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Header images courtesy of Grain and Midway Beef Dogs
From a hidden modern Japanese izakaya and authentic Neapolitan street food to a new takeaway bento concept, here are the most exciting new restaurants, menus, and dining pop-ups in Hong Kong this June.
Just one and a half years after landing on Kowloon shores, acclaimed pastry chef Dominique Ansel is expanding his successful, Hong Kong-inspired Dang Wen Li concept to a permanent brick-and-mortar location on Hong Kong Island. Situated on the ground floor of H Queen’s in the heart of Central, the new flagship will continue to specialise in freshly baked viennoiserie, jaw-dropping cakes, delightful pastries, and more from its capsule collection.
Amongst the line-up of Central-exclusive treats, the croissant toast is the stand-out, an innovative item that transforms the classic French croissant into a stunning loaf of bread. Golden and crisp on the outside and soft and honeycombed on the inside, the croissant toast comes in two flavours: sea salt ($45) and maple ($48). For a Dominique Ansel spin on a local Hong Kong dish, the unusual satay beef peanut waffle ($58) is a must—flavourful satay beef makes up the filling of a peanut-shaped waffle, served with a homemade peanut satay dipping sauce.
Dang Wen Li, Shop 2, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 3482 7735
Multi-concept food hall Basehall is introducing three new culinary concepts this summer, keeping its dining offerings fresh and varied for new and returning visitors. Partnering with acclaimed Middle Eastern restaurant Francis and Young Master Brewery, both brands will take up residences at Basehall to expand their gastronomic footprints, while Basehall Bar will revamp to a brand-new wine bar concept: Winehouse by Basehall Bar.
Helmed by Israeli chef Asher Goldstein, lovers of Middle Eastern cuisine will no doubt have heard of Francis, which channels the street food culture and flavours of Tel Aviv into elevated plates. Look forward to signature dishes like za’atar chicken with moudardara, beef short rib shawarma, manti dumplings with fillings of either lamb or vegetables, and the plant-based Jerusalem sesame bagel with fried eggplant, potato, eggs, and harissa. Francis will also offer a Basehall-exclusive three-course set menu ($160) for those who want a bit of everything.
Meanwhile, Grub 1842, the pop-up counterpart of Pub 1842 by Young Master Brewery, will bring the best of its gourmet pub grub to Basehall. Mac and cheese is the name of the game here, with four options to choose from, including the classic mac, with a combo of Gruyère béchamel sauce, mozzarella, garlic panko, and egg yolk, and the novel black mac, with squid ink, Gruyère béchamel sauce, mozzarella, and firefly squid. Finish up with a dark chocolate & peanut butter cannoli by Holy Cannoli, accompanied by craft brews and La Cabane’s natural wines.
Oenophiles will love the curated collection of global wines available at Winehouse by Basehall Bar, as well as the selection of sparkling sake and the creative cocktail menu. If you like what you have tasted, you can purchase the bottles to take home and continue your wine appreciation journey from the comfort of your sofa!
Basehall, LG9, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place Central, Central | (+852) 3643 0865
Experience “la vie bohème” at Café Bohème’s brand-new outpost in Tseung Kwan O. Bringing laid-back continental vibes and a global menu to the residential reaches of eastern New Territories, the café concept by Pastis Group first made a name for itself along the harbourfront of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Swapping one seaside haunt for another, the vibrant little spot specialises in pizzas and pasta dishes that keep things wallet-friendly.
Spend the weekends resting your feet and dining leisurely the way it’s done around the Mediterranean coast, and whet your appetite with popular eats like the signature Bohème pizza ($188), a decadent affair topped with prosciutto, arugula, and Pugliese burrata, and the Capricciosa pizza ($148) with ham, mushrooms, and artichokes.
For those who love their noodles, opt for the seafood linguine ($148) and best-selling tagliatelle carbonara ($148), a quirky number with pancetta that is crowned with a rich egg yolk, to be stirred in before eating. Wrap things up with something sweet—the banana & Nutella pizza ($88) is a firm favourite amongst diners big and small.
Café Bohème, Shop 8, Alto Residences, 29 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O | (+852) 2661 2238
Modern izakaya Roji is breathing new life into Central, bringing light Japanese bites and delicious tipples to the embattled Lan Kwai Fong neighbourhood. Hidden down an alleyway, the secretive vibes make the restaurant’s eventual discovery even more alluring. From small tables, social countertop seats, and semi-outdoor benches, Roji is perfectly suited to all kinds of late-night experiences, straddling the range from casual to intimate.
Most ingredients are sourced directly from Japan, from the freshest cuts of fish to the herbs used for garnish, with some vegetables stemming from local Hong Kong farms. The menu is kept small and focused, with highlights such as the torotaku ($158), a delightful negitoro dish served with salted seaweed sheets and pickled yellow daikon; the scallops ($138), lightly charred and drizzled in a brown butter sauce; the tender and aromatic chicken katsu ($168); and the A4 Wagyu beef ($298), paired with shiso ponzu sauce.
Whet your whistle with the ultra-fizzy classic highball ($95)—the only highball in Hong Kong that uses the Hoshizaki highball machine to produce five times the amount of bubbles for that extra-smooth finish. Fusing bonito umeshu and sherry with Miyagiko whisky from Sendai, the smoky and savoury cocktail flawlessly encapsulates the detail-minded approach and contemporary feeling of Roji.
Roji, 20A D’Aguilar Street, Central
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We are a long way from the white-sand beaches and tropical climes of Mexico, but fortunately, delicious Mexican food is still within reach. Focusing on a distinctly more authentic menu than its fast-casual Tex-Mex counterpart, Studio City by Cali-Mex is the latest contemporary restaurant to arrive at Food Street. Expect interior design that oozes the warm and charming vibes of Southern California and the energy of Los Angeles, and a cosy alfresco patio that is sure to become a new favourite amongst brunchers and their four-legged pals.
Centred around Mexican street food, grilled dishes, and large sharing plates, the menu at Studio City by Cali-Mex is well-curated to suit all taste buds. Start things off with made-to-order tableside guacamole ($148) and Mexican corn on the cob ($78), a popular snack coated in plenty of seasoning and cheese. Follow up with the street tacos ($58) with your choice of fillings, but beware: this is no measly portion. For sharing plates, you cannot go wrong with the ceviche de pescado ($128) with seabass and pico de gallo, the charcoal-grilled beef & poblano quesadillas ($138), or the braised beef short ribs ($368) with chocolate mole sauce.
Wash it down with something from Studio City’s cocktail lounge, which features Hong Kong’s largest collection of agave tequilas and mezcals. Sandia ($98) is a unique take on the margarita with puréed watermelon and limes, and the mezcal mule ($98) features Del Maguey Vida mezcal, ginger beer, and fresh lime.
Studio City by Cali-Mex, Shop C, Towning Mansion, 50–56 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2889 1696
Black Sheep Restaurants is bringing their winning Parisian steakhouse formula to Pacific Place this summer, with the third location of La Vache! due to open this month. Specialising in the French dish of steak frites, this newest outlet of La Vache! will see the return of the classic menu ($318 per person), consisting of a starter salad, a 10-ounce USDA Prime rib-eye steak prepared to your desired temperature, and unlimited servings of fries.
La Vache!, Shop 007, LG1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Hong Kong gastronomic stalwart Woolly Pig—the restaurant group behind favourites like Bathers, Hue, District 8, and Ink—and leading craft brewer Gweilo have come together for a high-spirited collaboration to highlight the seamless marriage between bites and brews. Part restaurant, part bar, Grain is a multi-purpose destination that combines the best of an experimental brewery with vibrant international cuisine.
As the only venue in Hong Kong to house both brewing facilities and an on-site restaurant, Grain is a playful dining and drinking option for craft beer enthusiasts who enjoy their bevvies with a side of something delicious. Seating up to 65 guests, the spacious, pink-tinged setting is superb for casual get-togethers and larger parties.
Pick your poison from one of the 24 taps lining the wall behind the bar, featuring a rotation of beers from Gweilo and other regional breweries, and even a few cocktails. Pair things off with snacks such as the potato & cheese hash ($80) topped with Marmite gravy, the Scotch egg ($90) with beer mustard, and the signature Roman-style pinsa pizza, which comes in flavours like carbonara ($190) and mortadella & burrata ($200) on a focaccia base. Interested customers can also sign up for workshops and beer tastings that allow for up to 20 guests.
Grain, Shop 1, New Fortune House, 2–5A New Praya, Kennedy Town | (+852) 3500 5870
A new concept is coming to the ground floor of the Woo Cheong Pawn Shop this summer, and it’s bringing Neapolitan seaside vibes aplenty for the travel-starved amongst us. Crust combines the well-loved food culture of the Amalfi Coast with the vibrant street eats of Naples, presenting an all-day pasticceria (Italian pastry and coffee shop) and restaurant that serves authentic Neapolitan delights not often seen in Hong Kong.
