Hong Kong dining experiences you need to savour

Fly with Cathay Pacific and prior to landing in Hong Kong, your taste buds will be well cared. Cathay Pacific features menus that offer a range of tastes from Hong Kong classic dishes, wellness and sustainability focused options to internal cuisines designed to delight.

During your Cathay Pacific flight, select long-haul First and Business Class passengers can select form a menu of 16 modern-takes on classic French dishes from Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurant Louise. Its dishes feature flavourful touches such as fleur de sel, fluffy Niigata rice, Iranian saffron and Guanaja dark chocolate.

Passengers outbound from Hong Kong in Business and First Class also get to enjoy main courses — think wok-fried lobster seasoned with ginger, or premium Iberico pork belly simmered in a sweet, sticky soy sauce glaze — from Michelin-starred Hong Kong-based restaurant Duddell’s. While passengers flying in Premium Economy on long- and medium-haul flights departing from Hong Kong can enjoy comfort dishes from Pirata, an Italian restaurant in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong that specializing in regional specialties that highlight the rich tastes of Italy. Learn more here.

Michelin-star dining

With 79 restaurants having received one-, two- or three-stars from the Michelin Guide — along with 65 Bib Gourmand and 68 other Michelin recognized options — narrowing down where to go can be a challenge. To help you out, here are a few sure bets based on budget, taste, experience and atmosphere.

For an inexpensive meal: A six-decade old family run restaurant in Central, Yat Lok prepares Cantonese barbecue made with secret marinades handed down through the generations. Highlights include its delicate goose and its tender pork roast.

For Indian flavours: Dishes featuring the rich spices of Pakistani and Northern Indian cuisine are the specialty at the New Punjab Club in Central. Its murgh methi tikka made using the locally bred three-yellow chicken is not to be missed.

For street food: Located on Taku Street, Hung Hom Pancake has been serving egg waffles, a local street food favourite, for more than 40 years. This neighbourhood spot is known for its pancakes, waffles and egg waffles available in plain, chocolate and matcha (there is even a menu option featuring all three flavours).

For innovative dishes: Awarded three Michelin stars, Ta Vie is the domain of chef Hideaki Sato, who is known for his experimental and original food combinations made using ingredients from his native Japan. Opt for the tasting menu, which features flavourful seasonal dishes.

For delicious dumplings: Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling in Prince Edward makes homemade dumplings daily using fresh ingredients. Popular menu items include its lamb and Peking scallion dumplings and cuttlefish dumplings.

For tasty noodles: With just 20 seats and a menu that features only 12 types of noodle soups with specific bases and toppings, Hao Tang Hao Mian has more serving locals for more than two decades. Try its signature flat noodles served with beef broth and beef cheek.

For fresh seafood: Head to the Sai Kung peninsula, known for its quaint fishing villages, for traditional seafood dishes at Loaf On. Signature menu items include its spicy wine boiled sea snails and stir fired crab with ginger and scallions.

For Japanese sushi: Found within the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Sushi Shikon’s menu is the creation of head chef Kakinuma, who ages fish and pickles entrails to heighten flavours to make each sushi roll delectable.

For contemporary French: With spectacular city views and oversize chandeliers, Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic offers six- or eight-course tasting menus full of her signature dishes that are anchored by traditional French cooking methods.

For a special occasion: For an exceptional experience, try three-star T’ang Court. Operating for more than 30 years, its authentic Cantonese specialities include baked stuffed crab shell, stir-fried fresh lobster with spring onion, red onion and shallot and taste bud-stimulating soups — all served in a plush and elegant dining room full of Chinese art.

Experience a bucket-list worthy festival

Held over five days at the end of October, the annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is an unrivaled gastronomic experience — and much, much more.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, the al fresco event features a curated selection of wine and food vendors from the world. Spend time learning more about the latest trends in international and Chinese wines and spirits, sample local favourites and international dishes from the various food stalls and discover the latest culinary crazes that will soon be globally known.

As the festival unfolds, visitors are greeted with other sights and sounds to feed their senses. There are music performances by local and international musicians and singers, culinary demonstrations and workshops by some of the world’s best chefs, sommeliers demystifying the world of wines, and other interactive experiences that are sure to nourish your feelings of delight.

Visitors to the city can experience VIP access to the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival along with the chance to dine at two Michelin star restaurants. Offering a 30 per cent saving, the Hong Kong Wine and Dine package is available for select October dates and includes entry to the festival’s Harbour Lounge, complete with admission, a complimentary wine glass and eight tokens for premium wine tastings.

The package also includes a meal at Chef Alvin Leung’s two-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation — where traditional Chinese cuisine is transformed with culinary dare — and his one-starred The Demon Celebrity, where Hong Kong’s culinary traditions are modernized with inventive twists.

The package also includes airfare, three added dinners in the city, breakfast vouchers and a five-night stay at the five-star Hong Kong New World Millennium or similar hotel.

To learn more about all the culinary experiences in Hong Kong, including all its Michelin-awarded restaurants, visit discoverhongkong.com/ca.