Hong Kong: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

Explore Hong Kong’s hotel scene

Whenever I visit Hong Kong, I always make time to explore different hotels across the city. I genuinely think Hong Kong is one of the capitals of global hospitality, so visiting hotels here feels like discovering new destinations within the city itself. I love walking through properties like the Rosewood Hong Kong or the Regent Hong Kong, exploring their restaurants and seeing which new Michelin-starred dining experiences have opened.

Walk through Central and the Mid-Levels Escalators

One of my favorite ways to experience the city is simply wandering through Central Hong Kong. The Central–Mid-Levels Escalator system is one of the most fascinating urban features I’ve seen anywhere in the world. It’s the longest outdoor covered escalator system on the planet and takes you through different layers of the city, passing cafés, galleries, bars, and hidden streets. I love hopping on and off along the way and getting lost in the small streets that branch off from it.

Take the tram and discover the city

Another thing I always do in Hong Kong is take the historic Hong Kong Tramways. The tram moves slowly across the island, which makes it perfect for observing the city. Sitting by the window and watching daily life unfold (markets, neon signs, tiny temples between skyscrapers) is one of the simplest but most enjoyable ways to experience Hong Kong.
Sometimes I ride it without a specific destination, just to discover new neighborhoods or interesting photo spots along the way.

Visit Victoria Peak for the skyline views

A trip to Victoria Peak is almost a Hong Kong ritual. From the top, the view over Victoria Harbour and the surrounding mountains is breathtaking. I usually recommend going close to sunset so you can see the city transition from daylight to the illuminated skyline at night. It’s easily one of the most iconic views in Asia.

Mix street food with Michelin-starred restaurants

One of the things I love most about Hong Kong is the contrast between street food and world-class restaurants. On my last visit, I tried a mango mochi from a small street stall, which was incredibly soft and full of flavor. Later that same day, I ended up dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. That contrast (casual street snacks mixed with some of the best restaurants in the world) is part of what makes Hong Kong’s food scene so exciting.

Go shopping around Central and Tsim Sha Tsui

Hong Kong is also fantastic for shopping. I enjoy wandering through the streets of Central Hong Kong for designer boutiques and concept stores, and then crossing the harbor to explore the shopping areas in Tsim Sha Tsui. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the mix of luxury malls, independent stores, and local markets makes it fun to explore.

CHAAT

CHAAT at Rosewood Hong Kong offers a Michelin-starred reinterpretation of Indian street food and is one of the most exciting dining experiences in the city. My favorite dish here is the palak chaat, made with crispy fried spinach leaves, yogurt, tamarind chutney, and pomegranate. The combination of textures and flavors is incredible. I also recommend the butter chicken kulcha, which combines rich butter chicken with soft Indian bread that’s perfect for sharing.

Nobu Hong Kong

Nobu Hong Kong is a fantastic choice if you want Japanese cuisine with spectacular harbor views. The black cod with miso is Nobu’s signature dish and still one of the best things on the menu: buttery, caramelized, and incredibly tender. I also love the yellowtail jalapeño, which is light, citrusy, and refreshing.

Tim Ho Wan

For a more casual but iconic Hong Kong experience, Tim Ho Wan is famous for being one of the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. The absolute must-order is the baked barbecue pork buns, which have a sweet crispy crust and juicy char siu filling. I also love the har gow shrimp dumplings, a classic Cantonese dim sum staple.

Petrus

For a refined dining experience, Petrus offers Michelin-starred French cuisine with breathtaking views over Victoria Harbour. One of the standout dishes is often the blue lobster, prepared with delicate sauces that highlight the sweetness of the shellfish. Their roasted pigeon is another signature dish: deeply flavorful and beautifully plated.