When it comes to more affordable dining options, Hong Kong Island’s northwestern neighbourhood of Kennedy Town is a go-to spot for those looking for a range of delicious international eats at more reasonable price points. We also like the laid-back vibe of this seaside neck of the woods, with its lower-rise residential blocks and myriad green spaces helping to destress us.
Dig into our guide to the top restaurants to try out in Kennedy Town, which we think competes with its neighbours Sai Ying Pun and Shek Tong Tsui for the most vibrant and happening foodie ‘hood in Western District.
The best restaurants in Kennedy Town
1. Yuan Is Here
A Bib Gourmand pick for the fifth year in a row, this buzzy, down-home eatery serves some of the best Taiwanese food in town courtesy of the ingredients and recipes imported from Taiwan by the native owner. We can’t get enough of Yuan Is Here’s pork rice (HKD49), deep-fried chicken with honey sauce (HKD49), and cold or warm taro rice balls (HKD38) dessert. The bubble tea here is pretty great too.
Yuan Is Here, G/F, 31 North Street, Kennedy Town, 3579 2460
2. MoMo Moment
MoMo Moment is a super-convenient stop-off point on a midweek evening after work when we can’t be bothered cooking. As its name suggests, the USP at this recently relocated and spruced-up spot is the Nepalese dumpling known as the momo. The steamed or pan-fried momos come in several varieties, including chicken, pork, spiced potato, and soya squash. The pricing is extremely good value – HKD38 for five momos, HKD52 for eight momos, and HKD60 for 10 momos.
MoMo Moment, G/F, 6 Sai Hong Lane, Kennedy Town, 9846 6569
3. 11 Westside
Netflix-famous chef Esdras Ochoa brought his Mexican concept 11 Westside to Kennedy Town in 2017, and it’s been thriving there ever since. Tacos are chef Esdras’ speciality, and at this snazzy, LA-inspired restaurant, the tacos come thick and fast in authentic varieties like al pastor (HKD50), carne asada (HKD60), and Baja fish (HKD60). When we’re craving something carby and cheesy, the carne asada fries (HKD158) and queso fundido (HKD138) are surefire blues-busters.
11 Westside, 1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town, WhatsApp 9300 8068, book here
4. Comptoir
Cosy tapas and wine bar Comptoir has been a fixture of the Kennedy Town F&B scene for over a decade. The open-fronted corner location is very inviting and great for people-watching perched on one of the stools with a glass of wine in hand. For party-planning, we recommend the upstairs private tasting cellar, which holds more than 100 French bottles. Enduring menu favourites at Comptoir include the clams à la Basque (HKD148), beef tartare (HKD238), and duck confit with mustard sauce (HKD188).
Comptoir, G/F, 42 Forbes Street, Kennedy Town, 2453 9873, book here
5. Little Cove Espresso
You’ll know you have found yourself at Little Cove Espresso if you chance upon the lengthy queue, a hallmark of the café’s memorable brunch plates and quality coffee. The all-day-dining menu features American, Aussie, and Middle Eastern touches. Dishes such as the ricotta hotcake (HKD134) and brioche-based French toast (HKD122) are ideal for the sweet-toothed, whilst the slow-cooked lamb (HKD148) and beef ragù pappardelle (HKD148) bring the salt and umami.
Little Cove Espresso, Shop 3, G/F, New Fortune House, 3–5 New Praya, Kennedy Town, 6737 6242
6. Timur
Though it’s not a spot for a leisurely lunch, Timur is perfect for lunching al desko or an at-home dinner gathering with a bunch of mates. The Indian and Nepalese dishes on offer here are the real deal, spiced to perfection and generous in portion. The steamed chicken or vegetable momos (HKD60/10pcs), samosa chaat (HKD58), chicken tikka (HKD75), paneer butter masala (HK88), and lamb rogan josh (HKD98) are our addictive must-orders, washed down with a mango lassi (HKD35). Timur’s kathi rolls (from HKD65) are great for snacking on the go.
Timur, Shop B1, G/F, Hau Wo Court, 25–33 Hau Wo Street, Kennedy Town, 6970 0709
7. Mendel’s Delicatessen
Brought to us by the team behind Bourke’s, Honky Tonks Tavern, and Quality Goods Club, Mendel’s is the closest K-Town gets to a bona fide Big Apple delicatessen. It’s always packed with diners (both inside and on the small outdoor terrace at front, often with pups in tow) tucking into classic deli staples like all-day breakfast plates, bagels, and deli sarnies. For us, when we want a taste of New York, it’s a toss-up between the house-smoked salmon bagel (HKD108) with dill-cucumber salad, capers, and scallion cream cheese and house-smoked pastrami deli sandwich (HKD118), topped up with just the right amounts of sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing.
Mendel’s Delicatessen, G/F, 66 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, WhatsApp 9220 4344
8. ENSŌ
Seaside yakitori specialist ENSŌ is a stylish and chilled spot to scarf down top-notch chicken skewers in K-Town. The minced chicken skewer (HKD48) is a winner on the yakitori menu alongside the beefy garlic ox tongue (HKD68). You can supplement your skewers with classic Japanese snacks that include stir-fried edamame with garlic (HKD58) and monkfish liver (HKD88), deep-fried dishes, and lots more.
