Where do we book when we want to spoil ourselves with an expertly curated, multi-course tasting menu but don’t have a lot of cash to splash?
With many fine-dining tasting menus in Hong Kong clocking in regularly at upwards of HKD2K a head, it can be tricky unearthing top-notch yet affordable options. But, dear readers, you’re in luck – we’ve taken the guesswork out with our list of the top tasting menus in Hong Kong that won’t break the bank, with each featured restaurant offering a tasting menu priced at under HKD1,400 per diner (and most are less than HKD1K).
The best affordable tasting menus in Hong Kong
1. Rêveri
Translating to “to dream” in French, Rêveri is truly the dream of a lifetime for the husband-and-wife founders, John Law and Jessica Kesumo. At this contemporary East-meets-West fine-diner, John is the head chef, whilst Jessica graciously manages the front of house. Chef John’s dinner tasting menus (from HKD888 pp) are rooted in classic French cuisine, but it’s the chef’s pan-Asian flair, particularly through the use of seasonal Japanese ingredients, that stands out in Hong Kong. The truffle brioche is one of our favourite-ever bites, topped with lightly seared scallop, aged Cheddar, and a drizzle of scallion oil.
Rêveri, G/F, 20–24 Mercer Street, Sheung Wan, 6778 7278, book here
2. WHISK
We’ve long been fans of WHISK at The Mira hotel, which no longer serves French-Japanese fare as a regular restaurant, but the private dining venue continues the focus on seasonality and sustainability at good-value prices with its monthly specials. WHISK’s midweek Wellington Nights (HKD588 pp) is particularly wallet friendly. Available on one Wednesday each month, the sensational menu comes with three varieties of all-you-can eat Wellington (Australian grass-fed Black Angus beef tenderloin, duo of sustainable Scottish salmon and local sea bass, and a surprise Wellington of the day), unlimited sides, and choice of starter and dessert.
WHISK, 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Mira Place, 118–130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315 5999, WhatsApp 9828 3890, book here
3. Roganic
Celebrating more than half a decade of success in Hong Kong, we think Roganic, British chef Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred import, is the city’s best sustainable fine-dining restaurant, yet again bagging a Michelin Green Star this year for its commitment to using locally sourced ingredients. The farm-to-table eatery has recently made the move to a stunning new space at Lee Garden One in Causeway Bay. Executive chef Oli Marlow, head chef Adam Catterall, and senior sous-chef Mark Catchpole have also introduced approachable new menus designed with zero-waste principles in mind, adding to Roganic’s enduring appeal. The lunch and dinner tasting menu (from HKD1,380 pp) includes an assortment of snacks, starter, intermediate course, main, two desserts, and extra sweet treats, whilst the three-course lunch menu (HKD520 pp) is a true fine-dining steal.
Roganic, Shop 402–403, 4/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 2817 8383, WhatsApp 9889 7275, book here
4. Leela
Our favourite Indian chef Manav Tuli departed CHAAT at the Rosewood to open Leela in partnership with JIA Group in autumn 2023, charming diners with his inventive tributes to the rich and diverse culinary traditions of India. The restaurant’s six-course tasting menu (HKD888 pp) is the ideal way to sample the breadth of the chef’s finesse at a very reasonable price point, especially considering the quality of the local vegetables, seafood, and meat showcased. Currently wowing on the tasting menu are the likes of the baked Chettinadu duck samosa, coconut sea bass, honey-sesame pork ribs, and smoked butter chicken.
Leela, Shop 301–310, 3/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, 2882 5316, WhatsApp 9379 8780, book here
5. Zoku Restaurant & The Terrace
The Hari hotel’s snazzy Japanese restaurant Zoku offers a wide range of enticing menus, from brunch and lunch, to happy hour, to a bar snacks menu, but it’s the eatery’s beautifully presented Discovering Zoku six-course tasting menu (HKD888 pp) that stands out. It kicks off with a selection of otoshi (similar to one-bite amuse-bouche) the likes of the Wagyu with crispy rice and quail egg, followed by a cold kaishi dish. Sushi is up next, with a warm otsumami dish such as the chicken karaage ensuing. Then it’s time to select a main course and dessert (the chargrilled eel and matcha cake are both winners). Zoku also deserves a shout-out for its uber-polished service, which makes all the difference when enjoying a leisurely tasting menu.
Zoku Restaurant & The Terrace, 2/F, The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 2129 0338, book here
6. Above & Beyond
Michelin-recommended Above & Beyond, located on the top floor of Hotel ICON, has been standing sky-high (literally) in Hong Kong’s Cantonese fine-dining sphere for over a decade. For a blowout Chinese meal with a modest price tag, executive chef Chi Ki Wong has put his heart and soul into a series of tasting menus, and several are priced at under HKD1,000 per diner. We suggest the Hennessy x Above & Beyond seafood set dinner (HKD1,088 pp), where gleaming, lacquered Peking duck plays a starring role alongside the under-the-sea delights. Seafood dishes such as the braised crabmeat and conpoy soup and wok-fried lobster with Hennessy cognac accompany the richly flavoured bird in all its crisp-skinned, juicy glory.
Above & Beyond, 28/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 3400 1318, book here
7. Clarence
At Olivier Elzer’s contemporary French restaurant Clarence, new head chef Christophe Schmitt takes a lighter, Asian-inspired approach to Gallic cuisine, offering a fresh perspective. The six-course set dinner menu (HKD768 pp) allows diners to customise their own bill of fare, selecting two cold starters, two hot starters, a main, and dessert or cheese course from a large range of choices. For classic French flavours, you can’t go wrong with the beef tartare, snails cooked in pot, and skate wing with spiced brown butter. The eatery’s relaxed, convivial ambience is another reason we head back to Clarence again and again.
Clarence, 25/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 3568 1397, book here
8. SOMM
An abbreviation for “sommelier,” SOMM is a cosy restaurant at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental serving up French neo-bistro delights to the clink of over 1,600 bottles of champagne, wine, and sake. We think all the eatery’s menus, from brunch onwards, are worthy, but our pick of the lot is the new SOMMallset dinner menu (from HKD758 pp). This bespoke experience allows diners to customise a selection of creative, comforting seasonal dishes the likes of the French onion soup to start, divine dry-aged pigeon (+HKD198) main, and, for dessert, this luscious in appearance and taste Abinao chocolate soufflé (+HKD30). The portions are extremely generous, and even the most basic three-course menu includes a two-glass “discovery” wine pairing.
SOMM, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2132 0055, book here
