Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Swire Properties’ annual charity book sale ‘Books for Love @ $10’ has officially returned for its 14th edition. This year’s event takes on the theme ‘Turning Pages, Building Bonds’, which aims to use the simple act of reading to spark fresh conversations between family, friends, and even strangers. With over 320,000 pre-loved books up for grabs – all of which were donated by the community – there’s plenty for even the most voracious bookworm to get through. Photograph: Courtesy Swire Properties If you’ve never been before, it’s simple: every book is priced at just $10. The popular ‘Buy 10, Get Two Free’ offer is also back, meaning you can walk away with a dozen new reads for exactly $100! A pretty sweet deal if you ask us. There are also some specialist sections to look out for, including a dedicated wellness and psychology area with 15,000 titles, a National Geographic section featuring 500 pristine children’s science books, and a discounted books section offering four children’s books for only $20. Photograph: Courtesy Swire Properties After you’re done browsing, you can stick around for a series of activities that extend well beyond the paperbacks. On May 10 and 17, 150 young readers can join the Wonderland Walk, a whimsical parade inspired by Alice in Wonderland that involves conquering themed checkpoints across Taikoo Place. There are also 20 interactive storytelling sessions running across the weekends for kids aged between three and 12, as well as a special talk on May 15 featuring award-winning illustrator Joanne Liu and Janet Lui from the Hong Kong Children’s Musical Theatre, where they’ll be discussing the work of local literary legend Xi Xi and how to help children discover beauty through curiosity. Best of all, your shopping habit supports a good cause. All proceeds from the book sale will go to the Treasure Trove project by The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong and the Agency for Volunteer Service to help develop sustainable volunteerism. Books for Love @ $10 When: May 7-10 and 14-17, 12pm-8pm (until 7pm on May 10) Where: ArtisTree, 1/F Cambridge House and 18/F Berkshire House, Taikoo Place Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: World-renowned pizzeria Vincenzo Capuano opens in Wan Chai Water World Ocean Park officially announces its summer reopening date Taiwanese lifestyle brand Everyday Object opens first overseas pop-up in Hong Kong

What’s the secret to a perfect slice of pizza? Well, according to internationally acclaimed chef Vincenzo Capuano, his winning formula might have something to do with a golden pair of scissors… Having launched over 40 restaurants across Europe and the Middle East, chef Capuano is a third-generation pizza maker who started learning the craft at the age of 15 from his father and grandfather in Naples. Now making his mark in the city with his first Hong Kong outpost in Wan Chai, the award-winning pizzaiolo brings with him a serious reputation that includes a 2022 world championship title and a number 13 ranking in the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains for 2025. Photograph: Joshua Lin The undisputed star of the show here is the signature nuvola dough, named after the Italian word for ‘cloud’. Developed alongside flour specialists Mulino Caputo, the dough undergoes a maturation period of 24 to 30 hours and reaches hydration levels of 80 percent. This results in a crust that is exceptionally airy and light, designed to be more digestible than traditional doughs. As for the golden scissors, every pizza served comes with its own little ritual. Instead of using a standard pizza wheel or knife, guests are encouraged to snip through their crust at the table. It is more than just for show, though, as the blades can glide through without pressure, ensuring the airy structure of the crust stays intact. Unlike a traditional knife, which can flatten the delicate nuvola base, this technique ensures you’ll get that characteristic texture in every bite. Photograph: Joshua Lin The menu is a mix of champion creations alongside recipes from the Capuano’s grandmother. Diners can tuck into the World Champion Pizza provola e pepe ($208) – the very pizza that secured the chef’s world title – which features smoked provola, hand-crushed tomatoes, and a pepper blend. Other signatures include an indulgent abbraccio e mamma ($238) with a ricotta-stuffed crust and meatballs, and the tetti illuminati ($238) topped with mortadella Bologna IGP, pistachio cream, fior di latte, and pecorino Romano. Photograph: Joshua Lin The restaurant itself, which seats around 80 guests, is designed to feel like a slice of Naples, featuring an open kitchen where you can watch every step of the pizza-making process, and a handcrafted Pasquale Fazzone oven that was built brick by brick in Italy before being shipped to Wan Chai.  