Hong Kong’s bustling food and drink scene never stops. Every month, we’re introduced to daring concepts where we can sample new local and international culinary creations and inventive tipples.
At Foodie, we’re always hungry for our next bite and the next restaurant to keep us invigorated. Check out our list of the most exciting openings in our city this month and where to dine next.
New restaurants in Hong Kong: May 2026
1. le le
A restaurant close to home for ZS Hospitality Group founder Elizabeth Chu, who was raised in Saigon, le le is a contemporary Vietnamese eatery opened in honour of the F&B group’s 10th anniversary. Taking a warm, soulful approach, the fine-casual restaurant marries authentic Vietnamese flavours with Chinese culinary techniques, with the kitchen led by two talented young chefs, Elvin Lam and Le Minh Duc – one Chinese and one Vietnamese. The chefs’ progressive, artistically presented tasting menus are reasonably priced at HKD388 per person for lunch and HKD888 per person for dinner.
le le, 3/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2798 0668, book here
2. Daigo
Mori-san is back! Beloved sushi master Mori Tomoaki’s sushiya in Hong Kong closed at the end of 2023, but the chef has returned with a 20-seat space in Central alongside his long-time apprentice chef, Tony Szelung Leung. Each chef oversees half the seats in the space. The seasonal sushi crafted by both chefs at Daigo is impeccable and can be savoured in languorous lunch (from HKD800 pp) and dinner (from HKD2,280 pp) omakase menus. We’ve heard that the restaurant is already fully booked out for both chefs through early 2027!
Daigo, 7/F, FOCO, 46–48 Cochrane Street, Central, 9417 7927, book here
3. AMALGAMATE
Local chef Kasey Chan is a rising star in the city’s F&B scene, having worked his way up from line cook at three-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon to executive chef at Michelin-recommended Cafe Bau. He’s now taken charge of his own kitchen at AMALGAMATE, a fine-casual fusion restaurant in Causeway Bay, in partnership with Epicurean Group. The name is fitting for this spot blending East and West, where the small plates, reimagined dim sum, and larger sharing dishes spotlight seasonality and chef Kasey’s innate ingenuity. Highlights range from the smoked crispy eel cone (HKD48/pc) to whet the palate to a sweet-meets-spicy ending of Sichuan peppercorn parfait (HKD98).
AMALGAMATE, G/F, 7 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay, 2889 8468, WhatsApp 6251 3202, book here
4. Dan Ryan’s Causeway Bay
The largest location for the chain to date, Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill has made a comeback on Hong Kong Island with a branch in Causeway Bay. The restaurant serves up the chain’s all-American classics, including the luxury loaded nachos (HKD158/HKD198), four-cheese mac & cheese (HKD168), and roasted US baby pork ribs (HKD298/HKD498) that have delighted generations of Hong Kongers. Dan Ryan’s trademark quirky decor, with a model train set weaving its way through the eatery, is a given.
Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill, 2/F, JP Plaza, 22–36 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, 2265 8318, book here
5. Sichuan Verandah
Stylish Sichuan Verandah opens at Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong as next-door neighbour to One Duck Lane, another newcomer to the hotel that’s also helmed by veteran chef Jack Chan. Instead of Peking duck and dim sum, this time it’s the fiery flavours of Sichuan that take centre stage. Diners are able to select one of five heat levels for each dish here, from “baby spice” all the way up to “spice master.” Sichuan Verandah’s crowd-pleasers include the boiled beef with mala sauce (HKD318), Sichuan-style boiled mandarin fish with pickled vegetables (HKD368), and deep-fried chicken with dried chilli and Sichuan peppercorn (HKD248).
To celebrate its opening, Sichuan Verandah is offering a 15% discount on all food items until May 31.
Sichuan Verandah, 2/F, West Tower, Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point, 3896 9900, book here
6. Dot Cod
Following its closure in 2024 after 24 years of operation, Dot Cod has made a grand return to Central, literally moving up in the world from the Prince’s Building basement to a swanky double-decker spot at Takshing House. The ground floor houses a casual café dishing out coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and other light bites, whilst the fine-dining seafood-driven menu that is Dot Cod’s USP is presented upstairs. Will the new-and-improved Dot Cot be as popular with the finance set as it once was? Watch this space!
Dot Cod, G/F & 1/F, Takshing House, 20 Des Voeux Road Central (enter via Theatre Lane), Central, 2810 6988, WhatsApp 5543 8643
7. Poppy & Aster
Poppy & Aster has landed in Wan Chai as a dual concept by chef Ronald Nelson of modern European bistro Poppy in Sheung Wan and the former Aster by Poppy burger bar in the same neighbourhood. Serving up its delicious beef, chicken, and fish burgers for lunch under the Aster arm from 12PM to 3:30PM daily, Poppy arrives as the sun sets from 6PM to 10PM with a similar Asian-influenced menu to its sister restaurant in Sheung Wan – think rusa toast (HKD78) with anchovy and ikura, squid “bolognese” (HKD268), and duck rice (HKD268) with foie gras and plum.
Poppy & Aster, Shop A, G/F, Moonful Court, 17 Moon Street, Wan Chai, 5404 6647, book here
8. Papamia
Joining Hong Kong’s ever-growing pasta bar pack is Papamia in Causeway Bay, a sky-high eatery that offers views of Happy Valley Racecourse from afar. The sibling to the more upscale FABLE, a French-Italian bistro in nearby Wan Chai, Papamia brings handmade pasta to the table. The carbonara (HKD160) is a standout plate of carbs made with both guanciale, as is traditional, and Chinese lap cheong sausage for a local touch. Of the non-pasta dishes, we’ve heard rave reviews about the textbook-perfect beef tartare (HKD120).
