https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/517759/feed 100 Top Tables is the South China Morning Post’s authoritative guide to fine dining in Hong Kong and Macau. Covering 135 restaurants and bars across both cities, it is an indispensable companion to help you pick the perfect spot for any occasion. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Isabelle Hon Isabelle Hon The last basket of dim sum is sold, the roller shutter comes down, and another Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong closes. Nine months into 2026, this scene has already played out at least 30 times. The causes are familiar – sky-high rents, thin margins, rising costs, and dining habits reshaped by the pandemic years. Legislative Council figures show that between 2018 and 2025, the number of Cantonese restaurants and banquet halls in Hong Kong fell from 1,790 to 1,500, representing a 16 per cent... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369901/why-hong-kongs-cantonese-restaurants-are-closing-and-who-saving-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369901/why-hong-kongs-cantonese-restaurants-are-closing-and-who-saving-them?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Betty Lan Betty Lan At Shenzhen’s The Bay by Chef Fei, a dish of fish simmered with bamboo shoots in plum juice and pickled vegetables is plated individually and served to diners one by one. At Chiu Tang in Hong Kong, diners sit at round tables, share stories, sip oolong tea and reach for morsels from communal dishes. As Chaoshan cuisine, traditionally rooted in coastal neighbourhoods and late-night street food stalls, moves into luxury restaurants and is reimagined through French-style tasting menus and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3370267/what-authentic-chaoshan-cuisine-3-top-chefs-across-guangdong-may-have-agree-disagree?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3370267/what-authentic-chaoshan-cuisine-3-top-chefs-across-guangdong-may-have-agree-disagree?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:00:08 +0000 Andrew Fowler Andrew Fowler Earlier this year, Bangkok’s F&B scene pulled off a coup. At Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards in Macau, eight venues from Asia’s “City of Angels” crowded the list – rankings historically dominated by Hong Kong and Singapore – with four more in the 51-100 tier. The city’s restaurant honours tell a similar story – Sühring recently joined Sorn in holding three Michelin stars, and Bangkok claims nine spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, more than any other city. The tourism figures are equally bullish:... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369762/bangkoks-culinary-stars-fade-amid-rising-costs-tighter-budgets-and-fewer-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369762/bangkoks-culinary-stars-fade-amid-rising-costs-tighter-budgets-and-fewer-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:00:06 +0000 Doris Lam Doris Lam Milan, Italy’s fashion capital and home to this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, offers bites as exquisite as its reputation. For those checking out the awards this month, be sure to make time for the city’s food scene, which is every bit as compelling as its bar culture. Alongside traditional trattorias, a new generation of chefs with fine-dining pedigrees steps away from rigid traditions, experimenting with fermentation menus, sustainable work hours, and a fusion of cultures.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369571/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-milan-during-worlds-50-best-bars-awards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369571/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-milan-during-worlds-50-best-bars-awards?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:00:13 +0000 Victoria Burrows Victoria Burrows The term “Chinese cuisine” is an almost pointless label, encompassing as it does styles of cooking as diverse as Sichuan, Dongbei and Zhejiang, to name but a few. If thinking about a monolithic Chinese cuisine is inappropriate, does the same hold true for Guangdong’s Cantonese cuisine? Consider chicken. A classic Hong Kong-style preparation might see white-cut chicken cooked in a simmering aromatic stock so the meat is gently poached and the skin adopts a gelatinous layer. Further up the Pearl... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369211/hong-kong-guangdong-exploring-rich-tapestry-cantonese-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3369211/hong-kong-guangdong-exploring-rich-tapestry-cantonese-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Sophie Steiner Sophie Steiner The 26th World Gourmet Festival returns to Bangkok from September 29 to October 4, bringing together some of the world’s most distinguished chefs. More than a showcase of gastronomic talent, the event serves as a multicultural narrative rooted in food heritage and transnational exchange – and as a crucible where culinary philosophies clash and meld. Internationally acclaimed chefs like Álvaro Clavijo from Bogotá, Julien Royer from Singapore, and Josiah Citrin from Los Angeles must confront the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3368335/inside-bangkoks-world-gourmet-festival-where-top-chefs-share-kitchen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3368335/inside-bangkoks-world-gourmet-festival-where-top-chefs-share-kitchen?