In these trying economic times, the popularity of private kitchens has continued to soar in Hong Kong.
The concept of the private kitchen began in the city a few decades ago as a way for chefs to circumvent high property rental costs by opening spots in residential or industrial spaces, often hidden from street level and the teeming masses below and thus avoiding restaurant regulations and related costs in the process.
Today, Hong Kong’s top private kitchens can be found everywhere from nondescript industrial buildings to private homes.
Here’s a list of our favourite private kitchens in the city, gathered via word of mouth from foodies in the know who gleefully subvert Hong Kong’s well-established culinary routes for more convivial and off-the-beaten-track dining experiences.
The best private kitchens in Hong Kong
1. Le Chefeteria
Led by Balinese native Azmi Arialda, Le Chefeteria is a humble private kitchen in Causeway Bay with an interesting USP: nouvelle French cuisine mixed with Southeast Asian influences. Chef Azmi aptly describes the spot as offering “fusion without confusion” and showcases classic French brasserie dishes sans the heavy milk and butter, but with a lot more colour than the traditional versions. The lunch (HKD238 pp) and dinner (HKD568 pp) menus at Le Chefeteria change frequently, adding to the fun.
Le Chefeteria, 4/F, 4 Sun Wui Road, Causeway Bay, WhatsApp 9328 6390, book here
2. Pomegranate
Founded in 2011 by chef Maria Bizri, Pomegranate is a Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean catering service and private kitchen in Wong Chuk Hang beloved for the flavours served up and the warm ambience curated. The outdoor terrace is perfect for getting a party off on the right track, followed by a customised meal indoors in the stylish dining area. For a laid-back, low-key affair, the sharing-style menu (from HKD598 pp), available for a minimum of 10 guests, is our pick. There’s an abundance of interesting salad, main course, side, and dessert options to keep you on your toes. The organic salmon fillet with pomegranate gremolata and za’atar chicken are perennial Pomegranate favourites.
Pomegranate, Unit 4B, 4/F, Sing Teck Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 2580 0663, WhatsApp 6192 2014
3. Muchachos
In addition to dishing out authentic empanadas for delivery, Muchachos has a private kitchen arm located in a factory building in Kennedy Town. The Argentinian-inspired tasting menu (from HKD650 pp) presents plenty of Latin flair, starting off with the kitchen’s signature empanadas in a variety of fillings, then moving on to sharing starters, a choice of grilled main, and a delectable dessert. With Argentina retaining its long-standing tradition of great charred beef, we’d opt for the steak trio of rib-eye, striploin, and picanha (HKD750 pp) for our main. A complete vegetarian menu (HKD600 pp) is available too.
Muchachos, Unit B, 1/F, Yiuga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town, WhatsApp 9285 4340
4. Sabor Private Kitchen
Sabor’s location is perhaps the most atmospheric on our list, a dimly lit and mysterious vintage air-raid shelter in Sheung Wan that now houses this Spanish private kitchen. The inventive dishes on display here are often quite theatrical in presentation. The tasting menu (HKD700 pp) offers a flurry of tapas to start, followed by an optional soup of the day (+HKD60), main course, and dessert. Whether you go for the roasted apricot-flower chicken with crispy chicken-skin rice or upgrade to the suckling pig (+HKD200 for 2) main, remember to order the sangria!
Sabor Private Kitchen, 4/F, Cheung’s Building, 1–3 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, WhatsApp 9303 4873, book here
5. Happy Chefs Happy Friends
Known as one of the toughest bookings to snag in Hong Kong, Happy Chefs Happy Friends has seen three different editions of its private kitchen in Hung Hom. It hosts just four tables of diners who are eager to sample chef Matthew Hung’s out-of-the-box Cantonese creations. Chef Matthew’s expertise in the kitchen is complemented by his welcoming wife Fiona Leung, who very capably handles the front of house. Phone now to book and you might be lucky to get a table by 2027!
Happy Chefs Happy Friends, Shop A, C1, C2, & F, G/F, Sunshine Plaza, 17 Sung On Street, Hung Hom, 3598 2968
6. Pak Loh Chiu Chow Private Kitchen
Chiu Chow stalwart Pak Loh launched this elegant private kitchen in 2024 with the goal of preserving the time-honoured traditions and techniques of Chiu Chow cuisine. Available for a minimum of six guests, Chiu Chow Gourmet Pleasures (HKD680 pp) is a refined multi-course lunch menu at the heart of the private kitchen, allowing diners to design their own bespoke banquet menu by choosing dishes from multiple categories. The contemporary dim sum selection here is a first for Pak Loh, including bites of braised abalone siu mai and smoked salmon spring roll.
Pak Loh Chiu Chow Private Kitchen, 1/F, Queen’s Road Centre, 152 Queen’s Road Central, Central, WhatsApp 6444 4991, book here
7. Masala Bay
You’ll need to journey to Clear Water Bay to find this charming Indian private kitchen hosted in Afghani-Indian chef Vandana Anand’s own home and garden, Masala Bay. Vandana takes bookings for a minimum of eight diners to experience her diverse range of Indian specialities, from vibrant chutneys to cooling kulfi. This is an especially good private dining option for those looking to cater to vegetarians in a colourful and flavourful way.
Masala Bay, Clear Water Bay, WhatsApp 9306 3967
8. That Yellow House
With its intriguing moniker, this private diner beckons us to escape to the hills of Sai Kung for a transportive private dining experience. That Yellow House is the love story of husband-and-wife duo David from Rouen and Juliana from Kuala Lumpur, who together offer an authentic Malaysian signature menu complemented by French cheese, dessert, and wine. The beef rendang and sour-spicy Nyonya ikan asam pedas sea bass – cooked with ingredients grown by Juliana herself – are all-time favourites of those lucky enough to dine at That Yellow House.
That Yellow House, Sai Kung, WhatsApp 9106 4020
9. Les Saveurs Private Kitchen
An alumnus of both Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy in France and Hong Kong’s own three-Michelin-starred Amber restaurant, chef Eric Wong has ventured out on his own to open Las Saveurs in Wan Chai. The wine bottles lining the walls and window ledges give this spot a very homey feel in line with the well-priced French tasting menus (HKD588 pp for lunch; from HKD688 pp for dinner) brushed with Asian influences. The lunch tasting menu is particularly good value, bursting at the seams with an amuse-bouche, two appetisers, soup of the day, sorbet palate cleanser, main course, dessert, and coffee or tea.
Les Saveurs Private Kitchen, 21/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2116 8883, WhatsApp 6385 7696, book here
10. Veggies Sky
If it’s plant-based private dining you’re after, Veggies Sky is a superb option, though walk-in dining is also available on weekdays at lunchtime. A cosy green oasis in Sheung Wan, this Cantonese eatery’s multi-dish lunch set is a steal at HKD69 per person. We’re astounded by Veggies Sky’s vegan char siu, available on the dinner tasting menu (HKD398 pp), for its ability to perfectly mimic the flavour and texture of traditional BBQ pork.
Veggies Sky, 2/F, Fung Woo Building, 279 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2537 9877
11. The Treasure
There’s no fixed menu at The Treasure; instead, each evening’s menu allows diners to savour the day’s freshest catches. This referral-only private restaurant, intimate and immaculate, is an offshoot of Shau Kei Wan’s famed Kam Tung Kitchen, going strong for 35 years with its focus on the rare culinary traditions of the Tanka boat-living people of China’s southern coast. At The Treasure, you could be treated to Cantonese masterpieces ranging from roasted goose with abalone to Tanka-style braised sole – if you have a connection to someone in the know, that is.
The Treasure, Shop 2–3, M/F, Eastway Towers, 59–99 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan
12. Ta Pantry
Accomplished chef Esther Sham, who also runs nearby French restaurant Maison ES, opened this dreamy private kitchen back in 2008, and it’s since become a mainstay of Wan Chai’s cosy Star Street Precinct. The decor of Ta Pantry truly feels like a home away from home – if your home was a chic French cottage, that is. Ta Pantry can fit up to 20 guests at its long dining table, showcasing a selection of menus (from HKD480 pp for lunch; from HKD680 pp for dinner) that run the gamut from classic French with an Asian twist to dedicated Thai and Japanese offerings. Note that minimum charges apply, but corkage is free.
Ta Pantry, Shop B, UG/F, Hang Tak Building, 1 Electric Street, Wan Chai, 2521 8121, booking@tapantry.com