Stop by for fresh pastries to start your day on a sweet note or amble over after work for aperitivo and dinner—Crust presents an accommodating atmosphere that works for all times of the day, including coffee breaks!
Crust, Woo Cheong Pawn Shop, 60A–66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
If you are walking down the street and find yourself irresistibly drawn to the fragrant whiff of roast chicken, chances are, you are just around the corner from a La Rotisserie shop. A favourite amongst office workers, this casual restaurant has long specialised in humble French home-cooking, offering crowd-pleasers such as roast poultry, a range of hot sides, salads, sandwiches, and sweets for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Expect the same beloved recipes that popularised La Rotisserie at their new Central location, the fifth in Hong Kong for the brand.
La Rotisserie, 4 Staunton Street, Central
Looking for an exciting new all-day dining venue for casual bites and drinks? Find all the comfort food you want and more under one roof at Graham Street Food Hall (GSFH), where five different vendors have set up shop to offer savouries, sweets, alcoholic tipples, and everything in-between in welcoming and convivial surroundings.
Taste the world through the American smokehouse meats and toothsome sandwiches at Smoke & Barrels and cheesy Detroit-style pizza at Motown Pizza & Wings, before moving on to something sweet with the Spanish artisanal bean-to-bar chocolates from Casa Cacao and Basque burnt cheesecakes from La Viña. GSFH is also introducing a brand-new, exclusive concept called Hambāgā—customisable Japanese-style hamburger steak donburi bowls, served with Japanese pearl rice and seasonal vegetables.
GSFH aims to also be a destination for the local community to socialise and connect with each other, with events such as trivia nights, flea markets, and pet adoption days lined up throughout the year. It’s pet-friendly, too!
Graham Street Food Hall, Shop 3, 23 Graham Street, Central | (+852) 9612 0988
What good is a neighbourhood without fresh, hand-rolled pasta? Pirata Group’s fast-growing Pici thought something along those lines too, and helpfully plugged the gap in the Kennedy Town market with their latest opening. As their sixth location, we can safely assume that Pici has their approach down pat, bringing their signature “local pasta bar” vibes and affordable Italian dining to the western end of Hong Kong Island.
If you are familiar with the food menu from their other locations, expect to see the same warm and friendly interior design, marked by fluted banquette seats, wicker-backed chairs, and a coastal-inspired colour palette. Menu highlights include the Kennedy Town-exclusive ravioli codfish, as well as known favourites like the hand-cut pappardelle ($140), cacio e pepe ($95), classic lasagna ($130), and vitello tonnato ($95).
Pici, 45–55 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town | (+852) 2699 1033
A new takeaway Japanese bento concept has opened at Jardine House, adding to the growing culinary offerings in the area. Inspired by the Japanese dining philosophy of washoku (和食; “harmony of food”), The Big Things Kitchen focuses on fusion comfort dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun centred around five foundational elements, balancing modern recipes that are suitable for omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Brand creative director Karina Ha joined forces with acclaimed interior architect Sean Dix to dream up a bright and minimalist space that puts the colourful bento boxes at the front and centre of the shop.
With a background in sushi and kaiseki cuisine, Japanese chef Tomiya Yu presents a selection of themed bento boxes. Highlights include the Happy Friday bento ($128) with shabu-shabu Japanese Kurobuta pork pasta in sesame ponzu sauce; the Badass bento ($158) with seared, slow-cooked Australian Wagyu beef, salmon roe, and dashi tamago; and the Glamsquad bento ($128) with marinated and roasted Norwegian salmon and gomoku rice.
The Big Things Kitchen, Shop 7, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central
Duckee’s eight-course Hangover set menu ($1,952 for four people) is a boozy affair, taking the concept of alcohol pairing to the next level. Featuring a modern Chinese menu, each course incorporates a different spirit, including Huadiao rice wine, Kaoliang liquor, and whisky, and all dishes come with a distinctive alcoholic drink to match.
Start off with a delightfully crunchy sliced duck skin with Kaoliang liquor osmanthus pudding served atop a potato crisp, washed down with a tea-based sparkling cocktail. You’ll delight at the themed shot glasses that feature carved likenesses of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, presented with a drunken whole abalone for a quirky touch mid-meal.
Further highlights include the flaming braised pork belly doused in Chita single-grain whisky and set on fire, which comes with an extra glass of the aforementioned liquid gold (yum!), the xiaolongbao with Nu’er Hong Huadiao wine broth, and the Guo Jiao sweet osmanthus cakes. Duckee’s special set menu is available every day of the week until the end of July. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Grab your friends and start the weekend early, because you also get 12 percent off if you book the set from Mondays to Wednesdays (except for public holidays).
