Weekend Visits to Hong Kong

PUBLISHED February 28th, 2013 04:00 pm | UPDATED April 7th, 2016 03:29 pm

We like to think there is so much more to a city break then following the tourist trail. That’s why when our Nomad team recently hopped over to Hong Kong for the weekend, we thought we’d bring you some of the finds from the scene that we think are worthy for any nomads out there planning a trip.

EAT

Obviously being the land of dim sum, we couldn’t help but stuff our faces with our favourite little parcels of delight every lunchtime in Hong Kong. There are a lot of places that don’t seem to live up to the hype so we avoided those and went to these instead:

Maxims Palace for a traditional dim sum cart and card stamp experience and a wide selection of good quality dim sum served up in a huge room bizarrely located on the top floor City Hall.  There’s no reservations so get there when it opens at 11am – it’s full by 11.15. 2/F, City Hall Low Block, Central, Tel: (852) 2521 1303

Dim Sum. For a neighbourhood favourite, it might not look much on entering but the dim sum here is fresh and tasty and the restaurant has a café vibe to it. Again no reservations here so get there around 11am.  63 Sing Woo Rd., Happy Valley, Tel: (852)2834 8893

Victoria Seafood Restaurant. This never seems to feature on anyone’s top dim sum lists but we rather like it for good quality eats. 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Central, Tel: (852) 2877 2211

Now we didn’t come to Hong Kong to try the various Western restaurants popping up in a frenzy all across the city so excuse us if we continue on the Oriental tip. And while many of Hong Kong’s best chefs are busying away in hotel kitchens, we just felt that eating there would be too…..well…obvious.

So, come evening, if you feel like chowing down on some food with a view try…

Hutong. The nightly Symphony of Lights show looks much more impressive from above, and you can enjoy it on the 28th floor here with spicy Szechuan food and very atmospheric settings. Though of course you will be paying for the view – not just the food – but be warned the portion sizes here are big! Make sure you make a reservation.  28/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tel: (852) 3428 8342

Loong Toh Yuen. Set in the beautiful colonial Hullet House, the view is more as you enter through this grand setting which is now home to a number of restaurants. Once you’re inside make sure you order the Sweet and Sour Chicken – it’s quite simply one of the best we’ve had…quite possibly ever. 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tel: (852) 3988 0107

Otherwise head down to Soho/Noho…

Shui Hu Ju. Tucked away at the top of a Soho street, the beautiful atmospheric interior makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. A good spot to munch on some Szechuan cuisine, which is the mainstay of their menu. ?68 Peel Street, Soho, Central, Tel: (852) 2869 6927

 

The Chairman. Hop over to the other side where this place may look like any other Cantonese restaurant but open the menu – it tells another story. The Chairman focus on quality and sustainability (what in Hong Kong!?) and guess what….the food tastes great. 3 Kau U Fong, Noho, Central, Tel: (852) 2555 2202

DRINK

Rooftop, basement or somewhere in-between, here are some places to get your poison whichever level you prefer.

Café Grey at Upper House. On a very lofty 49th floor and away from the maddening crows, this place somehow manages to combine breathtaking views with a warm, cosy vibe. A great combination to enjoy a cocktail or two with. Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Central, Tel: (852) 2918 1838

Le Boudoir. Sneak down the stairs to this basement bar and be transported into a sumptuous world reminiscent of turn of the century Paris. B/65 Wyndham Street, Soho, Central

Lily. You could be mistaken for thinking you had just stepped into a glamorous prohibition bar on stepping into Lily. Soak up the atmosphere, cocktail in hand. 6/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Soho, Central

Salon de Ning. Sultry, stylish, decadent and hiding  away in the basement of the Pennisula Hotel, this place whisks you away to Shanghai circa 1930. Catch live jazz here daily from 9pm. B/F, The Penninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Tazmania Ballroom. If you’re feeling a little active and fancy a spot of table tennis or table football in glamorous Tom Dixon-designed surrounds and a bit of a dance then get thee here. 1/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Soho, Central

Club 71. Want to keep it real and rub shoulders with activists, writers and artists? Then this no-frills bar is your go-to watering hole. 67 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central

MOOCH

Move over Soho, because for mooching Noho is where it’s at (a.k.a the area North of Hollywood Road). Spend an afternoon meandering around its streets and discover it’s offbeat charm.

Shun the big brands and head for cool indie boutiques hiding away all sorts of treasures from vintage finds to edgy and affordable stuff for your pad. Mosey on down and see what takes your fancy but our particular loves include:

Not one but three Homeless shops chock full of quirky homeware at prices that won’t make you balk. Make sure you bring a big enough suitcase to get your fill. G/F, 29 Gough Street

Sidewalk, a café-cum-lifestyle boutique where unique hand-crafted home wares, cool clothing and contemporary art rule ok. 4-6 Gough Street

Vintage HK, as well as vintage pieces looking for a new home, it also stocks some pretty neat consignment pieces from the city’s artists and designers. 57 – 59 Hollywood Road

Delve through all sorts of vintage finds and random junk at Upper Lascar Row from old mahjong sets to Bruce Lee posters and everything in-between. Upper Lascar Road is the definitive HK mooching experience.

Duck in and out of a number of art galleries which now preside over the antiques shops. Some of our favourites include:

The Cat Street Gallery which showcases contemporary art by up-and-coming and established artists. 222 Hollywood Road

Para/Site, a non-profit gallery space for installations by local artists. 4 Po Yan Street

Contemporary by Angela Li, which hosts curated exhibitions of emerging and established artists from China and worldwide. 90-92 Hollywood Road

No mooching session is complete with coffee and a sweet thing or two, so refuel courtesy of:

Classified 108 Hollywood Road

Agnes B Café 118 Hollywood Road

Kisses (New York cupcakes) 24 Gough Street

Oh and by the way if you don’t feel like getting there overground by taxi, underground by MTR (yes that’s their version of the MRT don’t you know) then try the middle ground via the Mid Level escalators. It’s the largest outdoor escalator system in the world and a different way to explore the city. Starting at Conduit Street, hop on the escalator and off as you please.

INDULGE

If after all that exploring it’s time for some TLC then hotfoot it to the below to have your cares rubbed or scrubbed away….

Dragonfly. This one’s strictly for the gals – if you’re in need og a mani or pedi, this is a small peaceful little place tucked away just off the main stretch and if you don’t have your flip flops handy don’t despair they’ll wrap up your feet in clingfilm at the end to get them home safely. Nice touch. 52 Wyndham Street, Soho, Central, Tel. (852) 2869 9238

Sense of Touch. Lan Kwai Fong is not all about the bars – it’s actually where we had a seriously good massage. It’s on the expensive side but by gosh was it worth every dollar. 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Soho, Central, Tel. (852) 2526 6918