A day trip to Lamma Island is a reliable choice for Hong Kongers looking to relax and decompress, offering beautiful beaches, plenty of hiking options, and stunning views. The island is also well known for its chilled, hippie-meets-bohemian vibe.
Given its location, Lamma’s dining scene is justifiably dominated by high-quality seafood, but there are a host of recommended non-seafood restaurants there too, with most situated on the main drag of Yung Shue Wan. The below list features our favourite restaurants on this island paradise, showcasing cuisines ranging from Spanish to Thai, all just a short ferry ride from Central.
The best restaurants on Lamma Island
Jaybird
Just minutes from the Yung Shue Wan ferry pier, Jaybird is a go-to for North American comfort-food eats. Menu favourites include the fish and chips (HKD65), Philly cheesesteak (HKD65), and hot dogs (HKD40), which are made with bona fide Chicago Red Hots. The bagel sandwiches are also recommended here, particularly the Cuban Jr (HKD55), Jaybird’s take on a classic Cuban sandwich with ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, pickles, and Dijon mustard on a plain or poppy-seed bagel.
Jaybird, G/F, 15A Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 9243 5808
Dale Candela
Dale Candela is not just Lamma’s best Spanish restaurant; it also features on our Spanish top list covering all of Hong Kong. At this chilled spot, owner Carlos presents a fine assortment of tapas and heartier Spanish recipes, from plates of Ibérico ham (HKD120/HKD200) and patatas bravas (HKD45) to clams with chilli and garlic (HKD110) and stewed beef cheek in red wine sauce (HKD180). If you find yourself famished on a weekday afternoon, the three-course set lunch (HKD120 pp) is a true bargain.
Dale Candela, G/F, 23 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 9831 4074
Terracotta Lamma
The team behind newly opened Bourke’s and Soho stalwart Honky Tonks Tavern put their stamp on Lamma Island with the debut of Terracotta Lamma in the autumn of 2023. The idyllic multi-storey waterfront space, a former village house, complements the Mediterranean menu emphasising fresh, seasonal ingredients and charcoal-grilling techniques. We always start with the hummus (HKD65) and smoked labneh (HKD55), served with excellent grilled za’atar pita for dipping, followed by the grilled octopus (HKD230) and/or roast chicken (HKD180/HKD320). The Feed Me menu (HKD380 pp) is a great reasonably option for groups who love sharing a little bit of everything.
Terracotta Lamma, G/F, 47 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 9176 7500, book here
Lamma House
Restaurants on Lamma are blessed with access to fresh-as-can-be seafood, none more so than Lamma House, a restaurant and bar that’s also a popular choice for weddings and other private events owing to its chic and garden-like waterfront setting. On the extensive seafood-driven menu, the steamed sea crab with Sichuan peppercorn (HKD680) and steamed Lamma ma yau with chicken oil and Shaoxing wine (HKD680) are showstopping must-orders, and we’ve also heard rave reviews about the signature fish soup (HKD50) and steamed rice with dried seafood, pork, and spring onion (HKD180) for simpler fare.
Lamma House, G/F, 1A–1B First Street, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, 2982 8338
Los Gangstas
Lamma is likely not the first place you think of when it comes to indulging in genuine Mexican cuisine, but Los Gangstas is here to challenge that notion. The USP of this hip eatery is street food hailing from Mexico City, and that means tacos (from HKD90/4pcs) galore, protein-filled corn tortillas garnished authentically with cabbage, pico de gallo, lime, and coriander. The tomato salsa (HKD50) and guacamole (HKD60) are also legit here and come with freshly fried tortilla chips. However, if we were to recommend just one dish, it would be the moreish Mexican mountain that is the Los Gangstas nachos (HKD120).
Los Gangstas, G/F, 91 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 6293 6176
Little Thai by Bee
Little Thai by Bee is our pick for the best Thai food on the island. The friendly folks at this family-run restaurant dish out genuine southern Thai dishes in all their sour, spicy, sweet, and savoury glory, highlighted by staples like tom yum soup (HKD88), pad thai (HKD78), green curry (HKD98), and mango sticky rice (HKD58). For plant-based diners, almost any dish on the menu can be made vegan or vegetarian by request. Little Thai’s outdoor dining area is classic Lamma at its finest.
Little Thai by Bee, G/F, 8 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 6080 9195
Kuri Kuri
Cheap and cheerful Kuri Kuri serves up our cart noodles of choice on Lamma, a requisite post-hike pit stop. The soup noodles are priced at HKD42 for two toppings, HKD50 for three toppings, and HKD58 for four toppings, with the multitude of topping choices ranging from curry pork skin and fish balls to Chinese lettuce and baked bean curd. You can further customise your bowl of noods by choosing a noodle type (thin noodle, thick noodle, Shanghai noodle, rice vermicelli, or rice stick) and soup base (pork bone or vegetarian). To stick to the shop’s Chinese roots, opt for a chaser of brown sugar pearl milk tea (HKD34).
Kuri Kuri, G/F, 83 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, 9164 7111
