The modern French Chinese restaurant Mora, located on historic Upper Lascar Row (or Cat Street) in Sheung Wan, is the brainchild of chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room fame, dives deep into the world of soybeans with a series of dishes that place the ingredient front and centre. 

Designed by Sean Dix, the venue borrows from Song Dynasty art, Shanghai’s French Concession of the 1930s, and the surrounding antique shops Cat Street is famous for. 

A sculptural bar in travertine, tofu skin-inspired 3D-printed pendant lamps, the 1930s-inspired sconces and reception counter abound with character, while illustrated panels throughout the restaurant guide guests through the tofu-making process.

Located in the historic Central Magistracy, one of the oldest surviving law court buildings in Hong Kong, and inspired by London’s traditional restaurants, Magistracy Dining Room offers classic British cuisine in a grand, Edwardian-inspired, yet contemporary interior.

Designed by Joyce Wang Studios, the restaurant bears the classic hallmarks of old-world glamour: think high-vaulted ceilings, lustrous wooden panelled walls and curved banquettes in rich reds alongside inviting oversized armchairs.

A spiral staircase leads guests to an intimate balcony for dining that overlooks the space, providing an elegant backdrop for special occasions—or, as the surroundings seem to encourage, the odd literary debate and philosophical discussions. 

The main dining room is also connected to Botanical Garden, an outdoor terrace with white parasols and green foliage that is an ideal space for guests to recline and enjoy gin and tonics.

The Magistracy, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2252 3188

Part of the Rosewood Hong Kong’s Italian dining emporium Bluhouse, The Dining Room by Bluhouse is tucked away behind a curtain and features a lush interior designed by London-based interior studio Afroditi. 

The space, which offers an elevated—and sustainable—take on Italian cuisine, resembles the glamorous supper clubs of 1960s and 70s that hosted Italian politicians, cinema royalty, and besuited mafiosos alike. It features white marble and blue lava stone counters, as well as large, inviting wooden tables that encourage diners to sit family-style. The sculptural ceiling and mosaic floors, meanwhile, inject a Mediterranean-inspired look and feel.

At Thai seafood restaurant Plaa, the interiors are the work of by David Chipperfield Architects, which is based out of London, Berlin, Milan and Shanghai.

Plaa, which means “fish” in Thai, features seafood accented with traditional Thai herbs, spices and sauces. Its design in turn evokes the calm of glistening waves and sea shores: think curved aquamarine walls, ceppo terrazzo, and a white stucco ceiling with sea shell pink furnishings.

Plaa, 2/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong; plaa.hk

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