Cover Artifact Bar is one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful bar (Photo: courtesy of Artifact Bar)
Artifact Bar is one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful bar (Photo: courtesy of Artifact Bar)
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These restaurants and bars, designed by local or international architects, prove that a dining experience can be defined by more than what’s on your table
There are three main considerations for most gastronomes when it comes to assessing the quality of a restaurant: the food, the service, and the interior design. Don’t underestimate the last point: interior design not only enhances the dining experience—it may even make or break it.
In this spirit, we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful restaurants and bars in Hong Kong. From quiet luxury to sci-fi and brutalism, there’s something here for every aesthete on an epicurean adventure.
You might also like: Tatler Dining Awards 2024: Meet Hong Kong’s Best In Class winners
1. Quiet luxury with Estro
In Hong Kong’s design community, André Fu’s design for Estro has become synonymous with the “quiet luxury” aesthetic. The restaurant’s ochre walls and curved spaces, along with private rooms of lush greens and rich murals, are elegantly paired with simple white furniture. Many have compared it to a modern interpretation of Italy’s historical city of Naples.
Read more: André Fu reflects on a glittering career as a top architect
2. A homely and rustic atmosphere at Arbor
Designed by the renowned American design studio Yabu Pushelberg, Japanese-Nordic restaurant Arbor features a plethora of arches, green algae tones and contrasting earth-pink walls. The rustic and homely atmosphere was rooted in the idea of “a loving couple, welcoming travellers and friends into their home for a feast, surrounded by nature and art,” says the studio. Replete with a Tatler Dining Award-winning menu, this is a restaurant to be immersed in.
Read more: Yabu Pushelberg on crafting cross-cultural spaces everyone wants to live in
3. Sci-fi brutalism at Artifact Bar
The popularity of Artifact Bar, a speakeasy in a secret passage in BaseHall 2.0, can be justified by the creativity of its cocktail, but also by its surreal design. Indeed, interior designer Nelson Chow of NC Design & Architecture has referenced underground waterways, sci-fi films and brutalist elements to craft one of Hong Kong’s favourite speakeasies.
Artifact Bar
Address: LG/F, Jardine House, No, 1 & 2, Shop 5 & 7, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Read more: Secrets of success with designer and architect Nelson Chow
4. History and elegance at the Magistracy Dining Room
Designed by Joyce Wang Studios, the Magistracy Dining Room sparked much public interest upon its opening. Taking cues from London’s most historic and traditional restaurants, the winner of Tatler Dining's Best Interior Design award in 2023 features high-vaulted ceilings and carved timber panels that reignite memories of the building's historical significance, while rich oxblood leather seating and warm golden accent lamps create a plush and generous setting for guests to unwind.
Magistracy Dining Room
British
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$ $ $ $
G/F, Central Magistracy, Tai Kwun, 1 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong
5. Ode to soy at Mora
According to designer Sean Dix, he envisioned the interior design for Mora, the soy-centric restaurant opened by Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room, according to the chef’s traditional Chinese and contemporary French culinary influences. On top of this, he took inspiration from the textures of tofu, the refined subtleties of Song Dynasty design, and 1930’s French Concession Shanghai, resulting in a contemplative space with a distinct sense of place—nestled amidst the tchotchke stores of Upper Lascar Row.
Read more: Home tour: Inside Hong Kong designer Sean Dix’s eclectic Southside loft
6. Escape the concrete jungle with Argo
Located in the Four Seasons Hotel, Argo is one of Hong Kong’s most unforgettable bars. The dramatic design is inspired by local studio AB Concept, and centres around a central conservatory, which is enhanced by the sleek curvature of the voluminous space, as well as a number of terrariums scattered from the ceiling. Tatler tip: don't miss the butterfly room, where all manner of preserved specimens are displayed in a room resembling the interior of a crystal box.
Read more: Home Tour: Inside Hong Kong design powerhouses Ed Ng and Terence Ngan’s Taipei apartment
7. Social arts with Duddell’s
Chinese restaurant Duddell's was designed by renowned British designer Ilse Crawford, who has a knack for humanistic design that is soothing for users of the space. At this veteran restaurant, the walls are adorned with a prized collection of paintings, ranging from the 20th century ink paintings to pieces from private collectors.
8. Restrained luxury at Kaen Teppanyaki
Tatler Dining’s Best Interior Design winner for 2024 is Kaen Teppanyaki, ensconced within sky-high dining complex Forty-Five. Also the work of veteran F&B interior designer Sean Dix, Kaen Teppanyaki is the best showcase of Dix’s well-honed repertoire of design techniques among the five venues that make up the complex, rounded corners and all. There’s a restrained luxury here in line with Zen tenets—flamed granite and hinoki timber recall Japanese rock gardens, giving the theatre of teppanyaki a sense of gravitas without the sombreness. Adorable sculptures and plateware by Japanese artist En Iwamura add cheeky levity to the dining experience, assuring diners not to take themselves too seriously.
Kaen Teppanyaki
Address: Forty-Five, Gloucester Tower, Landmark, Central, Hong Kong
9. Iconic views from Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie embodies the French concept of joie de vivre. Designed by the Baccarat group, the culinary sanctuary beckons to guests with stunning vistas of the iconic Victoria Harbour. It’s an exceptional experience that seamlessly weaves together impeccable craftsmanship, captivating design, and breathtaking panoramas.
Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic
Address: Gloucester Tower, Landmark, Forty-Five, Central, Hong Kong
Read more: Anne-Sophie Pic on the alchemy of aroma and her appreciation for Asia
The article was originally written in Chinese by Elise Yau.
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Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