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:00:07 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer T’ang Court has spent more than a decade holding three Michelin stars at The Langham, Hong Kong, with a menu that puts refined Cantonese cooking and tradition ahead of spectacle. Executive chef Wong Chi Fai has been at the restaurant for over 25 years, overseeing dishes that draw on classic Cantonese cooking while meeting the demands of a hotel’s fine-dining room. The baked stuffed crab shell is one of those long-standing dishes. The inspiration was not to reinvent crab, but to simply remove... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3366327/culinary-science-behind-baked-stuffed-crab-shell-hong-kongs-tang-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3366327/culinary-science-behind-baked-stuffed-crab-shell-hong-kongs-tang-court?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng “When I went to a dim sum place, I had tea in a small teacup and thought the action of drinking tea with your hands felt unique,” Dipesh Rai says. “You don’t really drink any other drink with such an action. It inspired me to make a cocktail with the action of drinking tea in mind.” Rai is poised to take the head bartender position at Orchard next month after developing cocktails like the Fortune Chai in a recent update to the bar’s menu. Founded by Alex Pun, Orchard is Hong Kong’s only bar... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3365388/how-hong-kong-dim-sum-ritual-and-nostalgia-inspired-orchards-fortune-chai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3365388/how-hong-kong-dim-sum-ritual-and-nostalgia-inspired-orchards-fortune-chai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:30:06 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au Hong Kong’s Italian dining scene has traditionally been dominated by two extremes: the fine-dining temples – your Bombana, Grissini and Sabatini – and the red-sauce joints that range from The Spaghetti House to Fini’s. Ninetta, which opened last month in Central, proposes a third way. Pronounced “nee-NET-ta”, a term of endearment meaning “little Nina”, the restaurant channels the image of a beloved Italian mama whose home is always open and whose table is always full. It is warm, approachable... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364542/why-ninettas-orange-carpaccio-hong-kongs-most-unlikely-new-italian-dish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364542/why-ninettas-orange-carpaccio-hong-kongs-most-unlikely-new-italian-dish?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:11 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Before the first ticket lands, every restaurant team prepares for a night of service in its own way. In kitchens where the pace can shift from quiet to chaotic in minutes, those final moments are crucial for getting mentally and physically ready. From espresso shots and sparkling water to staff karaoke, rotating playlists and meticulous station checks, rituals – both practical and personal – help chefs set the tone for the hours ahead. Here, chefs from across Hong Kong’s dining scene share the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364253/word-streat-6-hong-kong-chefs-share-pre-service-rituals-fuel-their-kitchens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364253/word-streat-6-hong-kong-chefs-share-pre-service-rituals-fuel-their-kitchens?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:30:05 +0000 Doris Lam Doris Lam Vancouver is a melting pot of cultures and flavours. Home to some of the best Chinese and Japanese food outside China and Japan, the city never has a shortage of excellent Asian restaurants, while a new generation of chefs brings fresh perspectives and flavours, championing seasonal produce from the province of British Columbia. Nero Tondo Restaurant View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nero Tondo Restaurant (@nerotondoyvr) Nero Tondo, committed to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364042/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-vancouver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3364042/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-vancouver?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:00:11 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng After winning this year’s Bartender’s Bartender award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars on the back of the continued success of Mius, Shelley Tai now turns her attention to her second concept, Fello. Located on Wyndham Street, the bar features many of Tai’s signature touches that made Mius a destination – refined mid-century modern interiors, a casual atmosphere, and signature cocktails whose sweetness rarely comes from syrups. A strong example from Fello’s inaugural menu is the Gyokuro Melon Punch,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3363857/drink-focus-gyokuro-melon-punch-fello?