Travel 11 June 2024

2 Days In: Hong Kong

Steeped in history and tradition, Hong Kong lies at the epicentre of Asia as a bustling business powerhouse that embraces international cultures. Follow our route recommendations that take you from the bustling streets surrounding Central in Hong Kong island, to the charming neighbourhood of Kowloon; from refined French cuisine to fascinating local eats spanning generations, here's where to eat, stay, and explore in 48 hours.

Steeped in history and tradition, Hong Kong lies at the epicentre of Asia as a bustling business powerhouse. From the grand heights of Victoria Peak, to the sun-drenched shores of Victoria Harbour, the city continues to dazzle with refined modernity. With so many distinct pockets within the city, it’s easy to get enamoured by the flavours and places surrounding you.

Whether you’ve taken a flight halfway across the world or just a hop and skip from a nearby neighbouring country, come prepared to eat. Hong Kong is definitely a city that celebrates its culinary culture; and with so many interpretations of local cuisine, you’ll always be satisfied.

The MICHELIN Guide has created a suggested itinerary, recommending the best places to eat, stay, and explore in Hong Kong. Our route takes you from the bustling streets surrounding Central in Hong Kong island, to the charming neighbourhood of Kowloon; from refined French cuisine to fascinating local eats spanning generations; and from the mountaintops to beside the harbour to take in different views of the city. Make the most of Hong Kong with this two-day itinerary that encompasses the best restaurants and hotels selected by the MICHELIN Guide.  Watch the video to see all our recommendations for yourself and read on for more details.

Featuring cinematic views of Victoria Harbour, Four Seasons Hong Kong is a place to enjoy with its luxury as well as its gamut of cuisines. (Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong)
Featuring cinematic views of Victoria Harbour, Four Seasons Hong Kong is a place to enjoy with its luxury as well as its gamut of cuisines. (Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong)

Day 1 – Explore Hong Kong Island

Morning


Check in Four Seasons Hong Kong in Central for a good night of rest before your 2-day adventure. In a city where the hustle and bustle meet old world tradition, it’s nice to have a place to call home that pays homage to both sides with a modern slant. It’s even nicer when it’s the glistening Four Seasons located in the city's Central district. Featuring cinematic views of Victoria Harbour, the city becomes the ideal backdrop, while naturally upmarket appointments add casual polish.

While located right above the International Financial Center — making it so easy for you to go shopping to your heart’s content, Four Seasons Hong Kong is definitely a place to stay and enjoy. Feel the “crisp and sober luxury” described by our hotel inspectors with its big rooms and plush facilities such the infinity pool and spa, and of course, all their MICHELIN Star-studded restaurants.

RELATED: 10 Hotels in Hong Kong with the Best Views of Victoria Harbour


Explore more Hotels around Central, Hong Kong

The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong


Restaurants

Ta Vie
Arbor
Ying Jee Club
Mono
Yat Lok (Central)

RELATED: Explore MICHELIN Restaurants and Hotels along the Metro Island Line

Caprice chef Guillaume Galliot.jpg

Lunch

Head to Caprice at Four Seasons for lunch. It’s not often that a Three MICHELIN Star spot serves lunch, but Caprice does just that and delivers on flavoUr. With a four-course lunch starting at just under $140 (USD) per person, Caprice offers handsome value and provides you with a first glimpse into the effortlessly polished vibe permeating through Hong Kong.

Having his passion for cuisine ignited earlier in his young ages in the Loire Valley, chef Guillaume Galliot (right photo: Caprice) has built his foundation of cooking in culinary school and gone through trainings in several esteemed restaurants such as Jardin des Sens.

 Land and Sea Tartare, Australian Wagyu Beef, and Gillardeau Oyster, Kristal Caviar (Photo: Caprice)
Land and Sea Tartare, Australian Wagyu Beef, and Gillardeau Oyster, Kristal Caviar (Photo: Caprice)

His belief is that “Gastronomy is about emotion. It’s that moment when you take a bite and realise that it all works well together — that’s a great feeling." For the lunch menu, its signature dishes such as Land and Sea Tartare, Australian Wagyu Beef, and Gillardeau Oyster, Kristal Caviar; or Roasted Lamb from « La Maison Greffeuille » with Yogurt Gel, Green Pea, and Mint Condiment are served.