Papamia, 24/F, OLIV, 15 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay, 6689 8582, book here
9. Ning Kee
Thai draws with pasta for the biggest food trend in the city at the moment. Next up from the Land of Smiles, we have Ning Kee. The pork knuckle with rice (HKD88) is the signature dish at this charming Michelin-recommended shop from Phuket, though we’re also partial to the khao soi (HKD98) when we’re craving a comforting Thai curry.
Ning Kee, G/F, 13–15 Man Wai Street, Jordan, 6696 7388
10. Xiang Shang Xiang
Though the founding location of Xiang Shang Xiang is in Beijing, Xiang Shang Xiang explores the diverse flavour profiles and cooking techniques of Hunan using ingredients sourced directly from the Chinese province – including a whopping 24 different chilli peppers. The must-order Hunan dish at this opulent restaurant is the steamed fish head with pickled chillies (HKD698), made with five seasonal chilli varieties of varying levels of fermentation. On the non-spicy side of the spectrum, another bestseller here is the Beijing crispy-skin roast duck (HKD299/HKD598).
Xiang Shang Xiang, Shop 401, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 5 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2688 2408, WhatsApp 6970 3965, book here
11. Borsch Spot
It’s rare to find an Eastern European restaurant in Hong Kong, much less one with a Fo Tan address, but we’re not complaining! Those living and working in this New Territories ’hood are lucky to have Borsch Spot in their midst. With a vibe akin to a Russian-style cha chaan teng, the signature borsch soup meal (HKD68) is beetroot bliss, whilst the Hungarian beef goulash meal (HKD79) is an affordably priced meaty contender that hits the spot.
Borsch Spot, Shop 227, 2/F, The Arles, 1 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, 3704 7081
12. Avalon
Avalon is Elite Concepts’ newest baby, a fine-casual restaurant in Central specialising in elevated American and European comfort food. The à-la-carte menu features chilled seafood, sandwiches, soups, salads, mains, and desserts with prices befitting the spot’s H Queen’s address, ranging from the Boston lobster and crab roll (HKD188) to the sticky toffee pudding (HKD98). To save some bucks, go for the weekday “Blue Plate” lunch menu (HKD168), which comes with a salad or soup, sandwich, and non-alcoholic drink.
Avalon, 2/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2115 1551, book here
13. Budaeok
Army stew is a signature Korean dish created after the Korean War, and Korean chain Budaeok has opened its first Hong Kong shop for diners to experience this savoury-spicy stew in its full customisable authenticity. Besides the brand’s hallmark budae jjigae (from HKD128), many more Korean classics can be enjoyed here, including the boneless fried chicken (from HKD118) and LA galbi (from HKD228).
Budaeok, Portion A, Shop E, G/F, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central, 3679 3025
14. Shake Shack The Peak
Shake Shack – the Foodie Forks 2025 Best Burgers winner – has opened at The Peak, the ninth Hong Kong location for the American burger behemoth. To pair with your ShackBurger (HKD62/HKD87), we recommend splurging on the location-exclusive yuen yeung shake (HKD50), a tribute to the city blending the chain’s vanilla frozen custard with HK-style black tea, coffee, and coffee jelly, crowned with whipped cream and a coffee-flavoured flaky egg roll biscuit.
Shake Shack, Shop G15–G16, G/F, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, The Peak, 2813 6898
15. Butter Babe
Great Britain’s enduring love for the jacket potato has found a home at Butter Babe on Gough Street, selling a variety of jacket potatoes for those pining for this staple British comfort-food dish. Butter Babe’s spud signatures carry a nostalgic weight, with the sour cream and chive with bacon (HKD102), cheese and beans (HKD102), and tuna and coleslaw (HKD108) amongst the current menu leaders.
Butter Babe, G/F, 16 Gough Street, Central, 6319 7040
16. Vincenzo Capuano
Hong Kong is the second Asian port of call after Singapore for this Neapolitan pizza giant that’s presently ranked the 13th-best pizzeria in the world by 50 Top Pizza. Vincenzo Capuano’s pizza is well known around the globe for its light, pillowy crust and high-quality toppings, with each pie cut tableside with golden scissors to seal the deal. For first-time diners, go for the founder’s signature provola e pepe topped with smoked provola cheese, hand-crushed San Marzano tomatoes, a mix of peppers, roasted cherry tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, and basil. We expect queues out the door once the two-storey pizzeria opens officially on Apr. 29 as the new hero of Wan Chai’s Lee Tung Avenue.
Vincenzo Capuano, Shop G04–05, G/F, & F01A, 1/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2802 2802, book here
17. Flat Iron Burger Wan Chai
Flat Iron Burger has been given a new lease of life in Wan Chai, returning on May 1 to the original The Butchers Club Burger location where it all began courtesy of Hidden Gems Restaurants founder Johnny Glover. In addition to the brand’s standard range of stellar burgers, there’s an exclusive layer to this opening in the form of an evolving QR code secret menu. Off-menu launch items include the Double Happiness (HKD258), a cult local burger fave featuring a tower of dry-aged Angus beef patties, maple bacon, and cheese between a grilled cheese bun, and scrumptious duck fat fries (HKD78).
Flat Iron Burger, Shop A, G/F, Kelly House, 6–14 Greeson Street, Wan Chai, 3104 4929
