Flavour goals: where to eat the national dishes of the Fifa World Cup 2026 teams in Hong Kong

Belgian cuisine is something of an amalgamation, bridging the heartiness of German fare with the refined traditions of French cuisine. The first manifests in home-style meat stews and street-side Belgian fries, while the latter finds expression in dishes like butter-seared Dover sole. The cuisine prioritises unpretentious comfort and precision over frills, a philosophy that extends to the country’s beer culture, in which traditional brewing methods continue to produce a diverse variety that span Trappist ales, fermented lambic and fruity blondes.

In Hong Kong, Belly and the Beer offers an authentic menu of Belgian staples alongside a comprehensive selection of craft beers on tap, making it a prime destination to settle in for a pint and catch the match; the pub is showing all World Cup 2026 games.

Belly and the Beer
Address: G/F, 21 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong

See also: Where to find Hong Kong’s best waffles

Brazilian churrasco is a national dish of barbecued meat, most often prepared on rotisserie skewers from which servings are continuously sliced. The picanha is considered to be the best cut, carrying the perfect balance of lean meat and fat that melts during the slow-roasting process, basting the cut throughout. Similar to Argentinian asado, the meat does the heavy lifting; minimal seasoning with salt allows the quality of the cut to shine through.

In Hong Kong, try churrasco at Braza Churrascaria, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse that serves an endless variety of fire-roasted meat skewers. Make sure you wear a stretchy waistband.

Braza Churrascaria
Address: 3/F, Grand Progress Building, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong

Poutine is probably the most popular export from Canada, one of this year’s World Cup host countries. The recipe for this national comfort food is simple: thick-cut chips topped with a generous helping of cheese, smothered in rich brown gravy. It takes skill to strike a balance between the crispness of chips and the gooeyness of melted cheese, but Morty’s in Admiralty’s Star Street precinct and Central’s Jardine House achieves this daily without fail, making it the ideal spot to crash after watching a hard-fought match.

Morty’s (Central)
Address: Shop 2-14, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong

Morty’s (Star Street)
Address: 8 Wing Fung Street, Admiralty, Hong Kong

British food—and English grub in particular—doesn’t get the praise it deserves; but the Sunday roast is a prime example of the cuisine’s potential for deliciousness. The formula is simple: roasted meat, duck fat-roasted potatoes, roasted root veggies and, of course, a crisp yet pillowy Yorkshire pudding, all drizzled with umami-rich gravy.

In Hong Kong, there are still plenty of places serving up a classic Sunday roast; our favourites include Mr Wolf in Central, Feather & Bone’s dining outlets across town, and Lobster Bar & Grill at the Island Shangri-la if you’re feeling extra fancy.

Mr Wolf
Address: 5/F, 70 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong

Feather & Bone
Locations across Hong Kong

See also: Sunday roast: back on the menu in Hong Kong

While coq au vin (wine-braised chicken) is not the national dish per se, it’s definitely one of France’s most recognisable exports in Hong Kong. Rustic and comforting, this dish developed out of a need to transform the tough meat of a mature rooster into a decidedly more enjoyable dish. Its tender texture is achieved through an exercise in patience, where the chicken is submerged in a rich, full-bodied red wine and slowly braised over several hours, alongside diced carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms and thick-cut pork belly.

For a taste of this classic in Hong Kong, make your way to Bistrot du Vin in Sai Ying Pun.

Bistrot du Vin
Address: G/F, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

For some decidedly German match day fuel, seek out wurst (German sausages), pretzels and spätzle (hand-cut noodles). German sausages are a way of life, ranging from the long, thin Thüringer Rostbratwurst to the plump knockwurst—all are perfect with an ice-cold beer—while pretzels offer a heartier choice with a distinctive dark crust and chewy centre. Spätzle, Germany’s answer to pasta, are hand-cut egg noodles ideal for pairing with rich sauces like meat stews and gravy.

Auntie Anne’s is a perfect pitstop for a pretzel snack. If you’re looking for a full meal (with a side of German footy fans), head to Biergarten in Tsim Sha Tsui and wonder at its wide selection of sausages and schnitzel; or, for a more upscale experience of these German staples, Heimat in Central offers a menu that features freshly baked pretzels, truffle-smoked sausage with warm potato salad, and käsespätzle, the restaurant’s version of the noodles topped with cheese.

