Situated on Hong Kong Island between Central and Sai Ying Pun, the neighbourhood of Sheung Wan has conventionally been the place to head to for local dried seafood delicacies and traditional Chinese medicine shops interspersed with all manner of places selling everything from random homeware items to bargain brand-name clothing. That sense of tradition is still there, but it’s this blend of heritage with hip and bohemian influences that makes the area so desirable to both F&B purveyors and eager diners. Here is the top list of our favourite daytime dining spots in Foodie’s very own neck of the woods (lucky us!).
Please note: it’s a good idea to double check opening times before trekking over to one of these places, as many Sheung Wan-ers keep, shall we say, very laid-back hours (often closing altogether on Mondays).
Café Deadend
This partially al fresco café is a lovely, peaceful spot recommended for beautifully made and presented soups, salads and coffee. Take away an array of French-Japanese baked goods from Po’s Atelier next door.
72 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan, 6716 7005
teakha
Open Tuesdays–Sundays 11am–7pm.
18 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, 2858 9185
NOSH
This is where you’ll often find the Foodie team, from morning ’till afternoon, picking up everything from a bowl of beautiful granola for brekkie to one of the chilled café’s awesome baguette sandwiches.
Open Tuesdays – Friday from 8:30am–6pm. Open weekends from 10am–6pm.
11 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 2559 8508
Upper Modern Bistro
Open Mondays–Thursdays from 12pm–10:30pm, Friday & Saturday from 12pm–11pm and Sundays from 11am–10:30pm.
6–14 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 2517 0977
Little Burro
Right across from Upper Modern Bistro, you can find gargantuan burritos at affordable prices at Little Burro. Head down here for their signature San Fran Mission-style ‘rritos: soft steamed flour tortillas jam-packed with coriander rice, slow-cooked meat, beans, salsa, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, [pause for breath] which is then rolled, pressed tightly and wrapped in foil for a substantial, satisfying meal-in-one (often on-the-run).
Mon-Thurs: 11AM-10PM, Fri: 11AM-11PM, Sat: 9AM-11PM, Sun: 9AM-10PM
1 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 2547 8821
208 Duecento Otto
A reliable fave in the ‘hood, we heart this swanky NYC-inspired Italian’s pizzas, antipasto lunch buffet and child-friendly weekend brunch.
Open Mondays–Saturdays from 12pm–midnight and Sundays from 11am.
208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2549 0208
238
Chachawan
Chef Adam Cliff turns up the heat at this hip Isaan Thai joint. The Chacha lunch deal priced at $118 for any two fiery dishes, plus rice and a bevvy, can’t be beat.
Open Monday–Sundays from 12pm–3pm and 5:30pm–midnight.
206 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2549 0020
The Cupping Room
Cup your hands around some top-notch coffee at this café, where barista-led brewing workshops and espresso masterclasses are also offered.
Open Mondays–Fridays from 8am–5pm, Saturdays from 8am–6pm and Sundays from 10am–6pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
LG/F, 299 Queen’ s Road Central (entrance on Cleverly Street), Sheung Wan, 2799 3398
Corner Kitchen Café
Open Mondays–Fridays 10am–9:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 9am–6pm. Closed Tuesdays.
226 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2547 8008
La Cantoche
Another hidden-away Frenchie, this one quirkier than most with its graffiti-style artwork and primary-coloured chairs. We’re fans of the two- and three-course classic French set lunches, starting from a bang-for-your buck $98.
Open Mondays–Saturdays from 12pm–2:30pm and from 6:30pm–10:30pm.
227 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2426 0880
La Rotisserie
Long lines form at lunchtime for the juicy chicken and daily-changing sides (go for anything with potato) at this French roaster.
Manhattan Avenue, 255 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2324 1898
Man Mo Café
Innovative fusion dim sum dishes (think burgerbuns and foie gras xiao long bao) are available at this minimalistic eatery nestled amongst the antique shops of Cat Street.
Open Tuesdays–Sundays from 12pm–3pm and 6pm–midnight.
40 Upper Lascar Row (Cat Street), Sheung Wan, 2644 5644
ABC Kitchen
A hidden gem in one of the best cooked food centres around, we’ve gone back time and again for the supremely affordable dishes (the daily lunch specials start at an unbeatable $46) and ridiculously good suckling pig. Red and white checked tablecloths add to the homey vibe.
Open Mondays–Saturdays from 12pm–2:30pm and 7pm–10:30pm and Sundays from 7pm–10:30pm.
Shop CF7, 1/F, Queen Street Cooked Food Market, 38 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, 3740 0727
Caféine
Winning the coveted Best for Breakfast award in this year’s Foodie Forks, this Australian-inspired café offers fresh and tasty salads, pastas and all-day breakfast in addition to their dynamite cups o’ joe.
Open Mondays–Fridays from 7am–9pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 8am–7pm.
202 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2544 1988
Barista Jam
Despite the slew of copycats of late, this coffee house remains the top choice for java junkies in the area. The sandwiches, pastries and pastas are mighty tasty too.
Open Mondays from 10am–6pm, Tuesdays – Fridays from 8am–6pm and Saturdays from 10am–6pm.
126–128 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 2854 2211
Dim Sum Square
This cheap and cheerful dim sum spot always has queues snaking round the block at lunchtime. The quality is astounding for such low prices – you’d be hard pressed to spend more than $50 per person for a dumpling feast.
Open Mondays–Fridays from 10am–10pm and Saturday & Sunday from 8am–8pm.
27 Hillier Street (entrance on Jervois Street), Sheung Wan, 2851 8088
K-Roll
Another Foodie Forks winner last year, this time for Choicest Cheap Eats, we head to this friendly Korean-run spot at least weekly for a takeaway order of the addictive bulgogi rolls and korritos (Korean-style burritos).
Open Monday–Saturdays from 11:30am–8pm.
6 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 2234 5505/5506
Noodlemi
When you’re craving virtuous versions of pho and other Vietnamese noodle-centric dishes (everything’s MSG and gluten free), head to this buzzy eatery.
Open Mondays–Saturday from 11.30am–10pm and Sundays 12pm–9.30pm.
2 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan, 2253 1113
The Cottage
Despite our attempts to stay healthy at lunchtime, there are times when we just want something warm and comforting, carbs be damned. This gastropub’s traditional British-style fish and chips and burgers do the trick.
Open Monday–Sunday from 12pm–10pm.
87–89 Jervois Street (entrance on Cleverly Street), 2294 9200
By Stephanie Pliakas.
