In recent years, Hong Kong’s art, design, and architecture scene has flourished, sparked in part by the late 2021 opening of the M+ museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Art Basel Hong Kong, launched in 2013, grows with each return and anchors satellite events such as Art Central and the Edible Art Fair. And the landmark architecture additions keep on coming: The city will soon be seeing the unveiling of the WestK Performing Arts Centre (WestK PAC) designed by UNStudio, joining the recently completed, Zaha Hadid-designed tower known as The Henderson, home to Christie’s Hong Kong headquarters as well as Peridot, a lime-green, eye-popping wonder of a cocktail lounge.
"There’s the impression of Hong Kong as a hyper-efficient financial capital, all modern skyscrapers," says interior designer and Hong Kong native Vincent Lim, who returned to the city in 2015 after a decade in New York. "लेकिन the Hong Kong we love is more textured than that." Spend even a couple of days here and you’ll realize the glass towers are interspersed with traditional street stalls, wet markets, family-run businesses, and vintage cha chaan tengs, the colonial-era cafés that still serve milk tea, toast, and pork chop rice. "The layering of the city is what makes it special," Lim says.
Laura Cheung, founder of decorative furnishings brand Lala Curio, agrees that it’s the atmospheric little alleyways and decades-old shops with vintage neon signs that design-lovers find especially alluring. "I can’t think of another city where, in its prime commercial center, you still have these little family-run antiques shops and fruit stalls lined with red and blue canvas," she says. "But then there’ll be a hidden door, and inside that, the chicest speakeasy lounge." Cheung loves the mix of old and new, the humble and the high-flying, or, as she describes it, "the wonton noodle shop sitting beside a sleek new building."
To get our footing in this city of contradictions, we turned to five Hong Kong design insiders for their personal recommendations on where to stay, eat, shop, and wander.
Meet the experts driving this cultural conversation include Pak Man Lee, founder and CEO of Nuovo, a contemporary design gallery in the Central district known for its experimental exhibitions; Vincent Lim and Elaine Lu, the husband-and-wife team behind Lim + Lu, an award-winning interdisciplinary interior design practice; Frank Leung, founder and principal of architecture firm Via, known for high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality work; and Laura Cheung, founder of luxury interiors brand Lala Curio.
Hotels
For those looking to experience the city’s hospitality landscape, our experts offer several standout properties. Elaine Lu frequently recommends the Rosewood Hong Kong for its exceptional attention to detail in both design and hospitality. "The restaurants are among our favorites in the city, the harbor views are spectacular, and the level of service always feels warm and genuine," she notes.
Vincent Lim points to The Upper House, designed by André Fu, noting that it feels remarkably calm and residential despite being in the heart of the city. "The restrained palette and thoughtful detailing demonstrate how architecture can create a genuine sense of serenity amidst one of the world’s busiest cities."
For a touch of heritage, Laura Cheung highlights The Peninsula Hong Kong. "I grew up coming to The Peninsula, and it remains one of Hong Kong’s great icons. Its colonial heritage, timeless architecture, and impeccable hospitality embody the city’s unique blend of British elegance and Asian warmth. And the sweeping Victoria Harbour views capture the city’s romance like nowhere else."
Frank Leung draws attention to the Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, a newer addition to the waterfront. "The arrival experience celebrates Hong Kong’s artistic spirit with a curation of pieces by local photographers and ceramicists. Besides the Hyrox-ready gym and Angsana Spa, don’t miss the rooftop pool and lounge, which is amazing for cocktails at sunset." Meanwhile, Pak Man Lee views the Mandarin Oriental as the city’s grand dame, praising its enduring heritage and service.
Where to Eat in Hong Kong
The culinary scene mirrors the city’s architectural juxtaposition. Frank Leung recommends Yardbird, an izakaya-style eatery in Sheung Wan led by chef-owner Matt Abergel, praising its exceptional yakitori and fun merchandise. For contemporary dining with a focus on seasonality, Elaine Lu points to Roganic, helmed by Simon Rogan, whose culinary restraint aligns closely with her own design philosophy.