Duckee, Basement Level, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay
Take me out to the ball game—and grab us a hot dog while you’re at it, too! Transforming the quintessential American baseball fuel into a grab-and-go gourmet snack, Black Sheep Restaurants is bringing classic Chicago-style hot dogs ($40) to Landmark this summer with the opening of their Midway Beef Dogs stall.
Led by all-American chef Josh Stumbaugh, the limited-time pop-up pays nostalgic tribute to his Philadelphian upbringing, where the humble fare was woven into the fabric of everyday life. Perfectly balanced with a multitude of ingredients—crisp pickle spear, yellow mustard, diced onions, relish, pickled peppers, tomato, and celery salt—the all-beef hot dog is presented in a traditional poppy seed bun. No ketchup to be found here!
After you’ve wolfed down a hot dog—or three, no judgement—we would recommend heading up to the Butter pop-up for a bite of their delightful watermelon ice summer slice ($80) or strawberry rhubarb crumble pie ($70).
Midway Beef Dogs, Space E, Belowground, 1B/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Make Mondays and Tuesdays the new Friday with the return of Black Sheep Restaurants’ Plated series, a limited-time dinner event that focuses on creative plates, off-menu dishes, and experimentation with new ingredients, all to be had at value-driven prices. Le Garçon Saigon, Taqueria Super Macho, and Osteria Marzia will be participating in this edition of Plated, highlighting summer flavours and seasonal holiday experiences.
First up, dive into the tropical flavours of Vietnam with the Un été Saïgonais menu ($288) at Le Garçon Saigon, which spotlights the sweet and spicy flavour profiles of the region through fresh fruits, aromatic herbs, and light proteins. Notable dishes on this five-course menu include the tamarind sticky prawns, dragon fruit panna cotta, and 333 Saigon beer can chicken (for that ultimate summer barbecue feeling).
Continue the celebration at Taqueria Super Macho and their Fiesta de Verano menu ($188), where the sharing plates include housemade salsas and guacamole, charcoal-grilled Mexican street corn, yellowfin tuna tostada, chilli-roasted pumpkin tostada, and a selection of soft tortilla tacos with al pastor pork and crispy fish fillings.
Last but not least, finish your foodie vacation with a trip to the Amalfi Coast with Osteria Marzia. Dream of aquamarine waters and sweltering summer sun while tucking into the A Summer in Amalfi menu ($488). Featuring seasonal oceanic catches, guests can look forward to dishes like the wild snapper carpaccio, tonnarelli al pomodoro with red prawn and ‘nduja, linguine al granchio, salt-baked sea bream, and peach sorbet.
Available from 21 June until 31 August, walk-ins are welcome but advance booking via Black Sheep Restaurants’ website is highly encouraged, as some dishes are specially curated exclusively for the Plated series.
Time flies! Michelin-starred modern Japanese izakaya Yardbird is celebrating its tenth birthday this year, and if their brand of mouth-watering yakitori dishes and grilled chicken skewers is right up your alley, wait until you hear how they are commemorating their first decade. Partnering up with burger experts Shake Shack, who is also making merry for its third anniversary in Hong Kong, the two restaurants will jointly present an exclusive menu consisting of burgers and bites, available only Saturday, 12 June at Shake Shack IFC Mall.
Shake Shack x Yardbird, Shop 4018, Podium Level 4, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central | (+852) 2522 5611
Baked Indulgence is returning for another pop-up on Hong Kong Island, and this time, they brought friends. From 1 June onwards until the end of the year, Baked Indulgence will set up shop at Harbour City in collaboration with Hong Kong-Canadian actress Grace Chan, presenting a lush line of new cookie flavours, cakes, and drinks.
Well-known for their soft and chewy cookies, Baked Indulgence’s Asian twist on the classic American chocolate chip cookie has won them wide acclaim. Long-time fans will no doubt look forward to treats like the Neapolitan ($45), a three-way ensemble of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla—much like the beloved ice cream. Baked Indulgence will also be taking inspiration from other popular snacks, such as the Meiji Apollo strawberry chocolate and cheese foam tea drink, to create the PinkBlack ($48) and limited-edition Cheese Tea ($48) flavours.
Baked Indulgence, Kiosk K, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Germany, and educated in the US, Jen is an award-winning creative with a background in illustration, communication design, art direction, and content creation. When she’s not getting lost in a good book, you’ll find her doing crosswords, eating dim sum, covering all sides of a “Hamilton” number, and taking naps.
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