Cover These are the best restaurants to enjoy lunch in Wan Chai (Photo: @lamlammlee/Instagram)

Want to eat out this afternoon, but not sure where to go? Whether you’re looking to have a team lunch, business meeting, or simply want to catch up with friends, our roundup of the best lunch spots in Wan Chai will have you covered

Miss dining out with friends and the thrill of getting dressed up to go to your favourite bar for a night of great drinks? Us too. While dining restrictions are in force with bars continuing to close their doors and evening dine-ins remain suspended, many top restaurants in Hong Kong are still up and running amid the pandemic, shifting their operating hours and offering a tempting selection of menus to keep us happy and eating well this season.

From dim sum to afternoon teas, brunches and day-drink offerings, there are plenty of daytime dine-in options to enjoy in Hong Kong. And recently, we’ve been scouting around Hong Kong for the best restaurants to visit for lunch.

Read on to see our roundup of best lunch spots in Wan Chai—one of the city’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. Check out the list below, make your reservations, and show these local restaurants some love and support! 

Read more: The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Wan Chai

1. Samsen

The bustling streets of Bangkok are brought to you in this equally vibrant Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai restaurant. Run by reputed chef Adam Cliff and his partner Bella Kong, Samsen serves up an extensive selection of traditional Thai food as well as iced teas and wines in a stylish setting. Everything here is made using only quality ingredients and refined recipes—with boat noodles, fried rice with crabmeat, Thai milk tea, and young coconut ice cream being the most substantial.

Samsen, 68 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2234 0001 

Don't miss: The Best Thai Restaurants In Hong Kong

2. TMK Rap & Rolls

Tucked away in the stylish Star Street Precinct, TMK Rap & Rolls is a favourite stomping ground for neighbourhood locals with a love for Japanese delicacies. The hip-hop themed bistro is imbued with Instagrammable interiors and a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for a casual meal with your colleagues and clients.

Guests can take advantage of their lunch set menu, which comes with a wide selection of items to choose from. Our picks? The salmon tataki and nori bowls are must-tries, including the West Coast with marinated salmon, avocado and crack tofu; as well as the B.I.G, which features a mix of indulgent meats including M7 wagyu tartare.

TMK Rap & Rolls, 17A Moon Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; rap.tmk.hk 

Read more: The Best Business Lunch Spots in Hong Kong

3. Jom

A newcomer to Wan Chai’s dining scene, Jom stands out from the pack for its top-notch Singaporean food crafted with modern twists on traditional recipes. The set lunch menu here consists of choices that are packed full of their signature favourites, including appetisers such as spring rolls and chilli crab bun; and main dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and nasi lemak. While you’re there, be sure to also order their desserts like kueh salat (glutinous kaya cake) with ice cream or min jiang kueh peanut cake.

Jom, 7 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 6426 3084; eatjom.com

Don't miss: Chinese New Year 2022: 11 Best Hong Kong Afternoon Teas to Try

4. Grand Cafe

Located at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, this refined café should absolutely be one of your top choices when looking for a place to enjoy a good lunch. The restaurant has a reputation for offering scrumptious international cuisine and local specialties, where diners are spoilt for choice—Hainanese chicken rice, baked pork chop rice, sandwiches and pasta are just some of the many solid and satisfying offerings here.

Grand Café, Lobby, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2584 7722; grandhyattrestaurants.com/grand-cafe

5. Morty's

If you’re one for American deli-style meats and sandwiches, head over to Morty’s for a hearty meal. For their lunch specials, expect a tempting array of burgers, sandwiches, and hotdogs featuring premium cuts and loaded with flavourful toppings. All items can be customised with add-ons, and come with unlimited pickles and a side of fries or poutine that make for a truly indulgent meal.

Morty’s, G/F, 8-10 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 3665 0890; mortys.hk

6. Holy Gaw

Feeling a little tired of your usual lunch joints? Holy Gaw is calling to you. Having opened less than a year, this gem has already made a huge name for itself in the local dining scene with its quality Filipino eats crafted with modern twists. From the signature Moo Salpicao with succulent beef tenderloin and caramelised onions and garlic, to the Rose Prawn dish which features tiger prawns on rigatoni pasta, there’s plenty to delight and have you coming back for more.

Holy Gaw, Shop 4, G/F, 15 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2782 3988; instagram.com/holygaw

7. Elephant Grounds

Renowned across the city for its consistently good Western delicacies and beverages served in a cosy setting, Elephant Grounds is a great spot to hang out with friends for a relaxing afternoon break. Come here to sample the delicious salmon don with ikura, signature crab cake and homemade pastries, enjoy a good cuppa and order the ever-popular ice sandwiches to round out the meal.

G/F, Wing Fung Building, 8 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2778 2700; elephantgrounds.com

Don't miss: All the New Cafes and Brunch Spots to Visit in January 2022

8. Kin's Kitchen

If you’re in the mood for Cantonese food, you can’t go wrong with family-style restaurant Kin’s Kitchen, which has been famous for serving consistently well-executed dishes in an intimate setting. Their lunch menu is perfect for sharing with a small group, which includes an extensive list of mouthwatering dishes to choose from such as classic dim sum—shrimp dumplings and steamed barbecued pork bun; and mains including sweet and sour pork, sauteed chicken with chestnut pot, stir-fried vegetables with garlic, to name just a few.

Kin’s Kitchen, 5/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2571 0913; kinskitchen.com.hk 

9. Rempah Noodles

Can you even call yourself a true Singaporean food lover if you haven’t tried the dishes at Rempah Noodles yet? The menu here is small, but it’s all hits and no misses. People come far and wide from the city to get a taste of their authentic laksa noodles, which are known for their aromatic broths and delicious toppings. Don't leave without trying their signature kaya toasts either.

Rempah Noodles, G/F, 18 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 3618 4863; rempahnoodles.com

Read more: The Best Hot Pot Delivery and Takeaways in Hong Kong 2022

10. Pici

This much-loved pasta bar needs no introduction. With a focus on fresh ingredients and straightforward recipes, Pici is the place to dine if you’re craving carbs and delicious Italian comfort food. The restaurant’s lunch menu changes regularly to entice diners with its filling dishes, but you can be sure to find staples including authentic Italian starters and pastas.

Highlights of the recent menu include burrata cheese, cold cuts, beef carpaccio, tagliolini with fresh shaved black truffle, and lasagna. That’s not all, as the lunch offer also comes with a choice of dessert, tiramisu or panna cotta—what's not to love? 

Pici, G/F, 16 St. Francis Yard, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2755 5523; pici.hk

Read more: The Best Italian Restaurants in Hong Kong

11. Ruam

It’s best to make reservations at Ruam, which can get packed on any given day during lunch hour. The atmosphere here is convivial and relaxing, where diners can look forward to a plethora of delectable Thai dishes and innovative cocktails in a laidback setting. Their plump crab omelette, grilled whole sea bass and duck leg red curry with lychee are generously portioned, but you can’t go wrong with any of the classics here—including the pad Thai and charred pork neck.

Ruam, Shop 9, 1/F, J Senses, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 3160 8535

NOW READ

Table For One: The Best Restaurants for Solo Dining in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Restaurant News: Lockdown Brunches to Book, CNY Cocktails at Stockton, and More

The Best Brunches in Hong Kong: The Ultimate Guide to Free-Flow Menus in 2021

Topics