Sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism Board
Amy Cooper
If there’s ever a time to feast your way through Hong Kong, it’s late October when the city uncorks one of the world’s great gourmet celebrations: the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival.
From October 23 to 26, 2025, the Central Harbourfront stages an epicurean spectacular, with the finest local and international fare served up against a dazzling backdrop of Victoria Harbour. It’s a feast for all the senses: the kaleidoscope of flavours, the sparkling skyline, live music beats and the air filled with irresistible aromas of fresh herbs and spices.
Sip, swirl, savour
You can wander the globe grape by grape in the Grand Wine Pavilion, from the vineyards of Bordeaux to the hills of Marlborough, via emerging varieties, natural wines and hidden gems from China’s fast-rising regions, as well as innovative low-alcohol alternatives.
Each pour is an invitation; to compare old-world classics with new-world styles, discover the unexpected, and match sips with bites from Hong Kong’s top kitchen talent. From delicate Cantonese dim sum with a crisp riesling to chargrilled wagyu skewers and a plush shiraz, the pairing possibilities are endless – and certain to whet your palate for more.
A gourmet gateway to Hong Kong
The Wine & Dine Festival is an ideal springboard for a deeper dive into Hong Kong’s dynamic and diverse culinary culture.
Start with a bar safari through some of Asia’s finest watering holes. Hong Kong holds a clutch of spots on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list, including Bar Leone (No.1), a love letter to Italian aperitivo culture; Argo (No.11), known for its creative, seasonally inspired cocktails; Coa (No. 17), the agave spirits temple; and sustainability-driven Penicillin (No.27). Add newcomers like The Savory Project (No.32) and Gokan (No.33) to the itinerary, and you have a night – or three – of top-quality tippling.
Michelin stars for every budget
Hong Kong boasts 74 Michelin-starred restaurants, and splurge-worthy icons including Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons, where refined Cantonese meets harbour views; the elegant, French-inspired Tate Dining Room and boundary-pushing Cantonese at WING.
But in Hong Kong, Michelin quality needn’t cost Michelin prices. Each with a star, roast meat specialists Kam’s Roast Goose and Yat Lok offer succulent feasts on a wallet-friendly budget.
Causeway Bay’s Ho Hung Kee, also starred, has been nourishing locals with delicious fresh noodles and soup since the 1940s. At starred Yè Shanghai in Tsim Sha Tsui, an indulgent Shanghainese meal costs little more than AUD$30.
Hong Kong’s streets overflow with affordable excellence, with 64 operators recognised by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand mark of quality. These include flavour-over-frills noodle joints Tsim Chai Kee, Mak Man Kee and Eng Kee Noodle Shop, and dumpling specialists Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling (head straight for the lamb and Peking scallion) and Wang Fu, where the green onion mutton variety has a fan following.
Indulge for small change at Ho Kee Dessert for traditional sweet soups, So Kee for silky, scrumptious egg custard and Hung Hom Pancake for inner-child pleasing egg waffles.
Street eats and local heroes
To truly taste Hong Kong, you need to hit the streets. Although open-air dai pai dongs and their fold-out tables might look basic to the unaccustomed eye, these long-established hawkers serve up some of the city’s freshest and most authentic dishes.
In Kowloon, the time-honoured Chui Wo Lee dim sum stall rustles up 40 kinds of Hong Kong-style fresh dim sum 24/7. For a quick lite bite, locals flock to Shui Kee Coffee for specialty snacks like their renowned scrambled egg sandwiches. And no visit is complete without a stop at Lan Fong Yuen, a city staple since the 1970s that’s famous for serving Hong Kong’s best milk tea.
Noodle carts are another Hong Kong tradition, and Man Kee Cart Noodle has a dizzying array of varieties and toppings to build your perfect bowl.
Established in 1954, Tai Cheong Bakery has mastered the art of flaky egg tarts, and Hee Kee Fried Crab Expert is equally famous for its ‘typhoon shelter’ style seafood — wok fried with a fragrant golden breadcrumb coating.
One of the best spots for classic Cantonese dim sum spread is Luk On Kui in Sheung Wan, where traditional trolleys are stacked with dumplings, noodles, pastries and more.
East meets west
Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan cuisine spans the globe. Within a few blocks, you can sidestep from rustic Cantonese to Italian fine dining, contemporary Japanese, or regional Chinese interpretations.
The city’s seven three-Michelin-star venues span Cantonese, French, Italian and Japanese cuisine.
At 8 ½ Otto E Mezzo Bombana, superstar owner-chef Umberto Bombana infuses every dish with Italian charm and passion; Caprice showcases French finesse, and at Sushi Shikon, Japanese master chefs craft sushi delicacies surrounded by precious Japanese antiques.
Neighbourhoods are a world of their own, too, each with a unique flavour: Central for buzzy fine dining and nightlife, West Kowloon for cultural immersion alongside harbour views, Sham Shui Po for authentic, affordable eats.
For everything from attractions, events, dining and shopping to maps, guided tours, and travel itineraries: head to Discover Hong Kong to start planning your next Hong Kong holiday.
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