Over the past five years, Hong Kong’s appetite for Middle Eastern fare – sizzling chicken, lamb, and beef, tangy spices, focus on dips and mezzes – has grown manifold, embraced within the local scene.
The countries of Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Israel have seen rightful culinary representation in the city. Hong Kong’s foodies have become uniquely hungry for the nutty, tangy, gamey, and meaty flavours popular in that corner of the world.
The best Middle Eastern restaurants in Hong Kong
Sumac
Winning the Foodie Forks 2024 award for Hong Kong’s best Middle Eastern restaurant, Sumac is a name brand on the food scene, having delivered quality meals via the kaleidoscope of Lebanese cuisine for more than a decade. Starting off with the hot pita and hummus (HKD130), a meal at Sumac is best shared with a bunch of hot and cold mezze and either one or two main dishes. We recommend the falafel (HKD140), kibbeh (HKD180) yoghurt dip with dustings of ground lamb and beef, and the chicken taouk (HKD350).
Sumac, 8 Glenealy Road, Central, 9594 1173, book here
Lamees
Over two decades, Jordanian chef Tarek Alali of Lamees has presented the true flavours of his nation and the Middle East. He now represents the seafaring Jordan and Lebanon at Lamees with preserved multi-generational recipes. The menu is expansive, crafted with ingredients jetted over from Jordan, so order their true-to-taste wagyu beef tail tagine (HKD340), falafel (HKD95), trio dip platter (HKD160), and halloumi cheese (HKD95). They won the Hidden Gem award at Foodie Forks 2019.
Lamees, 145 Pak Tai St, Ma Tau Chung, Kowloon City, 9181 9600, book here
BEDU
BEDU is a real classic in the Middle Eastern dining scene, and largely in Hong Kong. A new chef joining the pack has brought along a Jordanian touch to the menu, previously experiencing a former Lebanese influence. The restaurant’s strength is in the starters, most notably their tangy fresh garden vegetables (HKD40) that pair nicely with smoky hummus (HKD70) and flatbread (HKD55). New dishes such as the roasted chicken (HKD185) and maitake mushroom (HKD105) make for a good meaty bite.
BEDU, G/F, 40 Gough Street, Central, 6346 5219 WhatsApp, book here
Rue du Liban
This halal-certified Lebanese restaurant competes in Jordan with critical attention to genuine recipe-crafting. With a Lebanese owner and Egyptian chef, the menu takes on dishes influenced by African and European culture. Their chicken fatteh (HKD168) chicken, yoghurt, and rice bowl and okra stew (HKD168) hit high notes with an intoxicating mix of umami and sour notes. The muhammara (HKD98) and hummus beiruti (HKD88) dips are good for balance. End on the Lebanese french toast (HKD98) for an unforgettable dessert.
Rue Du Liban, 22–26 Hillwood Road, Jordan, 2310 2922, book here
FRANCIS
Wan Chai’s restaurant numbers just one of three Israeli food spots in the city, representing the clashing of southern European and North African plates from the multicultural country. Led by chef Asher Goldstein, his beef cigars (HKD120), baked halloumi (HKD120), cauliflower (HKD95), chicken schnitzel (HKD180), and kafta (HKD200) all harbour strong gamey flavours and snappy vinegar-strong notes for balance.
FRANCIS, 4-6 St. Francis Street, Wan Chai, 5216 8318 WhatsApp, book here
Ziafat Arabic Cuisine
Professing the power of Egyptian cuisine, Ziafat Arabic Cuisine is a halal Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant underrated in the scene. Their mix appetiser (HKD85) grants exploration of all their Egyptian dips, inclusive of hummus, hummus beiruti, baba ganoush, and mutabbal. The tajin fish with potatoes (HKD98) and mutton biriyani (HKD85) are good sharing plates to enjoy the heavy dose of herbs. A pour of the arabic tea (HKD50) helps with digestion at the end of the meal.
Ziafat Arabic Cuisine, 6/F, Harilela Mansion, 81 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2312 1015
Bushra
Set on the Tsim Sha Tsui East strip lining the harbour, set with a cosy view night-long, Bushra hits the high notes recreating the energy of the Middle East. Arabic songs fill the open-air restaurant and a belly dancer features every half hour at night. The best meals at Bushra are enjoyed over the classic labneh (HKD98), hummus kawarma (HKD138), bushra kofta (HKD238) beef skewers, and the roasted fatta eggplant (HKD138). Regardless of the weather, dining in Bushra’s outdoor seating area is worthwhile.
Bushra, Shop G6 & UG16, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 6172 3591, book here
Maison Libanaise
Styled in the design of a 1960s Beirut food garden, Maison Libanaise is Soho’s Lebanese restaurant. Hummus awarma (HKD128) with minced beef, roasted cauliflower (HKD248), shish taouk (HKD218), and the tabboule (HKD148) are all dishes we recommend for sharing with a big group at the “all-day Lebanese canteen.” Their wine list includes top Lebanese labels of white and red wine.
Maison Libanaise, 1/F, 10 Shelley Street, Soho,
Mul Hayam
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Mul Hayam is Hong Kong’s only public kosher restaurant, serving glatt kosher-certified Israeli and Jewish cuisine. Meat is sourced from kosher suppliers in Australia and the US. Their Moroccan chicken cigars (HKD115), classic chicken schnitzel (HKD278), and traditional BBQ chicken (HKD278) are packed with salty juices, that pair effectively with four dips on the mezze platter (HKD128): hummus, tahini matbucha, and purple coleslaw.
Mul Hayam, Shop 105, 1/F, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2368 0061, book here
Falafel TLV
Falafel TLV was born in Soho from the hands of two Israeli foodies, now run from Tsim Sha Tsui dishing out the same great Israeli-style pita sandwiches and plates. Their speciality lies in their simple dishes: falafel in pita (HKD88) and sabich in pita (HKD88) are the most popular sandwiches on the menu made with proper Israeli herbs and style. The hummus with falafel (HKD98) features a thick and creamy hummus that is not too garlicky nor lemony.
Falafel TLV, Shop B, G/F, 81 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, 6553 1984
Balady Lounge
Over in Lan Kwai Fong, down the right-handed lane as you wander up the nightlife district, Balady Lounge ushers a special Egyptian party. Open until 2AM daily, sweet cocktails and belly dancing is paired up with a light menu of Egyptian delights. For those keen on tagine, the lamb tagine (HKD190) and chicken tagine (HKD175) are aromatic and heavy on spice. Cut the fat with the habibty salad (HKD110) and damascus salad (HKD110) for additions of parsley, peppers, and lemon to your palate.
Balady Lounge, Shop H, G/F, Block A, Winner Building, 15H Wing Wah Lane, Lan Kwai Fong, 6809 2178, book here
Maison Beirut
A sister restaurant to Rue Du Liban, Maison Beirut adds to the Tseung Kwan O scene with a Lebanese menu featuring novel and authentic dishes. Their chicken liver (HKD128), lamb ayares (HKD128) stuffed meat pita, and garlic labneh (HKD88) are more uncommon in Hong Kong. An MTR ride to the restaurant awaits to try the creamy chicken stew (HKD198). Half of the seating area is split outdoors, which makes for a comfortable dinner regardless of the heat or rain.
Maison Beirut, Shop 10, G/F, Greenwich Village, Alto Residences, 29 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, 2321 0368, book here