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Header image courtesy of @bathersrestaurant (via Instagram)
Originally published by Inés Fung. Last updated by Corrine Cheung.
Seas and greetings! If you’re like us and seek a sunny escape to one of Hong Kong’s many beaches on the weekend, you’ll know that gourmet cuisine used to come in the form of tuck shop popsicles and fishball bowls. No need for a resting beach face, however, as we have rounded up our top picks for beach restaurants in Hong Kong. Seaside alfresco dining and drinking, here we come!
Serving Mediterranean seafood along the coast of Shek O, Cococabana is a must-try restaurant for beach goers. Its mains include the macaroni rigata a la carbonara, baked macaroni cheese with white truffle pecorino and crispy Bayonne ham, and the mezzo metro large pizza—which such an impressive selection, you are sure to be full-filled. Vegetarian options are also available, such as the fettucini aux quatres fromages, fettuccini with four cheese and white truffle along with various salads to choose from.
If you want to indulge more Mediterranean grub, you can try Cococabana's desserts, featuring the mousse de chocolat, dark chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sorbet, and Nutella crepe. Cococabana also offers kid’s menus and a myriad of drinks, from juice to cocktails and wine. With its selection of dishes, there really is a something for everyone, making this a perfect restaurant to dine at while enjoying the beach and summer sun!
Cococabana, G/F, Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach, Shek O | (+852) 2812 2226
Limewood is the quintessential beachside restaurant experience. Its menu is inspired by fresh tropical flavours from around the world: think Thai-style deep-fried whole snappers, South American chicharrón (fried pork belly or fried pork rinds), and Hawaiian tuna tostadas. Get the signature guacamole, arguably one of the best bowls of guac in town, sustainable New Zealand salmon tartare, and the new flan Napolitano to finish off your meal.
Limewood’s cosy bar area also serves up some mean cocktails you can sip on while a live DJ spins breezy tunes—we like to go for the all-day Bloody Mary, the Caribbean mule, and the barbecued pineapple Cuban mojito. Lively crowds of kids, furry friends, and beachcombers alike often spill out onto the sandy beach every weekend, so get down to Limewood early!
Limewood, Shop 103 & 104, G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2898 3788
Amalfitana is a family favourite that’s just a stone’s throw away from Limewood. A bright mural depicting the Amalfi coast covers the wall adjacent to their pizza oven, paying homage to the restaurant’s namesake. Meals here are a no-frills affair with its small but stunning menu of authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, traditional antipasti, and desserts, with classic pies such as pepperoni and Parma ham.
Looking for more novel creations? Items like the tri-colour Italia with tomato, two kinds of mozzarella, and basil, and the signature Amalfitana, a medley of different tomatoes, mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, parma ham, and rocket are sure to please.
Staying true to its Amalfi roots, the bar offers housemade limoncello infusions and extensively creative takes on spritzes and the classic Negroni. You can even grab their pies to go to enjoy your meal right on the hot sand and surf!
Amalfitana, Shop 105, G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2388 7787
Sip Song is a love letter to Thai markets that is sure to spice up your day. Its name means “12” in Thai, a reference to the 12 essential ingredients found in almost every Thai dish. With a menu full of iconic Southern Thai dishes with a laid-back Aussie twist, having a good time takes precedence above all at Sip Song.
Order some sharing plates—we love the kai loog keuy, a scotch egg dish that you won’t find on most menus, and the roti kor muu yang prik pow, a homemade roti pancake slathered in tangy chilli jam and topped with slices of barbecued pork neck.
Make sure to leave room for dessert, the i-tim munmuang—ube and coconut ice cream with jackfruit chips, salted peanut brittle, and Thai whisky caramel—is a delicious way to cool off after a hot day at the beach. But wait, don’t forget the roti kluay, a crispy banana roti pancake drizzled in condensed milk and Nutella!
Sip Song, Shop 114 & 115, 1/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2328 8385
Nestled in tranquil Three Fathoms Cove between Sai Kung and Ma On Shan is contemporary European restaurant One Thirty-One. Now, One Thirty-One isn’t technically by a beach, but it definitely deserves a spot on our list. It is a truly intimate and classy restaurant, with a two-person team serving four tables for both lunch and dinner.
