A vibrant, bustling city
that seems to never sleep, Hong Kong is brimming with such dynamic culture. With so many
places to eat, things to see, and places to shop, it can be daunting to know
where to begin. Because my trip there was so last minute (I literally booked my
flight one week before leaving), I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to.
Although I’ve been to Hong Kong countless times, I’ve never been as a
blogger/Instagrammer, which completely changes the game. You seek out all the
Instagram-worthy places and refuse to eat somewhere where the lighting is bad
or the coffee doesn’t look good (true story). I’ve rounded up a list of places
I went to during my trip and hope it inspires you visit HK if you haven’t
already!
FOOD:
You can’t visit Hong Kong
without having dim sum (that’s like going to Italy and not having pizza). From
adorable BBQ piggy buns, to hot custard buns, and green tea molten buns (that
look like it’s vomiting when you take a bite), you won’t find cuter dim sum
than at Yum Cha. It’s pricier than other dim sum places, but it’s definitely
worth checking out at least once.
If you’re looking for dim
sum that’s a little more traditional and affordable, U-Banquet is for you.
Their dim sum may not have cute animal faces, but it makes up for that in taste.
The lai wong bao here is my favourite, a steamed bun that’s filled with a gooey
egg yolk filling that oozes out when you bite into it. I seem to have a thing
for vomiting dim sum.
I couldn’t go to Hong
Kong without having my favourite meal -- brunch. And the brunch at Cupping Room
was the perfect brunch to kick off my trip with their brioche French toast and
eggs benny with smoked salmon. For something cool and refreshing in the summer
heat, try their rosemary lemonade.
Another delicious brunch place to
check out is Brew Bros Coffee (the one on Hill Road is supposedly nicer). From
the avocado toast topped with crab meat, to the beautifully presented French
toast, everything was incredibly delicious and Instagrammable.
Ironically, I had one of
the best Italian meals in Hong Kong. The pizza with black truffle, three
cheeses, and farm egg is an absolute must, as well as the rigatoni and
meatballs, and burrata. Everything was fresh and delectable -- it’s easily one
of my favourite meals I had in HK. Although on the pricier side, Mercato is
worth the price tag if you’re looking for a nice meal without the
pretentiousness.
AFTERNOON TEA:
Afternoon tea is one of
my favourite activities, and Hong Kong has a plethora of them (it belonged to
the British colony after all). A luxury boutique hotel, The Upper House’s
afternoon tea is not only beautiful but also equally as delicious. Ask for a
table by the window -- there’s nothing like enjoying tea time with an
incredible view overlooking Victoria Harbour.
Hong Kong’s oldest hotel,
The Peninsula is built on splendour and timeless elegance, and their
infamous afternoon tea is no different. It’s so famous in fact, that there’s
always a long line-up that circles around the lobby where the afternoon tea is
held. And they don’t take reservations either so be sure to get there early!
Located across from The
Upper House, having afternoon tea at Island Shangri-La is a luxury indulgence.
With a view of their tropical garden and a 140-year-old Banyan Tree, it’s a
cozy oasis set in a grand, divine space.
ICE CREAM:
It was so hot and humid
when I was in HK, I could’ve eaten ice cream every day during my stay (and kind
of wish I had). My favourite was probably Via Tokyo because three words: matcha
soft serve. I had a few matcha ice creams in Hong Kong including I Cremeria,
but I preferred Via Tokyo simply because it was a little less bitter.
Another food you can’t
miss if you’re in HK is an egg waffle ice cream. An iconic HK street food, the
egg waffle makes for a tasty treat, especially at Oddies, where it's served with low-fat gelato
and other sweet fixings. It’s a definite must try.
Originating from London,
Givres is an artisan gelato café that specializes in gelato in the shape of a
rose. A work of art, the gelato rose is so pretty, you almost won’t want to eat
it. But you have to. Because it’s melting. The lavender flavour was a favourite!
CAFES:
If you want the prettiest
matcha latte ever, come to Artisan Room. What makes it special is that it’s a
rose matcha, made with a rose syrup and real rose petals scattered in the cup. Cute little desserts are also served and they have a quaint patio in the front.
A popular café in HK,
Elephant Grounds has several locations and serves pretty lattes, food, and ice
cream sammies. Their rainbow latte seemed like a obvious choice, given how
pretty and colourful it was, but it definitely looked better than it
tasted. Made from steamed milk and white chocolate, it tasted like warm milk
with just a hint of white chocolate, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you just
want it for the gram.
If you’re a matcha lover like
me, run to Sinmei Tea. And I mean run. From
various matcha drinks such as matcha hot chocolate and matcha latte with almond
flakes and honey, it's a pure matcha party in your mouth. Their desserts
are also not to be missed, including matcha cheesecake, sizzling matcha brownie
with ice cream (my favourite!), and matcha lava cake.
A French verb meaning “to
play”, Jouer is a lifestyle café that combines art and design with food and
drinks. It’s also one of the prettiest cafes in HK, and they specialize in
unique lattes, cakes, and mini macarons.
THINGS TO SEE/DO:
The Peak:
Of all the things to do
in Hong Kong, The Peak undoubtedly tops the list. The highest point in HK,
The Peak rises at 1,805 feet above sea level and has been the city’s most
exclusive neighborhood since colonial times. It boasts the most spectacular
views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and the Hong Kong skyline with its
sprawling skyscrapers. Tip: check the weather before you go and choose a nice
sunny day. I went on a day where it was super foggy and the photo below was the
only decent one I could capture.
A 200 metre long
tree-lined walkway in Wan Chai, Lee Tung Avenue is a charming and quaint area
filled with shops and gourmet restaurants. Stroll down the walkway and take in
the magical red lanterns hanging above. Givres gelato is also located here.
With a name like
Instagram Pier, you know it’s gotta be Instagram-worthy. Located on the
waterfront of Sai Wan, the pier is a popular spot to shoot, with picturesque
views of Victoria Harbour and the skyline.
Other notable mentions
include the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street, where you’ll find more than 100
stalls of cheap clothes, accessories, and souvenirs, Lan Kwai Fong for drinking
and clubbing, and a day trip to Macau, aka the Vegas of China, known for its
casinos and luxury hotels.
Although I've been to Hong Kong many times, this recent trip has opened my eyes to places I've never been and
meeting new people that share the same interests. I hope to be able to add more
things to this list on my next visit and embrace even more of what this diverse city has to offer.