We don’t know about you, but our stomachs are rumbling just from talking about it. Visit vincenzocapuano.hk to learn more and grab yourself a table now. Vincenzo CapuanoAddress: G04-05, G/F & F01A, 1/F, Lee Tung Avenue, Wan Chai Open hours: 12pm-3pm and 6pm-11pm (until May 13); 12pm-11pm from May 14 onwards. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Water World Ocean Park officially announces its summer reopening date Taiwanese lifestyle brand Everyday Object opens first overseas pop-up in Hong Kong Pici celebrates its 10th anniversary with Culinary Class Wars winner Napoli Matfia

As the Hong Kong humidity begins its annual attempt to turn us all into human puddles, the timing for the return of Water World Ocean Park could not be better. Set to swing open its gates on May 16, the park is kicking off the season with a wave of discounts and rather unusual photo opportunities. The reopening day itself comes with a little extra incentive for the early birds, as the first 100 visitors through the turnstiles on May 16 will receive a surprise gift to celebrate the start of summer. The park is also launching a Pre-Summer Splash promotion with tickets starting from just $98. These special rates are available for booking until June 30 and are valid for visits between May 16 and July 3. Photograph: Courtesy Water World Ocean Park For HKDSE students who have spent the last few weeks buried under textbooks, there’s also a special $72 ticket for the reopening day (available for booking from now until May 16) so they can wash away the trauma of exam season with a big splash. From May 16 to June 30, visitors can even throw on specially designed graduation gowns for the park’s First Hon Summer event and take snaps at the Reef Lobby or Ocean Park’s famous Rainbow Rush slide. Those who bring their own gown on May 16 or 17 can also receive a free gift by taking photos at these two spots, sharing them on Instagram, and tagging @waterworldoceanparkhk. Photograph: Courtesy Water World Ocean Park What’s more, pro instructors will be shredding the waves at Surf Striker while wearing full graduation gowns every Saturday and Sunday throughout May and June. Once you’ve finished watching the surfing scholars, be sure to head over to the Jumbo Game Zone to tackle super-sized versions of Jenga, Chess, Connect Four, and Tetris. For a full breakdown of various ticket discounts and entry rates, visit the official Water World website to check the latest pricing details before you book. We all know how the Hong Kong summer treats us – so hiding out in a wave pool is really the only logical solution to keep your cool. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Taiwanese lifestyle brand Everyday Object opens first overseas pop-up in Hong Kong Pici celebrates its 10th anniversary with Culinary Class Wars winner Napoli Matfia Garden opens a bakery pop-up with limited-edition confectionery, merch, photo spots, and more

Taiwanese lifestyle platform Everyday Object (EO) has officially arrived in Hong Kong for their first overseas venture, partnering with local urban exploration app Scannow to showcase more than 60 curated labels from both Taiwan and Hong Kong. Located at Domain, a café and coworking space in East Hong Kong, the pop-up is set to run until July 31. The residency is split into three distinct monthly themes, beginning with ‘Way to Travel’ in May, then ‘In the Office’ in June, and finally ‘At Home’ in July. Photograph: Courtesy Everyday Object Shoppers can get their hands on some of the most niche Taiwanese brands that you won’t find in Hong Kong. Highlights include the incredibly popular accordion bags from Kirrei.co, intricate glass bead embroidery from Maybo, and indigenous-inspired woven accessories from Kamaro’an. For those looking to upgrade their stationery game, Antou Design has brought its sleek ballpoint pens to the space, alongside woven balloon bags from Pieces of Jade and vegan hand care products from Buuni. Photograph: Courtesy Everyday Object The collaboration also highlights local Hong Kong talent, featuring minimalist apparel from Still House, handcrafted bags by Minthandmade, fragrances inspired by Chinese characters from Llems, and more. Those with a sweet tooth can also pick up portable canned cheesecakes from Ch.eese Department. (Chdt.), including a special yuenyeung flavour launched exclusively for the