Get the lowdown on Hong Kong's newest and most exciting F&B hotspot with our comprehensive guide to this revitalised market
Left derelict and in a state of serious disrepair for 18 years, Central Market has finally reopened after a three-year-long, HK$740 million rebuilding process to provide a "playground for all" in the heart of Central. Along with cultural events, public performances, and abundant shopping, arguably the Grade III historic building's biggest attraction are its food and drink offerings, which open a new gastronomic chapter in its long history with food: from what began as a market selling meat, seafood, vegetables and spices to the masses, to what is today a destination to dine and imbibe on culinary creations both local and global.
While concerns have been raised about the risk of gentrification from the likes of the Central and Western Concern Group, there is nonetheless palpable excitement from the public around a bevy of new F&B brands that are making their debut at Central Market, including a total of nine fledgling concepts from operator Chinachem Group alone.
Keep reading for your definitive guide to dining and drinking at Central Market.
Related: The Tatler Guide To Tai Kwun: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop
Dining Ground
Central Market's main food hall, named the Dining Ground, is located on the ground floor and accessed via Jubilee Street or Queen Victoria Street. Here, the market's largest food concepts—including bars, eateries, izakayas and sushi bars—intermingle, while first-come first-serve seating means that diners have to be quick with scoping out free tables. When the weather is cool, the central courtyard offers a pleasant semi-alfresco area to chow down on your food.
WHAT TO EAT
Cittá
This straightforward Italian osteria serves up a menu of pasta and grilled meat and seafood items inspired by the cuisine of Genoa. From aperitivo selections and Genovese beef cheek ragu (HK$98), to charcoal-grilled Australian lamb rack (HK$188) and grilled whole Italian sea bass (HK388), it's hard to go wrong with the hearty fare on offer here.
Shop G18, G/F, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central and 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Lottajoy 一喜
Racks of glistening siu mei and mahjong-inspired tiling mark this outlet as a purveyor of good ol' Cantonese comfort food. Tuck into childhood favourites like whole roast goose (HK$550), deep-fried prawn in salted egg yolk (HK$188), and stewed beef short rib in red wine sauce (HK$128), or tame your craving for other regional Chinese cuisines with dishes like abalone in Chinese yellow wine (HK$108), green pepper and preserved egg in vinegar (HK$48), and spiced shrimp toast (HK$68).
Shop G11, G/F, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central and 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Wako Sake Central
This two-part concept is your go-to at Central Market for Japanese cuisine. Wako Sake Izakaya is a no-frills counter where donburi, set meals and yakitori can be washed down with draft sake. Meanwhile, Wako Sake Sushi & Tap offers a more refined sushi experience. The itamae-style format seats guests around the sushi bar where the chefs ply their craft, serving a menu of sushi, sashimi, seafood donburi and omakase. Takeaway donburi are also available for those in a hurry. Common to both counters is the KeyKeg tap system, which serves namazake, or unpasteurised sake, straight from the tap as fresh as can be. The system allows a rotating selection of sake sourced from different distilleries across Japan like Fukunishiki Shuzo, Chikusen, and Rairaku, making for a continuously changing drinking experience.
Shops G10 & G12, G/F, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central and 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Pulau 蒲羅
Get your fix of Peranakan grub at this Singaporean eatery. Covering a selection of classic dishes from the city-state, the menu features appetisers like fish skin with salted egg yolk (HK$56) and street chicken skewers (HK$62), alongside mains such as Hainan chicken rice (HK$52), Singaporean laksa noodles (HK$68), Penang prawn mee (HK$68), and rendang beef with coconut rice and sotong (HK$62).
Shop G19, G/F, Central Market, 80 Des Voeux Road Central and 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong