A scenic and tranquil panoramic view of Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma island from along the walking trail during sunset. Sok Kwu Wan is popular and known as a fishing village town and famous tourist attraction with lots of seafood restaurants on the island, Hong Kong - China.
Cover A popular spot for day trippers, we're letting you know the best things to do, eat and drink on Lamma Island. (Getty Images)

Spend the weekend away from the city with our guide to the best places to eat, drink and shop on Lamma Island

Just a short ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, Lamma Island is one of the best weekend getaways for those looking for a change of pace.

The third largest island in Hong Kong is known for its two main villages, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. The former features quirky cafes and indie boutiques, while the latter is home to a fishing village lined with authentic seafood restaurants, with the two connected by scenic hiking trails and beaches with plenty of hidden gems to explore.

Thinking of taking a day trip? We’re letting you know the best places to eat and drink and what to do on Lamma Island.

See also: The Tatler Guide To Hong Kong's Outlying Islands

Where to eat and drink

Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant

While Yung Shue Wan is packed with seafood restaurants, those who are in-the-know prefer to stay away from the crowd and head to Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant in Sok Kwu Wan. 

With over half a century of history, Fishing Village focuses on cooking up quality seafood dishes with fresh catches of the day, which means the type of fish available can be a off-menu surprise. Whether you like it deep fried, steamed with garlic or wok fried, the staff will be able to recommend the best cooking method to go with each fish.

Lot 584 DD. 10, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 8220, facebook.com/genuine-lamma

Dale Candela

Dale Candela––affectionately known as Carlos––is a favourite with residents and day trippers alike. The casual Spanish bar and restaurant has a small cosy indoor area, along with more spacious al fresco dining area, perfect for enjoying a sangria and some tapas bites after a day at the beach.

G/F, 23 Main St, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, facebook.com/DaleCandelaHK

Banyan Bay Café

This popular spot is the perfect option if you’re looking for hearty all-day breakfast dishes. The menu includes everything from full English or full American breakfast plates, to healthier and veggie options, lunch time bites and drinks. Secure a seat out the back and enjoy laid-back sea views.

67 Yung Shue Wan Main St, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, facebook.com/Banyan-Bay-Cafe

Lala Mama's Cafe and Grocery

Tucked away just off the main street in Yung Shue Wan, this charming restaurant is a popular brunch spot amongst Lamma Island residents and visitors alike. 

You can’t go wrong with the all-day breakfast here, which comes with generous portions of eggs, stir fried mushrooms, diced potatoes, bacon, smoked salmon, baked beans and ciabatta—best paired with a rich and creamy cuppa. This is a place where you can spend hours reading books from the shelf and unwind in a cosy atmosphere.

No.27, Sha Po Old Village, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 9759 2553, facebook.com/lala-mama

The Beer Shack 

Specialising in high quality craft beers proudly brewed in Hong Kong, Yardley Brothers is a local brewery with a small taproom on the way to Hung Shing Ye Beach. 

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, The Beer Shack carries local kombucha, coffee and a selection of nine craft beers with distinctive flavour profiles on tap—be sure to grab an award-winning “Machine Men Pale Ale” before heading to the beach. 

10 Sha Po New Village, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6537 9046, yardleybrothers.hk

Ozen Corner

This unassuming Turkish restaurant can be found just up from The Beer Shack, on the way to Power Station and Hung Shing Ye beaches. Enjoy ample plates of tasty falafel salads, creamy hummus and baklava and be sure to check out the souvenir shop on your way out for some colourful Turkish bags, copper coffee mugs and more.

35A Sha Po Old Village, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, facebook.com/yushuewan

Olive Leaf

A hidden gem found in the leafy hills of Lamma, many don’t know about this private kitchen. Accessible either by a sampan from Aberdeen pier or a hike from Lamma’s main ferry pier in Yugn Shue Wan, the Pak Kok location is a relatively untrodden path, but once you arrive, your journey will be more than worth any efforts.

Run by Chef Ayelet Idan, Olive Leaf specialises in vegan Middle Eastern cuisine, with the spice offered for both cooking classes and private events. Along with the delicious food, the lush garden will make you feel worlds away from Hong Kong.

Pak Kok Village, Lamma Island, facebook.com/oliveleaf.hk

Rawsoever

As the name suggests, Rawsoever is a vegan cafe and grocery store for plant-based offerings. The dishes are simple and well executed, allowing the original flavours of the fruits and vegetables to shine. 

The seasonal menu, prepared by Chef and owner Peggy Tsang, features creative vegan dishes made with the freshest ingredients, as well as decadent desserts including the raw vegan mousse cake.

Flat A, G/F, 18E Tai Yuen Village, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6136 1066, facebook.com/rawsoever

Bookworm Cafe

Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian, there’s something for everyone at this popular vegan restaurant. Serving an all-day menu of wholesome, meat-free delights, you can find everything from a veggie burger to vegan-friendly homemade cakes at Bookworm Cafe. 

Another draw is its cosy ambience, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by books piled up wall-high. While you’re here, simply pick a book and read the day away in the laid-back atmosphere.

