Catharina Cheung is a seasoned journalist, editor, and translator with nine years of experience creating multilingual content for various digital and print publications in Hong Kong and the UK. Having joined Time Out Hong Kong as the section editor in 2023, she is currently managing all English content across digital and social channels — but if pressed, she will admit her passion lies in covering art and culture, music and nightlife, F&B, and LGBTQ+ topics, as well as human interest interviews.

When she’s not roping friends in for all-night karaoke sessions, you’ll most likely find her furtively buying books despite her ever-growing to-be-read list, or poking around local Hong Kong bakeries in search of the slowly disappearing Mexico bun.

Catharina publishes in English, but is also fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin – get in touch with her at catharina.cheung@timeout.com.

Catharina Cheung

Catharina Cheung

Section Editor

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Articles (219)

The best steak restaurants in Hong Kong

The best steak restaurants in Hong Kong

A great steak relies on very little, which is exactly why the details matter so much. Whether it’s the origin of the cattle, the secret spice rubs, a specific rare cut, or the way it chars, Hong Kong’s chefs are finding plenty of ways to iterate on the classic. If you’re in the mood for a fine slab of meat, we’ve put together a list of our favourite steak restaurants in the city. Whatever your preference, you’ll find it right here. RECOMMENDED: Prefer something else instead? Grab a table at the best hotpot restaurants in Hong Kong.
The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (June 15-21)

The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (June 15-21)

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎹 Art exhibitions to check out right nowđŸ„č Free things to do in Hong Kong
Les millors ciutats del mĂłn per menjar ara mateix

Les millors ciutats del mĂłn per menjar ara mateix

Cada any elaborem una classificaciĂł de les millors ciutats del mĂłn per menjar i beure. L'objectiu Ă©s retre homenatge als xefs, els fogons i les parades de menjar de carrer que alimenten la ciutat. I com es decideix la llista? Enguany, el rĂ nquing de les Millors Ciutats per Menjar de Time Out s'ha creat a partir d'una enquesta a mĂ©s de 24.000 residents de tot el mĂłn. Els vam demanar que valoressin la qualitat general de l'escena gastronĂČmica del seu lloc de residĂšncia, el preu de sortir a sopar i els punts gastronĂČmics en els quals creuen que destaca la seva ciutat. A continuaciĂł, vam combinar aquestes milers de respostes amb el criteri del panell d'experts culinaris de Time Out (editors i crĂ­tics gastronĂČmics de tota la nostra xarxa), que van votar per les ciutats que consideren els destins gastronĂČmics mĂ©s estimulants del planeta en aquest moment. Per garantir que la llista reflecteixi fidelment les capitals culinĂ ries globals, nomĂ©s la ciutat amb la puntuaciĂł mĂ©s alta de cada paĂ­s va aconseguir entrar al Top 20 definitiu. Com demostra la nostra selecciĂł, vivim un moment divertidĂ­ssim per sortir a menjar per la ciutat. Restaurants des de Lisboa fins a Lima estan servint alguns dels plats mĂ©s sorprenents, atrevits i francament deliciosos que es puguin trobar. QuĂš hi ha al menĂș? Polos de crema de mandarina a Nova York, fideus d'espina de peix a Copenhague i un sofisticat phở a Ciutat Ho Chi Minh. Hi ha alta cuina a Melbourne i fun dining (alta cuina divertida) a Ciutat del Cap
Hong Kong’s best flower shops and florists for beautiful bouquets

Hong Kong’s best flower shops and florists for beautiful bouquets

You don’t need any occasion to show your appreciation for someone with some beautiful blooms, but they sure do make a celebration that much more special. Even if you don’t have a lavish present or a Michelin-starred booking in the works, a beautiful bouquet of flowers can still be a lovely gift to melt someone’s heart. From well-established spots to modern florists with a hipster spin, here are some of our favourite places to pick up blooms. RECOMMENDED:  🕰 The latest Hong Kong shopping news🛍 Places for cheap shopping
The best events happening in Hong Kong this June

The best events happening in Hong Kong this June

June is a great month in Hong Kong. The temperature is just about cool enough to keep us from melting into the ground, which makes it the perfect time to challenge yourself with the best hiking trails in Hong Kong, and even if the weather is a bummer, there are still plenty of fun indoor activities to keep you entertained while staying dry. Read on to see what the city has in store for us this month. RECOMMENDED:  🎡 Hong Kong’s top attractions😍 Free things to do in Hong Kong✅ 63 most incredible things to do in Hong Kong
The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (June 12-14)