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3363857/drink-focus-gyokuro-melon-punch-fello?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Since Asia’s 50 Best Bars extended its rankings up to 100 in 2021, the number of countries and cities represented has expanded from an inaugural nine cities across eight countries in 2016 to 25 cities in 11 countries this year. The effects have been largely twofold. First, no single city dominates as Singapore did in 2017, with its record-high 13 entries. Recognition is much more diffused now. Bangkok, the most represented location this year, fields a dominant but comparatively modest eight... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3363774/how-asias-50-best-bars-expanded-25-cities-kathmandu-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3363774/how-asias-50-best-bars-expanded-25-cities-kathmandu-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:00:16 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Lazy Suzy is one of SoHo’s most distinctive new openings: a Canto-American restaurant and drinking hole from chef-owner Natalie Ngan, tucked away in a basement space off Staunton Street. The kitchen takes familiar flavours and twists them into something playful and unexpected, like squid toast or carbonara rice cake. Mapo tofu, for example, is turned into a cheeky, comfort-first mac and cheese, layering mala heat, minced pork and a four-cheese sauce over chifferi rigati pasta – a dish that feels... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361977/dish-focus-mac-n-cheese-lazy-suzy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361977/dish-focus-mac-n-cheese-lazy-suzy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:06 +0000 Isabelle Hon Isabelle Hon Fermentation is nearly as old as human civilisation. Archaeological evidence has revealed traces of fermented grains on 13,000-year-old stone mortars in northern Israel, while closer to home there is evidence that the Shangshan culture made beer from rice nearly 9,000 years ago. Until recently, fermentation was used to produce relatively humble foodstuffs – soy sauce, miso, milk, kimchi, cheese and others. That all changed with the rise of Noma, which, among many other innovations, substituted... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362339/how-fermentation-transforming-hong-kongs-fine-dining-scene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362339/how-fermentation-transforming-hong-kongs-fine-dining-scene?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:00:06 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng As Asia’s 50 Best Bars counted down the rankings at Wynn Palace in Macau on Tuesday, Hope & Sesame took home top honours, marking the first time a bar from mainland China topped the list, and ending a five-year stretch where just Hong Kong’s Coa or Bar Leone claimed the crown. The Guangzhou bar (which also has a location in Shenzhen) leads something of a changing of the guard. Mainland Chinese representation has ballooned from three bars last year – Hope & Sesame, MO Bar Shenzhen and CMYK in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362532/how-hope-sesame-leading-mainland-chinas-rise-asias-50-best-bars-list?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362532/how-hope-sesame-leading-mainland-chinas-rise-asias-50-best-bars-list?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:00:21 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng “Traditionally, bitters are used only [in] small dashes for seasoning,” says Bone Cheng, founder of Bar Tincture, the Ginza-style cocktail establishment that opened in Hong Kong in April. “But the Trinidad Sour elevates bitters to the main spirit. This inversion concept is very bold – it challenges the conventional definition of a base spirit and proves that bitters can form the soul of a complete cocktail.” This statement encapsulates his mission for Bar Tincture, one of the few bars in Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362215/drink-focus-trinidad-sour-bar-tincture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362215/drink-focus-trinidad-sour-bar-tincture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:05 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Even though Asia’s 50 Best Bars is now behind us, this following weekend promises to be just as high-energy, as international bartenders like Nature Kan and Nico De Soto continue to do guest shifts in the city. If you’ve had your fill of visiting bars, Bar Leone has a few new homebrews for the summer you might want to check out. Thursday, July 30 Friday After Class welcomes Nico De Soto Paris-born mixologist Nico De Soto makes a stop at Peel Street as he takes over Friday After Class on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362121/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-30-august-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362121/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-30-august-1?