Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [117]
LUNG KING HEEN
Map Cantonese, Dim Sum $$$
3196 8888; www.fourseasons.com/hongkong; Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance St; set lunch $400, set dinner $880; noon-2.30pm Mon-Sat, 11.30am-3pm Sun, 6-10.30pm Mon-Sun; MTR Central (exit A)
The world’s only Chinese restaurant to receive three stars from the Michelin guide. The food is excellent though not peerless in Hong Kong. It’s the view of the harbour and the service that make Lung King Heen truly unbeatable. Dim sum is impeccable; the signature steamed lobster and scallop dumplings sell out early.
SEVVA Map International, Asian $$$
2537 1388; www.sevvahk.com; Penthouse, 25th fl, Princes Bldg, 10 Chater Rd; lunch/tea from $200; noon-midnight Mon-Thu, noon-2am Fri & Sat; MTR Central (exit F)
Owner and style guru Bonnie Gokson has her casual glamour stamped all over this restaurant, which features a climbing garden, contemporary European art and a chicly healthy menu. But the pièce de résistance is the wrap-around outdoor terrace commanding million-dollar views of Central that will surely get you high, even if the famed crunch cake doesn’t.
ZUMA Map Modern Japanese $$$
3657 6388; www.zumarestaurant.com; Levels 5 & 6, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd Central; noon-3pm Mon-Sat, 11.30am-3pm Sun, 6-11pm Mon-Sun; MTR Central (exit G)
This uberchic import from London specialises in Japanese cuisine with a modern twist and has miles of space in which to serve it. There is a robata counter, a sushi bar and a terrace. The Sunday brunch ($428), with free-flowing sake and champagne for an extra $122, is very popular.
HABIBI Map Egyptian $$
2544 6198; www.habibi.com.hk; Shop B & D, Ground fl, 112-114 Wellington St; mains $145-200; 11am-3pm Mon-Fri, 5pm-midnight Mon-Sat; 40M
Whether or not Habibi serves strictly authentic Egyptian food is a moot point – the halal food is very good and the setting is the Cairo of the 1930s – all mirrors, tassels, velvet cushions, ceiling fans and hookahs. Habibi’s casual and takeaway section next door, Habibi Cafe ( Map; 2544 3886; 11am-11pm), is a lot cheaper, with meze from $25 to $40, meze platters $85 to $105, mains $60 to $110 and a weekday set lunch for $65.
HUNAN GARDEN Map Hunanese $$
2868 2880; 3rd fl, Forum, Exchange Sq, Connaught Rd, Central; set meals for 2 from $320; 11.30am-3pm, 5.30-11.30pm; MTR Central (exit A)
One of very few Hunanese eateries in town, this relaxing restaurant serves decent Hunanese classics such as honey-glazed Hunan ham, and fish with toasted soy-bean sauce. Chinese music performance nightly (7pm to 9pm).
CITY HALL MAXIM’S PALACE
Map Cantonese, Dim Sum $
2521 1303; 3rd fl, Low Block, Hong Kong City Hall, 1 Edinburgh Pl; dim sum $25-50, compulsory tea fee per person $12; 11am-4.30pm Mon-Sat, 9am-4.30pm Sun, 5.30-10.45pm Mon-Sun; 13
Noisy, gaudy and cheery, this is the kind of restaurant that formed the earliest memories of yum cha for many Hong Kongers. The dim sum (11am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm Sunday) comes in infinite varieties and is paraded on trolleys. A table by the window will let you watch land reclamation in progress where the old Queen’s Pier used to be.
LIN HEUNG TEA HOUSE
Map Cantonese, Dim Sum $
2544 4556; 160-164 Wellington St; 6am-11pm, dim sum to 3.30pm; MTR Sheung Wan (exit E2)
In the morning, this famous tea house is packed, just as it was in 1926, with older men reading newspapers. Dim sum (from $12), served from trolleys, is quickly snapped up, so hover near the kitchen if you want more choices. The big bun and liver siu mai are coveted items, prized more for their nostalgic value than their taste. But the lotus-root patties and the braised stuffed duck ($150, advance booking required) live up to their reputation. Go west for the new branch, Lin Heung Kui ( Map; 2156 9328; 1st fl-3rd fl, 40-50 Des Voeux Rd W; 6am-3.30pm, 5.30-11pm; MTR Sheung Wan, exit