Etna

Opened by chef-turned-restaurateur Kong Wai-Sing and Rene Michelana—formerly of Lily & Bloom and The Continental—Etna brings an Asian touch to fine Italian cuisine in its expansive dining room, which opens up to a long, sunny terrace. Think grilled Humboldt giant squid with pickles and saffron onion, or crispy soft shell crab fettuccine ‘Puttanesca’ with gochujang syrup.

Etna, 3/F The New Place, 68-70 Electric Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong; +852 3462 2700

Sister Wah

Heartbroken? Hungover? Tuckered out from that Hong Kong hustle? Whatever it is, Sister Wah will soothe your soul. Comfort is king at this local legend, which serves hearty bowls of soup noodles. The star is their beef brisket, but their fishball noodles are stellar, too.

Sister Wah, 13 Electric Rd, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 2807 0181

Chop Chop

Hong Kong style BBQ meats are an art—and while many have attempted, few have succeeded in taking this Hong Kong staple into modern times without butchering it entirely (apologies for the pun). Options were limited to your neighbourhood "siu mei" dealer or dishing out serious cash at a high end Cantonese restaurant. That is, until Chop Chop came along. 

Chop Chop serves traditional Hong Kong roasted meats done exceptionally well, and in a lively, modern setting. You'll find all the familiar favourites, from cha siu to crispy pork belly, soya sauce chicken and roasted goose. Best enjoyed with an ice cold Hitachino Nest beer. 

Chop Chop, Shop 3, G/F, 18 Wang On Road, North Point, Hong Kong, +852 3618 7718; chopchophongkong.com

Superhooman

Superhooman is your dog-friendly neighbourhood brunch spot and bar. Colourful plates fly through the dining room on weekends, with variations of eggs benedict being a firm favourite. By night, the industrial-chic space is filled with the sound of ambient chatter and cocktail mixing behind the bar.

Superhooman, G/F, 16 Tsing Fung Street, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 9181 1193

Camper's

There isn't a day you won't see a snaking queue outside this humble eatery—and for good reason. Owned and operated by a lovely local couple, Camper's serves soul-hugging Japanese-style comfort foods like curry rice bowls, udon, ramen and salads, all of which are homemade and free from nasties like additives and MSG.

It's also one of the few restaurants in Tin Hau that offers better-than-decent vegetarian options. 

Camper's, 127 Electric Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 2889 7377

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: 11 Spots You Should Know In Tai Hang

Ganguya

This weird and wonderful basement robatayaki is covered in vintage Japanese toys and posters. We recommend sitting at the front room bar so you can watch the chefs pick up your selections on large wooden paddles—in traditional robatayaki style—before they're grilled to order. Pair your order with sake from their impressive selection, which rivals that of some of Hong Kong's best izakayas. 

Dishes you shouldn't miss are the thick cut pork belly skewers, and the crab meat served in its shell topped with a barely cooked egg, which is served with toasted bread to mop up the goodness.  

Ganguya,16 Ngan Mok Street, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 2348 7800; keyakihk.com

Etsu Sushi 

This quaint sushi restaurant has been a local favourite for years. Serving fresh seafood flown in directly from Japan, diners will find a balanced menu of both traditional and creative sushi and sashimi dishes, from sea urchin and juicy scallop to minced tuna with quail egg wrapped in nori. Reservations are a must, and do leave room for dessert—their sesame ice cream is to die for. 

Etsu Sushi, 23 Tsing Fung Street, Tin Hau, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 3580 8851

Preface Coffee

If you're an aspiring coffee connoisseur, you'll appreciate this part-cafe part-workshop space which, as well as serving perfect cups of coffee, hosts regular workshops.

Preface Coffee, Parkview Centre, 7 Lau Li Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2777 7821; prefacenomad.com

NOC Coffee

It has all the things we know and love about NOC Coffee's outlets around Hong Kong—great coffee, hearty brunch plates and delicious pastries—in a quiet little cul de sac in Tin Hau. 

NOC Coffee, G/F, 23 Mercury Street, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 3619 7500, noccoffeeco.com 

See also: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop In Wan Chai

Midwest Vintage

Vintage shopping is hard to come by in Hong Kong, but Midwest Vintage offers a solid fix for lovers of pre-loved fashion. As well as vintage tees and military garb, you'll find a universe of unique pieces, including customised leather and denim jackets made in house, Levi's jeans and shorts, quirky accessories and so much more. 

Midwest Vintage, Shop 58, G/F, Victoria Centre, 15 Watson Road, North Point, Hong Kong, +852 2328 8757, midwest-vintage.com

See also: Sarah Fung: How To Shop Sustainably

The Foot Room

Exploring Hong Kong's neighbourhoods can be exhausting. Head to The Foot Room, put your feet up and allow yourself to melt into the spa's soothing surroundings. Aside from foot massages, they also offer full body massages, ear and navel candling and more. 

The Foot Room, 57 King's Road, Tin Hau, Hong Kong, +852 9320 6680; facebook.com/thefootroomhk

TUVE Hotel

If bare bones minimalism is your cup of tea, then lap it up with a staycation at TUVE. Inspired by Danish photographer Kim Høltermand' Lake Tuve artwork, the urban hideaway is the epitome of industrial glam with its concrete, metal, grey marble and natural wood interiors.

TUVE, 16 Tsing Fung Street,Tin Hau, Hong Kong +852 3995 8899; tuve.hk

See also: 7 Boutique Hotels For A Hong Kong Staycation

This article was originally published on September 24, 2019 and was updated on April 9, 2021.