pop-up. Even four-legged friends are catered for with premium Japanese fabric pet accessories from Momo.tone. Coffee lovers also have an extra reason to visit, as the pop-up features a guest roast from Taichung-based Sumugaga Coffee Roasters. The café is serving a limited-edition pourover using their house blend ‘The Sewing’ medium roast, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the Atayal people. As an added incentive, you can also get a five-percent discount on your coffee by downloading the Scannow app and following them on Instagram (@scannowapp). Once installed, users will be able to access a digital map of independent lifestyle brands, creative spaces, and hidden gems across the city, turning the pop-up into a stylish starting point for an exciting adventure around the city. Everyday Object Select Shop By Scannow @EastWhen: 7am to 7pm daily Where: 1/F, East Hong Kong, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Quarry Bay Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Pici celebrates its 10th anniversary with Culinary Class Wars winner Napoli Matfia Garden opens a bakery pop-up with limited-edition confectionery, merch, photo spots, and more Test Kitchen to host a final four-hands dinner series before closing its doors

It’s been a whole decade since Pici first opened its doors in Wan Chai, and to mark the big double-digit milestone, the group is throwing a month-long birthday bash this summer that includes a very fitting collaboration with South Korean chef Kwon Sung-jun – better known to fans as Napoli Matfia, the season one winner of Netflix’s hit show Culinary Class Wars. The celebrations kick off with two guest chef dinners at Pici Central on June 26 and 27 – sadly, both nights are already fully booked! If you didn’t manage to nab a seat for those two nights, you can still experience the ‘mat’ (which, sidenote, means ‘taste’ in Korean – hence the extra ‘t’ in the word ‘mafia’) with the Pici x Napoli Matfia anniversary menu available at every single Pici location from July 1 to 31. Photograph: Courtesy Pici The limited-time dishes include tagliolini Sicilian prawn tartare e bottarga ($180), a contemporary take on the 17th-century Neapolitan signature with Sicilian pink prawn tartare, and a hearty Pici white poultry ragu & truffle ($160) featuring duck, guinea fowl, yellow chicken, and turkey. You can also opt for the ravioli galbi-jjim ($170), which marries Korean and Italian flavours with braised short ribs and a sweet-savoury pear and pineapple kick. To finish, fans will finally get to try the famous chestnut tiramisu ($70), the very same mocha-soaked creation that appeared in the legendary convenience store challenge on Culinary Class Wars. There’s also a chance to catch Napoli Matfia in person at the Pici 10th Anniversary Market on June 27 (12pm to 7pm) at PMQ. Visitors can wander down Pici Lane for tastings and pasta-rolling workshops, or explore a decade of history at the Gallery, featuring a dedicated Pici Wall and photo-op areas. The Partner Pantry will also be on hand to keep spirits high (literally), with an official Aperol Spritz station alongside artisanal gelato, premium wines, and other tipples from the brand’s closest partners. The main stage will be where the action’s at throughout the afternoon. Between 2pm and 3pm, the Pasta Challenge invites the public to volunteer on the spot to show off their pasta-making skills. If you manage to stand out from the crowd, you might even be pulled on stage to compete and get some quick feedback from Napoli Matfia himself! There’ll also be a Young Pasta Chef Competition from 4pm to 5pm, where five talented kids shortlisted from the FWD Max Academy will roll, wrap, and garnish their own ravioli live under the chef’s mentorship. To top it all off, Napoli Matfia will be rolling up his sleeves for a live demonstration to recreate his signature dish, giving fans a front-row view of his incredible technique. It’s going to be a carby summer celebration at Pici, and we’re not complaining. Visit pici10.com for more details. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Garden opens a bakery pop-up with limited-edition confectionery, merch, photo spots, and more Test Kitchen to host a final four-hands dinner series before closing its doors The highly acclaimed Matilda The Musical is playing near Hong Kong in a Shenzhen theatre

