Hong Kong’s best sweet & savoury pies

The Globe

Everyone’s favourite British pub needs no introduction. The Globe is famous for more than just the extensive craft beer list—their meat pies are some of the best in town. Seriously, we asked, like, five English people and they all recommended this friendly neighbourhood gastropub for a pie to treat homesickness. Available year-round—and served with peas or mushy peas and your choice of chips, salad, or mash, all slathered in a decadent gravy—pies are made to order and are available in six savoury fillings. Just check the blackboard for their specials and dailies, as it changes quite frequently.

Beloved options include the best-selling beer, beef & mushroom pie ($160), the classic pork, apple & sage pie ($160), or the chicken, leek & ale pie ($160), which, to us, stands out in a league of its own and tastes almost like an English version of chicken pot pie. Aside from their staple offerings, past seasonal creations include curried goat and curried turkey... Do we taste a trend of Jamaican influences? If you’re ordering more than one pie, each one has got a handy animal identifier on the crust. Wash it all down with your local craft brew of choice and you’ve got yourself a perfect no-frills English dinner.

The Globe, Garley Building, 45–53 Graham Street, Central | (+852) 2543 1941

Tai Tai Pie Pies

R.J. Asher filled a void for all-American pies in Hong Kong when he embraced his love for baking and founded Tai Tai Pie Pies, offering sweet and savoury creations that taste just like home (if you’re from North America, that is). First operating as an online shop, Tai Tai Pie Pies has now expanded from a state-of-the-art Pie Factory in Fo Tan to a grab-and-go location in Admiralty’s Great Food Hall, as well as a full-service Pie and Beer Shack in Causeway Bay, in collaboration with Gweilo Beers. R.J. and his team handmake every filling and hand-crimp every pie with the utmost love and care before they make their way to your dining table. The treats here may be indulgent, but they are wholesome: 100 percent free from preservatives, additives, or pre-mixes.

Tai Tai Pie Pies’ menu has a staggering count of 50-plus options along with three sizes to fit different appetites, so you are spoiled for choice here. For an ultimate slice of Americana, try the all-American apple pie ($260), arguably the best apple pie in Hong Kong, made with ten cups of Granny Smith, Fuji, and two other apple varieties. If you’re craving a sweet treat, the Wholly Heavens pecan pie ($315) is downright sinful, made with dark chocolate and an almost unhealthy amount of pecans. For something savoury, get a bite of the roasted chicken pot pie ($55)—American comfort food at its finest, chock-full of hearty ingredients and packed in a buttery puff pastry. 

Tai Tai Pie Pies, locations across Hong Kong

Pie & Tart Specialists

Pie & Tart Specialists evokes memories of being a small child and eating one of its famous chicken pies in Hong Kong on the way to school, then washing it all down with a Vitasoy all before first period. Pie & Tart Specialists has been providing Hong Kong with its wide range of freshly-made pastries since 1998. Its convenient shop locations are a definite contributor to their long-lasting popularity. Free of preservatives and colourings, they have some interesting offerings on the menu that you won’t find anywhere else, like a peppery ostrich pie ($13) and a rich Portuguese-style seafood pie ($12).

While P&T may not be the most filling option on this list, it’s by far the cheapest and most beloved by locals for sure. We like their classic chicken pie ($14), with a cream of chicken filling wrapped up in a flakey pastry, and the sweet potato pie ($12), an eye-catching purple sweet potato pie with subtle flavours. For dessert, try the milk tart ($8), a gooey, creamy delight reminiscent of the local Hong Kong steamed milk custard dessert.

Pie & Tart Specialists, locations across Hong Kong

Burger Circus

Not only does Burger Circus, Black Sheep Restaurants’ retro American diner, serve up a mean burger and fries combo, they also have a monthly pie menu representing the most wholesome of American desserts. Try the seasonal pies that are made from scratch daily in a multitude of serving options: by the slice with whipped cream, à la mode (vanilla ice cream is anything but vanilla), whipped into a milkshake, or if you’re really hungry, just order a whole nine-inch pie for delivery or pick up with at least one business day’s notice.

The pies at Burger Circus stick to tried-and-tested flavours, so expect to see classics like apple, peach, cherry, and pumpkin as the months pass. They sometimes surprise diners with a cake instead of a pie, so check their website to avoid disappointment (not that cake is ever a disappointing dessert option). As flavours change monthly, there isn’t one exact pie that we can recommend. However, we are always keen to order a slice of pie blended up into a milkshake with their house-churned, full-cream milk ice cream. Past favourites include blueberry and cherry. If it’s in liquid form, then it’s just a drink and the calories don’t count, obviously.

Burger Circus, 22 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2878 7787

Butter

If you’ve ever dreamt of having all of Black Sheep Restaurants’ splendid pie offerings available in one convenient spot, boy, do we have news for you. Introducing Butter, a bakery dedicated to presenting the best of the hospitality group’s sweet treats. From apple pie ($400) and the Tennessee whiskey caramel pecan pie ($400) to monthly specials like the milk n’ cookie pie ($300), all pies must be pre-ordered 48 hours in advance and can be delivered or arranged for pick-up. Butter is also hosting a pop-up at Landmark, set in a vintage-inspired, American diner-like space that looks as gorgeous as its confections!

Butter, 34B Staunton Street, Soho | (+852) 2810 0660

Ali Oli Bakery

With over 25 years of baking expertise, Ali Oli Bakery in Sai Kung delivers every time. If you find yourself in Sai Kung (or if you live there, lucky ducky), you’re bound to see all the seats at Ali Oli’s alfresco café filled up and the cases of home-baked goods empty before the day is out. Savoury pies are the name of their game, featuring crowd-pleasers such as an Aussie meat pie ($40) straight from down under, steak & onion pie ($42), and roast lamb & vegetable pie ($45).

However, the real star here are the bowl pies—piping hot ones served in deep ceramic bowls that are perfect for sharing. There’s no way to eat these politely, so grab a spoon and dig right in. Some of our favourite bowl pies include the fish pot pie ($69) and steak & kidney pie ($69). Another signature pie here is the bread & butter pudding ($38), a unique treat that’s hard to find in Hong Kong.

Ali Oli Bakery, G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung | (+852) 2792 2655

Smoke & Barrel

What better way to round off a hearty meal than with an indulgent slice of pie? American smokehouse restaurant Smoke & Barrel serves them for both dine-in and takeaway, all priced at $400 each, and you can choose your favourites from an eight-item pie menu, featuring buttery American-style sweet treats. Tuck into options such as the triple chocolate truffle fudge pie, bourbon caramel pecan pie, smokey key lime pie, wild blueberry & almond pie, raspberry & almond pie, plum & tonka bean pie, lemon meringue pie, Georgia peach pie, and a New Jersey apple & cinnamon pie, inspired by the flavours and warmth of co-founder Chris Grare’s childhood.

Smoke & Barrel, 1/F & 2/F, Wyndham Mansion, 32 Wyndham Street, Central | (+852) 2866 2120