Where to eat with a group with mixed dietary preferences

Dining with friends that have mixed dietary requirements can be tricky in Hong Kong. Some may be vegetarian, and others might be devoted carnivores. So, we’ve rounded up some restaurants that can happily accommodate a mix of dietary preferences

Casa Cucina

Who doesn’t love a good, hearty serving of pasta? If you like it thick, you’ll love each chewy mouthful of the fresh and springy pasta cooked to al dente perfection by Chef Anthony Cheung at Casa Cucina in Sai Ying Pun.

Highlights include the Snow Crab Cappelletti (HK$208) with cantaloupe mascarpone, smoked paprika and basil oil, and the bold Lobster Tagliatelle (HK$218). Those that want meat-free options will enjoy the Cream of Morels Pappardelle (HK$188) or Sundried Tomato and Pesto Tagliatelle (HK$158). On a sweet note, the Tofu Panna Cotta (HK$58) is served with a mix of red sugar and light soy sauce. It’s an interesting fusion of panna cotta and tofu fa.

Where: Shops 8 & 9, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun

Lucciola

Lucciola Restaurant & Bar is located between Wan Chai and Causeway Bay at The Hari Hong Kong and makes the perfect lunch spot if you are in the area. Lucciola’s Set Lunch includes 2-courses with coffee and tea at HK$288 per person or 3-courses at HK$368 per person. The menu changes every fortnight to keep it fresh and seasonal. Our meal there kicked off with some gloriously warm bread and we enjoyed the ever reliable Penne Arrabiatta, ending with a classic Tiramisu.

Where: 1/F, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai

Francis

In business since 2018, Francis in Wan Chai is inspired by the vibrant meze-filled streets of Tel Aviv. The menu is straightforward with a selection of traditional dishes made with fresh ingredients. There is a good balance between meat and vegetable options on offer.

Lunchtime starts at HK$180 per person for a two-course meal – for mezze, you can opt between hummus, labneh, grilled prawns, avocado with tomato and feta, and lamb ribs (small extra charge). For main, they have cobia skewers, roasted eggplant, chicken schnitzel and beef shawarma to choose from. There are also daily specials which change frequently.

Vegetarians definitely don’t miss out here as Francis’ a la carte menu also features smoked carrots in spiced honey and almond cream; broccolini with amba and feta; cauliflower accompanied with preserved lemon, yoghurt and tarragon; and artichoke combined with freekeh, tomato and olive.

Where: G/F, 4-6 St Francis Street, Wan Chai

Posso

Posso is Italian for “Can I?” in English. It’s certainly the question you’ll be asking your dining mates as you’ll probably be eager to try out each of the Venetian-inspired cicchetti, hand-made pasta and delectable mains prepared by Chef Max Wong. The Chickpea Panisse (HK$80) stands out as a vegetarian-friendly starter, combining pickled celery, black olives, and chilli raspberry for a complex combination of sweet, savoury, and sour flavours. But the real stars are the pasta dishes, be it the veg-friendly Bigoli (HK$135) with a silky miso butter sauce, black olives and porcini mushrooms or the seafood-rich Agnolotti (HK$175) with its colourful mélange of squid ink, crab, and uni.

Where: G/F, 12 Kau U Fong, Sheung Wan

The Upper House

From now until September 30, The Upper House is offering its first luggage-inspired afternoon tea, created by executive chef Cary Docherty and pastry chef Victor Chan. The sets have scones to start and feature a mix of savoury and sweet bites.

The savouries include lobster and caviar tartlet, tomato terrine and chicken, girolles and black truffle finger sandwich. Veg friendly alternatives are available upon request, where we were served crispy tofu, aged parmesan arancini and pesto, tomato terrine with ricotta and basil, as well as sweetcorn, girolles and black truffle finger sandwich. Guests savouring the afternoon tea will take home exclusive Tumi gifts created especially for the collaboration, some of which can be personally monogrammed at their Pacific Place shop downstairs. The tea sets are HK$680 for two from Monday to Thursday and HK$718 for two from Friday to Sunday and public holidays.

If you are looking for something lighter, The Upper House also has an Artemis & Apollo pop-up that spotlights Greek cuisine. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients including the taverna’s signature Greek village salad, watermelon and golden beet salad, tahini baby gems, roasted broccolini and much more. It runs from now till September 30 too.

Where: 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Moxie

Moxie’s cuisine is largely plant-based, save for a few select dishes made with sustainable seafood. Head Chef Michael Smith decided to open Moxie when he adopted a vegetarian diet himself, after a lifetime of being a meat eater. The entire menu is also completely dairy-free – including breakfast, afternoon tea and the baked goods they sell with coffee from the takeaway counter – so it’s highly suitable for anyone who is lactose intolerant and is also largely gluten free.

Moxie recently collaborated with homegrown plant-based boba tea brand Mother Pearl to launch a seasonal Afternoon Tea set.

Where: Shop 203, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central

Veggie Kingdom

Veggie Kingdom is the sole fully vegetarian restaurant on this list. But we’d recommend this dim sum place as they have excellent options that would delight the meat-loving diners in your group. We thoroughly enjoyed the Golden Vegetable Dumplings (HK$39) and Pan-fried Veggie Dumplings (HK$42). The Crispy Curry Samosas (HK$442) were an unusual delight, as they came in a flaky pastry outer layer.

Where: 7/F, VIP Commercial Centre, 120 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Also see: #legendeats: 13 F&B offerings for August