There probably isn’t a single Hongkonger who doesn’t know what Life Bread is. This loaf of bread in its red-white-and-blue gingham wrapper is beloved in practically every local household. Garden, the Hong Kong bakery and confectionery manufacturer behind Life Bread, has also given us popular gems such as Pop-Pan crackers, wafer biscuits in multiple flavours, and those assorted biscuits in the big red tins that circulate the city every Lunar New Year. As Garden approaches its 100th anniversary at the end of this year, they’ve launched a pop-up in Langham Place, adorably themed after a tour through its factory. From refreshed versions of nostalgic snacks and culinary experiences to collaborations with local streetwear brands, the ‘Every Bites Tells a Story’ event is a love letter to the iconic food brand that has literally fed and nurtured generations of Hongkongers. Photograph: Courtesy Garden / Langham Place Peek into the back of a truck to find crates of Garden loaves as well as the brand’s television commercials from the past, before browsing through clothing and accessories created in collaboration with Grocery and Aim Higher Club. We were very much into the retro patterns and motifs from Garden’s 50s to 80s archives incorporated into modern street style – look out for the bandana, the blue shirt with Garden logos, and the t-shirts carrying prints of an actual Garden invoice from years past (complete with a typo from the original document, if you can spot it). Photograph: Courtesy Langham Place Head past the revolving conveyor belt display of bread loaves for an exclusive snack. The Rainbow Chocolate Finger Biscuit Gift Box ($78) contains five new flavours of a classic snack, each coated in a new pastel-coloured chocolate layer to match the bright wrappers. Last we heard, these treats had swiftly sold out, but Garden is going to stock them back up so look out for the delivery arrivals. There is also a range of Garden-themed stationery like notebooks and folders, alongside replicas of classic Garden delivery vans in a collaboration with Tiny. Photograph: Courtesy Langham Place If you’ve worked up an appetite, the bakery has even paired up with Canto Spice to reimagine four classic Cantonese dishes, each served “hotdog”-style with a different Garden bread pairing. Ranging between $58 and $68, choose from Sichuan boiled beef in a tomato ciabatta, stir-fried beef noodles in a sesame hot dog bun, shredded scallion chicken in a butter hot dog bun, or – our favourite – braised pork belly with preserved vegetables in an olive ciabatta. Photograph: Courtesy Langham Place Honestly, it won’t be a hardship at all to open your wallet at ‘Grandpa G’s Factory Tour’, so just know that LP Club members who spend $200 at the Garden pop-up and a total of $1,000 at Langham Place will be given a go at the gacha capsule machine, where you can receive a limited-edition plushie keychain shaped like a Pop-Pan cracker, a fortune cookie, a pair of wafer biscuits, a tin of Family Assorted Biscuits, or a loaf of Life Bread. Photograph: Courtesy Langham Place Before leaving, loop round to the back of the pop-up to find a whole wall display of rare historical items from first-generation Garden biscuit tins and vintage merchandise to branded kitchen appliances. You can even leave a message about your own memories of Garden products on the old-school phone! Bring your mum to the pop-up; it’ll be a cute trip down memory lane for her. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Test Kitchen to host a final four-hands dinner series before closing its doors The highly acclaimed ‘Matilda The Musical’ is playing near Hong Kong in a Shenzhen theatre Famous Lisbon bakery Manteigaria set to open its first Hong Kong flagship

After more than a decade of serving as the city’s pioneering platform for culinary experimentation, the curtain is finally coming down on Test Kitchen. The Sai Ying Pun dining concept has announced it will vacate its long-standing loft at 158A Connaught Road West at the end of June, marking the end of an 11-year run that saw hundreds of international chefs pass through its open kitchen. But before the lights go out for good, the venue is hosting one final pop-up to send the space off in style. For this four-hands dinner finale, founder Vincent Mui has recruited two of Bali’s most celebrated talents and great friends of the house: Ben Cross, the culinary director behind Masonry and Bar Vera, and Stephen Moore, the chef-owner of Shelter Pererenan. Returning to Hong Kong for their sixth residency at Test Kitchen, the duo will bring a Mediterranean-inspired menu that promises to blend world-class craft with soul-warming flavours and a bit of theatre. Photograph: Courtesy Test Kitchen The farewell menu begins with snacks such as crab tart with crispy egg and curried yolk, alongside beef marmalade served on coffee sourdough toast with manchego. The meal then moves