Auntie Anne (Causeway Bay)
Address: G/F, 61-73 Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Auntie Anne (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Address: Shop G38, G/F, Mira Place 1, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Biergarten German Bar & Restaurant
Address: 5 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Mexican food is full of familiar staples, but the taco is decidedly the best known in Hong Kong. The best Mexican restaurants and taco joints start with a homemade corn tortilla, on which is laid a variety of fillings, from al pastor pork carved directly from a vertical spit to spiced grilled chicken to delicate fish. Topped off with a sprinkle of onions and fresh coriander, a squeeze of lime juice and a dollop of house-made salsa, and you’ve got a party in your mouth.

In Hong Kong, we’re spoilt for choice, with everything from no-fuss menus at El Taquero and 11 Westside to more refined experiences at 22 Ships and Chicano.

El Taquero
Address: Shop B, G/F, Yan King Court, 119 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

11 Westside
Address: 1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

22 Ships
Address: Shop S109-113, Block A, PMQ, 76 Staunton Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Chicano
Address: G/F, 15 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong

Dutch cuisine may not command the spotlight like other European cuisines, but the nation’s culinary philosophy is refreshingly pragmatic. It is guided by comfort and precision, with restrained recipes and ingredients that speak for themselves. Take bitterballen, for example, a deep-fried croquette typically filled with a rich beef ragout, that serves as an ideal companion to any drink. Dutch cheeses also deserve some attention: they range from mellow varieties to richer, aged options.

In Hong Kong, head to The Dutch House Restaurant & Bistro in Tsim Sha Tsui, which pairs a selection of hearty pub favourites with a curated beer list. And to savour the taste of the Netherlands at home, The Dutch Cheese and More offers a wide collection of dairy products, available through its online shop or the boutique in Sai Kung.

The Dutch House Restaurant & Bistro
Address: 16/F, VIP Commercial Centre, 116-120 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

The Dutch Cheese and More
Address: G/F, 19 Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Bacalhau, or salted cod, may be the defining ingredient of Portuguese cuisine. The firm white fish is preserved through meticulous processes of salting and sun-drying, which retains the fillet’s flavour and moisture in a way that, once rehydrated through cooking, the meat becomes firm and slightly flaky. Bacalhau is used in a variety of dishes, from the bacalhau à brás, shredded cod with potatoes and eggs, to pastéis de bacalhau, codfish croquettes.

In Hong Kong, you can try authentic bacalhau dishes at Casa Lisboa or Club Lusitano—the latter is a members’ club, so befriend someone who belongs. Of course, for a greater range of options, you could cheat a little, and head on a ferry or over the bridge to our sister SAR of Macau.

Casa Lisboa
Address: 2/F, 63 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

While Spanish cuisine covers a vast, regionally diverse spectrum, paella remains one of the most popular dishes in Hong Kong. Although it originated from the coastal town of Valencia, a true Valencian rendition often steers clear of the ocean, traditionally prepared with a base of Bomba rice—a highly absorbent, short-grain variety—and ingredients like chicken, rabbit and green beans, unified by a combination of stock and sofrito, a slow-simmered base of tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Much like Cantonese claypot rice, a caramelised crust that forms at the bottom of the pan is an indicator of a paella done well.

Our favourite versions in Hong Kong are served up at the vibrant spaces that are Pica Pica and Chueca in Sheung Wan and the laid-back dining rooms of El Vaso de Oro and La Paloma.

Pica Pica
Address: G/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building, Shop G-H, 317-321 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Chueca
Address: G/F, 8-10 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong

El Vaso de Oro
Address: G/F, 44 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

La Paloma
Address: 1/F, 189 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

For a country as culturally diverse as the United States, its most representative culinary export in Hong Kong is not so much a singular dish but rather a specific dining experience. The classic American diner strikes a balance between unpretentious comfort and vintage nostalgia, pairing friendly yet unoppressive service with an unpretentious menu that generally features burgers and fries, milkshakes and pies.

In Hong Kong, several places capture this distinct Americana charm, with Burger Circus and Honky Tonks Tavern on Hollywood Road, alongside Graceland in Mong Kok, standing out as local favourites.

Burger Circus
Address: G/F, 22 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Honky Tonks Tavern
Address: G/F, Man Hing Lane, Central, Hong Kong

Graceland
Address: Shop B, G/F, Lisa House, 12-14A Yim Po Fong Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong

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