For a local, down-to-earth evening, Leung suggests Ju Xing Home in Prince Edward, a favorite after-work hangout for local chefs known for its seafood dishes and boiled hand-cut beef. To experience a true Hong Kong institution, Lu recommends Yung Kee, where generations of locals have celebrated family occasions over legendary roast goose. For simpler comfort, she highlights the Chiuchownese Noodle Shop in Sai Ying Pun for its comforting soup noodles.
Best Hong Kong Cafes
Hong Kong’s café culture offers a journey through time. Elaine Lu points to the Mido Café in Yau Ma Tei, opened in the 1950s, where stained-glass windows, mosaic floors, and timber booths remain remarkably intact. For pineapple buns, Vincent Lim favors the Cheung Hing Coffee Shop in Happy Valley. Laura Cheung gravitates toward Café Causette inside the Mandarin Oriental for its effortless elegance, while Frank Leung praises Halfway Coffee, particularly its Peak location, for its vintage cups, salvaged furniture, and glorious sunset views.
Where to Drink in Hong Kong
When evening arrives, Pak Man Lee recommends b.a.r. Executive Bar, a hidden, appointment-recommended Japanese-style establishment in Causeway Bay with no sign and precise drinks. Frank Leung highlights Paragon, opened by chef David Lai, which features a curated vinyl record collection, a small cocktail menu, a beef sando, and the iconic 1964 Karuselli Chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro. Laura Cheung praises Bar Leone for its lively yet unpretentious atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and Italian fare.
Best Neighborhoods for Wandering
Exploring the city on foot reveals its layered identity. Pak Man Lee points to Tsim Sha Tsui East for nostalgic 1990s Hong Kong energy, while Ap Lei Chau and Wong Chuk Hang serve as the city’s Southside art district, stacked with galleries and warehouse outlets.
In Sheung Wan, Vincent Lim recommends beginning at Man Mo Temple before wandering Hollywood Road to observe weathered tong lau buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture. Elaine Lu highlights Sham Shui Po as an inspiring working district for textiles and electronics that has embraced independent cafés and design studios along Tai Nan Street. Laura Cheung describes the Star Street Precinct as a hidden village filled with independent cafés, boutiques, and galleries.
Where to Shop in Hong Kong
Shopping destinations range from vintage treasure troves to contemporary showrooms. Pak Man Lee recommends Crack and Anecdote and Select 18 on Ap Lei Chau for vintage design finds and antiques, alongside the HK Tram Store for retro toys. Elaine Lu highlights G.O.D. Goods of Desire for lifestyle objects playing off local iconography. Frank Leung points to the Pedder Arcade for fine menswear at The Armoury and Yuet Tung China Works in Kowloon Bay for vintage ceramics. Vincent Lim recommends Yat Pit for contemporary fashion interpreting Chinese heritage and Hak Dei for household pieces, while Laura Cheung highlights Beaureguards, Permanent Resident, and her own Lala Curio flagship at The Peninsula.
Best Museums and Galleries in Hong Kong
Cultural exploration centers heavily around the M+ museum, praised by Laura Cheung for its contemporary visual culture and Herzog & de Meuron architecture. Pak Man Lee highlights his own gallery, Nuovo, alongside a roster of must-see spaces including Alisan Fine Arts, Hanart TZ Gallery, Kiang Malingue, Ora-Ora, Touch Gallery, and Grotto Fine Art.
Additional travel tips from the insiders include taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, exploring nature trails like the Wilson Trail or Lo Fu Tau, visiting the serene Tsz Shan Monastery, experiencing the adaptive reuse of Tai Kwun, taking a ferry to outlying islands like Lantau or Cheung Chau, visiting the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, and enjoying seafood at the Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter in Causeway Bay.
