Dining beyond the safe haven of air conditioning-heavy restaurants, and in the sun, can be a testy affair at times in Hong Kong. Besides our cool-ish spring and that one perfect week in November, our city can be unbearable to dine outside.
Yet, when the weather strikes perfectly or you are not afraid to brace the extreme heat or tepid weather, find yourself at these outdoor restaurants for a bit of al fresco dining in our guide.
The best outdoor restaurants in Hong Kong
Bathers
Set on the dreamy Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Bathers is your destination dining venue for a beach day out to Lantau Island. Yes, you might have an hour-plus ride to get there, but al fresco dining at this spot never felt better. The temperature is cooler closer to the ocean and the Western á la carte menu suits a refreshing meal. Expect seafood plates and platters, small tapas plates, and meaty chicken and beef mains.
Bathers, G/F, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau Island, 2504 4788, book here
Cooshti
Asian-fusion restaurant Cooshti is Lee Tung Avenue’s top al fresco dining spot, well suited for happy hour drinks and late-night dining, when the weather plays to our advantage. The menu features twists on sushi and tataki, funky wok-fried rice and noodle dishes, sharing plates, and super salads and poke bowls. The signature cocktails are influenced with Japanese and Cantonese touches.
Cooshti, G/F & 1/F, Shop G35, Lee Tung Avenue, Wan Chai, 2796 7328, book here
Zoku
The Hari hotel’s signature Zoku restaurant is dynamic and original with quirky Japanese flavours and design. Their impressive menu embraces many sub-cuisines, including nigiri, temaki, rolls, kushiyaki, robatayaki, rice and noodles dishes. The Terrace, an extension of the restaurant, is a leafy space that suits lengthy dinners and weekend brunching for large groups.
Zoku, The Hari Hong Kong, 2/F, 330 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, 2129 0338, book here
The Continental
This Pacific Place café delivers on European-inspired all-day dining inside a classy space. The Continental has a year-round terrace, available for guests to enjoy meaty treats grilled on the Josper grill, American-style seafood, eggy brunch plates, and house cocktails. We recommend heading to The Continental for drinks and snacks when it’s light outside to catch the blue skies above.
The Continental, Shop 406, L4/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, 2704 5211, book here
Sip Song
You don’t need the cool weather or to wait for the sun to go down to head to Sip Song in Repulse Bay, a suitable venue for indulging in cocktails and spicy food on the weekend. Northern Thai flavours are pronounced on the menu, with a handful of authentic curry, pad krapao, and aromatic salads available to wash away your food. This is al fresco dining made perfect in the sun and blistering summer heat.
Sip Song, Shop 114 & 115, G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2328 8385, book here
Pazta
If you fancy getting stuck in Central during the perfect weather (go to the beach!), Pazta is a recommended spot for some al fresco dining. The Italian restaurant is fitted with umbrellas and comfortable couch seating outdoors for the best occasions drinking in happy hour to enjoying a bite outdoors. The menu is packed with a range of cichetti, risotto, pasta, and pizza.
Pazta, Shop 03-G08, G/F Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2626 1186, book here
SPIGA
Central-located SPIGA embraces the aura of a 1950s Italy, fit with a classic interior and grandmotherly recipes of the founding chef Enrico Bartolini. Featuring one of the largest open dining spaces in Central for a restaurant, SPIGA can have you savouring their fantastic pizza dishes, antipasti, and grilled and fried fish and meat.
SPIGA, 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2871 0055, book here
Stormies
Taking on from the former legendary Lan Kwai Fong-based bar, Stormies is an unmatched destination for al fresco dining, especially post-work if your office is located in the ICC building. The bar-restaurant serves a hearty menu of French, pan-Asian, and British pub classics, including fish and chips, bourbon melt, and steak sandwiches, alongside a big drinks menu.
Stormies, Shop R005-R007, R/F, Civic Square, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2196 8098
Boticario Bar & Grill
There may be no better place to dine outdoors all year round in Hong Kong than Tsim Sha Tsui East. Boticario Bar & Grill lines the harbourfront with tables outside, presenting a heavy menu of Argentinian classics. Expect rich Argentinian steak and pizza, empanadas, deep-fried beef cutlet, choripan, and nachos. Their Latin American-inspired cocktail menu is impressive, working well to pair with the meaty mains.
Boticario Bar & Grill, Shop 15, UG/F & Shop 5, G/F, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2765 0800, book here
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant
Sai Kung’s timeless seafood restaurant has endured decades of family love, a pit stop for lengthy meals of fish in between trips to Sai Kung and onwards to islands dotting the area. Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant excels in their signature typhoon shelter crab and lobster, sauteed mussels and scallops, and seafresh fish. Dining in groups is best and make sure to head there early for a table outdoors as they go quickly on a nice day.
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant, G/F, 87-89 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 1195
ÓNA Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar
Located on the boardwalk of Discovery Bay, ÓNA Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar captures the flavours of the Middle East and Med, namely of Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish, and touches of Italian and Spanish food. Their shawarma, hot mezze, salads, and Middle Eastern desserts are worthy to order. Their outdoor dining space is expansive and set in front of the dreamy Lantau Island mountains.
ÓNA Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar, Shop G09, DB Plaza, 1 Discovery Bay Rd, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, 3619 0937, book here
INK Cafe
INK Cafe on the bottom floor of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, a must visit for contemporary exhibitions, is a sweet spot for al fresco dining and wining. After a long day shopping or acting like a tourist, the cafe serves Western-style snacks, all-day protein bowls, bar food platters, and an assortment of local craft beer, wine, and cocktails to feed your hunger. INK Cafe is a perfect spot for beers opposite the Hong Kong Island skyline to begin or end the night.
INK Cafe, G/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3500 5881
The Bayside
The Bayside enjoys a spacious al-fresco dining space right next to the Harbour Grand Hong Kong, affording those who make the visit to Whampoa worth it all. The food programme is broad and focuses on the flavours of the Med, with heavy attention given to Italian artisanal pizzas, pasta, and antipasto and Spanish tapas. Their late night snack menu stocks salty platters and appetisers for picking at between 10PM and midnight.
The Bayside, Shop G1, G/F, Whampoa Garden, 18 Tak Fung Street, Hung Hom, 2123 2177, book here
The Peak Lookout
One of Hong Kong’s oldest restaurants still hits the top marks for delivering the perfect space for outdoor dining – dare we say it – all through the year with their shaded al fresco space. The Peak Lookout dishes out a confident menu of shellfish, steak specials, curries, and Western delights. We recommend ending your lazy Peak weekend hike here for a much-needed fill.
The Peak Lookout, G/F, 121 Peak Road, The Peak, 2849 1000, book here
Sunset Grill
Far from the city but worth enough to visit for a slice of the outdoors, Sunset Grill in Tung Chung offers its expansive rooftop terrace to host all-day dining when the weather plays in our favour. The views reach to the airport and faraway New Territories, of course offering a quality sunset view whilst you dig into steak and shellfish cooked on the charcoal grill and top Mediterranean sharing plates.
Sunset Grill, 19/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, 2535 0025, book here
