#legend's best date night spots in Hong Kong
Feb 14, 2018
We’ve all been there before: last-second planning to surprise your significant others a perfect date – or at least to spend an enjoyable night without the pressure of doing something spectacular. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we put together our favourite dinner dates options in Hong Kong:
12,000 Francs
“At 12,000 Francs Restaurant and Wine Bar the setting is just the right amount of intimate, the sharing meal is casual and you won’t have to break your bank. A three-course dinner for two comes just over $1500 with wine pairing. 12,000 Francs is famed for their traditional techniques of food preservation that include pickling, smoking and fermenting, and I’m sorely tempted by their marinated raw Japanese scallops in a buckwheat crusted tart and their salt-cured black cod on their V-day menu. “ – Stephanie Ip, Editor
12,000 Francs, Elgin Building, 41-43 Elgin St, Central, +852 2529 3100, 12000francs.com.hk
Motorino
“Motorino would be my pick for a good date. They do a heart-shaped pizza so your special someone would really know you love them since you’re not getting them some plain ol’ circle-shaped pie. Unfortunately, I’m not much of a romantic, but let’s say I was simultaneously trying to impress a girl while trying to catch up on Stranger Things and maybe get a little something something afterwards. Put some candles up, throw that pizza on a hipster carving board, fire up the TV and Netflix-n-Motorino-n-chill is where it’s at.” – Kevin Ung, Marketing Manager
Motorino, 15 Ship St, Wan Chai, +852 2520 0690, motorinohongkong.com
Tim Ho Wan/Pici
“I’m not really big on sit-down, dress-up, intimate dates, but I really like getting takeaway Tim Ho Wan from Hong Kong station and then propping up on IFC’s rooftop. Great view and cute vibes unless it’s too cold! I’ve also heard amazing things about Pici so if anyone’s down I’m free on the 14th. And then drinks, of course. I like Racks.” – Helena Yeung, Features Editor
Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1 IFC Mall), Shop 12A, +852 2332 3078, timhowan.hk
Pici, 16 St Francis Yard, Wan Chai, +852 2755 5523, pici.hk
Beef & Liberty/Okra
“I’m so lucky in my job that I get to try some extraordinary restaurants. But when it comes to date night, I want comfort food and great company. Sometimes if you go too fancy, you get distracted by the dishes, or the decor and I’d rather keep things simple. Beef & Liberty is high on the list for me, mostly because I’m American and burgers are in my DNA. Keep your truffles and caviar, give me the beef. I always go for the regular Burger, medium rare, with a side of sweet potato fries. And I don’t share, because love is knowing that you deserve your own bucket of chips. For something a bit more special that still holds that casual vibe, my vote is upstairs at Okra. Dry aged sashimi and non-pasteurised sake? Yes. Please.” – Sarah Engstrand, Deputy Editor
Beef & Liberty, 3rd floor, 32 D’Aguilar St, Central, California Tower, Central, +852 2450 5733, beef-liberty.com
Okra, 110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, +852 2806 1038, okra.kitchen
BOND/La Vache/Grand Hyatt Steakhouse
“I like to be low-key for date night and just spend quality time with the person I’m with so one of my favourite spots would be somewhere slightly quiet and intimate like BOND in Little Tai Hang – I love sitting on the outdoor terrace and they do a really good happy hour. Otherwise, La Vache for steak frites is always a winner. If I’m celebrating a special occasion though, Grand Hyatt Steakhouse has never let me down. The vibe is swanky without being too pretentious and the meal starts with the best garlic bread in town – not ideal for a hot first date unless you skip the bread basket but definitely how you know the love is real (read: when you’ve reached peak comfort levels in your relationship).” – Yi Li Dawson, Digital Editor
BOND, 2/F, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, +852 21551777, ittletaihang.com
La Vache, 48 Peel St, Central, +852 2880 0248, lavache.com
Grand Hyatt Steakhouse, Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, +852 2584 7722,
hongkong.grand.hyatt.com
Uma Nota/Pirata
“I’m not a big fan of formal dinner dates – especially on V-day. One of my top-choices is definitely Uma Nota in Soho: it’s small, casual, with good music and incredible capiriñas. Another favourite would be Pirata in Wan Chai for one of the best selections of Italian dishes in town and a great view – there’s only one way to my heart: fresh stuffed pasta.” – Marta Colombo, Reporter
Uma Nota, 38 Peel St, Central, +852 2889 7576, uma-nota.com
Pirata, 239 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, +852 2887 0270, pirata.hk