ice cream with a condensed milk drizzle, or salted ice cream, which comes with caramel sauce.

Or grab pre-flight drinks at: Mius 

Why visit? Mius is a neighbourhood cocktail bar on Gough Street in Central, helmed by former Nutmeg & Clove alumnus Shelley Tai. A Hong Kong native, Shelley returned home after five years in Singapore and set up her own bar, whose name plays on the word “muse”. The accomplished bartender has also been behind the bar at Quinary (just a few doors down), and was the Diageo World Class champion for Hong Kong and Macau back in 2019. 

Her new bar is modest, minimalist, and very, very chic. Its uncluttered aesthetic is a stark contrast to many of the world-famous bars that call Central home, and could easily be mistaken for a cafe if you didn’t know better. In that regard, it’s a great spot to day-drink if you’ve got some time to kill, or a flight to rush for, later that evening. 

Crowd favourites: In line with its sleek appearance, its drinks are clean and easy on the palate. A unanimous crowd-favourite appears to be the strawberry negroni (HKD140), with gin, amaro, Grenache red wine, strawberry, and a pink peppercorn tincture. The strawberry adds a touch of brightness and slight tang to the otherwise-moody classic, making it more accessible. 

The shiso sour (HKD120) is another riff on a classic, with shiso, salted plum, and sherry on top of the usuals of gin, lemon, and egg white, giving it a savoury-yet-sharp finish that’ll leave you wanting more.

If you need a little something to munch to stave off the alcohol, the duck fat fries (HKD98), with garlic aioli and parsley, are aromatic, decadent, and incredibly addictive. 

Where to stay in Hong Kong

With many of the newest and trendiest spots clustered in the heart of Central, it might be tempting to base yourself there. But for us, escaping the bustle at the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.

Set in North Point, a largely residential district just a few stations away, the hotel sits right on the waterfront overlooking Victoria Harbour. The neighbourhood has a markedly different energy from Central — less polished, more lived-in.

From the bustling market stalls along Chun Yeung Street to the iconic trams rattling through the middle of the road, there’s a distinctly local rhythm here that offers a refreshing glimpse into everyday Hong Kong life.

Most rooms already boast stellar harbour views, but if you’re feeling indulgent, the deluxe rooms with wraparound windows are well worth the splurge — especially on a clear day, when ships glide across the busy harbour below.

To encourage guests to explore the neighbourhood, the hotel even offers snack coupons and a map to guests, highlighting nearby food spots. The programme supports local merchants while nudging visitors to discover North Point beyond the usual tourist trail.

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It certainly worked on me. I ended up spending far more time here than expected, with a vibey sunset dinner at the hotel’s rooftop Cruise Restaurant & Bar providing the perfect send-off to my Hong Kong trip.

HungryGoWhere’s stay was hosted by Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, but all opinions expressed are our own.

For more ideas on what to eat on your travels, check out our guides on where to dine in Macau, and the cutest themed cafes in Tokyo, Japan.