You might not assume that Hong Kong is a haven for those dining with food allergies – what with the abundance of soy, sesame, and peanut products used in Chinese cooking – yet you would be surprised at how many restaurants take the initiative to provide safe food in the city. Allergy-friendly dining isn’t as tough as it may seem.
With a wealth of Hong Kongers and visitors suffering from nut, shellfish, dairy, gluten, meat, soy, wheat, and sesame allergies, we want to make your dining experiences easier with a list of restaurants suitable to your safe eating requirements.
Because we cannot confirm the most up-to-date information on the following menus and restaurants in Hong Kong, we think it’s best to call in advance to ensure that proper precautions are taken when providing allergy-friendly and allergen-free food.
Top allergy-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong
Amber – dairy-free and gluten-free dishes
Richard Ekkebus’ two-Michelin-starred eatery underwent a revamp in 2019 to tune up the modern interior of the fine-dining restaurant and the menus in order to account for diners’ dietary restrictions. Now, Amber’s menus are dairy free throughout and feature gluten-free dishes to account for celiac- and gluten-sensitive guests. The restaurant is perfectly for allergy-friendly fine-dining in Hong Kong.
Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2132 0066, book here
Grissini – meat-free, gluten-free, and shellfish-free dishes
The Grand Hyatt’s classy Italian restaurant serves dishes central to the Mediterranean diet, with a detailed eye on accommodating diners who are allergic to nuts, meat, and shellfish products. Grissini’s brunch, lunch, and dinner menus note which allergen is included in each dish and also whether it’s suitable for vegetarians.
Grissini, 2/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 2584 7722, book here
Yau Veggie Bistro – meat-free and shellfish-free dishes
Located at The Mills in Tsuen Wan, Yau Veggie Bistro is a fine-casual vegetarian restaurant delivering quality dishes made with meat-free substitutions. Their veggie beef Wellington is an example of how you can avoid harmful or deadly allergens and still chomp on great bites.
Yau Veggie Bistro, Shop 118, 1/F, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan, WhatsApp 6899 0989
Clean Coffee – dairy-free drinks
At Sheung Wan’s café-laundromat Clean Coffee, all the drinks are made with oat milk by default, championing a vegan, sustainable, and dairy-free lifestyle for Hong Kongers with allergies. On the menu is an activated charcoal oat milk latte, iced long black with coconut water, and espresso with oat milk.
Clean Coffee, 100 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, 5226 3475
FRITES – dairy-free and gluten-free dishes
Known for their massive portions, FRITES in Hong Kong cooks up Belgian-style food in eight locations across Hong Kong. Their menu includes several dairy- and gluten-free options to order, whilst the restaurant’s staff are accommodating to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.
FRITES, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Pici – gluten-free dishes
At Pici, arguably Hong Kong’s most recognisable source of pasta, hearty, wheat-heavy dishes are plentiful on the menu. Yet the Pirata Group chain is very amenable when it comes to crafting special gluten-free versions of their pasta dishes if they are notified prior to ordering.
Pici, multiple locations across Hong Kong
Dandy’s Organic Cafe – gluten-free dishes
Sheung Wan’s “secret” organic restaurant Dandy’s is a treasure trove for celiacs and those sensitive to wheat, offering a completely gluten-free menu that suits nut-free, vegan, and low-fat diets. Dandy’s does not skimp on colourful proteins, fruits, and vegetables too.
Dandy’s Organic Cafe, 32 Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan, 2838 6166
YEARS – meat-free and shellfish-free dishes
Community-based restaurant YEARS in Sham Shui Po champions the mission of sustainability and love for all with a plant-based weekday and weekend menu of green bowls and plates backed with protein, yet without meat and shellfish.
YEARS, Shop 1, G/F, Fuk Lung Building, 191–199 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, 6338 3719
Sweet Secrets – gluten-free and egg-free baked goods
Founded 25 years ago as Hong Kong’s first bespoke cake-design bakery, Sweet Secrets sells free-from cakes and desserts from their Mong Kok food factory, with delivery across the city. Three-quarters of the cakes are gluten free, sugar free, or egg free.
Sweet Secrets, Room 1203, 12/F, Wing Lee Industrial Building, 54–58 Tong Mi Road, Mong Kok, WhatsApp 9371 9089, order here
Tong Kee Bao Dim – nut-free and sesame-free dishes
This dim sum chain specialising in mantou (steamed buns) and Cantonese street eats is partly nut free and sesame free, if you order those fluffy white buns. It’s best to double-check with the Tong Kee Bao Dim staff that peanut oil has not been used to cook the meat and vegetable fillings.
