Island guide: what to eat, drink and do on Lamma Island

Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant

While Yung Shue Wan is packed with seafood restaurants, those who are in-the-know prefer to stay away from the crowd and head to Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Restaurant in Sok Kwu Wan. 

With over half a century of history, Fishing Village cooks up quality seafood dishes with the freshest catches of the day, which means the type of fish available can be an off-menu surprise. Whether you like it deep fried, steamed with garlic or wok fried, the staff will be able to recommend the best cooking method to go with each fish.

Tatler tip: Aim for a table along the unused jetty for unobstructed views of Sok Kwu Wan.

Lot 584 DD. 10, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 8220

Dale Candela

Dale Candela––affectionately known as Carlos’s––is a favourite with residents and day trippers alike. The casual Spanish bar and restaurant has a small cosy indoor area, along with more spacious al fresco dining area, perfect for enjoying a sangria and some tapas bites after a day at the beach.

Tatler tip: Check out the fridge at the front of the restaurant for daily off-menu items.

G/F, 23 Main St, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 9177 0073

Banyan Bay Café

This popular spot is the perfect option if you’re looking for hearty all-day breakfast dishes. The interiors feature paintings, sketches and photographs by local Lamma artists and the menu includes everything from full English or full American breakfast plates, to healthier and veggie options, lunchtime bites and drinks.

Tatler tip: Secure a seat around the back to enjoy sublime sea views.

67 Yung Shue Wan Main St, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 1150

The Beer Shack 

Specialising in high-quality craft beers brewed in Hong Kong, Yardley Brothers is a local brewery with a small taproom on the way to Hung Shing Ye Beach. 

Open from seven days a week, The Beer Shack carries local kombucha, coffee and a selection of nine craft beers with distinctive flavour profiles on tap—be sure to grab a bottle of award-winning Machine Men Pale Ale before heading to the beach. 

Tatler tip: Follow its social pages to stay on top of its monthly roster of events, which include movie nights and live music sessions.

10 Sha Po New Village, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6537 9046

Olive Leaf

A hidden gem found in the leafy hills of Lamma, this private kitchen is accessible either by a sampan from Aberdeen pier or a hike from Lamma’s main ferry pier in Yung Shue Wan. The Pak Kok location is a relatively untrodden path, but once you arrive, your journey will be more than worth the effort.

Run by chef Ayelet Idan, Olive Leaf specialises in vegan Middle Eastern cuisine and offers both cooking classes and private events. Along with the delicious food, dining in the lush garden will make you feel worlds away from Hong Kong.

Tatler tip: If you’re looking to meet new people and not so keen on cooking, book a seat at the family-style monthly social brunch.

Pak Kok Village, Lamma Island, +852 9723 0459

Bookworm Café

Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian, there’s something for everyone at this popular vegan restaurant. Serving an all-day menu including wholesome, meat-free delights, you can find everything from seafood pastas and veggie pizzas to vegan-friendly homemade cakes at Bookworm Café. 

Another draw is its cosy ambience, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by books piled up wall-high. While you’re here, simply pick a book and read the day away in the laidback atmosphere.

Tatler tip: Bookworm Café is closed on Wednesdays, so be sure to visit between Thursday and Tuesday.

79 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 4838

Hideout 

While most visitors come to Lamma Island for its famous seafood, the island is also home to a few quirky cafes that are worth visiting. For a cosy, friendly breakfast spot, head to Hideout, where you can enjoy a satisfying breakfast before your hike, or simply embrace a slower pace of life sitting on their seaside terrace.

Tatler tip: Of all the egg dishes on the menu, the full English breakfast served with a side of fruit salad will not disappoint, or go for the waffles if you’re in the mood for something sweet. 

G/F, 77 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 4321

Andy’s Seafood

A favourite among Lamma locals, Andy’s Seafood recently relocated to a stand-alone location, situated beside the Power Station Beach. With two al fresco terraces, it’s the leisurely dining and friendly service that make Andy’s stand out from its seafood counterparts.