Needless to say, you’ve got to make a reservation way ahead of time if you want to eat here. Its prix-fixe menu changes monthly and can be adapted to specific dietary requirements. Ingredients are sourced from the in-house herbal garden as well as a nearby organic farm. Kick back with an aperitif on their lush lawn or take a stroll down to the private dock before or after your meal. One Thirty-One is a real hidden gem.
One Thirty-One, 131 Tseng Tau Village, Sai Kung | (+852) 2791 2684
If you’re looking for a fresh seafood meal, the Sai Kung waterfront promenade is the place to be. Our top pick is Chuen Kee, a seafood stalwart that will impress out-of-towners with its golden façade and fresh-caught seafood showcased in live tanks. It may have a menu similar to those around them, but the cooking has been honoured by the Michelin Guide. Choose your meal from the tanks for the kitchen to prepare any way you like.
We love us some classic fried mantis shrimp in spicy salt or a whole steamed grouper with sweet soy sauce and spring onions. Chuen Kee also offers not one, but two buildings worth of air-conditioned space on the waterfront, but if you prefer alfresco dining, we recommend booking a table on the balcony for the best views of the quiet fishing harbour.
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant, 87–89 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung | (+852) 2792 6938
What goes better with sun, sand, and sea than tropical Thai cuisine with fiery and tangy flavours? A serene beachside spot on the surf of Tai Mong Tsai Beach, Thai Dao offers indoor and outdoor seating and specialises in authentic northern Thai dishes—a rarity in Hong Kong. Its décor as enthusiastically mismatched, with a giant star-shaped arch beckoning you to a row of beachside tables, but the hanging string lights sure set the mood.
On the extensive menu, indulge in dishes like lemongrass spicy shrimp salad, deep-fried barramundi with chilli lime sauce, and crispy seasonal salmon belly with Thai herbs. Thai skewers come aplenty, from salt-grilled ox tongue and grilled tiger prawn to grilled mutton with satay sauce.
With only a slim balustrade separating you from the lapping waves and soft sands, this is the perfect spot to sip on a fresh coconut or one of Thai Dao’s fruit slushies and watch the sun go down after a full day of beach activities. It’s dog-friendly, too!
Thai Dao, G/F, 9 Sha Ha Village, Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sai Kung | (+852) 2792 6189
Taking over the old Mavericks space on Pui O Beach, Treasure Island Beach Club is open every weekend as a popular one-stop-shop for beachgoers. Featuring a menu of summer favourites along with vegetarian and vegan offerings, Treasure Island is the place to kick back in between surfing and tanning. You can easily rent out watersports equipment here.
If you’re looking for something more laid-back, they also have tents and cabanas for rent. Dance the night away to the live DJs playing eclectic sets ranging from chill Ibiza-inspired tunes to Top 40s dance hits. Treasure Island also hosts regular pop-ups with hip restaurants like La Cabane a Vin, making it a new foodie hotspot on South Lantau Island.
Treasure Island Beach Club, Pui O Beach, Lantau Island | (+852) 5236 7013
Located on Lower Cheung Sha—one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong—Bathers offers all-day dining in a luxurious environment. Good vibes can be found all around here; soak up the sun while tucking into grilled seafood and refreshing cocktails on the terrace or one of many beach chairs spread out on the sand. It is also a popular destination for weddings, where uninterrupted views create a perfect backdrop.
Bathers is a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of other beaches, so book ahead to secure a snug corner for you and your friends and family, especially over sunny weekends. Make sure you head to Lower Cheung Sha though, as it’s a long walk from the start to the end of the beach. Stay until sundown and you may even meet some special friends: a wild cowherd that has made Lantau its home!
Bathers, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau Island | (+852) 2504 4788
Currently based in Hong Kong by way of Calgary, Inés has always had a passion for writing and her creative work can be found in obscure literary zines. When she’s not busy scouring the city for the best gin-based cocktail, she can be found curled up with her journal and fur-ever friend Peanut. Don’t be surprised if you cross paths with her and she already knows all your mates.
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