ENSŌ, G/F, 25 New Praya, Kennedy Town, 6899 0960, book here
9. Sheung Hei (嚐囍煲仔小菜)
Specialising in claypot rice, with more than two dozen varieties on the menu, Sheung Hei is a Kennedy Town stalwart. Chef-owner Lam Weng Hong also serves up a wide variety of homestyle Cantonese dishes, from seafood and mixed vegetable vermicelli (HKD108) to curry beef brisket (HKD118). Of course, the claypot rice is a must-order at Sheung Hei; we tend to stick to the classic Chinese sausage rice (HKD98) or salted fish patty rice (HKD108) when we’re feeling sentimental.
Sheung Hei, G/F, 25 North Street, Kennedy Town, 2819 6190
10. Shiba
An intimate and inviting izakaya, Shiba is favoured for its kushiyaki (grilled skewers) complemented by more than 30 different sake imported directly from Niigata. Some of the authentic Japanese bites we recommend here include the grilled eel (HKD65), grilled beef tongue (HKD48), grilled pork belly (HKD42), and grilled rice ball with miso or pollock roe (HKD40). This restaurant is our go-to for a casual date night in the ‘hood.
Shiba, G/F, 11 Smithfield, Kennedy Town, 3568 2425, book here
11. Bistro du Vin
Bistro du Vin by Piccolo Concepts is a bustling bistro that’s been a favourite in the area for yonks. We’re fans of the quirky interior, dressed with vintage plates and newspapers and general Gallic bric-a-brac, and hearty, rustic French fare. The chalkboard menu is handwritten daily, featuring signature dishes like beef bone marrow (HKD210), lobster pasta (HKD290), and roasted chicken (HKD600 for 2). The fresh-from-the-oven madeleines with chocolate ice cream (HKD140) are our dessert of choice at this bistro.
Bistro du Vin, Shop A, G/F, 39–41 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town, 2824 3010, WhatsApp 6017 2371, book here
12. Sun Hing Restaurant (新興食家)
For late-night or early-morning dim sum, it doesn’t get much better than Sun Hing, a local institution that has been serving up handmade dim sum, including bestsellers of bean-curd sheet roll with oyster sauce (HKD32), salted egg yolk custard bun (HKD32), and shrimp and vegetable sprout dumpling (HKD34), for around 50 years. The humble spot is open daily from 3AM till 4PM, with the aunties and uncles tirelessly serving up bamboo baskets filled with yum cha delicacies ordered from a paper checklist (for English, you’ll need to ask for the menu-with-pictures equivalent). Although Sun Hing is not a place to head to when you’re seeking comfort, its noisy chaos might be just what you need when you’re craving a piece of old-time Hong Kong.
Sun Hing Restaurant, Shop C, G/F, Markfield Building, 8 Smithfield, Kennedy Town, 2816 0616
13. Smash’d
Next on our line-up is Smash’d, which dishes out high-quality smash burgers that are full of natural beef flavour. The classic Smash’d cheeseburger (HKD98/HKD128) is the way to go for most burger-loving folks here, though there’s also a tidy selection of plant-based patties too. Uniquely for a low-key burger specialist, Smash’d has a complete drink menu, sharing cocktails, local craft beer, wine, and more to wet your whistle.
Smash’d, G/F, Cheong Fai Building, 21 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, 2817 7377
14. VOON
A well-known figure in Hong Kong’s F&B scene, Singaporean chef Edward Voon has moved on from Auor in Wan Chai to start a new chapter at VOON. This fine-casual restaurant reflects chef Edward’s tri-cultural culinary approach, honouring both Singapore and Hong Kong alongside classic French techniques. Lobster laksa stir-fried linguine (HKD328), satay chicken rice (HKD248), and black pepper mud crab macaroni (HKD158) are a few of VOON’s creative signature dishes.
VOON, Shop G8 & G9, G/F, Sincere Western House, 44–46 Forbes Street, Kennedy Town, 9330 2230, book here
15. Pici
The Pici pasta bar empire has been going strong in Hong Kong since 2017, with its open-fronted Kennedy Town location one of the most atmospheric of the bunch. This spot serves up all the handmade pasta signatures that Hong Kongers have come to know and love for nearly a decade, from the orecchiette ‘nduja (HKD138) to the lasagna classica (HKD130). Despite heated competition, Pici’s tiramisu (HKD60) ranks amongst the best versions of this classic Italian dessert in town.
Pici, G/F, 45–55 Cadogan Street, Kennedy Town, 2699 1033, book here
16. Taste All Pâté
Taste All Pâté is a true neighbourhood gem if there ever was one. A family-run eatery, this charming French bistro delivers on flavour, hospitality, and price. It would be a crime to order the set dinner menu (from HKD268 for 2 courses) and not opt for either the bouillabaisse (+HKD168) or US Brandt Beef Wellington (+HKD188) main course, which must be pre-ordered one day in advance owing to its lengthy preparation method. To set the Gallic scene, we recommend the foie gras terrine with mousse (+HKD88) to start.
Taste All Pâté, Shop E, G/F, Full Harvest Building, 6–18 Hau Wo Street, Kennedy Town, WhatsApp 9650 8532, book here
