How to Eat Like a Brit for a Day in Hong Kong

The current state of Hong Kong – it's demographics, livelihood, and culinary scene – has been shaped in part by the 156 years of British colonial rule and the influence Britain has had on everyday life – especially the tastes of Hong Kongers and their love for classic British staples.

The plates of eggs, toast, and beans, sausages and mash potatoes, steak with gravy, high tea and cakes, and Sunday roasts have been enjoyed by locals and expats alike since Britons emigrated en masse in the 1950s.

The British expat population in Hong Kong currently estimates 40,000, but residents and tourists go crazy for a plate of the finest carby and salty British grub. To celebrate the many decades of culinary celebration, we have sourced the best British restaurants, cafes, and eateries to show how you can eat like a Brit for a day in Hong Kong.

Breakfast: 9 AM - BRICK LANE

BRICK LANE came to the streets of Hong Kong in 2011, a restaurant concept started by three food-enthused former-bankers nostalgic for their comfort British food. The 10-year old menu boasts a healthy selection of All-day Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, and their signature Brick Lane Classics.

For a greasy, salty, gastronomical exploration of the classics, we recommend the Full English (HK$168), filled with the typical drippings, including a hefty selection of corned beef, smoked salmon, Yorkshire pudding, and black pudding. For the adventurous, the Prawn Scrambled Eggs (HK$118) is a must for a fusion Cantonese take on British breakie.

On the side of sugar, BRICK LANE’s Skillet Pancake selection (starting at HK$88) caters to the early-bird sweet tooth, with Vanilla Ice Cream, Season Berries, and Caramelised Banana. Inspired by the gastronomical venues of East London’s Brick Lane, the restaurant chain has locations in Admiralty, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Sha Tin.

Admiralty location: 4/F, CITIC Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Admiralty, Hong Kong

Causeway Bay location: G/F, Lee Garden Six, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

TST location: G/F, 17 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Morning snack: 11:30 AM - Shoreditch

Located on Kennedy Town’s uber-hip and foodie-central Catchick Street, Shoreditch has been rated Hong Kong’s best British restaurant, and it shows.

Shoreditch enjoys one of the most extensive and authentic menus of British pub grub and classics in Hong Kong. Plates such as their Roast Lamb Shank & Rosemary Gravy (HK$248), 12oz Ashdale British Rib Eye (HK$398), and their Prime Beef Hash (HK$148) have been celebrated for city foodies for their authenticity.

For a morning snack in the city, Shoreditch’s Scottish Baps (HK$88), a delicate bread bun with two choices of bacon, egg, sausage, mushrooms, or avocado, or the unique Lancashire Black Pudding & Eggs (HK$128), with scrambled eggs and black pudding topped on wholewheat toast, is worth a visit alone for your tastebuds.

Location: 18 Catchick St, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

Work lunch: 1 PM – The Globe

To go to The Globe is to step into the unofficial British consulate of gastronomy in Hong Kong. Open seven days a week with their British-trained kitchen open from 12 PM to 9:45 PM, and 10 AM on weekends, the only remaining gastro pub left in Hong Kong is perfect for a work lunch.

We highly recommend dipping your fork and knife into the ginormous Beer Battered Atalantic Haddock (HK$185) for lunch, a plate of crunchy fries, mushy peas, curry sauce, and delicately battered fish. The British Beef Burger (HK$185) is a solid option for the umami and salty flavours craved during the workday, whilst their selection of Globe Pies (HK$160) - pork and apple, beef mince, chicken and leek, peas and potatoes – make for an extremely filling lunch.

The Globe releases a new set lunch every Monday for the weekday of 12 PM to 3 PM eating hours, with three courses of a starter, meaty main, and dessert priced at HK$175. Our favourite is their Grilled Duck Breast and Pork Gyros. Check their Instagram weekly for updates.

Location: Garley Building, 45-53A Graham St, Central, Hong Kong

Afternoon coffee: 3 PM – The Envoy

Opening in 2014, The Envoy is a British colonial-themed bar-restaurant located on one of Hong Kong’s oldest lanes, Pottinger Street. Framed as a city retreat from the hustle of a loud Central, The Envoy hosts an exquisite Afternoon Tea (HK$195 per person) from 3 PM to 5:30 PM on weekdays, and 4 PM to 5:30 PM on weekends.

Customers can choose from a large selection of savoury and sweet treats, including Auntie’s Netted Pork Spring Roll, BBQ Chicken Lollipop, Spiced Tuna with Filo Pastry, Fudgy Chocolate Brownie, Mini Frangitarte, and Pandan Chiffon Roll.

Tea-drinkers are also treated to complimentary Mini Raisin Scone, Jam & Cream and Americano, cappuccino, latte, mocha, and espresso coffee. Paris, Viennese Earl Gray, Organic Peppermint, and Dorchester Breakfast teas are included too!

Location: 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen's Road Central, Central

Late dinner: 7 PM – The Leah

The Leah, sat on top of the illustrious Lee Gardens Mall in Causeway Bay, is a self-described “green oasis” in the busy shopping district, with an unparalleled indoor and outdoor space for boozy dinners over chef-designed British plates.

With a focus on “British comfort food done right,” The Leah – inspired by the old English word meaning “meadow” – has a small, yet powerful menu of Small Plates, Pies & Pots, and Big Plates.

For a hearty shared meal with friends or family, we recommend the Scallop & Black Pudding (HK$268), with Hokkaido scallops, black pudding crumb, and poached leeks, and Crab on Toast (HK$228) for sides. The salmon and cod-filled Fish Pot Pie (HK$178) is a must for pescetarian eaters. The pre-ordered Beef Wellington (HK$988) and Dover Sole (HK$688) make for a great sharing for four people.

Location: 28 Yun Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Midnight snack and drink: 11 PM – The Old Man

Ranked number 15 in The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2020, The Old Man is Hong Kong’s elite cocktail bar for Ernest Hemingway-inspired drinks in a curated space on Aberdeen Street.

Inspired by the American novelist’s 1952 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Old Man and The Sea,” about a Cuban fisherman and the biggest catch of his life, The Old Man takes the author’s favourite spirits, drinks, and flavours.

Dip into the secret bar and sip on True at First Light (gin, acacia honey vinegar, olive boil, bergamot), Cat in the Rain (calamansi tincture, mangosteen tequila liqueur, salted bianco vermouth, tonic), Soldier’s Home (apple marigold white rum, lemon sherry, apple sous-vide riesling, and lemon leaf soda.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR8gk36Bu-l/

Location: Lower G/F, 37-39 Aberdeen Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong