Whether you are visiting for the first time, or re-exploring if you have been before, Hong Kong is an exciting, energetic and vibrant city that really lives up to the term – “East meets West”. To get you started on your journey, here is a mini guide to one of Asia’s greatest cities, including top accommodations, top places to eat, and the best experiences. Story and photos by ManAboutWorld correspondent Barry Hoy.
Where to Stay
The Murray – Hong Kong, A Niccolo Hotel – This newest luxury iconic landmark hotel has stunning natural fabrics and stones, leathers, and plush textiles, creating a contemporary chic sanctuary, and an ambience of understated sophistication.
The Kerry Hotel – Hong Kong – Bringing a dynamic approach to hospitality to the shores of Victoria Harbour, it’s the city’s first urban resort offering an unparalleled array of dining options, leisure activities, business and meeting services, and wellness programs.
Where to Eat
Hong Kong is renowned for its food scene. From Chinese to western food, and everything in between, it is a foodie’s paradise with options from street side snacks to high-end five star restaurants. Here are a few suggestions:
- Street food and “Cha Chaan Teng” – Hong Kong has amazing local street food, including items such as stinky tofu, curry fish balls, squid or octopus tentacles, egg waffles, egg tarts, Chinese buns, and pastries. Also, you must try a local Cha Chaan Teng (translates to “tea restaurant”), where you will find fuss-free affordable comfort food. They are all around the city!
- Zuma – Zuma features a sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya type of restaurant. Make sure you try out the much-loved champagne Baikingu brunch!
- Tao Li at the New World Millennium Hotel – Overlooking the spectacular Victoria Harbour, Tao Li is celebrated for its elegant selection of dim sum and authentic Cantonese dishes.
- Rech Restaurant at the InterContinental – A Michelin star restaurant – this is the first outpost of Paris’s most famous seafood restaurant by Alain Ducasse.
- Ham & Sherry – Spanish restaurant serving some of the city’s best aged Spanish hams, tapas items and sherry. Make sure you also check out the Backbar hidden in an alleyway behind the restaurant.
Gay Nightlife
There are endless things to see and do in Hong Kong. Here are a few top picks for where to go out for a drink and meet some locals:
- Bing Bing (formerly Circo) – This cocktail lounge and dance club in Causeway Bay boosts a great view of the city. It is super crowded later in the evening and tends to draw more locals than foreigners.
- Time Bar – Located in an unassuming alleyway in the Soho area, this is more of a place for a quiet drink or intimate conversation. The younger local crowd tends to spill out into the street where the drinks continue to flow.
- Zoo – This is a high-energy bar in Sheung Wan with regular theme nights. The crowd is a mix of locals and expats.
- FLM – One of the few gay clubs where you can dance on the first floor and have a quiet drink on the second floor. FLM is across the street from Zoo and tends to have a more international crowd.
- Petticoat Lane – One of the newer gay bars with great drag performances and a small outdoor terrace. The crowd is mixed with a lot of expats and people from out of town.
Want more information? Visit asianmapleaf.com and read about our adventures in Hong Kong. Also, stay tuned for more of our ultimate must-see travel stops around the Globe.
The LGBTQ Travel Expert. Educator. Speaker. Author. 