There’s more to this chaotic neighbourhood than first meets the eye. Beyond the flashing advertisements and immediate, endorphin spikes of stimulation lie twisting streets that hide late-night izakayas, spacious parks and boutique stores. It’s home to mega malls and department stores — Times Square, Hysan Place, Lee Garden and SOGO — with international heavy-hitter brands jostling for space. But for those in the know, there are calm, leafy lanes where locals buy their coffee, design forward concept stores and multi-level bookstores. Causeway Bay is also a gastronomic hub that showcases every kind of cuisine from Michelin-starred British to popular Japanese haunts.

EAT

Roganic

Less than 10 months after opening in Hong Kong last year, Roganic was awarded a Michelin star for its innovative take on British cooking. Helmed by Chef Simon Rogan, who found acclaim with his restaurant of the same name in London, the focus is on fresh, seasonal ingredients and high-quality produce. Much of it is sourced from Rogan’s own farm in the Lake District. Although it’s located in Sino Plaza shopping mall, interiors bring the outdoors in with logs as room separators and branches hanging from the ceiling. 

Sino Plaza, UG/F 08, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay; roganic.com.hk

Aulis

Roganic’s sister restaurant comes in the form of an intimate private chef’s table experience. There are just 12 seats in the restaurant, and all diners are seated together from 7.30pm, guided through their tasting menus by a chef, while a sommelier pairs wine to the meal. Aulis turns local vegetables from organic farms in the New Territories and herbs grown in the restaurant itself, into colourful and creative plates.

Sino Plaza, UG/F 08, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay; roganic.com.hk/aulis

Din Tai Fung

Born in 1970s Taiwan, Din Tai Fung has found fame globally for its delicate xiao long bao with their tasty broth fillings. In 1993, The New York Times rated it one of the top ten gourmet restaurants in the world and it has since gone on to achieve a Michelin-star, which it has retained for the past decade. At peak times, it’s hardly a surprise to find long queues at the Causeway Bay branch, but rest assured, the dumplings, folded and steamed in an open plan kitchen, are well worth the wait. 

68 Yee Woo Street, Hong Kong; dintaifung.com.hk

Castellana

Tucked inside an unassuming building, this impeccable Italian restaurant is a popular spot for work lunches, given it’s affordable yet elevated menu. To start, warm homemade bread is served with generous glugs of their delicious olive oil, followed by a selection of tasty Piedmont-inspired salads and slow-cooked meats. The carbonara ‘au koque’ is Castellana’s speciality with a creamy egg-based sauce that’s poured over the homemade tagliatelle at the table. 

10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay; castellanahongkong.com

Sushi Yorokobu

 

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Here chefs work at a sleek U-shaped bar in the centre of the restaurant, using only the freshest fish for their sashimi and sushi rolls. Helmed by chef-founder Tango Lai, Sushi Yorokobu offers traditional Edomae-style omakase, impeccably served on stylish Japanese porcelain with finesse. 

18/F, Aura on Pennington, 66 Jardline’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay

Tsuta

 

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Gone are the days when Hong Kong’s outpost of Tsuta, the world’s first Michelin-starred ramen joint, served only two types of ramen. Now there’s the choice of a shoyu (soy-based), shio (salt-based), miso (fermented soybean paste), tonkotsu (pork broth), or mala (chicken broth), as well as the brand’s signature tonkotsu soba made of premium black pork bones and trotters that are boiled for over five hours, with kelp and shiitake mushroom, and drizzled in a rich, black garlic oil. It’s served with marbled pork or teriyaki chicken and vegetables. 

No. 2, G/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay; tsuta.com

DRINK

NOC Lee Garden Three

 

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Super sleek, NOC’s Lee Garden branch enjoys floor to ceiling windows that let the sun shine in from aptly-named Sunning Lane. A little bench outside is where locals sit with their dogs and cold brews, but heartier offerings can be ordered in the minimalist space indoors. There, find a selection of cakes and pastries, plus a healthy menu that subscribes to the brunch zeitgeist with smashed avocado on toast and acai bowls.

No g23, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay; noccoffeeco.com