10 of the best new restaurants and bars in Hong Kong to try in January 2024, for cocktails with a local twist, Japanese-style pastries, Korean beef and more

With the new year in Hong Kong comes new bar and restaurant openings. Among them are a celebrity butcher’s restaurant, the revival of an old private-dining icon and a night spot in Central on Hong Kong Island.

Korean concepts continue to pop up in the well-heeled districts of Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, with a famous shaved ice dessert cafe and a Hanwoo beef specialist opening their doors. Read on to see where to go to start 2024 – in fact, make it your new year’s resolution.

1. The Mansion

Situated on Wyndham Street in Central, The Mansion works as a hybrid entertainment venue, marrying events with cocktails and a menu inspired by pintxos – Basque tapas.

The Mansion cocktail is a mix of rum, pineapple, coconut and sherry. Photo: The Mansion

The space boasts retro cabaret aesthetics and an art gallery that transforms according to the event of moment. One of the main draws is an infinity ceiling decorated with LED lights that can feature electronic artwork. There are also resident and guest DJs, as well as choreographed performances.

G/F, 77 Wyndham Street, Central

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2. Carna by Dario Cecchini

The newly opened Mondrian Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui is going big with its flagship restaurant opening, Carna by Dario Cecchini, which has been designed by the award-winning Joyce Wang.

39/F, Mondrian Hong Kong, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui

Sesame and peanut butter sour. Photo: Avoca

3. Avoca

Also at the Mondrian Hong Kong, on the 38th floor, is new bar Avoca, offering creative cocktails featuring local flavours – think savoury concoctions like the LGM Mary, infused with Lao Gan Ma black bean chilli oil.

The bar menu includes food options such as lobster and crab roll and crispy chicken waffle.

38/F, Mondrian Hong Kong, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui

La Mortazza pizza with Mortadella, ricotta, lemon and green oil. Credit: Instagram/@trattoriafelino

4. Trattoria Felino

Taking over the space that used to be Rosita in Wan Chai is Trattoria Felino, and in the kitchens is Marcello Scognamiglio – who worked at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Grissini restaurant.

The menu is small but we look forward to his Neapolitan and Mediterranean-style fare, such as pizza nel ruotino – 15cm (6-inch) pizzas baked in a tray – and claypot yellow chicken. Look out for dishes such as tagliatelle with saffron and beef ragout.

1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai

Assorted pastries from Lubud’s. Photo: Baker by Lubuds

5. Baker by Lubuds

Fancy some Japanese-style pastries? Here to sate that craving is Baker by Lubuds in Taikoo Shing.

Chef Stephen So blends Japanese artisanal precision with European flavours. From croissants boasting a sinful 35 per cent butter content to classics like egg tarts and brioche tropézienne, Baker by Lubuds promises a premium pastry experience.

Shop 307, 3/F Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing

Sashimi rice comes chock full of fresh fish, from salmon belly to yellowtail. Photo: Inebi

6. Inebi

Inebi, opening in Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, promises a culinary journey with Japanese rice, focusing on “Special A Grade” varieties such as Uonuma Koshihikari and Shichiseki.

From roasted foie gras and Wagyu beef Kamameshi to a Wagyu sushi rice ball, Inebi makes carbs cool again.

Shop B202, B2/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay

Coconut and pineapple shaved ice. Photo: Sips;;Iban

7. Sips;;Iban

No, that is not a typo – the double semicolon really does belong in the Korean coffee shop brand’s name. Head to Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, for shaved ice desserts and cakes infused with Korean flavours, such as the soft corn cake and Busan grains shaved ice.

Shop OT G61, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

8. Galbi Town

Galbi Town, in Tsim Sha Tsui, has teamed up with Korean suppliers to offer the finest Hanwoo beef – known for its rich flavour and tenderness – and each piece is accompanied by an official quality certificate.

Signature dishes include cherry blossom honey beef ribs, soy sauce crab, cold noodles, doenjang jjigae (bean paste stew), and Korean-style raw beef.

1/F, Grand Centre, 8 Humphreys Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui

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9. Gwai Lou

This Teochew (Chiu Chow) restaurant in Causeway Bay provides traditional cold dishes in an upscale setting with modern red decor – gone are the folded chairs and harsh neon lights of typical Teochew da lang (cold dish) restaurants.

Patrons can look forward to classics such as oyster soup, while the signature omelette is filled with plump, fat molluscs.

21/F, The L. Square, 459-461 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay

Duck confit claypot rice is a crowd favourite from 2 Sup’s predecessor, Sup1 restaurant. Photo: Instagram/2suphk

10. 2 Sup

Those who remember Sup 1 – a French restaurant opened in Central in the early 2000s – will rejoice at its reopening in Sai Ying Pun. The restaurant has a new name to reflect its address on 20 High Street – in Cantonese, “2 sup” sounds like the number 20.

The fusion bistro is known for dishes such as duck confit claypot rice. On the menu are new dishes such as goose liver crème brûlée and pan-seared quail eggs.

20 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

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