through to starters like smoked hamachi with red pepper marmalade and green goddess pide with Iberico chorizo, followed by barbecued king prawns paired with smoked almond tarator and curry leaves. For the main event, a lamb duo consisting of rack and clay-baked shoulder is served alongside grilled cos with candied pear and pomme paillison. True to Moore’s reputation for memorable desserts, the evening concludes with a whipped white chocolate ganache tart featuring salted caramel and pistachio. Photograph: Courtesy Shelter Pererenan Bali This special residency will consist of just three dinners, running from May 27 to 29. Each evening begins at 7pm and is priced at $1,180 per person. To book your spot, simply DM @hktestkitchen on Instagram or contact Vincent via WhatsApp at 9032 7628. Whether you have fond memories of attending one of their past meals or have always wanted to see what the fuss is all about, this is your last chance to grab a seat at the table. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The highly acclaimed ‘Matilda The Musical’ is playing near Hong Kong in a Shenzhen theatre Famous Lisbon bakery Manteigaria set to open its first Hong Kong flagship New Bruce Lee statue and exhibition opens at his former childhood home in Jordan

Yes, we’ve got a couple of spectacular musical productions coming to town with Jesus Christ Superstar in July and Cats in August, but it’s never enough for us theatre kids. If you need another dose of showtunes, you’ll be glad to know that the internationally acclaimed British production of Matilda The Musical is currently on show near us! Granted, the performances aren’t exactly in Hong Kong, but it’s close enough that travelling up to Shenzhen isn’t too much of a pain. From now until May 24, the musical is being performed at the Opera Hall of the Bay Opera of Shenzhen, located conveniently in Qianhai, and is a great chance for audiences in Hong Kong to experience the magic of this story and music if you haven’t had the chance to. Photograph: Courtesy Seven Ages / Royal Shakespeare Company Adapted from Roald Dahl’s fantastic novel of the same name and created by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Matilda The Musical has garnered 24 awards for Best Musical, seven Olivier Awards, five Tony Awards, and other international accolades in the 15 or so years since its premiere. For the unacquainted, the story follows Matilda, an extraordinarily bright young girl who is neglected and left under-nurtured by her parents, and seeks solace in books. When she finds herself targeted by her fearsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers she harbours a remarkable power that could save her and her supportive teacher Miss Honey. Photograph: Courtesy Seven Ages / Royal Shakespeare Company Keeping with the spirit of Dahl, the music and lyrics of Matilda The Musical, penned by the incredible Tim Minchin, is full of wit, spunk, and childlike wonder, while the stage design and the choreography is also a delight. If you are familiar with the book and want to see Trunchbull punish students in the terrible Chokey, or witness Bruce Bogtrotter scoffing an entire chocolate cake, then this musical will bring you back to your childhood in a flash. A time-limited early-bird offer for tickets for the May 25 to June 21 performances will be on sale soon. From 11am on May 7 to May 13, purchase two or more tickets priced at second- and third-highest ticket tiers ($975 and $640 on weekdays, or $1,083 and $752 on weekends, respectively) to enjoy a 25-percent discount. Audiences who purchase the most expensive ticket tier will also receive a complimentary programme. Tickets for Matilda The Musical are available on Cityline, Klook, and Artmate. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Famous Lisbon bakery Manteigaria set to open its first Hong Kong flagship New Bruce Lee statue and exhibition opens at his former childhood home in Jordan Jellycat to open its first themed store in Hong Kong this May

