Recover from your long weekend travels (there’s two this month!) and load up on a plate to satisfy at these new pop-ups and restaurants opening their doors in Hong Kong this May 2023.

From an exclusive Michelin-star crossover at Rosewood Hong Kong, to an all-American diner opening in the sleepy hipster neighbourhood of Tai Hang, to a new neighbourhood Lebanese joint in Tung Chung. Here’s to May 2023’s best munches around the city.

Exciting Initial Line-up for Italian Week Hong Kong 2023 Announced

Get ready for an extraordinary culinary adventure! The Beat Asia is excited to reveal the first wave of participating venues for Italian Week Hong Kong 2023, taking place from Monday, May 29 to Sunday, June 4. This week-long celebration of Italian cuisine and culture, in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce, will showcase the finest Italian dining establishments in Hong Kong, including: Aria, Baci, Babacio Wyndham Street, Babacio Tung Chung, Cantina, Fini's Soho, Fini's Wan Chai, Fini's Elements, Fiamma, Frank's, Lucciola, Macelle, Mezzo, Spiga, and Vista.

This is just the beginning, as many more participating restaurants will be announced soon. Each venue promises to deliver an unforgettable dining experience, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Italy and the exceptional flavors that Italian cuisine has to offer. Mark your calendars for this gastronomic extravaganza and start planning your Italian culinary journey. Keep an eye on ItalianWeek.hk for more information on participating venues, updates, and everything you need to know about Italian Week Hong Kong 2023. Buon appetito!

Bangkok’s HAOMA Joins Chaat at Rosewood Hong Kong for Exclusive Four-hands Dinner

Experience a star-studded evening seeing Michelin-starred Chaat coming together with Bangkok-based multi-Michelin-starred HAOMA for a two-night only dinner created by Chefs Manav Tuli and Deepanker DK Khosla. HAOMA is renowned for its innovative and sustainable approach to neo-Indian fine dining, being the first urban farm-to-table restaurant in Thailand.

Chef Manav Tuli of CHAAT and guest chef Deepanker "DK" Khosla have joined forces to create a unique culinary crossover of eight courses that fuse their award-winning takes on modern Indian cuisine. Both chefs offer unique iterations of Indian cuisine, culminating in mouth-watering dishes like Baby Back Pork Tamarind Ribs, Lucknowi Lamb Nihari, Wagyu Beef Kola Urandai, Dum Ka Pulao, just to tease a few.

When: May 9 - 10

Where: Chaat, 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

How much: Email to book, HK$1980 pp

Pandan Man Pop-up Brings Pandan-forward Desserts and Treats to Prince’s Building

Amidst the pandemic, Pandan Man was born out of a deep longing for a taste of Singapore. After perfecting a recipe for classic pandan cake, the bakery has since grown to offer a successful range of fruity pastries for deliveries, and are now celebrating the opening of their debut pop-up shop at Prince’s Building in Landmark.

From traditional treats like Pandan Mochi(HK$100) and Classic Pandan Chiffon Cake (HK$190), to newfangled combinations like Salted Caramel with Toasted Coconut Pandan Cake (starting from HK$480) or the Southeast Asian favourite of Milo Dinosaur Lava x Pandan Cake (starting from HK$580), there’s a wide array of delectable green treats to explore.

When: 11:30 PM – 7 PM daily, now until Jun. 30

Where: (Adjacent to) Shop 137-138, 1/F, Landmark Prince’s, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong

Twist & Buckle Opens Second Store in North Point

Twist & Buckle, Hong Kong's first contemporary churrería, is expanding and opening a new location in North Point! Their delicious and diverse selection of churros has been satisfying sweet tooths since 2020.

Their new Filled Churros (HK$68 for five pieces), exclusively available at the North Point location, are oozing with rich flavors and are a must-try. Enjoy a Build Your Own Sundae (HK$78) or Twist & Buckle’s original ‘Glazed’ flavours, such as Cookies and Cream, Hazel Lah, and Wonderland (HK$38).

Where:Twist & Buckle, G/F, AT Tower, 180 Eletric Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Fatties Diner Opens in Tai Hang for Pancakes and Milkshake Galore

American food lovers, your next best place for scrumptious, sugary and glutenous food has opened with Fatties Diner kicking doors wide in Tai Hang’s ever-growing café centre. This is where fluffy pancakes meet heavy milkshakes, croffles, burgers, and juicy fries.

Offering both sweet and savoury pancake options, be sure to keep your eyes out for Cheese Addiction (HK$122), a greasy and cheesy Mozzarella topped pancake tower, filled with scrambled egg, sausage, and sauces. For sweet options, pick the Baileys Chocolate (HK$129) pancake for a mix of cream and cocoa.

