60-Minute Feasts: PICA PICA Spanish Restaurant Lunch Review

Restaurant snapshot: PICA PICA takes the classic experience of tapas dining to Hong Kong, importing the bravado, gumption, and initiative to innovate on age-old Spanish dishes for a hungry Hong Kong foodie community. Executive Chef Edgar Sanuy takes direction for the restaurant’s F&B offerings.

Vibe and venue: Stood proudly at the edge of Sheung Wan, the venue design of PICA PICA is brash with its mysterious façade, building on the allure of what magic comes from within, and oozes magic inside, where an industrial open kitchen breathes energy into the dining room.

Value for time & money: A lunch meal ordered a la carte between two people or more averages in the high HK$400’s, comprising of bite-size tapas plates that can number based on your appetite, patience to wait for bulkier paella bowls, or time to leave work. Dishes are prepared and served fresh. 

Menu highlights: Starting off, the Pintxo Gilda makes for a palate cleanser that energises the mouth and you for the meal, Jamon de Teruel is a cold cut worth ordering, Watermelon gazpacho is a dish you will regret not ordering, so too with the Baby gem salad. Wagyu steak tartare and Pica Pica paella are mains said to be signature.

What we tasted: We ordered Pintxo Gilda (HK$25), Tomato bread with Arbequina olive oil (HK$33), Cured fish assortment (HK$195), Watermelon gazpacho, cucumber sorbet (HK$66), Baby gem salad (HK$82), Grilled foie gras “Collverd” (HK$168), Braised “Carrilleras” beef cheek (HK$168), Basque Burnt Cheesecake (HK$78).

Hits & misses: The pintxo gilda is an acidic refreshener needed in introducing the salty meal, a big hit. The gazpacho too was a guilty pleasure with honey notes tempering the tongue. For misses, the beef cheek could have used additional salt to drive home umami flavours.

The midday must-have: The Pica Pica paella surf & turf brags of notable leading status for dishes found inside the restaurant. It’s where PICA PICA strives and it’s what Spanish food is internationally known for: mixes of the sea and land with salty notes of the country’s fields.

Final verdict: I am sold on the PICA PICA dream. The restaurant brings traditional national dishes into a modern light, awakening your tongue with bold flavours. It’s the perfect spot for lunch dates, work meetings, or friendly catchups.

Location: PICA PICA, G/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building, Shop G & H, 317 - 321 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Contact details: +852 2811 9880

This food review is based on a complimentary media tasting provided by Pica Pica in exchange for a truthful review and no compensation. The opinions expressed within represent the views of the author.   

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous 60 Minute Feasts reviews here.