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:30:07 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer It’s the first weekend of August, and the last stretch of summer is bringing a mix of farewell feasts, skyline brunching and some lighter, feel-good dining. From Sri Lankan comfort food in SoHo, to a poolside Baja brunch in Tsim Sha Tsui and a wellness-led cafe menu across the city, this week’s guide is all about making the most of the season before it slips away. For dining recommendations beyond this weekend, read the 100 Top Tables Guide 2026. Friday, July 31 View this post on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362079/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-31-august-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3362079/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-31-august-2?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:30:10 +0000 Morning Studio editors Morning Studio editors Located within the renowned Grand Lisboa Macau, The Eight restaurant offers refined Cantonese fare with flair. As Macau’s dining scene continues to evolve, The Eight is defined by consistency and quiet confidence. Its two Michelin stars, and two Diamonds from the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide – the latter achieved for the fifth consecutive year – recognise technical excellence. Yet beyond the accolades lies a disciplined commitment to balance: a steadfast belief that restraint, precision and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/culinary-legacy/article/3361677/cantonese-cuisine-gets-contemporary-makeover-eight-grand-lisboa-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/100-top-tables/topics/culinary-legacy/article/3361677/cantonese-cuisine-gets-contemporary-makeover-eight-grand-lisboa-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:06 +0000 Wilson Fok Wilson Fok Cantonese cuisine has long been the most popular style of Chinese cooking abroad, thanks in large part to a mass migration from Guangzhou in the 19th century, when the first Western Chinatowns took root. Now, some of the region’s top Cantonese chefs are introducing the world to contemporary Cantonese fine dining rather than cheap Chinese takeaway staples. At the heart of this global movement is a delicate balancing act: keeping the traditional soul of Cantonese cooking intact while adapting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361600/how-top-chefs-are-modernising-chinese-cuisine-globally-guangzhou-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361600/how-top-chefs-are-modernising-chinese-cuisine-globally-guangzhou-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:00:18 +0000 Andrew Fowler Andrew Fowler Durian ice cream with caviar. On paper, it feels gauche, an unnecessarily luxurious way to elevate an otherwise straightforward and common dessert. Take a bite, though, and the caviar coaxes out the savoury elements of the durian, balanced by the fruit’s natural sweetness and highlighted by the roe’s clean salinity, all with a pleasing textural contrast. Suddenly, a faintly ridiculous dessert makes perfect sense. This playful juxtaposition has been a signature of Whey, Sheung Wan’s celebrated... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361575/wheys-new-chef-bringing-western-flair-singaporean-hawker-classics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361575/wheys-new-chef-bringing-western-flair-singaporean-hawker-classics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:00:07 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au The signature makdous is flying off the menu at Mila’s limited-time Rosewood Hong Kong residency – a fact that surprised even the man who created it. Marc Mahfouz, chef de cuisine of the Michelin-recognised Qatar restaurant, didn’t expect a vegan dish to be the top seller. The stuffed baby aubergine, draped in tarator sauce and topped with walnuts and pomegranate, is entirely plant-based. But Hong Kong diners, he has learned, are full of surprises. “This is the ninth city I’ve cooked in,” says... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361686/how-dohas-mila-giving-modern-levantine-offerings-local-spin-rosewood-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361686/how-dohas-mila-giving-modern-levantine-offerings-local-spin-rosewood-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:00:17 +0000 Victoria Burrows Victoria Burrows When the team at Galaxy Entertainment Group proposed the name “Estuary” to Vicky Cheng for his new restaurant at Capella at Galaxy Macau, the award-winning chef knew instantly it was perfect. The word evokes not only the confluence of fresh and salt water, as seen where the Pearl River meets the South China Sea, but also the convergence of disparate ideas. It resonated with him on a personal level: born Chinese but trained in classic French cookery. The new restaurant, which opened on May 29 at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361537/celebrity-chef-vicky-cheng-brings-his-french-culinary-dream-estuary-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361537/celebrity-chef-vicky-cheng-brings-his-french-culinary-dream-estuary-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:00:07 +0000 Betty Lan,Josiah Ng Betty Lan,Josiah Ng All of Hong