Castellana

Opened by chef Marco Sacco of two Michelin-starred Piccolo Lago in Verbania, Italy, Castellana has caused quite a stir.

Described as “quiet but powerful” by Tatler Hong Kong’s dining editors, the menu focuses on dishes that celebrate culinary traditions of Piedmont. There’s the chef's signature guinea fowl served two ways, momemade "bottoni" ravioli  filled with Norwegian king crab, and a spectacular Alba white truffle tasting menu when the delicacy is in season.  

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3188 5028; castellanahongkong.com

Forum Restaurant 

With more than 40 years of history, Forum is undoubtedly one of the top Chinese restaurants in the city. The menu leans towards the traditional, predominantly featuring premium ingredients and time-honoured recipes, with numerous pages dedicated to abalone and other delicacies.

But that’s not all there is on offer: the scallop and vermicelli hot pot, and sweet and sour pork with dried mandarin peel are exceptional, showcasing first-class skill and technique. Coupled with genuinely warm and knowledgeable service, it’s easy to see why this restaurant has been frequented and loved by many over the years.

Forum Restaurant, 1/F, Sino Plaza, 255-257 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2869 8282, forumrestaurant1977.com

Leela 

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Lila’, Leela is the new “culinary playground” of Manav Tuli, the former head chef of Chaat in Rosewood and Tatler Dining's Chef of the Year 2022.

Found in Lee Gardens Three, Leela offers a la carte and set menus that will highlight dishes influenced by the Mauryan dynasty, the largest empire in Indian history, in which locality and seasonality were key. Local meat, vegetables, grains and spices sourced from the likes of Prime Organic Limited, Farmhouse Productions, Hong Kong Aquaculture and Wah Kee Farms feature prominently in dishes like Lucknowi Tokri Chaat, a beloved snack inspired by Royal Café in India, and Saoji Lamb Shank, a reinterpretation of a classic dish from Nagpur.

Leela, Shop 301-310, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, leela.hk

Elephant Grounds

You can always count on Elephant Grounds for great coffee, consistently good food and those legendary "how do I even fit that in my mouth?" ice cream sandwiches. The dog-friendly Causeway Bay cafe is located on Fashion Walk Food Street, and serves lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. 

We love the unagi omurice, the torched salmon don with onsen egg, the fish fillet sando and of last but not least, Elephant Grounds' signature smash burger. 

Elephant Grounds, Shop C, 42-28 Fashion Walk, Paterson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2562 8688; elephantgrounds.com

Alto

Created by celebrated British designer, Tom Dixon, Alto delivers a dose of maximalism that is perfectly complemented by floor to ceiling views of Causeway Bay and Victoria Harbour. 

The menu features international favourites, ranging from salads and pastas to specialities from the grill, including a whopping 1.3 kg A4 Tomahawk Wagyu. The wine list is a tour of the world’s major wine regions, from France and Italy to Australia and the USA. 

A stylish rooftop bar sits one floor above the restaurant, which is perfect for taking out-of-towners or for simply drinking in Hong Kong's electric energy.  

Alto, 31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2603 7181; diningconcepts.com

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: Where to eat and drink in Soho, Hong Kong

Sijie Sichuan Kitchen

If chilli-filled cauldrons make you feel some type of way, then it's worth paying Sijie Sichuan Kitchen a visit, where you're guaranteed to leave with a numb tongue and a very happy tummy. 

This intimate restaurant seats around 30 people, and serves Sichuan favourites like dumplings in chilli oil, cold Sichuan noodles and their signature dish, a large bowl of mandarin fish slices poached in chilli broth with chewy potato noodles. To relieve the heat, we recommend a classic pairing - ice old beer.  

Sijie Sichuan Kitchen, 10/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2802 2250

Sushi Yorokobu

There is an overwhelming number of sushi restaurants in Causeway Bay, so to make things easier for you, we're only going to list one—Sushi Yorokobu. Run by owner and chef Tango Lai, Sushi Yorokobu serves a traditional Edomae style omakase with the level of detail and finesse that one would find in some of Japan's most prestigious establishments. 

Here, the decor creates an instant sense of calm with light woods, soft lighting and beautiful ceramics.

