Cover Your essential edit to discovering Hong Kong, distilled into a meticulously timed 48-hour itinerary designed for the discerning traveller
Your essential edit to discovering Hong Kong, distilled into a meticulously timed 48-hour itinerary designed for the discerning traveller
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From soaring rooftop bars in Causeway Bay to dim sum feasts in heritage halls, we curate the perfect two-day itinerary for the discerning traveller seeking glamour, culture and gastronomic excellence in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a city of electric contrast, where the profound efficiency of a global financial hub meets the elegance of its rich Cantonese heritage. Following a recent, unforgettable trip, we can confirm the city’s pulse is stronger than ever—and the gastronomic scene is arguably its fiercest heartbeat. While the city offers perpetual motion, the key to truly experiencing its sophisticated rhythm is deliberate curation.
Start your weekend by taking note of seasonal highlights, such as the spectacular and recently concluded Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which drew over 163,000 attendees to the Central Harbourfront, further cementing the city’s status as a ‘City of Gastronomy.’ This celebration of fine wines and acclaimed restaurants perfectly encapsulates the luxurious depth Hong Kong offers.
Below, we present your essential edit, distilled into a meticulously timed 48-hour itinerary designed for the discerning traveller.
Where to stay
Above The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection
Above At the hotel, breakfast is served at Playt
The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection
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The base for any successful urban adventure is crucial, and Hong Kong demands a location that blends convenience with elevated style.
The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection, Causeway Bay: Situated in bustling Causeway Bay, The Park Lane offers a refined sanctuary that provides easy access to luxury shopping and transportation. The rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed, offering sweeping views that encapsulate the city’s intense verticality—a perfect backdrop for an early morning coffee.
The Upper House: For serene modernity and understated design, The Upper House is an architectural marvel by André Fu. Its calm, minimalist aesthetic provides a quiet contrast to the intensity of Admiralty below, making it an ideal retreat after a long day of meetings or exploration.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong: This timeless Central institution is synonymous with classic glamour and impeccable service. The hotel’s legendary bars and dining spaces make it a historical landmark in its own right, placing you firmly at the centre of the finance and dining world.
The Peninsula Hong Kong: Across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, “The Pen” offers unapologetic colonial grandeur. Its signature fleet of Rolls-Royces and opulent afternoon tea make it a pilgrimage site for those who appreciate old-world luxury and tradition.
Read more: the best hotels in Hong Kong
Where to eat
Above One of the cocktails, Lake, served at Duddell’s
Above Duddell’s dim sum selection with roasted goose pie with plum sauce
One of the cocktails, Lake, served at Duddell’s
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Hong Kong’s dining landscape is a competitive realm defined by both classic institutions and Michelin-starred modern temples of cuisine.
Epure: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers sophisticated modern French cuisine, showcasing meticulous technique and artistry in every plate, making it an exceptional choice for a formal and refined dinner.
Duddell’s: Blending sophisticated Cantonese fine dining with a dynamic art gallery space, Duddell’s provides an unparalleled cultural experience. It is the perfect spot for a chic, long lunch defined by exquisite dim sum and modern Chinese classics.
Café Bau: Offering comforting yet elevated Cantonese cuisine, Café Bau is a fantastic spot to experience heritage flavours executed with modern precision, all within an elegant setting that avoids unnecessary fuss.
In case you missed it: an exclusive look inside the reimagined Duddell’s in Hong Kong
Above Aged rice duck a l'orange with aged tangerine peel and timut pepper at Epure
Aged rice duck a l'orange with aged tangerine peel and timut pepper at Epure
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Luk Yu Tea House: For a taste of living history, this Central institution offers a genuinely traditional Hong Kong yum cha experience. While the atmosphere is intentionally bustling and old-school, the quality of the classics—from delicate siu mai to perfectly baked char siew bao—is unmatched.
Amber: Located within The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Amber delivers innovative French cuisine with a contemporary focus on seasonality and pure flavour, providing a consistently excellent and romantic fine dining experience.
Where to drink
Above The team at Buenos Aires Polo Club
The team at Buenos Aires Polo Club
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The city’s best drinking spots are often as much about the theatrics and the view as they are about the mixology.
Buenos Aires Polo Club: This lively steakhouse doubles as a superb bar, offering a sophisticated, masculine vibe built around leather, dark wood, and old-world glamour. It’s an essential stop for classic cocktails with a smoky twist.
Carbone: This retro Italian-American restaurant features a legendary bar where martinis flow freely. The atmosphere is loud, energetic, and highly theatrical, providing a celebratory backdrop for pre-dinner aperitifs or late-night digestifs.
Above Skye rooftop bar at The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection
Skye rooftop bar at The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection
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Skye Roofbar & Brasserie (at The Park Lane, Autograph Collection): Located atop your base camp in Causeway Bay, Skye offers breathtaking panoramic city vistas. It is the ideal spot to start your evening, providing expertly mixed classic cocktails against the spectacular light show of the Hong Kong skyline.
Quinary: An undisputed industry pioneer, Quinary is a destination for serious mixology. Known for its avant-garde techniques and multi-sensory cocktails—like its famous Earl Grey Caviar Martini—it is essential viewing for anyone interested in the artistry of modern drinks.
What to do
Above Explore Tai Kwun and discover its galleries, performance spaces and chic local boutiques
Explore Tai Kwun and discover its galleries, performance spaces and chic local boutiques
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A 48-hour stay demands a balance of high culture, iconic urban landmarks, and unique local experiences.
LockCha Tea House Experience: Escape the frenetic pace of the city by indulging in a serene, traditional Chinese tea ceremony at LockCha Tea House. This peaceful experience is a must for those seeking cultural quietude and appreciation of centuries-old rituals.
Tai Kwun, Central: Explore the beautifully restored former Central Police Station compound. Now a vibrant arts, culture, and heritage centre, Tai Kwun offers galleries, performance spaces, and chic boutiques, providing a perfect afternoon of architectural and cultural discovery.
Harbour City: While the shopping is extensive, a visit to Harbour City offers the best vantage point for photography and people-watching. Take time to simply watch the ferries traverse the iconic Victoria Harbour.
Above Central has much to offer, from historic streets to luxury fashion boutiques
Above Hop on the tram and discover Hong Kong in a different way
Central has much to offer, from historic streets to luxury fashion boutiques
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Central: Dedicate time to wander Central’s historic streets, from the high-fashion flagships on Queen’s Road to the art galleries tucked away in the side streets, soaking in the architectural history that defines the finance district.
Star Ferry Crossing: While simple, the Star Ferry crossing of Victoria Harbour is the most quintessential Hong Kong experience. It offers unparalleled views of the skyline's sheer scale, especially at sunset, and remains an unmatched value for money experience.
The Peak Tram and Victoria Peak: Take the historic Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for the definitive, jaw-dropping panorama of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the surrounding harbour—an absolute must for any first-time or returning visitor.
Credits
Images: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Andrea Saadan is the Senior Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all digital content for the website and currently leads the Beauty and Lifestyle verticals. As a child, she had always enjoyed reading and writing but it was only after she joined her college newspaper, The Spectrum, in Buffalo, New York, that she considered a career in journalism. Her love for all things beauty started from the age of two—when she was caught playing with (and damaging) her mother’s YSL lipstick. On top of her day job, she is also an unpaid beauty consultant for friends and family. Besides make-up, her obsessions include the wizarding world of Harry Potter, podcasts, ice-cream, her walking pad and watching endless re-runs of The Office (US).