The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (June 12-14)

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in June🎡 Top attractions in Hong KongđŸ›ïžÂ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2026
The world’s best cities for food in 2026 – and why you should visit

The world’s best cities for food in 2026 – and why you should visit

Every year, we create a definitive ranking of the world’s greatest cities for eating and drinking. The aim is to celebrate the chefs, kitchens and street food stalls that feed the city, bringing locals and visitors together to savour life’s one greatest pleasure: an excellent meal. So, how is the list decided? This year, Time Out’s Best Cities for Food with Intrepid Travel was created on the back of a survey of more than 24,000 locals, based all around the world. We asked them to rate the overall quality of the food scene where they live, how affordable it is to eat out and the food spots they believe their city does best.  We then paired their thousands of responses with the insight of Time Out’s expert food panel – editors and food critics from across Time Out’s network – who voted for the cities they think are the most exciting dining destinations on the planet right now. Only the highest-scoring city in each country made the final 20, ensuring our list reflects culinary capitals globally.  As our list demonstrates, it’s a very fun time to be eating out in the city right now. Restaurants from Lisbon to Lima are serving up some of the most striking, daring and downright delicious plates of food you can find. On the menu? Satsuma creamsicles in New York, fish bone noodles in Copenhagen and fancy phở in Ho Chi Minh. There’s fine-dining in Melbourne and ‘fun dining’ in Cape Town, food trends from sandwich crazes to elevated tacos, and coffee and cocktail scenes well worth trav
Pride Month events in Hong Kong to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community

Pride Month events in Hong Kong to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community

June has rolled around again, which means it is time for all the girls, gays, and theys to unapologetically slay. Whether you’re more for going to queer bars, drag shows, or simply curling up with a homoerotic romance on the telly, there’s plenty you can do for Pride Month. Here are some of the best LGBTQIA-related parties, brunches, shows, and events that are happening in town! RECOMMENDED: Check out the must-watch movies from Hong Kong’s queer icon Leslie Cheung!
Hong Kong’s best nail salons for fresh manicures and nail art

Hong Kong’s best nail salons for fresh manicures and nail art

Much like our clothes, hairstyles, or even our phone cases, our nails are just another avenue to express ourselves and feel good in our own bodies. Whether you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up or a full-on pampering with the freshest designs on both your hands and feet, these nail salons are where it’s at.RECOMMENDED: You deserve nothing less than a full day of pampering, so why not book a package at one of these brilliant Hong Kong spas as well?
The world’s 20 best food cities right now

The world’s 20 best food cities right now

Every year, Time Out publishes the results of its international survey ranking the world’s best cities. Our team then dives deeper into the data to uncover other fascinating insights, like the world’s best cities for culture, the coolest neighborhoods and—the one I look forward to most—our ranking of the world’s best food cities. To get there, we surveyed thousands of city dwellers and asked them to rate their city’s food scene across 18 different criteria, including quality, affordability and diversity. Then we tapped our global network of chefs, editors and food critics to provide local insight into what makes their particular cities such wonderful places to eat—and not just right now. Our global network of food writers shared knowledge about the history of food in their cities, the dishes each place is known for, and the influence of different cultures on the local food scene. We’re serving up all this delicious intel in the tastiest list you’ll read all year, filled with nuggets from folks who frequent the bars, are restaurant regulars and know their city’s food scene inside and out. Ready to dig in? Here are the greatest cities for food on the planet.
The latest Hong Kong food news and events 2026

The latest Hong Kong food news and events 2026

From menu takeovers by renowned chefs to creative baked goodies and exclusive pop-ups, Hong Kong’s food and drink scene is always hard at work to keep us happy, well-fed, and forever curious. If you’re a bona fide foodie who's always on the lookout for the latest eats, turn your attention to these delicious happenings in the city right now. RECOMMENDED:  😋 New restaurants to check out in Hong KongđŸœïžÂ 50 best restaurants in Hong Kong🍜 Unique Hong Kong dishes you need to try
Mr Mahjong on retaining mahjong’s artistic value, normalising swearing, and meeting Colin Farrell

Mr Mahjong on retaining mahjong’s artistic value, normalising swearing, and meeting Colin Farrell

It doesn’t really matter if your relatives hosted weekly games with their friends or whether family’s set only ever saw the light of day for a couple of days over Lunar New Year – mahjong is most definitely an indelible part of life in Hong Kong. There have even been films centred around the game (starring Andy Lau and directed by Johnnie To, no less), and it’s not hard to see why when, apart from its cultural prevalence, there is an inherent beauty in mahjong: the sharp clacking of tiles being shuffled, the deep jade green of the tile backs formed into neat rows, the curvature of the motifs in the Circles suit contrasted against the strokes of Chinese characters in the Thousands suit. The iPad and AI generations may not care as much about this gambling game any more, but there are still some in Hong Kong who want to keep this slice of cultural heritage alive. Meet Mr Mahjong, the pseudonym of a Hong Kong artist in his early 30s called Daniel, who has dedicated his body of work to modernising mahjong in pleasingly eyecatching ways. We hung out with Mr Mahjong before his solo exhibition on Shin Hing Street, when he took us around Coa, Out of the Brew, and Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei, got us chatting to the friendly bar managers and proprietors Lok Cheung, Terrence Wu, and Rex Lam, and showed us his works dotted up and down the popular set of stairs. Read on to see why mahjong makes for an interesting art medium, how this culturally important game is the great unifier, and can connec

Listings and reviews (463)

Queertopia: Evolution

Queertopia: Evolution

Eaton HK’s Pride activities culminate in Queertopia: Evolution, bringing together a diverse lineup of drag performers both experienced and emerging, for a fabulous night of transformation and queer celebration. Performing drag queens and artists include Balatro, Bauhinia Black, Boy Bawang, Falanja, Gin Pan, Holok, Kameleon, Quasiturtle, and Sailor Ying. Guests who have joined the drag workshop held on June 15 and learned choreography will also get the opportunity to join the drag queens onstage for the final performance number. Tickets are priced at $250, inclusive of one drink. 
Offline Memories: Hong Kong LGBTQ+ Archive of Printed Matter from the Pre-Internet Era

Offline Memories: Hong Kong LGBTQ+ Archive of Printed Matter from the Pre-Internet Era

Hotel and creative hub Eaton HK is hosting a range of Pride month events, including an exhibition that draws from the Hong Kong LGBTQ+ Archive of Printed Matter. The city’s queer community is revisited through relics from the pre-internet era, such as newsletter, indie zines, handwritten letters, promotion brochures, AIDS leaflets, and more rare materials from the 80s to the early 2000s. More than a record of the past, this show aims to open dialogue for new visions of future queer memory.
Dive Bar Divas: Karaoke Night

Dive Bar Divas: Karaoke Night

Head to The Pontiac for a karaoke night of high-energy Pride anthems, where guests will be invited to take the mic and belt out both nostalgic throwbacks and rock classics. If you’re a diva who can hold a tune (or even just a partygoer unafraid to have some fun), we’ll see you there from 7pm!
Rainbow Run

Rainbow Run

June 19 sees everyone’s favourite queer-friendly dive bar The Pontiac partnering with five other venues around Central for a fun shot run. Complete six custom-made Moonshine mini cocktails at Dead Poets, Aer, Friday After Class, Honky Tonks Tavern, Not 2 Sweet, and The Pontiac, before rocking up to the finish line featuring a Midnight Special afterparty from 10pm onwards, where a bartender from each of the participating locations will take their turn behind the stick amidst the Pontiac chaos. Tickets to the Rainbow Run are priced at $288 per person, which includes six mini cocktails, an exclusive Rainbow Run race kit, and guaranteed access to the afterparty.
Draglicious Pride Brunch

Draglicious Pride Brunch

Cruise at the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong brings back their Draglicious Pride Brunch, an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink extravaganza on the rooftop of the hotel. While you’re indulging in the feast over with 20 dish options and bottomless prosecco and wines, there will also be entertainment in the form of some of Hong Kong’s best drag queens such as Emma Ohrey, Lilo May, and Pansze Diva, as well as live DJ sets by Disco Stoner to keep the vibes going. Cruise’s drag brunch is available exclusively on Saturday, June 27, and costs $688 per person.
Manteigaria

Manteigaria

Manteigaria, the artisanal bakery that has earned a cult following in Portugal for its pastĂ©is de nata, opened its first Hong Kong flagship at the beginning of June 2026. 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 pastĂ©is 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. 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.
The Rainbow Rave

The Rainbow Rave

The private members’ club will be opening its top two floors for the Rainbow Rave on June 27. The Pontiac will bring in a lineup of top bartenders from the region, including Call Me Al, Friday After Class, Crushed, and Sundry Bangkok, while there will also be live DJ sets and drag performances from Poise’n Grace. Partygoers can also have fun with flash tattoos and tooth gems by Stage.tattoo, tarot card readings, as well as access to the club’s pool and nibbles. Early-bird tickets are available until June 10 at $288, while full-price tickets will cost $350 – all include one drink.
Mr Mahjong Shin Hing Street exhibition

Mr Mahjong Shin Hing Street exhibition

This weekend, a young local artist known by the fitting pseudonym Mr Mahjong is putting on an exhibition that celebrates the classic game, contemporary art, and a particular popular pocket of Central. Reaching out to nine restaurants, cafĂ©s, and bars on Shin Hing Street, he has used them as inspiration for Hong Kong’s first mahjong street art exhibition. 15 art pieces carved and painted into little mahjong tiles will be dotted along the street, including some hidden installations tucked into unassuming spots, waiting to be discovered like Easter eggs. Some of these works include a set of tiles featuring the agave plant for our famous mezcal bar Coa, little sushi pieces for Sakaba Masaka, a fluffy sheep for the lamb-centric restaurant Kyanbasu by Mt. Yotei, wine bottles with small plants for the wine shop and cellar La Cabane, and more. Stop by the Out of the Brew taproom and recreate their rocket artwork out of shuffled mahjong tiles under a time limit to get a free craft beer as well!
Vinexpo Asia Hong Kong 2026

Vinexpo Asia Hong Kong 2026

After spending last year’s edition in Singapore, this major regional event for wine professionals is returning to Hong Kong for 2026. The global wine and spirits trade will gather at the convention centre in Wan Chai for three days of everything vino. Stroll and sip your way through hundreds of exhibitors from all over the world, attend masterclasses and gather important insights from the Vinexpo Academy, and get connecting with wine industry leaders and independent winemakers. If you’re eager to tap into still and sparkling wines, premium spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks from iconic wine regions, emerging wine markets, and everything in between, Vinexpo is the event for you this week.
Employees Only SG bar pop-up

Employees Only SG bar pop-up

Employees Only is making a nostalgic return of sorts to our shores. Having closed its Hong Kong outpost in 2019, the legendary speakeasy brand is back for one single evening on May 21, as the team from Employees Only Singapore takes over the bar at Terrible Baby. Three custom creations will be served throughout the evening, including the smooth, milk-washed gin-based ‘Dilly, Don’t Dally’; the tequila-based ‘Nightshade’ with notes of fruit and spice; and ‘Peachy Keen’, a light and floral number matching Tito’s vodka with elderflower, peach liqueur, lemon, and an Oolong tea-infused Baldoria Bianco vermouth. All cocktails are priced at $120 each, but a tasting package is available online via Eventbrite for $320 per person, which lets you sample all three of these signature serves at a discount. See details about the Employees Only SG bar shift here.
James Suckling Wine Central

James Suckling Wine Central

Founded by globally influential wine critic James Suckling, his eponymous wine bar is without a doubt one of Hong Kong’s best. Here, oenophiles can look forward to a wine list covering 100-point rated wines collected over his decades-long career – after all, if there’s one person in town you can trust to hand you a great glass of vino, it is Suckling. In summer 2026, Suckling changed his bright, glass-filled space on Staunton Street for a much more intimate space on the steps of Shin Hing Street. The warmly lit 18-seater space feels capacious thanks to a second-storey loft abovehead, yet still has moody corners to curl into for a quiet chat. People watchers (both inside the bar and outside on the street) will love the fishbowl effect the floor-to-ceiling windows provide. Even with this compact space, you can choose from around 350 selections including about 20 different wines by the glass – though we’re also fans of their half-bottle programme when single glasses just don’t cut it. Try the 2014 Mirae from the Sucklings’ own New Zealand winery, and order plates from their small but excellent food menu.
Royal Garden Kowloon East

