Welcome to ‘On The Town’ — B.H.’s cure for the common city guide. In our signature travel series, we lean on some of the most astute tastemakers in Australia (and occasionally, from abroad). The brief? Fresh and thoroughly road-tested intel on all the destinations, global and domestic, worth trekking to.
Despite being an international man of mystery who divvies up his time between being a travel photographer, content creator, and Antarctic travel agency operator, Derek Tan has always called Hong Kong home – making him a uniquely qualified guide to the “Fragrant Harbour.”
“Hong Kong is a great city to visit because it’s so dynamic,” he tells me. “There’s something for everyone, and no matter what it is you’re interested in, you’ll find it in Hong Kong.”
From the finest hotels and bars, to the best places to enjoy a meal – be it fine dining or local food – Derek’s tips for enjoying a trip to Hong Kong cover everything you might be curious about before hopping on a plane.
Stay
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
“There are two Mandarin Orientals in Hong Kong, but with only 98 rooms and 13 suites, The Landmark is very boutique, and it has the best service,” explains Derek.
“It’s located inside the Landmark Mall, which is one of the best shopping malls in the city, and it’s also right next to Lan Kwai Fong, where there’s lots of good nightlife.”
“The Landmark Mandarin Oriental also has excellent restaurants, with Michelin-starred dining to be experienced at one of my favourite restaurants, Amber (three stars), and also Suchi Shikon (three stars) and Kappo Rin (one star).”
“Unfortunately, it’s been partially closed for most of this year because of some serious renovations, but it’s personally my favourite hotel in Hong Kong.”
Regent Hong Kong
“The Regent Kong Kong is located extremely close to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront on Victoria Harbour, so it has the best views of any hotel in the city. I also love it because of its Chinese-inspired design.”
Another draw of Regent Kong Kong is its venues. Lai Ching Heen serves Michelin-starred Cantonese cuisine, and Qura Bar is renowned for its rare spirits and cigars that are “a rarity to find in Hong Kong,” according to Derek.
Rosewood Hong Kong
A final suggestion from Derek is Rosewood Hong Kong, not only for its tastefully appointed suites and prime positioning on the harbourfront, but also for its amenities.
“In my opinion, Rosewood has the best infinity pool in the city.”
Rosewood Hong Kong also has several choice venues, including the one Michelin-starred restaurant Chaat serving Indian cuisine, the Cantonese restaurant The Legacy House that also flaunts its own one Michelin star, and Darkside – a cocktail bar ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
Eat
As you’re probably starting to understand, Hong Kong is one of the greatest destinations in the world for anyone who enjoys fine dining.
In addition to the aforementioned hotel-housed Michelin-starred establishments, the city is home to plenty of other excellent venues, including Tin Lung Heen, located on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre (Hong Kong’s tallest building).
“Tin Lung Heen serves what many locals agree is the best Char Siu barbecued pork in the city,” says Derek. Another of his favourite restaurants is Arbor, a Nordic-Japanese fusion restaurant with a specific focus on seasonal ingredients.
“Usually, Japanese fusion can overshadow the freshness of the cuisine because the other elements are too strong, but Arbor’s integration of Nordic and Japanese is done so well that the balance feels natural.”
For anyone seeking a slightly more casual meal, Derek recommends the Australia Dairy Company restaurant, which, despite its name, serves the “most authentic Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng breakfast.”
“It’s got that classic Hong Kong atmosphere – fast, rushed, and run by staff who don’t bother with pleasantries. The rudeness is part of the charm.”
Another less formal venue that’s a must-visit is Tei Mou Koon Dessert in Kowloon City, which serves up traditional Hong Kong desserts that are both “nostalgic and truly authentic.”
Drink
Where you find great restaurants, you’ll also find world-class bars. And that’s exactly what Hong Kong offers, with nine of the World’s 50 Best Bars located in the city.
At the top of that list is Bar Leone, a venue that was generous enough to share the recipe for its Sgroppino al Popolari in Volume 4 of B.H. Magazine, and one that Derek loves for its Olive Oil Sour and Yuzu Negroni (ideally ordered with a side of mortadella focaccia).
For any tequila or mezcal fans, Coa is where you need to go, “renowned for specialising in agave-based spirits and its award-winning signature cocktails.”
“My favourite drinks on the menu are the Paloma de Oaxaca and the Bloody Beef Maria,” says Derek.
Finally, nestled within the Four Seasons Hong Kong, is Argo, which mixes a famous hour martini.
“The exceptional design and comfortable environment make it perfect for dates or hanging out with friends.”
Shop
Retail therapy isn’t hard to come by in Hong Kong, but if you’re hunting for something special to remember your trip by, Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui is well worth checking out.
“Located next to an iconic ferry terminal, Harbour City has all the famous luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermès, as well as a few multi-brand shops like Lane Crawford and I.T. You can find lots of items that are very hard to find anywhere else in the world.”
Derek’s other shopping recommendation is K11 Musea, “the Silicon Valley of Culture,” which contains everything from art galleries and cultural exhibits to fine dining restaurants and retail shops.
“K11 Musea is less about the shopping selection and more about the experience of visiting it,” he explains. “It’s creative, design-driven, and worth a visit for the vibe alone.”
Play
Hong Kong is one of those cities that truly comes to life after the sun sets, and if you’re interested in the best places to go after dinner, Lan Kwai Fong is Derek’s pick as a great place for late-night drinking.
“It’s Hong Kong’s legendary party district. There are many bars, clubs, and restaurants, and it’s always full of people and energy.”
Dragon I and Boomerang are both popular nightclubs, which attract international performances from the likes of Bruno Mars, Wiz Khalifa, Tiesto, and plenty more.
For a slightly more relaxed evening, the SoHo area of Hong Kong is a great destination for a nightcap, with one of Derek’s favourite venues being Maggie Choo’s. Part antique store, part cabaret and bar, it’s opulent, indulgent, and famous for its cocktails.
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