What’s the key to a good mac & cheese?
Obviously, cheese is the most important ingredient, but not any old cheese will do. Using lighter cheeses such as mozzarella and ricotta result in subtler flavours, whilst stronger Cheddars and blue cheeses sharpen a mac’s taste.
When it comes to texture, creaminess is next to godliness – no one likes a dry mac!
What about toppings? Sometimes additions like truffle and bacon can elevate a mac, whilst at other times, simple truly is best.
We’ve scoured Hong Kong to find the mac & cheese dishes with the best balance of all these elements, so check out our list below.
The best mac & cheese in Hong Kong
1. FINI’S
We’re starting strong with FINI’S. Our go-to mac & cheese on the Hong Kong scene has got to be the mac & cheese (HKD148) served up at this popular Italian-American joint. When sister restaurant Stone Nullah Tavern closed back in 2019, we were genuinely concerned that their mac would be gone forever. However, the Stone Nullah folks knew they had a good thing going, and when they rebranded as FINI’S, this mac & cheese with its luscious sharp Cheddar sauce has remained on the menu ever since. Topped with chopped green onion and a glorious Japanese egg yolk, which is mixed in after serving to add an extra layer of richness, there is no mac & cheese as satisfying in Hong Kong.
FINI’S, G/F, 49 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, 9143 2402, book here
FINI’S, G/F, 69 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, 9147 1834, book here
2. Smoke & Barrel
Whilst mac & cheese can easily be an entire meal, Smoke & Barrel offers its mac as a side to its hearty, meaty dishes, in true Southern BBQ style. The tangy taste of the restaurant’s mac & cheese (HKD88) comes from the addition of American red Cheddar and Gruyère, whilst the mozzarella makes for a smooth texture. We also enjoy the shallot-dust topping, which becomes nice and crispy from the grill.
Smoke & Barrel, 1/F & 2/F, Wyndham Mansion, 32 Wyndham Street, Central, 5191 0117, book here
3. Bakehouse (Sha Tin)
The new Bakehouse branch in Sha Tin, the first to provide dinner service, truly takes the cake with its mac & cheese rendition (no pun intended). Available on the à-la-carte menu, the bacon, leek, and truffle mac & cheese (HKD248) presents a classic French-inspired flavour combination. The cheeses in question are Cheddar and mozzarella, balancing flavour and texture, and the addition of black truffle screams indulgence. We’d like to make a plea to Bakehouse to bring back its awesome grilled lobster mac & cheese, which is not on the current menu.
Bakehouse, Shop 247, 2/F, Phase I, New Town Plaza, 18–19 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin
4. Morton’s The Steakhouse
Mac & cheese is a quintessential side dish at any American steakhouse worth its salt. At Morton’s, the bacon & onion macaroni shells & cheese (HKD130) competes with the restaurant’s USDA Prime steaks for most popular dish on the menu, an ooey-gooey, comforting mix of four cheeses (cream, Cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss) jazzed up with sautéed onion and smoky bacon – this recipe tastes as close to homemade as it gets. Our favourite bit of the cheesy pasta is the crunchy top layer scattered with breadcrumbs. Morton’s also offers a lobster macaroni shells & cheese (HKD320) that is just as delicious (but almost triple the price).
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 4/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2732 2343, book here
5. The Point Pizza & Pasta
When it comes to mac & cheese, some of us are purists, whilst others find the classic version far too boring. Stepping outside the box is The Point, which presents a trio of intriguing mac options for your consideration. The four-cheese mac & cheese (HKD148) takes an Italian slant, incorporating gorgonzola and ricotta into the mix alongside the more standard Parmesan and buffalo mozzarella. For truffle fans, the truffle mac & cheese (HKD158) stands out with its earthy but not overpowering truffle flavour that balances perfectly with all that cheesy goodness. Finally, the lobster mac & cheese (HKD228), crowned with a half Boston lobster, is the most decadent of all.
The Point Pizza & Pasta, Shop 409, 4/F, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2598 0030, book here
6. Honky Tonks Tavern
Soho watering hole Honky Tonks Tavern serves up a food menu that has American comfort written all over it. Alongside the bar’s epic fried chicken and fried pickles is the moreish baked mac & cheese (HKD80), a spicy flavour bomb where the smoked Cheddar vies for attention with the boldness of bacon, pickled jalapeño, and smoked paprika.
Honky Tonks Tavern, G/F, 75 Hollywood Road (enter via Man Hing Lane), Soho, Central, 9220 4344
7. The Cheesecake Factory
Despite its moniker, The Cheesecake Factory has a lot more than a vast array of crazy cheesecake creations on its extensive menu. In terms of the American chain’s mac & cheese offerings, it’s the fried mac & cheese (HKD168) that reigns supreme for us. This starter features crispy crumbed balls filled with creamy mac & cheese. The balls rest on a base of tangy marinara sauce that cuts through the cheesy richness.
The Cheesecake Factory, Shop G102, G/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 25 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2791 6628
