10 Best Local Restaurants in Hong Kong

Tsui Wah is an example of a cha chaan teng, also known as a Hong Kong-style tea house. There are several Tsui Wah branches dotted around the city, but the Wellington Road branch is ideal for all day and all night snacking as it's just steps from Central MTR and the party zone of Lan Kwai Fong. In fact, this is one of the go-to restaurants after a drinking session on Lan Kwai Fong, 1 block up the hill, and it is open all night so it’s a great place to satisfy your late night cravings.

The Hong Kong milk tea is served deliciously thick, creamy and bitter, while dishes such as noodle soup, pork cutlet or even a simple Hong Kong-style sandwich give you a real sense of what locals eat on a daily basis.

Lin Heung Tea House does dim sum the way they did back in the ‘50s. Old aunties push the freshly steamed dumplings around on a cart and you just stop her and point. Tables are packed and piled high with bamboo baskets, fans whirl overhead and the whole vibe harks back to days gone by.

If you want something in particular, Lin Heung Tea House has order sheets (though you may need some help unless you can read Cantonese). Thanks to the number of tourists, the staff can speak a bit of English. 

The classic Hong Kong noodle dish – beef brisket with yellow egg noodles – is best enjoyed at Kau Kee Food Cafe. The queue is pretty much constant at this Central Hong Kong eatery, located just off the mid-level escalators on Gough Street, so expect at least 10 minutes waiting in line around mealtimes. The broth is incredibly rich, the beef tender and soft, and the ‘yee-fu’ flat wheat noodles are silky smooth.

Many people familiar with Hong Kong claim that Sai Kung in the New Territories is the place to go to sample fresh local seafood. There are many restaurants located in small coastal villages, where the dining is unpretentious but world class.

The Sai Kung Seafood Street draws a huge crowd to its seafront promenade, where local fishmongers sell freshly caught fish straight off the deck or, in some cases, straight from the boat. Pick your choice of fish or crustacean, take it to one of the promenade restaurants, and have it cooked according to your preferences.

One feature of local dining in Hong Kong is the many hawker centres with stall after stall of little restaurants, which in Hong Kong are called Cooked Food Centres. You can find a cooked food center in almost every district of Hong Kong, usually close to a fresh market.

The one on Queen’s Street next to Sai Ying Pun MTR Station caters to the residents of this growing area with many dinnertime treats including Italian, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Cantonese stalls. Find it on the 2nd floor of a government building, next to Ibis Hong Kong Central and Sheung Wan hotel.

Spicy and sour pork noodle soup is the order of the day at Sing Lum Khui Noodles. Located next to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, it's in the center of the shopping area of Kowloon. It's often packed with locals throughout the day, which is always a good sign.

Your bowl of Yunnan-style noodles can be cooked according to preference by filling in the order sheet and thankfully the staff do have a working knowledge of English. Be careful if you order the spiciest level of broth because it can knock your socks off.

Under Bridge Spicy Crab has pictures of local and international celebrities adorning the walls, all of whom have sampled its siganture dish: spicy crab topped with deep fried garlic and chilli. Under Bridge Spicy Crab also specializes in seafood offerings such as mussels, shrimp and garoupa. There are 3 restaurants owned by the same group, which are located on Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road. 

Tim Ho Wan is the original branch of the famous (and constantly packed) dim sum restaurant. It shot into international fame after becoming one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s foreigner friendly, though you may have to wait for up to 1 hour to secure a table.

Choose your dim sum by ticking what you like on an order sheet – there are around 30 options, from har gao (crystal shrimp dumplings) to braised chicken feet. Tim Ho Wan has several outlets throughout Hong Kong, though most head for the one in Central for convenience.

While Yat Lok Restaurant does a variety of roasted meats, it is the roast goose that brings people from far and wide to sample the rich and juicy offerings from the huge ovens out back. The dining experience is typical of local Hong Kong joints, with Chinese-speaking staff and abrupt service.

But if you are looking for a fill of delicious roast goose, head to Yat Lok in Central – you won’t be disappointed. Roast pork belly and soy-marinated chicken are also recommended at this Central restaurant. 

Spring Deer is most definitely a Hong Kong local diner by look and taste, but you'll be queuing with Hong Kong families, guidebook wielding tourists and hip young expats. Legendary for the succulent Peking duck with hoi sin sauce, portions are large for local standards, so try to go in a group for the best experience and value for money.