French is recognised as the epitome of fine-dining, but there is also much to appreciate about the more casual side of Gallic cuisine, from a well-constructed croque-monsieur to a crepe dusted with sugar and lemon.
Which French restaurants rule the roost in Hong Kong? Whether you’re looking for ritzy haute cuisine or more laid-back bistro fare, we’ve got you covered with our list of the premier French restaurants in the city.
The best French restaurants in Hong Kong
Racines
We’ve always waxed lyrical about the wonders of Racines, the Michelin-starred fine-casual Sheung Wan restaurant by chef duo (and best mates) Adrien Castillo and Romain Dupeyre (who also scooped our Foodie Forks 2024 Chef of the Year award). Come for the cosy and inviting vibe, the chefs’ warm banter with each other and their patrons, and the sensational six-course tasting menu (HKD1,788 pp), which changes every few months but is always an innovative tribute to the seasonal terroir of southern France. The plump Brittany pigeon (+HKD208) is a deserving signature at Racines, so don’t think twice before opting for this robust main course.
Racines, G/F, 22 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, WhatsApp 6407 1925, book here
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Rêveri
Translating to “to dream” in French, Rêveri is truly the dream of a lifetime for the husband-and-wife founders, John Law and Jessica Kesumo. At this contemporary East-meets-West fine-diner, John is the head chef, whilst Jessica graciously manages the front of house. Chef John’s dinner tasting menus (from HKD880 pp) are rooted in classic French cuisine, but it’s the chef’s pan-Asian flair, particularly through the use of seasonal Japanese ingredients, that stands out in Hong Kong. The truffle brioche is one of our favourite-ever bites, topped with lightly seared scallop, aged Cheddar, and a drizzle of scallion oil.
Rêveri, G/F, 20–24 Mercer Street, Sheung Wan, 6778 7278, book here
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Caprice
Caprice stands tall amongst the very best French restaurants in the world, crowned with three Michelin stars for the past five years. Chef de cuisine Guillaume Galliot works his magic in the kitchen, presenting immaculate classic French dishes interjected with his own creative flair. The eight-course Menu Connaisseur (HKD3,988 pp) is the ultimate in haute cuisine, with an eye-watering price tag to match. The menu kicks off with a bang with the signature Alaskan king crab crustacean jelly, Gillardeau oyster, and Kaviari Osciètre Prestige caviar and includes a selection of top-notch fromage from Caprice’s legendary cheese cellar.
Caprice, 6/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8882, book here
ÉPURE
ÉPURE, another elegant Michelin recipient, continues to wow us with young Singaporean chef Aven Lau’s creativity and technical expertise. The chef delivers unpretentious fine-dining French dishes with distinct Japanese touches. The eight-course seasonal dinner tasting menu (HKD1,688 pp) is updated frequently, but one dish that usually takes centre stage is the roast three-yellow chicken. It takes two days of meticulous preparation of the local chook to yield the pinnacle of juicy crispiness, featuring meat that cuts like butter and a shimmering, golden skin.
ÉPURE, Shop 403, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3185 8338, WhatsApp 5545 2133, book here
Feuille
Brought to Hong Kong in mid-2023, plant-focused fine-diner Feuille is a natural extension of chef David Toutain’s eco-friendly two-starred restaurant in Paris. Incredibly, Feuille was awarded a Michelin star and Michelin Green Star within a year of its debut. Overseen on the daily by executive chef Joris Rousseau, Feuille’s root-to-shoot tasting menu is a triumph and unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in Hong Kong. The menu terroir (HKD1,599 pp) utilises every part of the fruit and veg showcased, with around 80 percent of the produce sourced in Hong Kong from small purveyors.
Feuille, 5/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2881 1848, book here
Clarence
This is renowned chef Olivier Elzer’s passion project. The chef opened Clarence several years ago with an East-meets-West culinary philosophy and desire to make French fine-dining lighter and more approachable, even offering a low-carb keto menu catering to health-conscious diners. If calorie-counting isn’t your thing, we recommend curating and customising your own dinner menu (HKD698 pp) of two cold starters, two hot starters, a main, and dessert – a bargain in terms of its quality ingredients and finesse. The skate wing with spiced brown butter is classic French cuisine personified.
Clarence, 25/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 3568 1397, book here
Louise
Celebrating its half-decade anniversary, Michelin-starred Louise is the brainchild of chef Julien Royer, whose three-starred Odette in Singapore is always near the top of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Louise’s two-storey space is stunning, located in a heritage building with a bright, inviting tropical-chic design. Louise continues to go from strength to strength, taking home our Foodie Forks 2024 Best French Restaurant award. Upstairs in the Dining Room, the five-course tasting menu (HKD1,588 pp) by new executive chef Loïc Portalier is a delight. This menu spotlights several of chef Loïc’s newly introduced dishes, including caramelised onion tart and Fabien D’eneour Brittany pigeon.