Kong and Macau are gearing up for a week of mixology festivities as Asia’s 50 Best Bars looks to descend on our sister SAR for its second year, announcing this year’s list next Tuesday. In the days before and after, both Macau and Hong Kong will be flush with the region’s top mixologists, either here to receive awards or soak in the cities – or to take over many of our city’s world-class bars. From mega shifts like at Argo or Wing Lei Bar to unique one-off shifts featuring bars from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361599/best-guest-shifts-hong-kong-and-macau-amid-asias-50-best-bars-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361599/best-guest-shifts-hong-kong-and-macau-amid-asias-50-best-bars-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:29:38 +0000 Elaine Wong Elaine Wong Kung Chi-shing adjusts the needle on a Lionel Hampton vinyl, and suddenly a gentle vibraphone rings out over the chatter of afternoon cafe-goers at Coda, a 520 sq ft space in Sai Ying Pun. Coda is one of a new clutch of listening bars, where quiet appreciation of music is intended to take priority over highly refined drinks and conversation. The concept has a long history in Japan but has recently spread worldwide, reaching hip neighbourhoods in New York, London, Berlin and beyond. So far so... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361574/inside-hong-kongs-listening-bars-which-balance-love-vinyl-culinary-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361574/inside-hong-kongs-listening-bars-which-balance-love-vinyl-culinary-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jul 2026 02:00:08 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng You don’t have to visit Tokyo to sample a Ginza-style cocktail bar. Ever since Ichiro Hiidome opened BAR Executive Bar in Causeway Bay nearly 20 years ago, these most particular of drinking establishments have held a quiet sway in Hong Kong. Bar Butler (2011), Mizunara: The Library (2014) and Bar De Luxe (2016) all followed, bringing a shokunin (artisan) mindset to the city’s bartending industry, and they have all helped Hongkongers develop a taste for Japanese cocktail culture’s quiet precision... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361530/hong-kongs-continually-evolving-japanese-bar-scene-twist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361530/hong-kongs-continually-evolving-japanese-bar-scene-twist?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes We live in an era when food is celebrated more than ever. The number of restaurant awards is at an all-time high. Thanks to the internet’s amplifying effects, a single review, professional or not, can generate headlines and effects previously unimaginable. Chefs are the new rock stars. Millions of food-related posts flood social media channels every day. Yet the culinary culture behind this frenzy is often ignored or cynically deployed as fluff (“This dish is inspired by my grandmother…”) in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361528/how-hong-kongs-pmq-offering-fresh-perspectives-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361528/how-hong-kongs-pmq-offering-fresh-perspectives-culinary-traditions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:30:15 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Conceived as “a sophisticated homage” to the pork rib bak kut teh, Whey’s Iberico pork three-ways is head chef Keith Teo’s reimagining of a Singaporean classic by bringing together tender Iberico pork rack, slow-braised pork belly and home-made sausage. Founder-chef Barry Quek has long positioned Whey as a modern, personal take on Singaporean cuisine, and the latest iteration continues that idea in the restaurant’s new seasonal menu, which marks both ZS Hospitality Group’s 10th anniversary and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361295/dish-focus-iberico-pork-three-ways-whey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361295/dish-focus-iberico-pork-three-ways-whey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:30:09 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer If you’re craving Western comfort food this summer, these three newly launched menus offer a reason to head out: a Swiss-Italian brunch, a new Italian trattoria in Central, and a classic British afternoon tea. For dining recommendations outside this weekend, read the 100 Top Tables Guide 2026. Friday, July 24 Magistracy Dining Room at Tai Kwun has launched a brand new afternoon tea. Expect classic British savouries like smoked salmon finger sandwiches, roasted chicken on toasted crumpets,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361226/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-24-26?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3361226/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-24-26?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:30:10 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Challenges abound when it comes to taking concepts that feel antiquated – like herbal teas and Chinese medicine – and refreshing them for a younger generation. Dennis Mak, co-founder of community concept Clan & Company by Magnolia Lab, has already spoken to us about growing up with flavours like the bitter Five Flower Tea – tastes that Gen Z may never have experienced – and about bridging that generational palate gap. For visitors to Clan & Company, the bar’s Five Flower Tea is, fittingly, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360764/drink-focus-five-flower-tea-clan-company?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360764/drink-focus-five-flower-tea-clan-company?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:30:06 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au It’s the same animal. In a Tuscan kitchen, it’s carved tableside as a ritual. In a Korean kitchen, it’s sliced thin and gone in seconds. And in a Cantonese kitchen, it’s been braising since morning. In Hong Kong, three chefs are bringing their love of beef from home, each cooking through the lens of a childhood tradition that shaped them long before they ever stepped into a professional kitchen. Here is how to eat beef well, because whether in Tuscany, Seoul, or Hong Kong, the rule is simple:... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360623/how-3-chefs-hong-kong-cook-beef-through-lens-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360623/how-3-chefs-hong-kong-cook-beef-through-lens-home?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:07 +0000 Betty Lan Betty Lan It’s a summer of menu updates as DarkSide revamps its signature offerings with tributes to Hong Kong’s flavour and cultural heritage, whereas The Opposites takes inspiration from music and film to build four seasonal drinks available until the end of September. Celebrate World Daiquiri Day on Sunday with Montana, as they shine the spotlight on their own daiquiri alongside two fun twists on the Cuban classic. Friday, July 17 DarkSide unveils its Echoes cocktail menu DarkSide, Rosewood Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360594/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360594/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:00:14 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Whether the mood calls for fire-led dining, a more intimate chef-driven lunch or a long, free-flow brunch with carving stations, there’s plenty to stretch the weekend, from a sharp new grill concept in Wan Chai to a personal tasting menu at Mosu and a lively Sunday brunch at Whisk. For dining recommendations outside this weekend, read the 100 Top Tables Guide 2026. Friday, July 17 Marrow has landed in Wan Chai this summer as a limited-time grill concept that takes the steakhouse template and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360461/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3360461/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:00:07 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer A Latin staple, the beef empanada is a classic Argentinian bite, but variations occur with every border crossing. At new Argentinian steakhouse and wine bar Don Pedro, head chef Tim Rattray builds his around Aberdeen Angus beef sourced from grass-fed cattle raised on the vast fertile pastures of the Argentine Pampas. It captures Rattray’s aim of evoking Buenos Aires while letting the quality of the beef and the kitchen’s simple craftsmanship do the talking. The dish also feels especially fitting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359850/dish-focus-beef-empanada-don-pedro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359850/dish-focus-beef-empanada-don-pedro?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:00:06 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng It’s new menus for this weekend as 67 on Hollywood unveils its latest wine wall with a selection of otherwise members-only pours; and Orchard updates its menu with all-new eau de vie offerings showcasing a wide range of fruit spirits and brandies. Meanwhile, at Coffeelin’s Fortress Hill location, you will find a string of new signatures and later opening hours. Thursday, July 9 67 on Hollywood presents Pages from the Black Book Ease into the weekend with 67 on Hollywood’s recently updated wine... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359789/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-9-11?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359789/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-9-11?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:00:05 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer From a rooftop Italian newcomer in Tseung Kwan O to Jean-Pierre’s anniversary in Central and a Portuguese bakery opening on Lyndhurst Terrace, this week’s line-up mixes destination dining with a few well-earned treats – whether the mood calls for a leisurely lunch, a celebratory dinner or a sweet Sunday stop. For dining recommendations outside this weekend, check out the 100 Top Tables Guide 2026. Friday, July 10 Ponentino arrives in Tseung Kwan O as a new Italian dining destination with the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359798/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-10-12?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359798/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-10-12?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jul 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au What if your mother’s tomato and potato soup – the one that used to simmer while you tackled your homework – became a cocktail? That Cantonese comfort food classic is now being poured at Argo as the Broth & Soul, the celebrated bar’s newest take on the Bloody Mary. The unlikely inspiration came from Argo’s senior bartender, Wesley Lui, and his regular haunt, Big JJ Seafood Hotpot, the cult-favourite restaurant that recently reopened in Landmark Prince’s. Lui was drawn to the restaurant’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359100/drink-focus-broth-soul-argo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3359100/drink-focus-broth-soul-argo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:18 +0000 Betty Lan Betty Lan There’s no shortage of vibrant summer flavours and soulful sounds to indulge in across Hong Kong this weekend. Local craft distillery Two Moons is releasing its new Ginger Gin, celebrating the launch with a heritage trail across three local bars. Elsewhere, you can escape the urban bustle at Take Five within Avalon for an intimate night of live jazz and complementary libations. Alternatively, you could ascend to Avoca on the 38th floor of Mondrian Hong Kong to preview the bar’s nostalgic new... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358844/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-3-5?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358844/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-july-3-5?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer From fifth-anniversary beef specials to a Japanese alfresco brunch and a harbour-view Sunday spread, this week’s guide is a showcase of the international flavours Hong Kong has to offer. Whether the mood is meat-led indulgence, polished brunching or a leisurely Sunday feast, there’s something here to suit every pace. For more dining recommendations, check out our 2026 100 Top Tables Guide. Friday, July 3 For diners looking to fulfil their meat cravings this Friday, Chef’s Cuts is marking its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358834/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-3-5?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358834/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-july-3-5?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:30:06 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au The age-old Chinese habit of drinking hot water has gone viral. On TikTok and RedNote, influencers clutch steaming mugs and extol the benefits of drinking warm water for digestion, circulation – of both blood and qi – and balance. What they are describing is yang sheng – the practice of nourishing life that exists at the heart of traditional Chinese medicine. TCM, once the nagging voice of your grandmother, is now what the cool kids post on their feeds. The Mandarin term for this is guochao,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358765/how-traditional-chinese-medicine-found-its-way-fine-dining-and-bar-menus-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358765/how-traditional-chinese-medicine-found-its-way-fine-dining-and-bar-menus-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:00:05 +0000 Doris Lam Doris Lam There is never enough chicken when it comes to Matt Abergel. The chef behind Yardbird, Hong Kong’s celebrated chicken yakitori restaurant, opened Always Joy in March 2025. Despite the modern izakaya sharing none of the dishes of its older sibling, a chicken item still remains popular: the stuffed chicken wing. “We prep 40 of them a day,” Abergel says inside the kitchen. Standing next to two fryers, Dan Koh, the tempura station cook, is beginning the day’s prep with the chicken wings. He makes a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358304/dish-focus-nagoya-style-stuffed-chicken-wings-always-joy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358304/dish-focus-nagoya-style-stuffed-chicken-wings-always-joy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:31:37 +0000 Douglas Parkes,Betty Lan Douglas Parkes,Betty Lan There’s no shortage of exceptional mixology experiences to elevate your weekend in Hong Kong. Stop by Jordan rooftop hotspot Terrible Baby, where Cambodian gem Sora from Rosewood Phnom Penh is taking over, or sneak a peek at Bangkok bar Sundry’s upcoming menu at Friday After Class. Alternatively, head to Alibi to savour an immersive, literary-inspired cocktail journey curated by Madara’s Rayven Leung. Thursday, June 25 Terrible Baby x Sora from Rosewood Phnom Penh Terrible Baby is welcoming... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358209/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358209/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Don’t miss these limited-time offerings and new openings in Hong Kong this weekend, from Shanghai Plus’ rare multi-chef Chinese collaboration to Kinsman’s lamb-and-cocktail crossover and Smoke & Barrel’s new Sai Ying Pun brunch. Book your table and ease into July with a full stomach. For more dining recommendations, check out our 2026 100 Top Tables Guide. Friday, June 26 This weekend, Shanghai Plus in Wan Chai hosts a rare eight-hands collaboration, bringing together top Chinese chefs from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358170/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-june-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3358170/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-june-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:34:50 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng At first glance, a standing-room only, bar counter space at the top of oft-crowded Peel Street might seem like an unintuitive spot to enjoy a refreshing cocktail in a city like ours, where summers are hot, humid and often rainy. However, in line with its aspirations as Hong Kong’s Cuban bogeguita (“little neighbourhood bar”), Sugar King’s interior and trim, rotating list of precisely balanced speciality cocktails makes the venue a masterclass in clarity and focus of concept. Some might consider... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357571/drink-focus-daiquiri-el-cascara-sugar-king?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357571/drink-focus-daiquiri-el-cascara-sugar-king?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng This weekend, Quinary, Bar Sepia and Dead Poets are offering great reasons to hide from this stuffy, rainy June. Hendrick’s unveils a new gin alongside signatures at Quinary, while Dead Poets teams up with La Cabane on draft natural wines from New Zealand. Bar Sepia in Lan Kwai Fong offers a sanctuary from the madness, combining a quality record-listening experience with Japanese-style concoctions. Friday, June 19 Another Hendrick’s takes over Quinary In case you missed it, Quinary’s facade on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357405/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357405/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer With all the rain Hong Kong has had lately, Friday’s public holiday is a good excuse to stay dry and make the most of a three-day food line-up, from Jija’s refreshed afternoon tea to a rare four-hands steak dinner at Carna and a Father’s Day brunch at LPM on Sunday. Start with Chinese craft teas for Dragon Boat Festival before celebrating your father figures with Riviera delights. Need more dining options for dad? Check out our 2026 100 Top Tables Guide. Friday, June 19 For the public holiday,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357259/your-hong-kong-food-guide-fathers-day-weekend-june-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3357259/your-hong-kong-food-guide-fathers-day-weekend-june-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:29:38 +0000 Grace Brewer,Josiah Ng Grace Brewer,Josiah Ng One of the oldest adages in business is, “The customer is always right.” That rule goes double for bars and restaurants where poor service or disagreements with guests can be a death knell – regardless of the quality of what’s on the plate or in the glass. At each of Hong Kong’s many exceptional restaurants or bars, consideration for the guest is utmost. Inevitably though, even the city’s best and brightest witness things that some customers do – whether at their own venue or elsewhere – that... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356906/word-streat-hong-kongs-fb-scene-spills-tea-about-annoying-customers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356906/word-streat-hong-kongs-fb-scene-spills-tea-about-annoying-customers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:12 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer The Scotch egg is one of those dishes that seems simple until you try to perfect it. It’s a British classic with roots in pub grub and picnic baskets, where a soft-cooked egg is wrapped in sausage, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until crisp. At Avalon in Central, that familiar format is made more refined, with Migas Group culinary director Jarrod Verbiak using the nostalgic dish as a study in balance, texture and precision. Verbiak takes a quietly luxurious approach to comfort food, and the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356695/dish-focus-scotch-egg-avalon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356695/dish-focus-scotch-egg-avalon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:30:10 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng As rain tears through Hong Kong in June, there’s no better place than a bar from which to weather the storm. On Thursday, Taipei’s Knock Knock Bar visits Hong Kong’s first speakeasy. If supporting local is more your speed, look no further than Avoca: the bar is hosting community-focused bar Clan & Co, which works with Magnolia Lab’s local herb liqueurs. Then, on Saturday, sample Gokan’s latest menu inspired by the balmy southern prefecture of Okinawa. Thursday, June 11 001 x Knock Knock... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356476/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3356476/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-june-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:10 +0000