Royal Garden Kowloon East

For the first time since opening its flagship hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in 1981, Hong Kong’s iconic Royal Garden hospitality brand is expanding. Tseung Kwan O is now home to The Royal Garden Kowloon East, just minutes away from the MTR station, in the space formerly occupied by the Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East by IHG. Built as a contemporary “urban resort”, the 366-key hotel is imagined as an “oasis of calm” in the city, leaning on nature inspirations and eco-conscious design to create a soothing space coloured in olive and apricot tones. Guests have several room types to choose from, the most interesting options being the loft-style rooms perfect for sharing between friends, and the children-centric roomed themed after safaris and princesses. The Royal Garden Kowloon East has also repurposed the former spa treatment rooms into seven themed villas situated outside on the grounds, away from the bustle in the main hotel tower – and one of them is even pet-friendly for animal lovers wishing to stay with their fur babies! 

News (503)

The University of Hong Kong launches an exhibition on ‘The Little Prince’ and its author Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry

The University of Hong Kong launches an exhibition on ‘The Little Prince’ and its author Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry

If, like us, you’re one of those people who read The Little Prince when you were a child and since then has always carried a little beautiful melancholy in you, boy, do we have an event that will excite you. The University of Hong Kong has partnered with Alliance Française de Hong Kong to launch ‘The Little Prince and the Pilot’ exhibition. Hosted in the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG), this exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of The Little Prince’s first publication in France, and presents a thematic journey through the life of Le Petit Prince’s author, aviator, and artist Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry. Through rare photographs, personal letters, sketches, and more, visitors can explore Saint-ExupĂ©ry’s early years and his career as an aviator and wartime pilot – it’s easy to see where his first-person narrator got his sense of adventure and piloting skills from. Photograph: Courtesy University Museum and Art GalleryThe Little Prince sketch Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry The showcase, of course, culminates in the creation of Saint-ExupĂ©ry’s most seminal work, featuring original manuscripts, drawings, first editions, and multilingual translations that all trace the evolution and popularity of The Little Prince. Additionally, eight Hong Kong-exclusive, life-sized coloured sculptures inspired by the book will be on display and available for pre-order, so if you’d like to collect a piece of this masterful legacy, here’s your chance. What makes things even more special is
Hong Kong will soon have its first 24-hour robot-operated convenience store

Hong Kong will soon have its first 24-hour robot-operated convenience store

In yet another push into the future, Hong Kong is about to launch the city’s first convenience store that’s run fully by a robot. This will be Beijing-based robotics firm Galbot’s first venture outside of mainland China, after already establishing a robot retail space in the Chinese capital. The approximately 97-sqft capsule store will be located along the Hung Hom waterfront, and managed by a 173-cm-tall G1 robot named ‘Xiao Gai’. Featuring a vaguely humanoid upper body, the robot also has a 190-cm arm span and is designed to stock shelves, pick inventory items, and handle customer checkouts. It can also understand voice commands, with the Hong Kong robot offering multilingual interaction as is befitting of our international crowd. Photograph: Courtesy GalbotGalbot G1 robot Backed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, this robot store manager marks a major step in efforts to embed more of AI in everyday life, allowing people to interact with the technology in more tangible ways. Just don’t fall in love with the G1 or somehow make it decide that humans need to be eradicated! 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: Baby Namagaki brings a giant indoor beach summer camp to MOSTown Charlie Puth’s Hong Kong concert has been postponed to April 2027 N+ Burger teams up with Doritos for a new summer-limited Angus burger
Charlie Puth’s Hong Kong concert has been postponed to April 2027

Charlie Puth’s Hong Kong concert has been postponed to April 2027

Update June 15, 2026: Puthinators, we have bad news: Charlie Puth has rescheduled his Hong Kong concert to April 2027 when it was supposed to be held on October 21 this year. According to the organisers, Puth’s Hong Kong leg of the ‘Whatever’s Clever! World Tour’ has been pushed back “due to production and logistical challenges”. Since six months is a long time to keep a date free in the calendar, all tickets purchased via HK Ticketing and Damai will be eligible for an automatic refund, including the customer service fee and delivery fee, if applicable – fans need not worry about taking further action to get their money back.  If you had tickets for the original October show, you will also be given first dibs access to an exclusive presale for the rescheduled April concert, so at least you won’t have to stress over snatching tickets once again! Additional information will be released at a later date. Photograph: Courtesy Live NationCharlie Puth If you missed seeing Charlie Puth live at the AsiaWorld-Arena back in 2023, or more recently at Macau’s Venetian Arena in late 2024, your chance has happily come around once again,  as the American singer-songwriter has just announced he is bringing his ‘Whatever’s Clever! World Tour’ to Hong Kong this year! Catch the Grammy-nominated singer and producer at Kai Tak Stadium on October 21, where Puth will be performing his timeless hits as well as some highly anticipated new tracks from his Whatever’s Clever album which was just releas
BigBang reunites for a world tour, including three concert dates in Hong Kong

