9 Places to Get the Best British Food in Hong Kong

Locals and expats have enjoyed the plates of eggs, toast, and beans, sausages and mash potatoes, steak with gravy, high tea and cakes, and Sunday roasts since Britons emigrated en masse to Hong Kong 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 prowess, we have sourced the best British restaurants, cafes, and eateries in Hong Kong.

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 true 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 Atlantic 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 – makes for an extremely filling lunch.

Location: The Globe, 45-53A Graham St, Garley Building, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2543 1941

Mr. Wolf

Opening its doors behind the hustle of busy Queen’s Road, Mr. Wolf’s modern European bistro serves an eclectic mix of international dishes with a British flair and culinary style. Headed by British chef Jamie Draper, Mr. Wolf imports the true flavours of the British Isles to the former colonial island: the Full English (HK$168), Lancashire Cheese and Onion Pie (HK$178), Fish and Chips (HK$218), Beef Wellington (HK$888), the lot!

We cannot stress enough for you to head to Mr. Wolf just for their Sunday Roast, a welcome addition to Central’s food scene with one of the few restaurants to serve the traditional meal. For HK$328 per person, diners can enjoy a plentiful meal of chicory salad, choice of crackling pork belly, roast beef rib, and roast chicken, served with all the classic trappings, with crumble and custard to end it off.

Location: Mr. Wolf, 5/F, Crawford House, 70 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2526 0838

Kinship

Hidden in a shiny building on the Central escalators, Kinship is a fine restaurant that many may not know but is a must-go for diners seeking Michelin Star-level British food with European influence challenging the perception of what British food stands for.

Chef Matthew Ziemski’s recommendations are to be considered well, with the masterful British cook suggesting the Steak Tartare (HK$168) and Cured Hamachi (HK$148) for tangy umami starter bites, followed by the Coba “Kiev” (HK$270), Chicken & Gravy (HK$268), and Mussel and Nduja Sopresini (HK$228).

Location: Kinship, 3/F, LL Tower, 2 Shelley St, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2520 0899

Shoreditch

Located on Kennedy Town’s uber-hip and foodie-central Catchick Street, Shoreditch has been rated as 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 their authenticity.

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: Shoreditch, 18 Catchick St, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, +852 2242 3777

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: The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2169 3311

The Chinnery

When it comes to age-old British cuisine, The Chinnery at the Mandarin Oriental is your intimate and serene retreat serving British and Indian classics found in old Hong Kong and beyond in the motherland in traditional style, fit with a classic menu and traditional interiors harping back to the 1960s.

Named after famous British artist George Chinnery and one of the first restaurants in the city to serve traditional British lunch and dinner, the club-like eatery lets you indulge in classics Bangers and Mash (HK$328), Fish & Chips (HK$338), Seasonal Fish Pie (HK$348), Saag Paneer (HK$288), Rogan Josh (HK$338), and Prawn Madras (HK$368).

Location: The Chinnery, 1/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2825 4009

181 At Fortnum and Mason

Named in honour of the luxury British department store in London city’s Piccadilly neighbourhood address, 181 brings centuries of cultural dining history to K11 MUSEA with a stunning bar and dining room and views of Hong Kong Island to match. Fortnum and Mason serves a curated seasonal menu across lunch, Afternoon Tea, and dinner using imported products from its London counterpart.

The Afternoon Tea, priced at HK$588 per person and served with a pot of Fortnum’s Tea, is the best way to flavour Fortnum and Mason and get a taste of the 19th century way of eating. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, including Hens Egg with Fortnum’s Truffle Mayonnaise and Coronation Chicken, Plain, Sultana & Cranberry Scones with Clotted Cream, and a selection of Individual Patisseries to end the delicious tradition.

Location: 181 At Fortnum and Mason, Shop 022, G/F, K11 Atelier, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, +852 3916 8181

1908bc British Chinese

This creative fusion diner located in an office building in Sheung Wan serves classic British Chinese food, a meeting of Cantonese flavours and plates to the U.K. in the early 20th century with heavy British restaurants. With 1908 standing as the first year a Chinese restaurant opened in Britain, namely “The Chinese Restaurant” in Piccadilly Circus, London, 1908bc imports that classic Chinese takeaway food-style to Hong Kong.

For the full 1908bc experience, we recommend ordering the Crispy Aromatic Shredded Duck (HK$200), wrapped in pancakes, fresh scallion and hoisin sauce, Fried Chicken “Balls” (HK$110) with sweet and sour sauce, Kung SUPER-POW Prawns (HK$280), Roasted Whole Soy & Maple Chicken (HK$450), and Chop Suey (HK$120).

Location: 1908bc British Chinese, 5/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2116 4668

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. 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.

Location: Brick Lane, multiple locations across Hong Kong, +852 2363 2500