A favourite is Orka (G/F, 36 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 3489 1217). This casual eatery focuses on delicious food sourced responsibly, served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I love the communal vibe, perfect for triggering the parasympathetic response (“rest and digest”). The must-try is the Salmon BLT Blaze. Bonus points for one of the co-founders being a board-certified functional medicine health coach.
For intimate conversations over a long meal, Cin Cin Ristorante (21/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay. Tel: 2366 8831) is my go-to place. Reservations are a must, and mentioning any special occasions allows the staff to curate a personalised menu based on the freshest ingredients.
Everything is flown in directly from Italy and Europe, including the bread. Don’t miss the divine tiramisu and their truffle dishes, when in season. You won’t regret it.
There are two places that I go to when I dine out with my parents: Ying Kee Seasonal Healthy Noodle (G/F, Floral House, 69 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 9366 7566) and Papa Deli (4 Gresson Street, Wan Chai. Tel: 3590 3346).
They are not fancy restaurants. However, they manage to infuse some healthy elements into their dishes, like using brown rice, steamed veggies, cordyceps, herbal soup and free-range chicken. You can always ask for the sauce to serve on the side, so you can still control the level of evilness.
I acknowledge the Asian love-hate relationship with dessert. However, Suphia’s Functional Foods (4/F, Precision Fitness, 69 Wyndham Street, Central. Tel: 5223 7573) offers a guilt-free solution.
Her power balls, vegan cakes and functional bars are organic, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly. These treats were born from Suphia’s own desire for delicious snacks that wouldn’t trigger skin issues. My pick-me-up of choice? The matcha and goji bar.
Catching up with out-of-town friends often leads me to Bar De Luxe (7/F, The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central. Tel: 3706 5716), a Japanese cocktail bar for drinks with a view (and a twist). Reservations are recommended, but bar seating allows for interaction with the talented mixologists.
Forget the menu! Tell them the flavours you enjoy or the type of alcohol you prefer, and let them work their magic. Their head bartender trained under the legendary founder Hidetsugu Ueno, so your drinks are in the best hands.
Overseas, Lisbon, Portugal, has been a constant on my travel list. A Provinciana (Tressa do Forno 23 25, Lisbon, Portugal. Tel: +351 21 346 4704) is my haven for authentic Portuguese cuisine.
This unassuming mom-and-pop shop is a local favourite, and for good reason. The simply grilled and stuffed seafood is elevated to an art form and I give them credit for their speed of service – for Portugal, that is.
Pair your meal with a refreshing sangria, and be prepared for a potential 15-20 minutes’ wait.