Here, you’ll only find the freshest fish and shellfish caught by hand on the day, which can be enjoyed steamed, deep fried and wok fried. The salt and pepper squid is a Cantonese staple, as are the steamed scallops with vermicelli and garlic, and the deep-fried mantis shrimp.

Tatler tip: It has a limited wine menu, so opt for BYOB with a small corkage fee.

80 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2982 0210

Ah Por Tofu Fa

If you’re entering Yung Shue Wan village after completing the Family Trail from Sok Ku Wan, be sure to make a pit stop at this simple stall. It serves tofu puddings and soya milk––with hot and cold versions available––the look may be rustic, but the traditional desserts prove to be popular as a post-walk pick-me-up.

Tatler tip: Just a two-minute walk from Andy’s Seafood, this daytime dessert spot makes for a perfect pudding after a big seafood lunch.

Tai Yuen Village, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Lamma Brand

Lamma Brand is not only a souvenir shop—it’s a shop full of character with locally-made products including T-shirts, baseball caps printed with creative “Lamma Island” icons. 

Tatler tip: At the back of the shop, there’s a terrace where customers can relax, enjoy island vibes and listen to DJ beats by The Lamma Sounds.

No.75, Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 6818 0181

Lamma Vinyl Record Store

Fans of records can spend an afternoon digging and browsing, or connect with other audiophiles at the Lamma Vinyl Record Store. Specialising in vintage tunes from the ’60s, this second-hand record shop may be the hiding place of your favourite tracks.

Tatler tip: No record player? No problem. Once you’re done browsing the albums on offer and listening to the in-store rotation of tunes, take a trip down memory lane with their organised selection of cassette tapes, CDs and DVDs.

1/F, 45 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, +852 2335 0601

See also: 8 Record Stores To Visit In Hong Kong

Lamma Island Family Trail

Connecting Yung Shue Wan and So Ku Wan—with ferries from Central at each end—the Lamma Island Family Trail has everything you need for a Hong Kong island getaway. 

Whether you choose to start from Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan depends on the ferry schedule, your choice of activities and dining preference. We’d recommend starting the hike from Sok Kwu Wan, as the ferry schedule for Yung Shue Wan to Central is more frequent than that of Sok Kwu Wan. This also means you will have ample time to explore Yung Shue Wan where most restaurants, bars and shops are located after the hike.

The scenic trail is 4km long and filled with hidden gems along the way. Traversing through secluded beaches, refreshment stands, temples and attractions, the trail boasts unobstructed vistas of the island’s coastline. End the hike with a break at Hung Shing Ye Beach (or Lo So Shing Beach if you start from Yung Shue Wan) with some charcoal-grilled corn and sweet tofu pudding before heading to the pier.

Beaches

There are many beaches on Lamma Island to explore, from the easy-to-access to a little more far-flung, and several dog-friendly options too––so it's more than worth checking one or two out on your day trip.

If you still have energy after the Family Trail, take a quick diversion to visit Shek Pai Wan Beach—the longest beach on Lamma Island. From Sok Kwu Wan, walk towards Mo Tat Wan for around 25 minutes before you reach The Bay Restaurant. Take the stairs next to it to reach Mo Tat Wan New Village. From there, you’ll pass by a row of abandoned houses at Yung Shue Ha Village before arriving at Shek Pai Wan Beach. 

Alternatively, you can take a kaito ferry from the Aberdeen Pier, which takes you directly to Mo Tat Wan Village. 

Not that far from Shek Pai Wan Beach––about a 15 minute walk away––you can also visit Sham Wam Beach. Known as Turtle Beach, due to being the only green turtle nesting site in the South China Sea, the beach is closed between 1 June and 31 October, but when it is open it is often one of the least crowded options on the island.

Closer to Yung Shue Wan village, Hung Shing Ye Beach is one of the most popular options. It is one of the few with facilities such as changing rooms, toilets and cafes, but this also makes it more crowded. For a quieter option, head around the corner to Power Station Beach, named for its close proximity to Lamma Power Station. Despite the site’s less than tranquil appearance, the sand and water here are clean, and perfect for family days out, dog walks, or a spot of sunbathing in summer.

This article was originally published on March 6, 2020 and was last updated on February 3, 2023