One of Lisbon’s most beloved pastry shops is making its way to the city – and it’s bringing a very sweet welcoming gift along with it! Manteigaria, the artisanal bakery that has earned a cult following in Portugal for its pastéis de nata, is set to open its first Hong Kong flagship in Central this month. Taking over a spot on Queen’s Road Central, the brand is promising a slice of Portuguese tradition to the city’s busy commuters and dessert lovers alike. While Hong Kong is no stranger to the egg tart – be it the glossy-topped Cantonese version or the scorched Macau variety – Manteigaria takes this treat to a whole new level. Founded in 2014, the bakery is famous for its open-kitchen concept where customers can watch every stage of the process, from the hand-folding of the pastry to the precise pouring of the custard.   Photograph: Courtesy Manteigaria Unlike Hong Kong-style egg tarts, which often favour a firmer, egg-forward filling with either a buttery shortcrust or light flaky crust, Manteigaria’s pastéis de nata are defined by a thin and shatteringly crisp pastry – the result of a intensive process where the dough is kneaded and folded by hand – and a creamy caramelised filling made using whole eggs, plenty of sugar, and butter (rather than margarine), with zero preservatives or additives. In Lisbon, these are also traditionally enjoyed with a dusting of cinnamon, a ritual that hopefully we’ll see brought over to the new Central location. The new shop will follow a rhythm familiar to anyone who has visited their Chiado or Time Out Market outposts in Lisbon. Every time a fresh batch of tarts slides out of the oven, a bell will ring out onto the street – a signature Lisbon tradition that signals the arrival of something warm and ready to be shared. Each tart is crafted, baked, and served fresh throughout the day, ensuring the quality of pastry hitting your hand is at its absolute peak. The store’s soft opening is scheduled for May 26 (3pm), while the official grand opening will follow a week later on June 2. On the day, the bakery will be giving away 300 freshly baked pastéis de nata for free – so don’t miss out! From then on, the shop will be open daily from 8am to 8pm, serving up warm tarts alongside Portuguese coffee for those looking to swap their usual morning espresso for something a little more indulgent. Manteigaria is located at Shop B, G/F, Man Hing Commercial Building, 79-83 Queen’s Road Central, Central. For more information, visit manteigaria.com or follow @manteigaria.hk on Instagram. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: New Bruce Lee statue and exhibition opens at his former childhood home in Jordan Jellycat to open its first themed store in Hong Kong this May New immersive Mona Lisa exhibition opens at Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong has produced no shortage of global talents, but when it comes to pure city pride, there is one name that arguably stands head and shoulders above the rest – the iconic Bruce Lee. Marking the 85th anniversary of Lee’s return to Hong Kong, a life-sized sculpture of the martial arts legend has been unveiled at Prudential Centre, the former site of Lee’s childhood home in Jordan. While the famous bronze figure on the Avenue of Stars captures Lee in a mid-combat pose, this new addition, titled Be Like Water, offers a quieter tribute with a 1:1 scale figure that captures Lee in a moment of stillness, highlighting his fluid philosophy rather than just his physical prowess. The Prudential Centre is also playing host to ‘Bruce Lee: Homecoming – 85 Years Later’, an accompanying exhibition featuring a curated collection of rare posters and photographs from private archives that have never been seen by the public before. These snapshots offer a glimpse into the more personal side of his life in Kowloon, giving fans a more intimate look at Lee before he became a global superstar. Photograph: Joshua Lin The exhibition is free to enter and will remain open to the public daily until May 31, while the sculpture will become a permanent fixture within Prudential Centre. You can find the statue standing guard at the Nathan Road entrance of the shopping mall, while the memorabilia is displayed within the mall’s dedicated gallery spaces. Look out also for the red Mercedes-Benz 280SL outside the Prudential Hotel – a nod to Lee’s beloved Mercedes-Benz 350SL which he was famously known for driving around during the early 70s. Whether you’re a devoted fan or simply want to pay your respects, be sure to swing by Jordan this month to see the immortal icon of martial arts return to the very spot where it all began. Stay in the loop: Sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Jellycat to open its first themed store in Hong Kong this May New immersive Mona Lisa exhibition opens at Hong Kong Heritage Museum Oxfam Hong Kong set to raise the city’s living wage to $64 per hour in October

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by April & Artie (@aprilandartie) To address some of these queries: restaurants granted the pet permit will be allowed to determine the extent of their participation, and the policy does indeed cover air-conditioned areas in restaurants. Pet owners will be required to keep their dogs under control at all times with a leash no longer than 1.5 metres or secured to a fixed object. Dogs will also not be allowed on dining tables or to come in contact with food and tableware. It remains to be seen whether there’s a limit on how many dogs each pet owner can bring into eateries, and secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on February 10 that dog diapers will most likely not be made mandatory as it may cause discomfort to dogs who don’t need them. High-risk venues like hotpot or barbecue restaurants will not be granted pet permits.  When asked which restaurants they would want to see welcome their pets in the near future, Hong Kong’s pet owners are not picky – they’re just happy that the option to do so is happening in the first place. Stephanie Lown, who works at the SPCA Hong Kong and is the founder of the outdoor adventure group Exploring Dogs, is just “thrilled to have any options open up to dogs at all!” Her rescue dog Lola is an energetic, active adventurer of the great outdoors, so Lown can think of “nothing better than ending a hike with your dog and being able to stop at a café or restaurant for a nice refreshing drink or meal”. Cho would love to see Korean restaurants and dim sum places adopt a pet-friendly attitude, while Dorathy wants to see their dining options expand to include cha chaan tengs or fast-food joints. We don’t know if Maxim’s Palace in City Hall or your local Café de Coral will soon embrace hungry pups, but it sure is a nice thought! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Life in Hong Kong with Lola (@livin_da_vida_lola) Promoting pet-friendly eateries is a great step in making Hong Kong a more inclusive city for animals. Considering that the local pet economy is a multi-billion dollar market driven by mostly younger citizens with the financial means and the inclination to provide the best for their animals, there is plenty more that can be done to make people happy while tapping into this sizable income pocket. Hong Kong is already trying out having pets on public transport, with select bus routes accommodating animals on certain days of the week and the Light Rail in the New Territories allowing pets on the weekends. Pet owners are now eagerly waiting for expanded transportation options, as well as regulations that don’t require their pets being placed in carriers – it’s easy to put a Pomeranian in a bag, but try doing the same with a Bernese Mountain Dog.  “Right now, I am always on foot or taking cabs everywhere whenever I travel with my dogs,” Cho muses. “I hope one day dogs will be allowed on either the MTR or on buses.” Dorathy concurs, saying that as a medium-sized dog owner, “it would be fantastic to bring my dogs on the MTR and buses”, adding that she wouldn’t mind putting her Samoyeds in diapers to ensure hygiene if needed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Exploring Dogs (@exploringdogs) Cho also adds that there are not enough dog-friendly parks and beaches in Hong Kong – dogs are currently banned from most parks and public beaches, with only a handful open to dog owners and their pups. “We usually end up on unregulated beaches that are filled with plastic, broken glass, and trash, which is so dangerous for dogs. Hopefully we’ll see more dog-friendly places so our fur babies can enjoy nature too.” Lown looks even further ahead, hoping to see more housing options open up to pet owners as well. “The last couple of years have definitely shown promise with ferries, KMB buses, and the MTR welcoming dogs for SPCA’s Dogathon, but we still have some ways to go. Other countries have had these pet-inclusive policies for years, if not decades!” Lastly, she hopes that with this recent wave of pet-friendly sentiment, the Hong Kong government might review the city’s animal cruelty laws, which she laments have not been updated in 90 years. “It would be good to see the government finally implementing a ‘Duty of Care’ policy which would help improve animal rights and welfare in Hong Kong.” Hear, hear! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out

