Hong Kong has a vibrant and dynamic dining scene, but there are definitely some things to keep in mind when visiting restaurants in a new city. Here are some tips to ensure you have the best experience before you try my recommendations on where to eat in Hong Kong.
Be prepared to pay
Most people (including myself) think of Asia as costing less and are surprised when they get to Hong Kong and find prices more expensive than cities around the world (there are exceptions of course, especially with local restaurants). Rents are high, and many ingredients are imported from other countries, driving up costs for restaurants. You’ll enjoy everything more when you stop comparing and focus on dining experiences that are unique to Hong Kong.
Service is very hit or miss
Go into most restaurants (especially local ones) with lower expectations for service. If no one is paying attention to you, don’t be afraid to raise your hand straight up like you’re in the classroom, and if you’re in a local restaurant you can yell “m goi!” (excuse me) to get a staff member’s attention. It will feel awkward and rude especially coming from the US, but it’s the custom here.
No tipping
The vast majority of restaurants will automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill, so there is no need to leave any additional tip unless you want to. If they do not include the service charge (this is rare), then it’s up to you to tip as you wish.
Bring tissues
Many local restaurants do not provide napkins so you’ll need to either bring your own (pick them up from any convenience store) or pay a nominal fee (usually 3HKD) to the restaurant for a small pack of tissues if they sell them.
Brunch is a sport
Hong Kong takes brunch very seriously. You’ll often find buffets, semi-buffets (meaning you choose an entree to go with a buffet line of appetizers & desserts), and freeflow options (a classier way of saying drunk brunch/unlimited alcohol). It’s often on the pricier side (500-1200 HKD), but you’re getting a true Hong Kong experience that will lead into a very fun Saturday or Sunday.
Use OpenRice for addresses in Cantonese
Taxi drivers usually don’t understand English street names, and Google Maps often does not include the address in Cantonese. So look up the restaurant on the OpenRice app (Hong Kong’s restaurant review site) and you’ll see the address in both English and Cantonese to show your taxi driver. All of the places throughout my guides are linked to their OpenRice page to make this easy.
I know that a lot of these tips have a negative connotation, but I’ve loved exploring the dining scene here and know that you’ll enjoy it too. So check out my favorite places to eat in Hong Kong so far!