RELATED: 9 MICHELIN Guide Hotels in Hong Kong with MICHELIN-Starred Restaurants

(Photo: Shutterstock)
(Photo: Shutterstock)

Afternoon

After one of the most luxurious lunches, take in some of Hong Kong’s natural views. These come in the form of the numerous green spaces, beaches, and the most incredible vegetation located at the Peak. Hop on the tram — they come every 15 to 20 minutes — and be prepared to enter a rarefied world filled with eye-watering views and gorgeous flora and fauna. As sunset approaches, pop open a bottle of your favourite vintage and enjoy the tranquility over 1,800 feet above the city.

RELATED: Escape to Nature at These 11 MICHELIN Hotels in Asia

Ho Lee Fook created a unique vibe with its walls covered in gilded maneki-neko, mahjong tiles, pop art, and red Chinese floral motifs. (Photo: Ho Lee Fook)
Ho Lee Fook created a unique vibe with its walls covered in gilded maneki-neko, mahjong tiles, pop art, and red Chinese floral motifs. (Photo: Ho Lee Fook)

Dinner

Time for a satisfying dinner and explore around Soho, the most bustling and fun corner around the Central district. The great thing about Hong Kong is that the sightseeing never ends, and dinner at Ho Lee Fook is an experience to remember. Everything from the interior design, restaurant soundtrack, and tasty Cantonese bites are equally compelling to make this the ideal spot to rest, refuel, and recharge before one more stop.

RELATED: The Vanishing Treasures of Cantonese Cuisine and Where to Find Them

Ho Lee Fook_Stir-Fried King.jpg

Describing themselves as “A Chinese restaurant with a Hong Kong heart,” chef ArChan Chan is a Hong Kong native that has lived 13 years abroad in Singapore and Australia to hone her skills. She returned to Hong Kong in 2021 to open Ho Lee Fook, with a dream to find the flavours from her home and childhood memories, and re-interpret them using her own creative ways. Don’t miss out on the crispy three-yellow chicken with sand ginger dip, and other wok-fries. (Left photo: Stir-Fried King of Ho Lee Fook; photo from the restaurant)

DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong features moody interiors complementing the equally compelling cocktails. (Photo: DarkSide)
DarkSide at Rosewood Hong Kong features moody interiors complementing the equally compelling cocktails. (Photo: DarkSide)

Late Evening

After dinner, go across the harbour to Kowloon. Before ending the fulfilling first day of your trip, cap off the evening at DarkSide, located at the MICHELIN-recommended hotel Rosewood Hong Kong. The local nickname for Kowloon, DarkSide features moody interiors complementing the equally compelling cocktails. Aged dark drinks including some dating back to the 19th century enhance the Hollywood Regency-esque vibes punctuated by live jazz.

RELATED: Hong Kong Luxury Hotel Bars That Are Championing Food And Cocktail Pairing

Rosewood marries modernity with classic design cues including rich woods, supple leathers, and fabulous art. (Photo: Rosewood Hong Kong)
Rosewood marries modernity with classic design cues including rich woods, supple leathers, and fabulous art. (Photo: Rosewood Hong Kong)

Day 2 - An Adventure in Kowloon

Once you’ve recovered from all the delicious bites and drinks from the first day, rise in splendour from your space at the Rosewood Hong Kong. Located along Victoria Harbour, the Rosewood marries modernity with classic design cues including rich woods, supple leathers, and fabulous art. Located above the haute K11 mall, get ready for another adventure-packed day.

RELATED: Hong Kong’s Best Restaurants with Harbour Views

Kung Wo Beancurd Factory offers up beancurd puffs and bowls of tofu pudding to locals and tourists alike.  (Photo: Gloria Chung @FOODANDTRAVELHK.)
Kung Wo Beancurd Factory offers up beancurd puffs and bowls of tofu pudding to locals and tourists alike. (Photo: Gloria Chung @FOODANDTRAVELHK.)