Sushi Yorokobu, 18/F, Aura on Pennington, 66 Jardline's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3426 2777

Cadillac Bar & Grill

Tacos, pizza, potato skins, oh my. At Cadillac Bar & Grill, come for the comfort food and stay for the view, as the spacious cantina boasts large covered and open-air space right in the heart of Causeway Bay. 

Aside from Tex-Mex classics, the kitchen here gets creative with items such as beef tartare tacos and a caramel apple taquito.

Cadillac Bar & Grill, 7/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2521 2322

b.a.r. Executive

This gem fits the formula for Japan's famed hole-in-the-wall whisky bars; a dark and intimate setting, the soft hum of jazz in the background and a one man show behind the bar serving the finest Japanese whisky, poured into tumblers filled with near-perfect hand-chiselled ice. The cocktails are made with incredible craftsmanship and creativity. 

Though not a restaurant, the owner of b.a.r. Executive has some of the most elevated bar snacks in the city. From a giant leg of Joselito Iberico ham, which he carves from on request, to a selection of the finest seasonal Japanese produce, be it a perfect cantaloupe or candy-sweet Kyoho grapes. 

Sitting on the 27th floor, b.a.r. Executive offers glittering views over the Happy Valley racetrack. Go on a Wednesday (aka race night) for a little extra pizazz.

b.a.r. Executive, 27/F Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2893 2080 

Skye Rooftop Bar

Perched on the 27th floor of The Pullman, Skye Rooftop Bar offers wraparound views that span from Central's iconic skyscrapers to Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline and finally, lush green views of Victoria Park. This minimalist bar keeps things simple with sleek all-white interiors and a futuristic sci-fi glow to allow the breathtaking vistas to take centre stage. 

Try one of their original cocktails, like the Park Typhoon which is a mix of Asian flavours like pandan and coconut combined with tequila and a French herbal liqueur.

Skye Rooftop Bar, The Park Lane Hong Kong, A Pullman Hotel, 310 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2839 3327; parklane.com.hk

See also: Editors' Picks: Best Al Fresco Restaurants And Rooftop Bars In Hong Kong 

Basao Tea

For a more wholesome drinking experience, Basao Tea has all the makings of a serene, modern tea bar - simple Scandinavian design elements, organic tea and photogenic plates of healthy food.

Sourcing single-origin teas from China, Taiwan, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, the baristas at Basao take great care to honour the ingredients and serve up drinks that are good for the soul.  

Basao Tea, 16 Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2338 8172; basaotea.com

Loveramics

Those with a soft spot for pottery and ceramics will get a kick out of Loveramics' flagship store, where you'll find a rainbow of beautifully made tableware.

Keep an eye out for their limited edition pieces, as they regularly collaborate with artists as well as brands - they've previously teamed up with the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Pantone to name a few.   

Loveramics, 97 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2915 8018; loveramics.com

I.T.

I.T. is Hong Kong's answer to celebrated multi-brand retailers like Dover Street Market or Paris' now-closed Colette. The store carries a spectrum of fashion's most coveted goods, from luxury labels like Balenciaga and Maison Margiela, to cult classics like A.P.C., Comme des Garcons and Ann Demeulemeester, to special collections by the likes of Adidas and Nike. 

Its flagship store at Hysan One is four stories of pure fashion hedonism that no lover of style should deprive themselves of. 

I.T., 1 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2890 7329; ithk.com

Gentle Monster

If you've got a penchant for visual merchandising, it's worth making a stop at Gentle Monster's Causeway Bay boutique, the South Korean eyewear label's first ever flagship.

Similar to its ever-changing 'Quantum Project' concept stores in Seoul, Gentle Monster frequently sheds its skin to bring a new and exciting experience to shoppers. In the past, it has been a futuristic subway, a mysterious jungle of weird and wonderful creatures and more. 

Oh, and the eyewear they sell is pretty amazing, too. 

Gentle Monster, 25 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2612 1968; gentlemonster.com

Eslite

Taking over three floors and more than 40,000 square feet of Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite has tens of thousands of titles to choose from—over a third of which are in English. There's also a dedicated and extremely diverse magazine section,  as well as quirky lifestyle products.

There's even a built-in Moleskine concession should you feel inspired to unleash the writer in you. 

Eslite, 8/F-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3419 6789; eslitecorp.com

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