BigBang reunites for a world tour, including three concert dates in Hong Kong

Even if you weren’t that into Korean music, as long as you were alive in the 2000s, there’s simply no way you could have escaped the phenomenon that was BigBang. The original five-member group moulded entire generations of K-pop artists and was arguably responsible for initiating South Korean entertainment into the eyes of global pop culture, and VIPs will be glad to know that the K-pop heavyweights are about to go on a new world tour, with Hong Kong on the docket! Following a massive set at Coachella, G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung will begin their global run from August until next February, with 31 concerts scheduled across Asia, North America, the UK, Europe, and Australia. Hong Kong is getting three nights with the group – they will be playing Kai Tak Stadium on November 13 to 15. This new world tour also serves to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary, made especially memorable since the last time they went on a global tour was a decade ago, before any of the members even went on hiatus for South Korea’s mandatory military conscription. Though BigBang’s lineup is now officially short of TOP and Seungri from the original five, we’re sure the reunited band remains a force to be reckoned with (thankfully, the vocal line is still intact). Who else is holding out hope that they’ll perform a career-spanning selection of their classic bangers like Haru Haru, Lie, Last Farewell, and Fantastic Baby? Ticketing details including prices, releases, and VIP packages have yet to be ann
Hong Kong is officially the world’s 16th best city for food in 2026

Hong Kong is officially the world’s 16th best city for food in 2026

If there’s one thing that every Hongkonger is proud of, it’s that we have some of the best food in the world. Aside from homegrown culinary treasures that have dazzled and delighted across the generations, we also have a seriously impressive roster of eateries serving flavours from all over the world. We are foodies here in Hong Kong, and proud of it. Every year, Time Out conducts an international survey ranking the world’s best cities, and one part of the survey focuses on food, from which the team creates the annual ranking of the world’s best food cities. Thousands of city dwellers were asked to rate their cities’ food scene across 18 criteria like quality, affordability, and diversity. Then we ran the info past our global network of chefs, editors and food critics to provide local insight. The delicious result is Time Out’s annual list of best cities for food, and this year, Hong Kong has come in at number 16! Photograph: Courtesy Ma Hing HongMa Hing Hong cha chaan teng Aside from our dizzying array of food choices, one of the factors swaying voters in our favour was that Hong Kong is one of those rare cities where dining out can be just as easy on the wallet as grabbing a cup of coffee and, surprisingly, cheaper than going out for drinks. From casual cha chaan teng where the service is brusque but the food is comforting, to our down-to-earth open-air dai pai dong stalls where rubbing elbows with strangers is the norm, our city is full of wallet-friendly food options th
JD.com to open its first physical JD Mall in Hong Kong this month

JD.com to open its first physical JD Mall in Hong Kong this month

If your idea of a good time is to roleplay different lives while walking through Ikea showrooms, there will soon be a new playground for you to enact your IRL The Sims fantasies. Mainland Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com – also known as Jingdong for those who speak Chinese – has announced that they will be opening the brand’s first JD Mall in Hong Kong on June 18.  The JD Mall will be located in Wan Chai, covering over 30,000 sqft, which makes this one of the largest home appliance retail locations in Hong Kong. Shoppers can expect to find a wide range of home and lifestyle products, including everyday appliances, electronics, smart home systems, and more, with brand names such as Bosch, Siemens, Samsuny, Sony, DJI, and Xiaomi on the shelves. Photograph: Courtesy JD.comJD Mall Hong Kong The store has also promised to operate under a localised supply chain model, with products “sourced in Hong Kong, sold in Hong Kong” that meet local commercial standards. As a mainland Chinese brand, of course, homegrown Chinese brands will also be featured, such as TCL, Hisense, Gree, Haier, Jomoo, and others – JD Mall will be the Hong Kong debut for several such brand names. Instead of a simple shopping mall setup, JD Mall is designed to be immersive, giving customers the opportunity to test out products in scenario-based zones designed to reflect real life. For instance, there will be dedicated sections for smart home solutions, relaxation, massage equipment, robotics, coffee enjoyment,
Hotal Colombo will close at the end of June with farewell events all month