Early Lunch

Get ready for an adventure along the alleys of Kowloon to enjoy the lively vibes, as well as some authentic local flavours. A bit more inland in Sham Shui Po, Bib Gourmand Kung Wo Beancurd Factory is the ideal spot to start the day. Open since 1960, this street food staple offers up beancurd puffs and bowls of tofu pudding to locals and tourists alike. Its own tofu boasts a deep, rich soy aroma that one definitely cannot miss.

“What makes our tofu unique is that we use the best soybeans from Canada, and we make our tofu fresh every day, using traditional methods,” says So, the owner of the shop, who has now taken over from the founder in 1996. “The tofu is half-made by machine and half-made by hand, so it has a great texture.”

RELATED: Kung Wo Beancurd Factory: Soy Products to Take You Down Memory Lane

Lau Sum Kee makes wontons the traditional way. (Photo: MICHELIN)
Lau Sum Kee makes wontons the traditional way. (Photo: MICHELIN)

Lunch

One great part about Hong Kong is the legacy that many of its eateries possesses. Lau Sum Kee (Fuk Wing Street) is a third-generation family business that has catered to throngs of locals for more than 60 years. What keeps everyone coming back for more are the noodles and wontons that are still kneaded and made by hand.

The shop was originally found in Guangzhou by the grandfather and father of the current owner, Jason Lau. They are proud of keeping the traditional way to make almost everything. “For the wonton, we still hand-chop the pork. And for the sesame, we pan-fry and grind the seeds ourselves. We also fry and chop the flounder on our own. Everything is done the traditional way here,” says Lau.

RELATED:  Best Wonton Noodles In Hong Kong

(Photo: Shutterstock)
(Photo: Shutterstock)

Afternoon

Coming back from the neighbourhood tour of Kowloon, make sure to hit the famous Victoria Harbour and Avenue of the Stars. Literally just outside the door of Rosewood Hong Kong and separating Hong Kong Island from Kowloon, this is the spot to take selfies with junk boats in the background for a true tourist moment. And while the views might be mesmerising, take a moment to enjoy the Avenue of the Stars, Hong Kong’s take on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, featuring the city’s biggest entertainment stars immortalised via celebrity handprints and statues.

Chef Paul Lau.jpg

Dinner

For the final meal, head over to two-MICHELIN-Starred Tin Lung Heen housed within MICHELIN Guide Hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

Ascend to Hong Kong’s tallest building and land on the 102nd floor, where mouthwatering dishes await, from traditionally Cantonese entrées — think Peking duck — to dégustation menus featuring stylish plates such as stewed French duck leg in hot and sour sauce with conch.

RELATED: Chef Spotlight: Lau Ping Lui Of Two-Michelin-Starred Tin Lung Heen

Tin Lung Heen's Steamed Crab Claw with Egg White in Huadiao Wine. (Photo: Tin Lung Heen)
Tin Lung Heen's Steamed Crab Claw with Egg White in Huadiao Wine. (Photo: Tin Lung Heen)

Chef Paul Lau joined the industry at the age of 14, starting as a low man and has now been in the trade for more than 40 years. Despite his extensive experience, he keeps on learning and re-inventing while maintaining tradition, making Tin Lung Heen a popular destination for Cantonese cuisine lovers. There are a lot of signature dishes in Tin Lung Heen such as the Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Fish Maw in Baby Coconut; and Steamed Crab Claw with Egg White in Huadiao Wine. But the unmissable dish here is definitely the Barbecued Iberian Pork with Honey — make sure you pre-order it when making reservations!

(Photo: Shutterstock)
(Photo: Shutterstock)

And that’s two days in Hong Kong ! An opulent take, but one that highlights the diversity of the city through its cuisine, and one that reflects the city’s unyielding resolve to marry the old and new with finesse and flair.

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