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LAN KWAI FONG & SOHO

Soho is awash in restaurants, and most of them are midrange or top-end. The area is accessible by the Central Escalators, or bus 26 can be caught from Caroline Centre ( Map) in Causeway Bay or Pacific Place ( Map) in Admiralty.

MOZART STUB’N Map Austrian $$$

2522 1763; www.mozartstubn.com; 8 Glenealy; lunch from $380; noon-3pm, 6.30pm-midnight Mon-Sat; MTR Central (exit D2)

This classy Austrian (do not say German) establishment has been serving excellent food in a traditional setting for over 20 years. The dishes may sound Teutonic, but they are served in sensible portions. If you’re in Lan Kwai Fong, go to the junction of Wyndham and Ice House Sts. Then walk up Glenealy towards the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

CECCONI’S ITALIAN Map Italian $$$

2147 5500; 43 Elgin St; set lunch from $98, set dinner from $398; noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight

If you want Italian food in stylish surrounds, Cecconi’s fits the bill. But if you’re intent on having a tête-à-tête over the roasted figs with goat’s curd, you’ll find the tables too close for comfort.

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VEGGIES BEWARE

There are probably more than 101 ways to accidentally eat meat in Hong Kong. Sensitivity towards vegetarians is generally not high. If you are a strict vegetarian, you may as well forget about dim sum. A plate of green is probably cooked in meat stock and served with oyster sauce. Superior broth, made with chicken and Chinese ham, is a prevalent ingredient, even in dishes where no meat is visible. In budget restaurants, chicken powder is used liberally. The safe bet for veggies wanting to go Chinese is either a vegetarian eatery or upscale Chinese establishments. Large monasteries, notably Chi Lin Nunnery Click here and Po Lin Monastery Click here, often have vegetarian restaurants, though you will also find many in the city. For more options besides the ones recommended in this guide, visit www.ivu.org/hkvegan/gb/hkrest.html.

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OLÉ SPANISH RESTAURANT & WINE BAR Map Spanish $$$

2523 8624; 1st fl, Shun Ho Tower, 24-30 Ice House St; tapas $60-315; noon-3pm, 6.30pm-midnight Mon-Sat; MTR Central (exit D2)

Any Spaniard living in Hong Kong would point to this charismatic place as the best Spanish restaurant in town. Here the suckling pig ($255) is roasted to perfection. The angulas (baby eels) in hot garlicky oil ($575) conjure up memories of Spain. And where else would you see jaded gourmands weeping over a potato salad ($60)?

SUSHI KUU Map Japanese $$$

2971 0180; 1st fl, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington St; noon-11pm Mon-Thu & Sun, noon-12.30am Fri & Sat; MTR Central (exit D2)

The fruits of the sea are sweet at this chill hangout, and the presentation is inviting. The lunch sets don’t come cheap (from $200), but every bite is a treat, especially the sushi rice bowl.

ASSAF Map Lebanese $$

2851 6550; Shop B, Ground fl, Lyndhurst Bldg, 37 Lyndhurst Tce; set lunch $88, set dinner veg/meat $195/175; noon-midnight Mon-Thu, noon-1am Fri & Sat; 40M

This cosy place specialises in meze and other tasty titbits, including baklava soaked in rose syrup ($60 for four pieces). The Assaf brothers also own the Beyrouth Cafe Central ( Map; 2854 1872; 39 Lyndhurst Tce) next door, which does takeaway sandwiches, kebabs and so on from $50.

DA PING HUO Map Sichuanese $$

2559 1317; Lower Ground fl, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Rd; set dinner $280; 6.30pm-midnight Mon-Sat; 26

Da Ping Huo’s industrial grey interior is accented with contemporary Chinese paintings by the Sichuanese owner Wang Hai. The palatable 14-course set dinner alternates between spicy and nonspicy selections. Dishes have become noticeably tamer in recent years, but the singing of the chef, Mrs Wang, is still fiery hot. Reservations essential.

KOH-I-NOOR Map Indian $$

2877 9706; 1st fl, California Entertainment Bldg, 34-36 D’Aguilar St; 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-11pm Mon-Sat; MTR Central (exit D2)

Fine northern Indian cuisine with sophisticated presentation is what you get