The Best Casual Restaurants in Hong Kong

At Ho Lee Fook, you can expect a vibrant dining experience that combines classic Cantonese dishes with a modern twist, thanks to the innovative approach of Chef Archan Chan. The menu offers a diverse range of dishes, from salt and pepper tofu to Kurobuta pork char siu, and desserts like pandan milk bread French toast. With its bold decor and lively atmosphere, this restaurant provides a contemporary Chinese dining experience that leaves a lasting impression.

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Eric Robertson

Chef-Owner – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

An absolute riot of a time with delicious food and drinks

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Dong Lai Shun is renowned for its authentic Beijing and Huaiyang cuisine, with a particular emphasis on Mongolian lamb dishes. The restaurant offers a diverse menu, including recommended dishes such as scallion pancakes and black sesame dumplings for dessert. Known for its traditional "hot pot mutton", the restaurant provides a rich and varied dining experience.

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Eric Räty

Chef at Arbor – Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Beijing and Huaiyang cuisine Flavours of northern China. Specially recommend their Mongolian lamb dishes, scallion pancake and black sesame dumplings for dessert.

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Offering a unique dining experience, Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant provides a private boat ride to its location on Lamma Island. The establishment specializes in Cantonese dishes, with a focus on fresh seafood; guests can choose their meal from live fish tanks or from a broad a la carte menu. A popular dish among visitors is the 'Baby Clams in Black Bean & Chili Sauce'.

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Jaakko Sorsa

Chef, Hong Kong – Hong Kong , Hong Kong

I have taken all my visiting friends to Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant for 16 years. The restaurant's private boat picks up the guests from Hong Kong city and you can enjoy the views during a pleasant 30 min journey to Lamma Island. Lamma is a sleepy fishing village with seaside Chinese restaurants serving Cantonese dishes. You can choose live seafood from fish tanks or from a wide a la carte menu. Must try : 'Baby Clams in Black bean & Chili Sauce'. Reasonably priced.

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Specializing in traditional Cantonese food, Luk Yu Tea House is an old-school Chinese restaurant. Highly recommended dishes include the Fried Taro duck, Aged Mandarin Peel Steamed Beef Patty, and Sweet and Sour Pork. It's suggested to visit with someone who has been there before to fully enjoy the food and service.

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Chris Ho

Chef – Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Old school Chinese restaurant serving traditional Cantonese food. Fried Taro duck. Sweet and Sour Pork. Old school Chinese restaurant serving traditional Cantonese food. Must go with a regular for better service and food quality. Dishes recommended: 香酥鴨 (Fried Taro duck) 陳皮牛肉餅 (Aged Mandarin Peel Steamed Beef Patty) 咕嚕肉 (Sweet and Sour Pork) 脆皮糯米雞 (Fried Glutinous Rice Chicken) 棗泥蘇 (Jujube puff pastry)

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This spot is known for its concise menu, offering simple yet delicate dishes. The wonton soup, stuffed with shrimp, and fried shrimp egg noodles come highly recommended by visitors. With a bustling atmosphere filled with locals, it provides an authentic dining experience.

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Antoine Duvignacq

Wine and F&B Expert – Biarritz - Paris, France

I remember our first dinner in Asia as if it were yesterday. We entered this shop, packed with locals. The concise menu was a good sign, so we decided to share a wonton soup (stuffed with shrimp) and fried shrimp egg noodles. It was simple and delicate.

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Samsen (Wan Chai) is a local favorite known for its humble comfort food, which has earned it a Bib Gourmand award. The menu features a range of delectable dishes, from crab fried rice and pad Thai to crispy pig skin, with a particular emphasis on their hearty wagyu udon noodle bowl. It's not unusual to see queues of people waiting for a table, a testament to the restaurant's popularity and quality of food.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The only clue from the outside that there’s something special here are the queues of people snaking out the door and around the corner. It helps the waiters serve you brisk Laos beers while you wait for a table. Humble comfort food awarded a Bib Gourmand but excellent dishes of crab fried rice, pad Thai and crispy pig skin leaf tiwards their hearty wagyu udon noodle bowl. It’s a local favourite in Wan Chai adjacent to the Blue House.

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Known for its traditional late-night typhoon food, Under Bridge Spicy Crab is a great spot for large groups. The must-try dish here is the razor clams with glass noodles. Pair your meal with some beers and explore the extensive menu for a complete experience.

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Eric Robertson

Chef-Owner – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Late night traditional typhoon food; razor clams with glass noodles are a must. Great for large groups, order some beers and order everything on the menu

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