79 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 4838, facebook.com/bookwormcafehk

Hideout 

While most visitors come to Lamma Island for its famous seafood, the island is also home to a few quirky cafes that are worth visiting. 

For a cosy, friendly breakfast spot, head over to Hideout, where you can enjoy a satisfying breakfast before your hike, or simply embrace a slower pace of life sitting on their seaside terrace. Of all the egg dishes on the menu, the full English breakfast served with a side of fruit salad will not disappoint, or go for the waffles if you're in the mood for something sweet. 

G/F, 77 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 4321, facebook.com/hideouthk

Andy's Seafood

What makes Andy’s Seafood stand out from its seafood counterparts is its alfresco terrace with incredible sunset views over the shore. 

Here, you’ll only find the freshest fish and shellfish caught by hand on the day, which can be enjoyed steamed, deep fried and wok fried. The salt and pepper squid is a Cantonese staple, so are the steamed scallop with vermicelli and garlic and deep fried mantis shrimp. Be sure to call in advance for a table on the terrace for a seaside dining experience.

43 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 0210

Ah Por Tofu Fa

If you're entering Yung Shue Wan village after completing the Family Trail from Sok Ku Wan, be sure to make a pit stop at this simple stall. Serving tofu puddings and soya milk––with hot and cold versions available––the look may be rustic, but the traditional desserts prove to be popular as a post-walk pick-me-up.

Tai Yuen Village, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Where to shop

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pearl Yan/Tatler Hong Kong

Lamma Brand

Lamma Brand is not only a souvenir shop—it’s a shop full of character with locally-made products including T-shirts, baseball caps printed with creative “Lamma Island” icons. 

Walk inside, there’s a lovely terrace where you can relax, read a book and enjoy the slow-paced island vibes.

No.75, Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6818 0181, lammabrand.com

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pearl Yan/Tatler Hong Kong

Mush Store

The first and only self-service store on Lamma Island, Mush Store can be easily spotted towards the end of the Yung Shue Wan main street with a glass door front that gives a peek of what’s inside—a colourful neon sign, a self-service checkout in the middle and T-shirts hanging around the room. 

The tongue-in-cheek prints and locally designed graphics are fun to wear and all pay homepage to the island where Mush calls home.

No.91, G/F, Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6818 0181, mushfactory.com

Lamma Vinyl Record Store

Fans of records can spend an afternoon digging and browsing, or connect with other audiophiles at the Lamma Vinyl Record Store. 

Specialising in vintage tunes from the '60s onwards, this second-hand record shop may be the hiding place of your favourite tracks.

1/F, 45 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2335 0601, lammavinyl.store

See also: 8 Record Stores To Visit In Hong Kong

What to do

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pearl Yan/Tatler Hong Kong
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Pearl Yan/Tatler Hong Kong

Lamma Island Family Trail

Connecting Yung Shue Wan and So Ku Wan—with both able to be reached by a ferry from Central—the Lamma Island Family Trail has everything you need for a Hong Kong island getaway. 

Whether you choose to start from Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan depends on the ferry schedule, your choice of activities and dining preference. We’d recommend starting the hike from Sok Kwu Wan, as the ferry schedule for Yung Shue Wan to Central is more frequent than that of Sok Kwu Wan. This also means you will have ample time to explore Yung Shue Wan where most restaurants, bars and shops are located after the hike.

The scenic trail is 4km long and filled with hidden gems along the way. Traversing through secluded beaches, refreshment stands, temples and attractions, the trail boasts unobstructed vistas of the island’s coastline. End the hike with a break at Hung Shing Ye Beach (or Lo So Shing Beach if you start from Yung Shue Wan) with some charcoal-grilled corn and sweet tofu pudding before heading to the pier.

Beaches

There are many beaches on Lamma Island to explore, from the easy-to-access to a little more far-flung, and several dog-friendly options too––so it's more than worth checking one or two out on your day trip.

If you still have energy after the Family Trail, take a quick diversion to visit Shek Pai Wan Beach—the longest beach on Lamma Island. From Sok Kwu Wan, walk towards Mo Tat Wan for around 25 minutes before you reach The Bay Restaurant. Take the stairs next to it to reach Mo Tat Wan New Village. From there, you’ll pass by a row of abandoned houses at Yung Shue Ha Village before arriving at Shek Pai Wan Beach. 

Alternatively, you can take a kaito ferry from the Aberdeen Pier, which takes you directly to Mo Tat Wan Village. 

Not that far from Shek Pai Wan Beach––about a 15 minute walk away––you can also visit Sham Wam Beach. Known as Turtle Beach, due to being the only green turtle nesting site in the South China Sea, the beach is closed between 1 June and 31 October, but when it is open it is often one of the least crowded options on the island.

Closer to Yung Shue Wan village, Hung Shing Ye Beach is one of the most popular options. It is one of the few with facilities such as changing rooms, toilets and cafes, but this also makes it more crowded. For a quieter option, head around the corner to Power Station Beach, so named for the close proximity to Lamma Power Station. Though despite the site casting a shadow over one side of the beach, the sand and water here are always clean, with the added bonus of being dog-friendly, along with a popular spot for water sports.


This article was originally published on March 6, 2020 and was updated on January 28, 2021.

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