We all know Causeway Bay is famous for its numerous shopping malls, but the area hides a number of hidden gems outside those AC palaces that shouldn’t be avoided just because Causeway Bay is perpetually crowded. Not to mention, quality eateries and restaurants are tucked away around every corner. In fact, there’s so much to do we wrote an entire guide dedicated to the neighbourhood. It’s tough to find time to do everything, though, so here are five things close to the MTR that you shouldn’t miss for when you’re in a hurry.
A relatively hidden coffeeshop – amusingly located below a sex shop, just in case you need any extra pep – Café Corridor is one of Causeway Bay’s best-kept secrets, offering some excellent java. A minute’s stroll from Exit A down a discreet passageway next to the Blancpain store, the place welcomes caffeine lovers with a variety of joe, including Melbourne speciality brews like Magic and Dirty coffees. Another notable feature is the smoking area out back.
While VR gaming isn’t exactly new, not everyone has the money and space to keep the tech at home. That’s where this VR arcade comes in. Located in an upstairs venue literally a minute away from Exit D1, Playdium is home to top-of-the-line Razer Computers, HTC Vive VR goggles and even a miniature boxing ring for playing its VR boxing games. Games are aplenty here, ranging from zombie shoot-outs to puzzle-based head scratchers to painting exercises. $260/hour (weekday), $280/hour (weekend).
Okay, it’s actually called Tang Lung Street and not Ramen Street, but this short stretch of Causeway Bay is home to a handful of intensely slurpable ramen joints including the hugely popular Tsuta (pictured) – the first foreign outpost of the Michelin-starred Tokyo restaurant – Butao Ramen and Tsukemen Mitaseimenjo, to name just a few. Springy noodles bathed in beautifully rich broth await just three minutes away from Exit A. A word of warning, most of these popular ramen restaurants tend to be compact, so expect to queue.
Open since 2016, Rabbitland Cafe was and remains Hong Kong’s one and only rabbit café. A super short two-minute walk from Exit D1, this upstairs venue invites animal lovers to hang out and make friends with its six resident bunnies. Stroke ‘em, pet ‘em and feed ‘em while enjoying a drink and chill out with one of the surprisingly good board games on offer. Just remember to wear or bring socks, as you can’t get in without them.
Strokes is the city’s first ‘urban miniature golf club’ and it comes complete with two nine-hole courses dressed up in bright pastel colours and retro Californian aesthetics. Under the same roof is a speciality restaurant that offers healthy and low-carb dishes like Strokes’ cauliflower burger and various protein bowls. There’s also coffee on offer and a bar serving decent cocktails if you need something stronger. Perfect stuff for refuelling in-between games.
You can easily experience some of the best things that SSP offers, from local desserts to its shopping markets, without straying more than five minutes from the MTR Station.
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