Louise, G/F, JPC, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2866 0300, WhatsApp 5722 3269, book here
BELON
The best of the best ingredients headline in BELON’s Michelin-starred contemporary dishes, crafted by chef Jacob Zuidervliet. Driven by the seasons, the beautifully executed and presented seven-course Selection du Chef menu (HKD1,688 pp) is refined yet approachable. Many of the ingredient-driven dishes display Asian influences, from the Spanish mackerel with gingko nut and red curry to the smoked Peking duck with sugar cane and sakura.
BELON, 1/F, 1–5 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, 2152 2872, book here
Restaurant Petrus
Petrus’ elegant decor might be a bit dated, but don’t let that stop you from visiting the Island Shangri-La’s sky-high French powerhouse. The food and wine selections are truly superb – inventive and crafted expertly. Chef Uwe Opocensky tends to personally introduce his dishes to diners, making guests feel at home. The seasonal tasting menu (HKD2,288 for 6 courses; HKD2,988 for 8 courses) features signatures such as Georges Bruck foie gras with fig and brioche and Norwegian king crab chawanmushi with yuzu kosho, often displaying a distinct Japanese flair. Housing over 12,000 fine bottles, the Michelin-starred restaurant’s wine cellar is one of the most impressive in Hong Kong.
Restaurant Petrus, 56/F, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, 2820 8590, WhatsApp 9701 6539, book here
Gaddi’s
Holding the title of Asia’s oldest fine-dining restaurant, opened in 1953 at The Peninsula Hong Kong, Michelin-starred Gaddi’s is over-the-top opulent, dripping with million-dollar chandeliers, velvet carpeting, and cushioned oak-wood dining chairs. Chef Anne-Sophie Nicolas is notably the first female chef in the eatery’s 70-year-old history. The chef’s degustation menu (HKD2,180 for 4 courses; HKD2,690 for 6 courses) is rooted in classic French cuisine, showcased in knockout dishes the likes of celeriac remoulade with smoked salmon, Boston lobster bisque with Périgord black truffle, and chestnut and rum soufflé.
Gaddi’s, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696 6763, book here
BOUILLON Bistro Parisien
With BOUILLON, our round-up moves into more affordable dining territory. This charming Sheung Wan bistro serves up traditional French dishes made with organic and sustainable ingredients, complemented by a Gallic wine list focused on organic, sustainable, and family-owned wineries. Menu highlights include the escargots à la bourguignonne (HKD128) swimming in garlic, parsley, and butter, grilled bone marrow (HKD178), duck confit (HKD268), and chocolate mousse (HKD108) – all hearty, comforting, and très délicieux.
BOUILLON Bistro Parisien, G/F, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, 2886 0056, book here
Brasserie on the Eighth
Making a triumphant return to Conrad Hong Kong after a three-year absence, refreshed Brasserie on the Eighth presents classic French cuisine in a sophisticated setting. Signature plates that transport us straight to the City of Lights include the baked Burgundy escargots (HKD230), onion soup (HKD160), French Charolais tenderloin (HKD820), and soufflé with a choice of sauce (HKD160). The four-course degustation dinner menu (HKD688 pp) is a fine French option, delivering beaucoup bang for your buck.
Brasserie on the Eighth, 8/F, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2822 8803, book here
La Petite Maison (LPM)
The Hong Kong Kong outpost of global Mediterranean restaurant giant La Petite Maison continues to dazzle. It’s difficult to replicate LPM’s laid-back yet chic ambience inspired by the French Riviera, which keeps us coming back again and again. The creative menu takes its cue from the light, refreshing flavours of the Med, particularly seafood – think warm prawns with olive oil and and lemon (HKD248), whole sea bream baked with Provençal herbs (HKD598), and marinated lamb cutlets with olives, aubergine caviar, and pine nuts (HKD468).
La Petite Maison (LPM), Shop 1, 1/F, H Queen’s, 23–29 Stanley Street, Central, 2887 1113, book here
Babette
Brought to us by the team behind croque-monsieur specialist Croque, Babette is a new kid on the French block taking a lighter and more laid-back approach to contemporary French cuisine. We’re taken with chef Cédric Tsia’s affordable and playful dishes, in particular the whole poached yellow chicken – poulet jaune (HKD688) – which is juicy, tender, and bursting with a soothing umami. This sharing dish is served with premium Koshihikari rice and is generous enough to serve up to four diners.
Babette, Shop G03, G/F, Nan Fung Tower, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 9369 5861, book here
Marmo Bistro
Tsim Sha Tsui has earned itself a proper French bistro with the recent opening of Marmo Bistro at Rosewood Hong Kong. The elegant yet cosy eatery is expectedly costly owing to its five-star hotel locale, but the quality of the ingredients and execution of the dishes are also at a high. Go for dinner and order a bottle or two of wine to complement standout plates like the gratinated onion soup (HKD168), parsley risotto with frog leg (HKD258), and sole meunière (HKD888). The dessert menu is to die for, highlighted by the raspberry soufflé (HKD128) of our dreams.
Marmo Bistro, G/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3891 8732, book here
