Modern urban-chic Italian eaterie with a great dining room sandwiched between ground-floor and rooftop bars that ticks all the boxes for weekend brunch with its upbeat ambience, professional service and a drinks menu that delivers in an unfussy but fairly priced manner. Its cheerful workaday demeanour is reflected by the friendly, efficient staff, and what’s not to like about garlicky white wine mussels and fritto misto, truffle tagliatelle or lobster risotto washed down with Prosecco or Bloody Marys?
Where: 30/F, No 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
If you've had a big Friday, what better way to see the world to rights than with a hearty meat-fest at this top-notch, protein-packed, meaty love affair in Central. There are both traditional and unconventional cuts as well as a wide range of cooking techniques, from house smoking to rotisserie. But for many it's the Meats burger with smoked onions that does the trick both simply and effectively. Others swear by The Works which includes fried egg, jalapeno sausage and smoked pork belly or there's a crispy salmon bowl for those pursuing a different path. Drinks might mean Asahi, Prosecco or their cocktail of the week.
Where: G/F, 28-30 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central
Boundary-pushing foodie culture courses through this operation, particularly with regards the wine side of things, and it's no different come weekend brunch time. For food, choose between BBQ'd Boston lobster, beef short rib charsiu or, perhaps, Bresse pigeon with foie gras pithivier. These delights might be bookended by Hokkaido scallop tartare or matured Paleta de Bellota Iberico and pancakes or chocolate soufflé to finish. The key decisions may surround the choice of drinks: 90 minutes of free-flow Blanc de Blancs and a selection of saké, or white and red wine chased down with wine-based cocktails. Voilà!
Where: 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road, Central
Why not keep the party going at this electric, two-storey eatery that goes bold with mouth-watering Mexican cuisine washed down with palomas and margaritas, depending on your mood? It's playful and good fun at the weekend when free-flow tacos match the drinks offering of Mexican beers, mezcals and cocktails, propped up with board and other games for added fun.
Where: Mojo Nomad Central Ovolo, G/F & 1/F, 286 Queen’s Road, Central
There's nothing left-field or quirky about this weekend brunch favourite which pedals the classic playbook, much to the relief of its many fans. Burgers compete with salmon or ham & cheese toasties as well as the ever-popular Full English washed down with inclusive coffee or tea. Milkshakes, made with icecream and spiked shakes woken up with Kahlua or bourbon add indulgence, while classic cocktails inject further punch.
Where: G04, G/F, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley Plaza, Stanley
Gado-gado kaum is, we are told, the popular choice for weekend brunch, taking in an assortment of blanched garden vegetables tossed in a white cashew and peanut dressing, served with free-range egg tempeh and garlic crackers. Yum! But there are many other Indonesian-inspired dishes besides, including a punchy beef meatball soup and or marinated fresh tuna zapped with coconut oil, lime, chilli and green apple. Grilled octopus and fried crispy duck paired with fresh vegetable salad are other mains not-to-be-missed. Add in two hours of free-flow Perrier-Jouet, an Indo Bloody Mary or a variety of other cocktails and the world will be a better place! Keep an eye out for further promotions.
Where: 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, Central
Kitchen at The W Hotel hits all the right marks come the weekend when buckets of fizz compete with a range of other refreshments together with a menu touting everything from continential to eggs benedict, dim sum, congee or oysters (be prepared to queue). Presentation is first-rate and staff go out of their way to ensure your experience is nothing but a pleasure. Generally speaking the ex-pats and urbane Hong Kongers generally stick to the island rather than Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui is in Kowloon) with the exceptions of iconic hotels and amazing views. W Hotel falls into both categories, and the views across the harbour are thrown in for free. If bottomless Veuve Clicquot isn't your thing, check out their new cocktail station and don't miss the lamb rack with pesto crust or the Japanese soft-boiled egg with caviar and lobster froth for a pair of taste sensations.
Where: 1 Austin Road West, 6F, Kowloon
Window-side tables and intimate booths, one row back, provide grandstand views across the Hong Kong waterways whatever the occasion. But brunch (12-3pm) is a weekend occasion that offers flair and fizz in equal measure, be it for a sakura and sake meal or something more traditional like pork gyoza dumplings or risotto. Try a variety of sashimi, sushi or rolls, or perhaps simply a plate of Mediterranean oysters. Free-flow drinks mean Crémant, Clicquot or Dom Perignon, all at different prices and there are copious cocktails, wine and sake if you’re looking to dodge bubbles.
Where: 29 & 30F, One Peking, Tsim Sha Tsui
Fans herald the Zuma brunch as the best in the city and that may be true if you’re looking for high design, top cocktails and modern Japanese food with plenty of sass. The Landmark, in the heart of central, is certainly fun to visit, with its garden terrace, dramatic spiral staircase, and see-and-be-seen crowd all adding ambience and sparkle. Free-flow fizz, for two and a half hours, comes in a range of packages (from 'signature' to 'premium').
Where: Landmark, Level 5 & 6, 15 Queen's Road, Central
The Grill is the outdoor, poolside option at the Grand Hyatt to which the jeunesse dorée flock at the weekend, for brunch that is an institution and a huge treat, so check out the day passes for the spa. And hey, what's not to like about this de-stressing respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong, with its garden, poolside setting and menu replete with grilled food, fruit and vegetable blends and speciality ice teas.
Where: 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
There’s more to a French breakfast than café au lait and a Gauloise as you will discover here for weekend brunch when steak frites with a fresh salad provides both comfort and ease of choice. But that’s not all you’ll be signing up for at this classic French bistro. It’s reliably great fun and an institution for regulars. Expect live music, bottomless bubbles, house wine…oh, and “as much steak frites as you can handle”. Let the party begin.
Where: 48 Peel Street, Soho, Central
This elegant, relaxed place is a perfect staging post come the weekend, when Hong Kong’s style crowd (with means) flock by for some sharing food that might include honey-glazed barbecued pork, signature spring rolls or pork and shrimp dumplings with scallops and caviar. Soft drinks and juices are offered, but glasses of free-flow Veuve Clicquot and cocktails like Espresso Martini or Bloody Mary are the mainstays and quaffed in large numbers.
Where: Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central
With its prime (newish) location looking back towards Victoria Harbour and some of the very best views in town, there's much to like about Hutong at any stage of the week, and weekend brunch is no different. Northern Chinese cooking finds its zenith in limitless dim sum and Sichuan chicken, but there are plenty of other treats particularly those prepared by the chefs at your table. Wash it all down with free-flow cocktails, wine, saké or Champagne – or, for that matter, a refreshing beer or two.
Where: 18/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui