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Nicholini's
This refined restaurant's approach to northern Italian cuisine has won it praise from Italian expats - a certain stamp of approval. Simple yet superb antipasti and shellfish dishes are firm favourites here. It also has an excellent bar.
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Nobu
This restaurant attracts the Hollywood set whenever they are in town, just as it would in London, New York and Los Angeles. The tiradito (scallop, white fish, live octopus or razor clam; from around HK$200 ) with spicy lime dressing that highlights the seafood is world famous, and other Nobu dishes such as black cod saikyo yaki (black cod in sweet miso; around HK$270 ) are also served here.
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Olé Spanish Restaurant & Wine Bar
Any Spaniard living in the city would point to this Spanish restaurant as the best one in town. Every tile and vase oozes Iberian air, and if you sit by the window looking at the colonial-style Bishop's House across the street, you might forget that you're in Asia. The paella (around HK$360 ) is great for two to share.
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Ooh La La!
This simple place at the Treasure Island on Lantau hotel has a meat and seafood barbecue in the summer and fondue (around HK$280 to around HK$320 for two) in the winter. The terrace directly on the beach is a bonus, as is the Ooh La La! signature Pui-O-Punch.
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Orange Tree
Modern Dutch food served in a breezy russet setting in the higher reaches of the Central Escalator. Don't get stuck on the sausages - there are lighter dishes like smoked eel. For dessert there are always delicious poffertjes (Dutch pancakes) on the menu.
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Pak Heung Kwun Yum Temple
The folks here claim that their poon choy is the most authentic and the recipe dates back to the end of the Southern Song dynasty (AD 1127-1279), when the defeated emperor fled from the Mongolians to what is today the New Territories. Apparently, the proof is in the duck, stewed the same way it was 800 years ago. Vegetarian food is available upon request. Booking is by the table, each seating 10 to 12.
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Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant
This is one of the best Chiu Chow restaurants on Hong Kong Island, turning out the most perfect shrimp and crab balls and delectable sek-làu-gài (steamed egg-white pouches filled with minced chicken).
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Panda Café
You might be in the neighbourhood exploring its indigenous culture and charm, but if the foreignness gets a little much, the Panda Cafe is a decent choice for some reasonable international cuisine, including pasta and steaks. Or dive into the buffet (lunch from around HK$130 , dinner from around HK$250 ) for everything from sushi to curries.
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Peak Cafe Bar
The fixtures and fittings of the much-missed Peak Cafe, established in 1947, have moved down the hill to this comfy restaurant and bar with excellent nosh and super cocktails. The only thing that's missing now is the view. There are also sandwiches.
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Peak Lookout
East meets West at this colonial-style restaurant, with everything from Indian and French to Thai and Italian on offer. Stick to the oysters (a dozen varieties), the barbecue and the views, which are to the south of the island, not over the harbour.
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Pearl On The Peak
This has all the trappings of a tourist restaurant, so you're bound to end up here one way or the other. It is somewhat of a branch of Pearl Restaurant in Melbourne, and the signature air freight pearl meat flash fried with shiitake, chive buds, ginger and soy served on a mother of pearl shell would be quite enjoyable eaten with the view. Otherwise there is everything from pasta to curry, with twists of Oz.
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Pepperoni's Pizza
This place serves up some decent pizza, although you are advised to stick with the classics and stay away from the hybrid recipes such as the Cajun. The atmosphere is relaxing and fun.
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Petrus
With its head (and prices) in the clouds, Petrus is one of the finest Western restaurants in Hong Kong. Expect traditional (not nouvelle) French cuisine, some over-the-top décor and stunning harbour views. Coat and tie required for men.
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Pierre
The godfather of fusion, Pierre Gagnaire, has finally brought his revolutionary cuisine to the city that embodies the concept. Consider this: Le Rouge - red pepper jelly, duck foie gras and 'red' red tuna, red belotta 'Croque-Monsieur', Niora paste, chorizo, light butternut squash chutney, red beetroot and raspberry ice cream. The décor, with portholes and chandelier, reminds one of a fine cruise liner restaurant even before the harbour view.
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Pizza Milano
If you're looking for pizza, pasta, calzone or crostini, Lamma's only Italian restaurant is the right choice. Small/medium/large pizzas go for HK$50 / HK$62 / HK$98
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Po Lin Vegetarian Restaurant
The famous monastery in west-central Lantau has a good reputation for its inexpensive but substantial vegetarian food. The simple restaurant is in the covered arcade to the left of the main monastery building. Buy your ticket there or at the ticket office below the Tian Tan Buddha statue. Sittings are every half-hour.
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Post 97
Since its renovation, this all-day brasserie and café above the Fong has lost a little of that bohemian charm and become a little nondescript, but it still offers a view of the bustling Lan Kwai Fong. The all-day breakfast items such as egg benedict are still there, and new items such as detox salad are welcome additions. Weekend brunch (around HK$150 ) with bottomless coffee and pick-me-ups such as bloody Mary is a draw.
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Qing
Time seems to stand still at this place, which resembles a street-side bistro in Hanoi. Blocked out from traffic, the outdoor tables offer an ambience increasingly hard to come by in hyperactive Hong Kong. Go light with the Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls or indulge in a steak smothered with Roquefort - it's all up to you, and the wine is always fab.
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Queen's Cafe
This eatery has been around since 1952 (though obviously not at the bottom of the same modern high-rise), which accounts for its subdued yet assured atmosphere. The borsch and meat set meals - White Russian dishes that filtered through China after WWI - are pretty good. Try the zakuska (around HK$70 to around HK$90 ), a mixture of Russian appetisers.
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R66
R66 - it's on the 62nd, not the 66th floor, as you'd expect - obeys the unwritten code of revolving restaurants by playing cheesy music and serving average buffets. It's best to roll up for an afternoon tea ( to ; around HK$66 ) and go for a twirl in the daylight. To access the lipstick tube-like Hopewell Centre's outfacing bubble lifts, swap at the 17th (lifts are in the alcove opposite lift 6) and 56th floors.
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Rainbow Seafood Restaurant
The Rainbow, with its waterfront location, specialises in seafood, especially steamed grouper, lobster and abalone. A plus is that when you book a table, you have the option of being transported by small ferry from Queen's Pier in Central (up to seven sailings on weekdays from to , and up to a dozen on weekends from to ) or from Aberdeen (three optional sailings at , and ).
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Red Stone Bar & Grill
One of the newer restaurants contributing to the renaissance of Tsim Sha Tsui East, this waterfront venue serves up some truly great steaks and fresh oysters (around HK$160 for half dozen). For lunch, try the pizzas.
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Rughetta
A fine Italian restaurant, Rughetta serves faultless 'Roman' (read earthy Italian) cuisine. You'll find all your traditional Italian favourites here for sure! It can be busy around lunchtime so if you can't get a table, you could try their other branch - in New York City.
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Sabah
Sabah in the heart of Wan Chai serves Malaysian food tempered for the Hong Kong palate. It's a favourite of office workers; try to avoid to . A choice of five set lunches (around HK$48 ) is available from to .
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Sabatini
Classy Sabatini is a direct copy of its namesake in Rome, with murals on the walls and ceilings and polished terracotta tiles on the floor. Even classic Italian pasta dishes such as fettuccine carbonara come across as light in the best sense, leaving room to sample the exquisite desserts. Set lunches of two/four courses are around HK$150 / HK$250 . The wine list is excellent but pricey.
