The Tatler guide to Hong Kong's most interesting neighbourhoods. This time, we explore the electric district of Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui might get a bad rap for being a tourist destination. And though this is partly true, that doesn't mean there aren't some excellent gems worth crossing the harbour for. After all, it is home to some of Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks such as the Clock Tower and Avenue of the Stars, and it's from here that you get the most stunning views of the Hong Kong skyline

Come for the view, stay for the superb shopping and dining destinations.

Amidst designer flagship stores lining the main streets lies top restaurants and rooftop bars frequented by those in the know. Whether you’re new to the Kowloon side of the city or looking for new places to visit, here are the best places to eat, drink and shop in the area.

See also: The Tatler Guide To Hong Kong's Neighbourhoods

Tsim Sha Tsui Restaurants

Spring Moon

Located within the legendary Peninsula Hong Kong, Spring Moon has a reputation of being a Chinese fine dining establishment that consistently impresses with exceptional service and refined classic Cantonese dishes. With dim lighting and elegant interiors inspired by a 1920s Shanghainese teahouse, this venue offers an intimate ambience which makes it perfect for both date nights and family gatherings. Dim sum here is always a hit, whether it’s the signature baked barbecued pork puff or the popular minced pork dumpling. There are also a few tasting menus worth trying, including ones paired with premium Chinese tea or wine.

Spring Moon, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2696 6760, peninsula.com

 

Nobu Hong Kong 

The Nobu name is synonymous with innovative Japanese cuisine and while there are a lot of restaurants that serve similar fare today, the restaurant still stands out for its consistency and quality. This is apparent in dishes such as the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, a popular ingredient in Japanese fusion cuisine.  Another dish to go for is the truffle uni rice with seaweed tacos, and the black cod miso is faultless; the chunks of fish give way easily and each sliver has the perfect balance of sweetness and umami.

Nobu’s menu is extensive and it’s easy to get caught up in trying the different dishes, but make sure to leave room for dessert. Round ’n’ Round cheesecake is a frozen cheesecake with an intriguing raspberry soda filling, accompanied by the caramel-like sweetness of Hokkaido black honey.

Nobu Hong Kong, 2/F, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2313 2323, hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com
 

 

 

Felix

The unapologetically futuristic Felix was undoubtedly a divisive topic when it first opened in 1994 atop The Peninsula’s shiny new office tower, and it remains so even today—although famed designer Philippe Starck has the last laugh, with the dining institution now broaching three decades. Featuring seafood at the fore, the menu takes inspiration from around the world for truly global cuisine, though portions tend to be on the smaller side. Whether you go for the food, the views or the design, Felix remains an utterly unique offering in Hong Kong’s crowded dining scene.

Felix, 28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 26966778, peninsula.com/felix


Épure

Tucked away in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City, Épure is a one-Michelin-starred restaurant serving up contemporary French cuisine curated by chef Nicolas Boutin, with an extensive collection of vintage wines to pair with the dishes. 

The ambience is intimate and private, elevated by moody lighting, plush furnishings and a French garden interior. The menu changes seasonally but the signature dishes remain irreplaceable, including the Parisian classic white button mushroom soup with baby spinach gnocchi and seared duck foie gras with shaved and marinated pear and caramel jus, a staple in French haute cuisine.

To get a taste of the kitchen’s finest offerings, go for the seasonal or signature tasting menu available for dinner.

Épure, Shop 403, Level 4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3185 8338, epure.hk

Chesa

Proper Swiss cuisine can be hard to come by in Hong Kong, but thanks to The Peninsula’s Chesa, lovers of raclette and cheese fondue can get an authentic Alpine experience without having to travel far. 

Set in a cosy Alpine chalet, the restaurant has been around for more than 50 years, serving classic Swiss favourites such as the full-flavoured cheese fondue for two, the meaty veal Zurichoise (hand-made sausages with rosti) and Spätzle pasta. 

Of course, a Swiss meal is not complete without an indulgent chocolate dessert, which is offered in the form of a chocolate Swiss chalet or chocolate mousse. 