Where: Fatties Diner, 22 King Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

VIVE Café Opens up with Cute Tea and Bitesize Offerings in SoHo

VIVE is the newest cafe hotspot in happening Gough Street, ready to welcome you to their inviting playground. From their signature cakes to their curated menu, VIVE offers brunch specialties, big plates and small, healthy drinks, and creative teas.

Try their Avocado Toast (HK$108), Rise and Shine (HK$168) full breakfast with waffle-cut hashbrowns, or Uni Mentaiko (HK$228). Their desserts fuse East and West, with a Pistachio Tiramisu(HK$98), Thai Milk Tea (HK$98), and Banana Bread(HK$88). You can't miss the hand-whipped coffee, seasonal beans, and unique flavours. VIVE's 700 sqft. space offers cosy seating, including an outdoor area for you and your furry friends.

Where: VIVE Café, 12 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong

Los Angeles-themed 1st and Beaudury Opens in The Arca, Wong Chuk Hang

Get ready for a taste of LA, Hong Kong! 1st & Beaudry, the latest eatery from Los Angeles’ celebrity chef Esdras Ochoa of 11 Westside and Netflix's The Final Table fame, is opening at the Arca hotel in Wong Chuk Hang.

The restaurant is named after the corner spot in downtown Los Angeles where Chef Ochoa first sold tacos, and it's a health-conscious eatery that celebrates the diversity of LA living. It offers healthy cuisine with an ethnic flair, so expect a Californian restaurant offering a unique twist. Housed in the Arca, expect breath-taking views of Aberdeen harbour. Keep up with Esdras Ochoa’s Instagram for official opening announcements.

Where:1st & Beaudry, the Arca, 3/F, 43 Heung Yip Rd, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

Lebanese Restaurant Maison du Mezze Opens in Tung Chung

One of Hong Kong’s favourite Lebanese restaurants is set to offer diners of all persuasions an enticing Middle Eastern family style menu near the Sheraton Tung Chung Hotel. Catering to 80 guests with banquette seating dressed in olive green, vintage flooring, and rattan-woven tables, the new branch aims to transport guests to Lebanon with their punchy starters.

From traditional cold mezzes, such as the Mix Humus Platter (HK180), to the refreshingly light Feta Watermelon Salad (HK$128), your favourite cold-served Middle Eastern starters are sure to delight. Hot mezzes include the Shrump Fatteh (HK$158), Chargrilled Octopus Tentacles (HK$170), followed by a hefty sharing plate of Falling off the Bone Lamb Shoulder (HK$518), Lamb Ouzi (HK$208), or FarroujMeshi (HK$298). For sweet-toothed diners, check out the Creamy Rice Pudding Ice Cream (HK$128) or the Qatayaf(HK$128) before wrapping up your meal.

Where: Maison du Mezze, G/F, Shop G10, Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau

Dough Bros Opening in Jordan

The wait is over! Hong Kong’s signature sour dough pizzas and fresh donuts have crossed the Victoria Harbour and arrived at Jordan to spread the wealth. After a long time searching and not-so gentle encouragement from their community, Dough Bros will be operating in their first Kowloon location with cold beers, fired ovens, and all-new menu items.

Get ready to experience pizza like never before with Mexican Chicken (HK$158) using toppings such as spiced Mexican chicken, charred corn, grilled peppers, jalapenos, crushed nachos, and house-made guacamole. The classic Dough Bros filled donuts will also welcome a new member to their ranks with the Banoffee Pie Donut (HK$38), filled with banana, caramel, cream, and crumbled biscuit.

Where:Dough Bros, 14-20 Pilkem Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

New Executive Chinese Chef Simon Wong brings new menu to Sing Yin at W Hong Kong

Bringing with him a jaw-dropping 35 years of experience, Executive Chef Simon Wong is the newest member of the Sing Yin restaurant team at W Hong Kong. Chef Wong's culinary expertise is next level, incorporating superior knife skills and a distinct open-fire barbecue technique to bring out the freshness in premium ingredients.

Setting the scene with his all-new a la carte menu, the selection includes various exquisite and technique-intensive dishes, like Steamed Bean Curd with Morel Mushroom and Fresh Bamboo Fungus, where smooth tofu is cut into 48 thin slices and is accompanied by vegetable soup boiled for four hours. Another colourful and crispy dish is the Lychee Wood Fried Crispy Chicken that treats Longgang chicken specially chosen for their extra subcutaneous fat, allowing for a succulent and fragrant flesh with yet a still crunchy roast on the outside, a display of Chef Wong’s top-notch skills.

Where:Sing Yin, 1/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon