Gayatri Bhaumik

Not long ago, Kennedy Town still had that truly local vibe with plenty of hole-in-the-wall eateries and mom-and-pop shops. Then the neighbourhood got an MTR station, and things changed quickly. Now, this area in the Western District has slick residential buildings, a line-up of restaurants, cool cafés serving artisanal blend coffees, and even a few hidden bars shaking up quality cocktails. Then there's the waterfront, a stretch of prime land that's been revamped to become an attraction in and of itself. Not convinced? Spend a day exploring Kennedy Town and find out why it's becoming a magnet for Hong Kong residents. Here are the best places to eat and drink, and the things to do and see while you're here.   Jump to a section: EAT / DRINK / SHOP / THINGS TO DO / STAY What's Kennedy Town known for? With a laidback vibe, Kennedy Town is known as a residential district that's evolving into a destination in its own right thanks largely to great restaurants and a waterfront that's being reinvented as a must-visit social space.  Why do we love it? What's not to love? The district is now more accessible than ever. Paired with relaxed vibes and waterfront living minutes from the bustling heart of Hong Kong, and you've got a new favourite neighbourhood. The area is now home to an array of wonderful restaurants specialising in different cuisines – some local spots remain—and a wealth of different experiences. And, with constant sprucing up and redevelopment – gentrification, but in a w

Once, Sheung Wan was lined with shops stocked with Asian antiques, temples, and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Though some of this remains, these days, you're more likely to find Melbourne-style cafes, chic neighbourhood restaurants, design-forward shops, and more. This unique blend of tradition and modernity gives Sheung Wan its charm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Jump to a section: EAT / DRINK / SHOP / THINGS TO DO / STAY  What's Sheung Wan known for?A mash-up of old and new. This is the only place in Hong Kong where you'll find traditional coffin stores, historic temples, and dried seafood stalls next to contemporary art galleries, chic boutiques, and gourmet restaurants.  Why do the locals love it?How many reasons do you need? There's the easy proximity to Central and multiple transport options. The juxtaposition of old Hong Kong and its modern trappings. And that's before you get to the smorgasbord of drinking and dining options.  How do I get to Sheung Wan? Transport options abound for Sheung Wan. There's an MTR stop with numerous exits and a multitude of buses that ply their routes along Queen's Road West and Des Voeux Road West. Trams run through the area, too – most West-bound routes will terminate at Western Market or carry on through to Kennedy Town.  Map of Sheung Wan If you only do one thing Grab an al fresco perch at one of the many cafes and watch the worl

Travel is back, and Uber is launching their 'Peace of Mind with Reserve' campaign to ease your mind as you plan your trip so you can focus on enjoying your getaway. Enjoy fuss-free travel, seamless door-to-door rides, trip discounts, exclusive travel amenity kits, and more when you use Uber during your next trip. Travellers can book a trip to or from the Hong Kong International Airport with the Uber app at 30 percent off (capped at HK$70) using the promo code ‘EASTER23’; riders can also enjoy pre-booked rides to and from the Hong Kong International Airport with Uber Reserve – a feature allowing riders to book a ride through the Uber app for up to 30 days in advance. Riders who complete an Uber Reserve ride to or from the Hong Kong International Airport from now until April 30 has a chance to receive up to a maximum of HK$150 discount on their next airport trip and a complimentary limited-edition Travel Amenity Kit (on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last)* – which includes amongst others a traveller sim card – including the ejector pin tool – that keeps you connected after landing and a steam eye mask that helps you stay well-rested during the flight, and more.  While on the road, take the stress out of trip planning and get to your destinations on time with the new in-app Uber Travel feature. Once you link the Uber app to your Gmail or Microsoft email account, the Uber app will then automatically integrate your confirmed hotel and flight bookings and restaura

A former industrial hub, Wong Chuk Hang, once boasted over 1,190 factories in the 80s. Now, many of the former industrial sites remain, but thanks to some gentle gentrification, many of these have been turned into cool studios and showrooms, spacious restaurants, hotels, galleries and more, which turns the area into one of Hong Kong’s hottest neighbourhoods. With plenty of exciting projects cropping up, this Southside neighbourhood is a must-visit destination. Jump to a section:EAT / DRINK / SHOP / THINGS TO DO / STAY What's Wong Chuk Hang known for?Previously an industrial hub filled with warehouses and factories, Wong Chuk Hang is now very much an up-and-comer with all sorts of businesses taking advantage of the expansive commercial spaces and lower rents.  Why do the locals love it?There’s a lot of street-cred that comes with having been au fait with Wong Chuk Hang before it became cool. Of course, there are also the converted industrial spaces, interesting businesses, and the gorgeous Aberdeen waterfront. How do I get to Wong Chuk Hang? It’s easier than ever to get to this Southside district thanks to the opening of the Wong Chuk Hang MTR. Simply jump on the South Island Line at Admiralty and you’ll be here in about 10 minutes.  Map of Wong Chuk Hang If you only do one thing Check out the breweries where Hong Kong’s craft beer scene began and sip on some artisanal brews. 

Starstreet Precinct is gearing up to transform into a winter wonderland, so we’re showing you how to enjoy a festive day out in the neighbourhood! Taking centre stage is ‘Enchanting Snowflakes’, a collection of captivating—and eco-friendly—visual installations that bring the magic of Christmas to life and make the perfect backdrop for all your seasonal Instagram shots. Plus, visitors will enjoy a series of exclusive rewards for dining and shopping in Starstreet Precinct during December!