Ever wanted to go back in time and shop at a supermarket from the 1950s? It might come off as a rather specific fancy, but for those who harbour such a dream, you’re in luck: Hong Kong’s homegrown supermarket giant, Wellcome, is hopping aboard the nostalgia train with the launch of a retro-inspired concept store in Yau Ma Tei. Designed as a tribute to Hong Kong’s extensive retail history, Wellcome has repurposed its Prosperous Garden branch in Yau Ma Tei as an exhibition destination to celebrate the supermarket’s 80-year-plus legacy. Founded in 1945, Wellcome has been a constant in the lives of local families, serving the needs of generations of Hongkongers. As the city evolved, Wellcome evolved with it, but this branded concept shop preserves a slice of the supermarket as shoppers might have seen it back in the 1950s to the 1970s, complete with vintage character, photogenic interiors, and time-limited collectibles. Each aisle, stocked with a curated selection of products, doubles as a fetching backdrop oozing charm and colour, so no doubt this location will quickly become a popular attraction! Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Snap photos of the LED-emblazoned shopfront, which takes its cues from Hong Kong’s famous urban landscape of neon lights; discover classic interior design elements such as the vintage silver-and-green turnstile, a sea of red plastic lamps popularised in wet markets, and patterned floor tiles; and admire nostalgic grocery setups and heritage exhibits that showcase the allure and shared memories of Hong Kong’s past.  As part of the concept store activation, Wellcome is also launching special deals and brand collaborations to commemorate the occasion, including a reusable Wellcome Retro Eco Bag for $28 with a single transaction of $100 – it’s reminiscent of Wellcome’s old-school red-and-yellow carrier, making for a keepsake that’s both practical and sentimental. Additionally, Wellcome will team up with tech equipment manufacturer Smeg to offer a limited-edition Lifebox ($88 with any purchase of $100 or more) from February 6 to 19, and Hong Kong’s own lifestyle brand G.O.D. for a Lunar New Year-themed game set ($68). Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Wait, there’s more! While the weather’s still below 20 degrees Celsius, pop over to Prosperous Garden to sip warmed Vitasoy soy milk from glass bottles – a Hong Kong childhood memory that many will dwell on fondly. You can also take your chance at a Lee Kum Kee capsule machine from now until March 31, which will dispense a surprise miniature magnet depicting one of the condiment maker’s signature products. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Harbourside Swing Fest returns for its 2026 edition in late April Shiro brings its signature ‘crystal sushi’ to its second location in Tai Kwun Everything you need to know about Japan’s official cherry blossom forecast 2026

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is also presenting the ‘Sauce’ series, applying the same mirrored techniques to create patterns reminiscent of Rorschach inkblot tests. Inspired by traditional Fu Lu Shou statues representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, Leung uses foldable boards loaded with pigment to ‘find’ faces hidden in the paint. In contrast, Lousy – rather than focusing on the food aspect of dim sum – aims to capture the feeling of community and chaos experienced during a yum cha get-together. He paints and draws on top of old dim sum order sheets to give graphic form to the hustle and bustle of a Cantonese restaurant, depicting figures sat at a table, abstract interpretations of food, hands pouring tea, and more. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery David and Lousy’s collaborations don’t end there. Lousy has teamed up with Wendy’s Wok World for a ‘Special Collab Soy Sauce’. 22 bottles of Tiu Yuen small-batch soy sauce are covered in custom packaging artwork created by Lousy. Meanwhile, Leung worked with chef May Chow of Little Bao to wrap 50 bottles of her handcrafted Fook Jiang chilli sauce in original ‘chilli sauce’ Rorschach artworks, bringing the food-focused project one degree closer to the art of Chinese cooking. ‘Double Umami’ is on exhibition at JPS Gallery from January 30 to March 7. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will also allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Check things out at 8055’s grand opening party on January 24, when they’ll be hosting a 10-hour DJ relay from 8pm onwards. The lineup will include Andrew Bull, better known as DJ El Toro or the ‘Father of Hong Kong DJs’, who is famous for initiating the city’s first disco in The Peninsula hotel as well as the iconic Canton Disco. Sounds like a party and a half! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Kodak Apparel opens a time-limited concept store in Hong Kong New brasserie Chouchou brings French comfort food to an elevated setting in Wan Chai Sai Ying Pun’s historic steakhouse Sammy’s Kitchen announces closure this month

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. See some footage of the Water Parade here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place!