If great food plays an important role in your travels, Hong Kong’s Central should be at the top of your list.
As one of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong, the neighborhood has established an intriguing culinary landscape that encompasses both high-end restaurants and authentic local fare.
From traditional dai pai dongs offering Hong Kong-style breakfasts to sake pairings by award-winning sommeliers, every meal reflects a diverse culinary heritage – with some outstanding art and history thrown in too. Here are the best ways to experience it in 48 hours.
renowned food hub, Wellington Street is the ideal starting point for your two-day culinary adventure. (©MICHELIN)
Day One: Discovering Wellington Street – One Street, Endless Local Flavors
MICHELIN-recommended boutique hotel One96 offers sweeping full-floor suites. (©One96)
Morning
A renowned food hub, Wellington Street is the ideal starting point for your two-day culinary adventure. Before setting off, check into one of the MICHELIN-recommended hotels. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is famous for its classic luxury experience, while boutique hotel One96 offers sweeping full-floor suites.
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Once you have settled in, start your journey with a local breakfast. Founded in 1959, Sing Heung Yuen is an immensely popular streetside dai pai dong in Hong Kong. Order the tomato noodles for a savory start or go for the crispy buns with lemon, butter and honey for something sweet. Wash it down with a cup of Hong Kong-style milk tea and watch the world go by, for an authentic local start to the day.
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PMQ was formerly a residential community for police officers and their families, the space has now been transformed into a collection of small shops and boutiques. (©Shutterstock)
After a satisfying meal, take a stroll over to PMQ. Formerly a residential community for police officers and their families, the space has now been transformed into a collection of small shops and boutiques run by local creatives and entrepreneurs. Want to rest your feet? Take a break at the nearby Liz & Tori. Established by Chef Vicky Cheng of One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant Vea and MICHELIN-selected restaurant Wing, this gelato shop offers ten flavors daily, ranging from the classic triple chocolate to the bold salted egg yolk.
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The signature flower crab, steamed with chicken oil and 15-year-old Shaoxing wine and served with flat rice noodles at The Chairman. (©The Chairman)
Lunch and Afternoon
As lunchtime approaches, make your way to One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant The Chairman. This popular Cantonese spot is known for its meticulous selection of ingredients, many of which – such as their cured meats – are made in-house. Other ingredients here are mostly organic and sourced from small suppliers and local fishermen. Try the signature flower crab, steamed with chicken oil and 15-year-old Shaoxing wine and served with flat rice noodles.
Pigeon pithivier from Feuille. (©Feuille)
Alternatively, eco-conscious travelers can head to Feuille, the recipient of one MICHELIN star and a Green Star, offering French cuisine made with locally sourced organic produce and a root-to-shoot ethos. A five-course menu is available during lunch, and dishes are updated regularly so you can enjoy Fresh seasonal flavours.
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Tai Kwun was once the police headquarters, now houses various cultural heritage sites and art installations. (©MICHELIN)
After lunch, take a stroll to Tai Kwun to explore Hong Kong’s history. Once the police headquarters, the area now houses various cultural heritage sites and art installations. Do not miss the permanent exhibitions located in Halls B and D of the Victoria Prison for insights into the institution’s past. Feeling peckish? A short walk will take you to Tsim Chai Kee (Wellington Street), a Bib Gourmand recommendation where you can savor a bowl of signature wonton noodles.
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Toppings at Tsim Chai Kee include springy dace balls, pork-and-shrimp-filled wontons, and sliced beef with a robust flavor and tender texture — each offering its own unique charm. (©MICHELIN)
Dinner and Late Night
At Godenya, each dish is paired with Japanese sake served at the optimal temperature to bring out the unique characteristics of the drink. (©MICHELIN)
For dinner, One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant Godenya offers a chef’s tasting menu curated by Shinya Goshima, the winner of the Sommelier Award in MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2024. Set in simple yet distinctive surroundings, each dish is paired with Japanese sake served at the optimal temperature to bring out the unique characteristics of the drink.
If the night is still young, head to nearby COA for some Mexican-inspired craft cocktails, or to Bar Leone for more classic blends.
Bakehouse is famous for its sweet and crispy sourdough egg tarts. (©Shutterstock)
Day Two: Sake, Street Art and 20-Step Roasted Goose
Morning
Start your second day with a visit to Bakehouse, the Hong Kong bakery famous for its sweet and crispy sourdough egg tarts. If you are still dreaming of yesterday’s Hong Kong-style breakfast, go to Lan Fong Yuen, the city’s most iconic cha chaan teng that has been around for 70 years. The traditional cafe is renowned for its signature milk tea strained through a pantyhose-like fabric, known fondly as “silk stocking milk tea” by the locals. Be sure to pair it with a crispy bun with condensed milk and butter, or with a pork chop.
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Giant mural by local graffiti artist Alex Croft depicting the city’s iconic tong lau tenement buildings. (©Shutterstock)
Central has always been home to outstanding art galleries, and more recently, its streets and buildings have also become a canvas thanks to the HKwalls initiative. Other must-see art galleries include Sotheby’s Maison, the brand’s flagship gallery that opened in 2024. Spanning two floors, the gallery hosts museum-quality exhibitions, previews for Sotheby’s auctions and a sprawling concept store.
After some art, take a break at Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop. Here, you can experience the vibe of old Hong Kong through the pre-war tenement layout while savoring freshly pressed sugarcane juice or sugarcane pudding. Just a few steps away, you will find a giant mural by local graffiti artist Alex Croft depicting the city’s iconic tong lau tenement buildings.
Luk Yu Tea House oozes nostalgia with its old-school décor and furnishings. (©MICHELIN)
Lunch and Afternoon
For lunch, indulge in a dim sum feast at the MICHELIN-selected Luk Yu Tea House. Open since 1933, the restaurant oozes nostalgia with its old-school décor and furnishings. Its dim sum offerings are equally traditional, with rare finds such as siu mai with pig’s liver and large chicken buns.
Crowds are constantly seen in front of Yat Lok, queueing for their signature roast goose and authentic barbecued meats. (©alan chu/Yat Lok)
Alternatively, One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant Yat Lok (Central) is famous for its signature roast goose and authentic barbecued meats. The goose is prepared through a laborious 20-step process to achieve irresistibly crispy skin and succulent meat. Order it by the quarter, with a bowl of lai fun noodles in clear broth and a drizzle of goose fat.
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Take a post-meal stroll to 8 Wa In Fong East and marvel at the large-scale murals by German art collective Innerfields and French artist Kogaone. The former is three stories tall and features a woman in a spacesuit using a mobile phone – an exploration of personal space and self-discovery while the latter showcases contrasting visual elements to express a unique form of imperfect beauty.
Central Market (left image © Shutterstock) itself is a work of art and one of the few remaining examples of Bauhaus-style architecture in Hong Kong, featuring a near-symmetrical layout. Be sure to check out the striking terrazzo staircase, which has provided a backdrop for iconic shots by renowned photographer Ho Fan.
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Classic recipes are elevated with solid culinary techniques and fresh ingredients at Sing Kee. (©MICHELIN)
Dinner
Sing Kee, a MICHELIN-selected Cantonese restaurant, is a great place for dinner. Here, classic recipes are elevated with solid culinary techniques and fresh ingredients. Its fried pork ribs with pineapple are made to order to ensure maximum freshness, while its signature Stir Fry King is bursting with wok hei and is highly satisfying.
Adorned with artworks that reflect the region’s rich culture, Bo Innovation tells the story of Hong Kong through its unexpected dishes. (©Calvin Lee/Bo Innovation)
Prefer creative cuisine? Head to the Two-MICHELIN-Star Bo Innovation for bold interpretations of modern Chinese gastronomy. Adorned with artworks that reflect the region’s rich culture, Bo Innovation tells the story of Hong Kong through its unexpected dishes and is the perfect place to conclude your culinary journey in Central.
Further Reading: Beyond Bar and Clubs: Experience Hong Kong’s Late Night Like a Local
Hero image: © Shutterstock
The article is written by Mandy Li and translated by Iris Wong. Read the original article here.