This autumn, Swire Properties is celebrating the festive season – and its 50th anniversary – with ‘Seasons in Continuum’, a four-part botanical art installation at Taikoo Place. In place until 31 December, the public floral art series is inspired by the company's history of creative placemaking and makes the perfect backdrop for festive Instagram moments. Since beginning in Quarry Bay in the 1970s, Swire Properties has been a driving force in the neighbourhood's urban regeneration and creative transformation, turning it into a dynamic integrated community. Art aficionados are particularly drawn to the area because the integration of art through the district has been a persistent element in its placemaking and features a curated Artwalk collection, the ArtisTree performance space, and installations such as Paul Cocksedge's "Please Be Seated."  The new 'Seasons in Continuum' installation, set across Taikoo Park and other locations within Taikoo Place, celebrates this legacy. The four artworks in the series were inspired by Swire Properties' origins in Quarry Bay and its community-building journey over the last 50 years. This exclusive collaboration with a Hong Kong-based floral artisan invites the public to rediscover the neighbourhood ahead of the Christmas season.  

Hong Kong is home to a plethora of international cuisine, including some world-class Spanish restaurants. But next time you’re looking for an authentic meal that captures the nuances of the country’s culinary traditions, look for the Spanish agency ICEX ‘Restaurants from Spain’ seal. To be invited into the exclusive programme, restaurants must pass a rigorous certification process that recognises their ability to offer a genuine, high-quality experience of Spanish cuisine. The programme assesses each potential restaurant on specific criteria, including offering Spanish products with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status – such as Manchego cheese or Rioja wines – and at least one Spanish-speaking staff who can explain the restaurant’s concept and menu. On November 10, top Spanish restaurants in Hong Kong will become the city’s first ‘Restaurants of Spain’ ambassadors at an official ceremony with the Consul-General of Spain, Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer, and the Deputy Consul-General and Senior Trade Commissioner, Cristina Teijelo. So get ready to indulge in a genuine Spanish feast at six of the city’s top Spanish restaurants.

In a city of dedicated foodies and thousands of restaurants, you would think that getting a dinner reservation whenever and wherever you want is easy. But perhaps it is exactly because Hongkongers know good food when they see it that some restaurants are always nearly impossible to book.  There are many reasons why it can be hard to snag a table at one of these highly coveted spots. High-quality food is one, naturally. But there's so much more to it than that. Sometimes it's the restaurant's sheer uniqueness. Occasionally, a personable chef and friendly service team keep guests coming back. And, of course, in a dense city like Hong Kong, a restaurant's size can cap demand, too. Here, we look at six of the most difficult Hong Kong restaurants to book to find out what makes them special, why it's hard to get a table, and what diners can expect when dinner service finally reopens on April 21. And if you want to nab a table, there's no real secret – all of them say persistence and luck are key.RECOMMENDED: Not willing to wait for months to get a seat? Check out other outstanding venues from our pick of the 50 best restaurants in the city.  

Whether you’re looking for clothes, electronics, jewellery or food, you can find just about anything you need at the vast array of stores across Hong Kong. But why not save a little cash on things you were going to buy anyway? Enter ShopBack, Asia-Pacific’s leading Cashback platform. A smarter way to shop Founded in 2014, ShopBack now rewards over 38 million shoppers across 10 countries, from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia. Now, shoppers in Hong Kong can also shop smarter by using the platform. To start earning money on your purchases, simply register an account through the ShopBack App or website - Time Out Hong Kong readers can now get $30 in cash rewards when they sign up to ShopBack as a new user with the referral code “TO30”. New users can enjoy up to 10 percent Cashback from bookings in Klook from May 15 to 31. Photograph: Courtesy Deliveroo After completing the easy, breezy sign-up process, you can immediately browse through over 350 merchant partners and access exclusive Cashback deals. Whether you’re a fashionista who loves Farfetch, Net-A-Porter, and Love Bonito, a foodie who regularly orders from Deliveroo, foodpanda and KFC, or a tech-head seeking the next hot gadget from Apple, Dyson, Foreo, or ElecBoy, you’ll quickly earn cash back when you shop these retailers on ShopBack. The best part? You’ll still be able to access any relevant merchant offers and bank promotions while earning Cashback, so you’ll be able to earn up to three types of rewards

It would be an understatement to say that Hong Kong’s restaurants have had a rough go of it over the last few years. But, arguably, few things have made it more obvious than the recent Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. Normally, our fair city can count on having numerous eateries on the list, including stalwarts like Vea, Amber, and Lung King Heen. This year, though, these notable names were left off the rankings.In the 2022 edition, only six Hong Kong restaurants made the cut for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, down from 11 the year before. And, although perennial favourites like Neighbourhood and Caprice – and new addition Wing – made it on the list, last year’s number one, The Chairman, slipped into fifth place though retaining its position as the city’s highest lister. RECOMMENDED: Read about how Hong Kong’s businesses are coping during Covid-19.  Photograph: Courtesy Wing So, what gives? We’ve read the downward-trending numbers and seen the boarded-up restaurants around our favourite haunts. By some estimates, Hong Kong may see up to 5,000 restaurants temporarily or permanently shutter due to local pandemic restrictions. In January, Simon Wong, Chair of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades, estimated that the industry’s unemployment rate was expected to hit 15 percent (it was 6.9 percent in February, the city’s worst-hit sector). Then there’s the confusion around Hong Kong’s vaccine pass system, which has caused headaches for restaurants since it was