The best bistros and brasseries Hong-Kong 香港

Timetable

In Hong Kong, most cafés open between 8am and 9am and close between 6pm and 10pm. Bars, on the other hand, often start welcoming customers from 5pm and can stay open until 2 or 3am, especially at weekends. Most bars and cafés remain open every day. Happy hours are very popular and usually take place from 5pm to 8pm, offering discounts on drinks and attracting an after-work crowd. Weekends can be particularly busy, especially in lively areas like Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) and Soho. Some establishments are obviously more popular than others, but on the whole it's rare to have to queue.

Budget & Tips

The budget for cafés and bars in Hong Kong can vary considerably depending on location and type of establishment. In cafés, expect to pay between 25 and 70 HKD for a coffee or tea, while bars generally offer cocktails from 80 HKD, with prices exceeding 150 HKD in upmarket establishments. Happy hours are an excellent opportunity to take advantage of discounts, with drinks often half-price or "two-for-one" offers. As far as tipping is concerned, it's not compulsory to leave a tip. Most bars and cafés add a 10% service charge to the bill. For payment, most establishments accept credit cards or Octopus, but it's a good idea to carry some cash, just in case.

Age restrictions

The legal drinking and purchasing age is 18. Bars and clubs may ask for identification from any customer who appears to be under this age, so it's advisable to carry your passport at all times.

What's very local

Traditional tea stores. They serve a variety of teas, from the classic Hong Kong black tea to sweet milk tea, as well as various teas with different virtues to treat all kinds of ailments. For example, if you have a cold, ask for 感冒茶, gam mou cha. In these establishments, it's common to see customers ordering tea to go at the street counter, often in paper cups, while getting on with their day.

Work cafés. Many cafés function as workspaces, offering power outlets and wifi access, attracting freelancers.

Enjoy happy hour. Many bars offer happy hours, and given the high prices, these are particularly popular times.

Have a drink on a rooftop. Rooftop bars are very popular and offer spectacular views of the city. These places may be more expensive, but the experience is unforgettable. And on weekday evenings, there's always room even at the most popular ones.

Free-flow. Often accompanied by a brunch, this all-you-can-drink practice is very popular in Hong Kong. Beware of excess!

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in bars and cafés. Smoking is often banned on café terraces too, but in practice it depends on the establishment. Bar terraces are generally open to smokers. The presence of an ashtray is a good indicator. After dark, some bars even allow smoking indoors.

Tourist traps

There are touts in front of most of LKF's street bars. You don't risk much except perhaps paying more for poor-quality drinks.