Hotal Colombo will close at the end of June with farewell events all month

As much as Hong Kong is a world-renowned foodie haven, we don’t seem to have a lot of Sri Lankan cuisine around, and certainly even less that are aesthetically pleasing places to kick back in. It pains us to pass along the news that Hotal Colombo has announced it will be closing at the end of June – though not before throwing a month-long celebration of events in honour of its time in the city. Located on Elgin Street with a distinctive pink entrance, teal signage, and gold lettering that’s all reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, Hotal Colombo has been knocking about since 2018, headed by one of Black Sheep restaurant group’s OG team members, chef Gisela Alesbrook (or Gizzy to those in the know). Her vision for the restaurant was always to bring the vibrant food culture of Sri Lanka to Hong Kong diners, inspired by the everyday canteens found all over Colombo’s streets known as hotals. Photograph: Courtesy Hotal ColomboHotal Colombo To look back on its success, the restaurant will be hosting a series of special collaborations as well as curating a menu of their most beloved dishes from across the last eight years. All through the month of June, the Greatest Hits Farewell Menu will feature culinary bangers such as their bone marrow varuval with pol roti, crab kothu, hoppers, and more. If you’re not ordering a side of seeni sambol for extra spice and washing it all down with a Ceylon G&T, you’re doing it wrong.  From Monday, June 8, Hotal Colombo will be partnering with Messi
BTS announces ticket and venue details for their Hong Kong 2027 concert

BTS announces ticket and venue details for their Hong Kong 2027 concert

We’ve known since January this year that global pop sensation BTS is coming to Hong Kong on tour, but after ages of only seeing other territories enjoying their time in concert, details for the Asia and Australia legs of the BTS World Tour ‘Arirang’ have finally been released. BTS have already sold out all 41 of their stadium dates across North America, Europe, and the UK, with the overwhelming demand meaning that they’ve had to add extra shows in several cities. Ticket sales for Asia are bound to be a fight to the death, but if you’re serious about seeing RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook right here in Hong Kong, then here’s what you need to know about getting a spot in that stadium. Read on to see how you might be able to get tickets! When will BTS’ Hong Kong concert tickets be on sale? The first round of tickets will be released on Tuesday, June 9 at 11am, via the ARMY Membership Presale. Only membership holders who have registered in advance will be able to join the queue to access the presale – your nine-digit ARMY membership number will be needed to unlock the site. If you have yet to join this official membership, now’s the time to do so! When signing up on Weverse, Hong Kong fans should make sure to choose the Global membership option. The second drop will be the Trip.com exclusive priority access sale on June 10 at 10am, followed by the Live Nation members pre-sale on the same day at 11am. Any remaining tickets will then be open to the general public fro
The Ordinary brings its cute Mini Mart concept from Japan to Hong Kong

The Ordinary brings its cute Mini Mart concept from Japan to Hong Kong

If you’re in the habit of romanticising everyday events, then The Ordinary’s newest event will be right up your alley. The skincare brand is creating a mini mart, only instead of sandwiches, drinks, and other convenience store staples, you get to roam around filling your basket with their famously accessible skincare essentials. For a very limited time only, The Ordinary will take over the Cosme flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui, giving Hong Kong shoppers the opportunity to engage with their products in a fun new way. Decked out in whites and blues, this Mini Mart feels like a hybrid of a convenience store and a pharmacist, complete with paper bag packaging and refrigerated sections. This special concept store has already had successful runs in Tokyo and Osaka, and if the trend-savvy Japanese had a good time, there’s no doubt that we will also enjoy this immersive retail experience. Photograph: Courtesy The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Mini Mart Apart from their bestsellers like the Niacinamide 10% serum, Multi-Peptide + HA Buffet serum, and the Glycolic Acid exfoliating toner, The Ordinary Mini Mart will also have a series of items designed exclusively for this pop-up, including the Squalane + Amino Acids lip balm shaped like an onigiri, skincare bento sets designed with Re-Edit that come with customisable charms, and blind boxes inspired by Cup Noodles featuring surprise sticker collections.  This sounds exactly like the kind of convenience store we’d want to pop into at all times.
Two Hong Kong burgers have made it onto the World’s 101 Best Burgers list

Two Hong Kong burgers have made it onto the World’s 101 Best Burgers list

Ah, burgers. Juicy meat patties with a nice char, melty cheese, a bunch of vegetable toppings, and other succulent additions sandwiched between fluffy buns – they can pretty much be their own food group. Hong Kong might not be the city that immediately comes to mind when you think of a gorgeous burger, but as it turns out, we do have some options that are among the best in the world! Photograph: @thediplomathkThe Diplomat burger The World’s 101 Best Burgers has just dropped their list for 2026 and two Hong Kong eateries have made it onto the rankings. Sitting at a most respectable No. 4 position – and thereby making them the best in Asia – is none other than The Diplomat, with their famous quarter-pounder Wagyu beef patty that’s grilled medium rare, melted over with cheddar, and served in sesame buns. Owner John Nugent insists that The Diplomat is still first and foremost a cocktail bar, but that hasn’t stopped his kitchen team from serving up absolute bangers – and honestly, it makes this recognition even more special among all the other global steak and grill restaurants on the list. Photograph: @fireside.hkFireside burger slider The other Hong Kong win on the World’s 101 Best Burgers list is Fireside at No. 46, which might not come as a surprise if you’ve been paying attention to the city’s food scene and know that they have recently been ranked No. 18 in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Clearly, the open-fire specialist tucked away upstairs in H Code knows exac
Three Hong Kong restaurants have been named in World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants List 2026 by Prix Versailles

Three Hong Kong restaurants have been named in World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants List 2026 by Prix Versailles

Although most Hongkongers do love an aesthetically pleasing restaurant for Instagram and Setlog purposes, how pretty an eatery is generally isn’t really a factor when choosing a spot for dinner. Well, the people behind Prix Versailles disagree. Announced each year at UNESCO, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that judge distinction and excellence in the world’s finest contemporary design projects, and they think that gorgeous architecture lends to culinary journeys. On June 1, they unveiled the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants List 2026, and Hong Kong has been represented by three out of 16 chosen restaurants from all over the world. The secretary general of the Prix Versailles, JĂ©rĂŽme Gouadain, says of this year’s selections, “The decor at these 16 establishments is imbued with an array of styles and colours that put each one in perfect harmony with its environment [...] and its menu”, which all goes towards cultivating unforgettable experiences. Photograph: Courtesy Akira BackAkira Back Interestingly, Hong Kong’s winners are all located in The Henderson, a floral-inspired tower designed by Zaha Hadid Architects located on Murray Road where Central leads into Admiralty. Firstly, there’s Akira Back on the fifth floor, the eponymous restaurant of chef Akira Back who is a master of Korean-Japanese fusion cuisine with global influences. The main dining area features a sculptural ceiling that hides sophisticated lighting in its latticed crosses, whi
Haw Par Mansion will be restored as an arts and culture hub named Villa Haw Par

Haw Par Mansion will be restored as an arts and culture hub named Villa Haw Par

Haw Par Mansion, like the old Lai Yuen amusement park, retains an almost mythical status in the memories of Hongkongers of a certain age. Built in 1935 by ‘The King of Tiger Balm’ Haw Aw-boon, the mansion’s sprawling garden became Hong Kong’s first theme park, including rides, a seven-storey pagoda, and a section famously featuring the ‘Ten Courts of Hell’. After being demolished in 2004, followed by a brief stint as a music school from 2017 to 2022, the Haw Par Mansion is now about to embark on another chapter of its life. The non-profit Foundation for Art and Culture, co-founded by curator and entrepreneur Arthur de Villepin, won the tender to operate the Haw Par Mansion site to promote arts and culture in Hong Kong. The 91-year-old Grade I historic mansion will be transformed into an artistic ‘living space’ that fosters international exchanges, and will be renamed Villa Haw Par. Photograph: CHVilla Haw Par Villa Haw Par will operate on a non-profit, self-financed basis. Instead of becoming a conventional museum – or going down the theme park route like the Haw Par Villa in Singapore – Hong Kong’s latest arts hub is envisioned as a “working house” where artists can create and heritage can coexist under contemporary practices and support. The villa is set to open to the public by the end of 2026, with the first stage focused on revitalising the mansion’s garden grounds into a ‘Garden of Wonders’ that draws on memories of the former Tiger Balm Garden. From 2027 to 2028, a p