Chesa, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2696 6769, peninsula.com

Chaat

Chaat at Rosewood Hong Kong delivers an impressive range of flavours across its offering, boasting luscious baked samosas, a balanced tandoori section, and a fitting range of delicious breads to match their curries. The chef uses fresh ingredients to twist the norm and layer the flavour palette—a particularly successful approach in their starter and vegetarian dishes.

A curated drink list offers a collection of Portuguese wines that couple well with Indian cuisine, and guests should not be afraid to steer off the grape—the bar offers sensational negronis and other off-menu favourites to enjoy while you admire the vista over Victoria Harbour.

Chaat, 5/F Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3891 888, chaat.hk

Hugo's

Opened in 1960, Hugo’s has managed to stay relevant with its menu of classic European and American dishes presented with spectacular showmanship. Chefs and waiters prepare flambé dishes and special drinks in front of diners.

Highlights include the flavourful lobster bisque, steak tartare, lobster thermidor, crêpes suzette and café diablo. For couples and families looking to celebrate special occasions with decadent dining and gueridon service, this atmospheric venue—decorated with chandeliers, mirrors and shield plaques—certainly makes for a memorable dining experience.

Hugo's, Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 37217733, hyatt.com
 

 

The Araki

Found in Tsim Sha Tsui's historic House 1881, The Araki is the Hong Kong outpost of the London-based three Michelin-starred restaurant by world-renowned sushi chef Mitsuhiro Araki. 

The sushi restaurant serves Araki’s signature precision-led omakase––a concept where up to 12 guests get to sit at the chef’s table to watch the culinary master in action. An original dining experience executed to impress, the menu focuses purely on Edomae-style sushi using the freshest ingredients.

The Araki, G/F, Stable Block, House 1881, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3988 0000

See also: The best sushi omakase restaurants in Hong Kong

Sushiyoshi

This is the first foreign branch of the coveted sushi restaurant, celebrated not only for its mouth-watering sushi but also the inventive sushi experience you get here. The Hong Kong outpost of Sushiyoshi will mimic the original Osaka branch, fusing traditional Edomae-style sushi with contemporary flavours.

You'll also get to dine at a 200-year-old Japanese cypress wood 12-seater counter. Expect one of the best sushi omakase menus, comprising of 17–21 courses with signature delights such as waffle with scallop tartare, botan shrimp carpaccio and syphon dashi.

Sushiyoshi, 1/F The Otto Hotel, 8 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; +852 2657 0280

See also: Osaka’s Sushiyoshi Opens First Overseas Branch In Tsim Sha Tsui

Tiffany Blue Box Cafe

Breakfast at Tiffany's? Do just that at this sophisticated, stylish and modern cafe. This is the only second Tiffany Blue Box Cafe in the world, following the one in New York City. Their selection of gourmet will leave the most discerning diners wanting more. The cafe offers breakfast dishes, all-day dining and afternoon tea together with some Hong Kong-only dishes.

For the signature treats, you have to try the New York breakfast or the iconic blue box toast. The enhancing Tiffany blue colour scheme surrounded the interiors with amazonite accents and completing it all is the signature robin's egg blue hue. Well, now you can say you had breakfast at Tiffany's right here in Hong Kong.

1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui Bars

DarkSide

A cocktail, cigar and jazz lounge concept, Rosewood Hong Kong’s DarkSide exudes old-world charm with its plush velvet drapes, hourglass ceiling installation and antique glass panelling.

With a focus on rare aged dark spirits, including rum, whisky and calvados from the early 19th century, the cocktail menu delights with signature creations such as The Yemen, made with osmanthus-infused Pierre Ferrand cognac, bee wax, raw honey, bee pollen and frankincense. 

The outdoor terrace overlooking the glittering lights of Victoria Harbour makes for the ideal spot to enjoy a vintage cigar, while the nightly jazz tunes set the mood for a fine libation.

DarkSide, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3891 8732, rosewoodhotels.com

See also: 11 Spots To Visit For Live Music In Hong Kong

Aqua

Relocated from the top floor of One Peking Road in 2021, the new Aqua now occupies the 17th floor of H Zentre—a venue that comes with an unrestricted view of the Hong Kong skyline. A glass catwalk designed by award-winning London designer Robert Angell leads into the dining room, where the cabaret-style tables provide front-row seats to the vista beyond.

The menu is a veritable world tour, offering fresh Japanese seafood dishes by Aqua Tokyo and Italian pastas, mains and desserts by Aqua Roma. If you’ve timed your dinner right, you can enjoy the 8pm lightshow over Victoria Harbour. Hop over to the rooftop terrace at Aqua Spirit for a cocktail or two to end your night on a high note.

Aqua, 17/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3427 2288, aqua.com.hk
 

 

Koffee Mameya

Koffee Mamaya is the sister brand of cult coffee bar Omotesando Koffee. The speciality coffee store is the first overseas branch and is curated by Eiichi Kunitomo, one of Japan's most influential master baristas. Dedicated to uplifting coffee culture in the city with its fine coffee beans and roasters, it feels fitting that the shop is located at K11 Musea––Tsim Sha Tsui's art, culture and retail destination.

The coffee experience is crafted to suit your taste, offering a "haute couture" starting with a one-on-one consultation with an expert Japanese expert barista. They will also offer expert tips and detailed recipes on how to brew your own artisanal coffee at home.

Koffee Mameya, Shop B217, Floor B2, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

See also: Tokyo’s Koffee Mameya Opens Its First Overseas Branch At K11 Musea

Vibes

Indulge in this electrifying open-air lounge tucked away in the fifth-floor courtyard terrace of The Mira. Vibes is the perfect spot to get some drinks and relax in its lush outdoor space to spend the night away.

Almost like a hidden sanctuary, the outdoor bar is filled with lotus-shaped open fires, running waterways, private cabanas, bamboo groves and sweet frangipani trees—for that extra touch of nature. Grab some mojitos or choose from their wide selection of wines and bar bites while you enjoy a hip night out.

Vibes, 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Mira Place, 118–130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, themirahotel.com

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

Where to Shop

K11 Musea

Tsim Sha Tsui's cultural-retail destination found on Victoria Dockside, K11 Musea was opened in 2019 by Adrian Cheng

An art-focused concept that sets itself apart from other shopping malls, K11 Musea is home to an impressive art collection, as well as Hong Kong's first and only MoMa Design Store. several debut restaurants from overseas, including Fortnum & Mason and Chatterbox Cafe from Singapore and Parisian bakery Gontran Cherrier.

K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

See also: Louis Vuitton brings their first-ever Men’s Pre-Fall show to Hong Kong

1881 Heritage

Just a stone’s throw from the Star Ferry Pier, Heritage1881 is a heritage building which once served as the Hong Kong Marine Police Headquarters from the 1880s until 1996. 

After an extensive restoration in 2003, the historic site now home to House 1881, a charming boutique hotel and shopping complex housing some of the world’s most luxurious brands.

1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2926 8000, 1881heritage.com

See also: 8 Quintessential Hong Kong Experiences For First-Time Visitors

Harbour City

Harbour City is the all-in-one destination you're looking for. It's a shopping, dining, entertainment and sightseeing spot altogether. The mall is home to over 450 shops, more than 70 food and beverage outlets, an art gallery, an observation deck, two hotels and a cruise terminal—all under one roof.

It also gives you beautiful views of Victoria Harbour and is conveniently located near Tsim Sha Tsui's Star Ferry Pier if you want to take a scenic ride to the other side of the harbour.

3–27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

See also: Paulo Airaudo Of San Sebastian’s Michelin-Starred Amelia To Open Restaurant In Harbour City

Canton Road

This bustling road in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui is beaming with luxury boutiques stretching 600 metres long. The dazzling array of high-end brands here is reminiscent of Orchard Road in Singapore, 5th Avenue in New York or Ginza in Tokyo. Shop until you drop at Gucci, Hermes, Valentino, Panerai and more.

Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

See also: The Most Instagrammable Niche Perfume Boutiques In Hong Kong

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