Hong Kong’s best alfresco dining spots

Recently opened, Botanical Garden offers visitors of Tai Kwun a reinterpretation of the British-garden way of life. Specialising in gin, it offers an extensive menu for gin and tonics with expect exceptional pairings featuring notes of citrus, floral, herbal, or spice at this foliage-heavy location! This is the perfect spot for you and your loved ones to wind down for a few drinks before stepping inside the Magistracy Dining Room for dinner.

You can enjoy a few nibbles along with your drink, such as cheese gougères or thick-cut Scottish smoked salmon with crème fraiche, or go for the Garden Lunch menu. Dig into dishes that showcase the best of British cooking, with a choice of The Beefeater with horseradish cream or the Ploughman’s toasted sandwich, the quality chophouse chips on the side, and a fines herbes salad. Botanical Garden also serves oysters by the half dozen and caviar on toast points for diners looking for an elevated bite.

Botanical Garden, G/F, Central Magistracy, Tai Kwun, 1 Arbuthnot Road, Central | (+852) 2252 3177

Located at Eaton HK, Terrible Baby’s alfresco dining experience doubles as a rooftop hideout. Lie back on one of the comfortable deck sofas with a signature cocktail and give the rooftop bar’s award-winning culinary items a taste. Perfectly combining East and West flavours, you can find fusion offerings such as double truffle fries and prawn tacos. Don’t miss out on the extensive list of crafted cocktails, wines, spirits, and beers during happy hour every Sunday to Thursday from 2 pm to 7 pm.

Terrible Baby, 4/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan | (+852) 2710 1866

A refreshing alfresco dining spot located in the heart of Central, Mr Wolf offers a leafy oasis. Sporting clean Caribbean-feeling architecture with white exteriors and white-and-blue lawn furniture and surrounded by tall wooden planters with only the tops of skyscrapers visible to patrons, it’s almost as if you’re dining out in a paradise in the skies. Enjoy some fresh air at Mr Wolf with signature European cuisine and speciality drinks!

Mr Wolf, 5/F, Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2526 0838

As the adjoining terrace space to the Italian restaurant, Spiga, Portico offers a unique and transcendent alfresco experience for patrons to indulge in. Showcasing a slice of Italian culinary magic, Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini’s direction at Portico allows diners to experience authentic Italian fine dining in a laid-back setting—on Portico’s garden-like terrace. Diners can enjoy a glass of prime champagne before your dinner reservation, or a couple of cocktails and dessert wines after your Italian feast, surrounded by the soothing nature and atmosphere of Portico’s terrace.

Portico at Spiga, 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2871 0055

A quirky café-slash-izakaya-slash-alfresco-restaurant, Lounge Hakuba appears to patrons in various forms throughout the day, but it never loses its chill vibes! As a café by day and bar by night, you can expect quality Japanese bites on Lounge Hakuba’s menu. Popular items include the hearty yuzu honey chicken wings and the fusion USDA beef steak donburi. For those planning on visiting Lounge Hakuba well into the evening, the restaurant has a selection of bar snacks and sharing plates on offer. Don’t forget to try one of Lounge Hakuba’s signature cocktails, which mixes Japanese ingredients with classic spirits and blends.

Lounge Hakuba, Unit 302, Tower 535, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2111 1707

Contemporary Chinese restaurant Madame Fù can be found in the colonial compound of Tai Kwun. Fitting its elegant exterior, you can find a uniquely decorated dining space spanning across the third floor of the old police headquarters. Joined with this artistic restaurant are the beautifully decorated red and blue verandas that elevate the alfresco dining experience at Madame Fù with their décor. Embracing the grandeur of Tai Kwun, the verandas are decorated with luxurious lounge seating and exotic flora and fauna. Sink into the comfortable red sofas that line the verandas and be transported back to the aristocratic grandeur of nineteenth-century Hong Kong as you enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea.

Madame Fù, 3/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2114 2118

Located in the elegant Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour is an outdoor bar overlooking the vibrant harbour of Hong Kong. From comfy seats and chairs, atmospheric lighting, and nice views to specially crafted menus and drinks, Cruise Terrace is an alfresco dining spot that’s fit for any occasion. Dig into the gourmet offerings available from brunch to dinner!

Why not give the seafood tower a try? Piled together and served with Cruise’s famous dipping sauces are fresh Canadian lobsters, seasonal oysters, giant tiger prawns, Hokkaido scallops, Hiramasa kingfish, shrimp, and Cloudy Bay clams. Gathering with a group of friends? Cruise’s cheeky Massaman with braised Sher Wagyu beef cheek is the perfect sharing plate for the occasion, alongside Cruise’s Asian-inspired cocktails.

Cruise Restaurant & Bar, Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point | (+852) 3762 1234

This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers indoor and terrace dining at its location at the Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel. Sit back and lounge on the boutique deck chairs and immerse yourself in the stunning views of Victoria Harbour. Why not pair your boat-watching with a variety of delicacies from Valencia to Venice? Helmed by Spanish head chef Javier Perez, The Bayside presents a menu filled with fresh oysters, refreshing carpaccio options, a selection of traditional tapas, dry-aged meats, and much more, all alongside happy-hour drinks.

The Bayside, Shop G1, G/F, 18 Tak Fung Street, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom

Calling all nature lovers! Michelin-starred restaurant Duddell’s boasts a stunning 2,200-square-foot Garden Terrace on which to enjoy a menu of authentic Cantonese cuisine. Leafy plants and comfortable, cushioned seating create a serene tropical oasis in the heart of the urban sprawl, where diners can enjoy a range of seafood, meat, dim sum, snacks, and Chinese delicacies from the à la carte or lunch menu. This stylish little getaway is also home to a seasoned collection of art and some beautifully whimsical cocktails such as the Wood Nymph and Sichuan Fizz.

Duddell’s, 3/F & 4/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central | (+852) 2525 9191

If you fancy a day at the beach, complete with tasty food, then Bathers on Lower Cheung Sha Beach offers delicious food mere footsteps away from the ocean. Showcasing modern British cuisine with a focus on freshly cooked seafood and sharing plates, this casual eatery is often filled to the brim on the weekends when families and friends gather to enjoy sunny lunches and romantic sunset dinners. Must-order dishes include grilled Spanish octopus, fish and chips, and the double cheeseburger. There is also a full range of wines, spirits, cocktails, and craft beers on offer, and if you arrive around 9 am on weekends and public holidays, you can enjoy breakfast, too.

Bathers, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau | (+852) 2504 4788

Perched on the thirty-first floor of the stunning V Point Tower in Causeway Bay, Alto offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong and a spacious terrace on which to enjoy the Sunset, Sip & Savour menu of treats such as popcorn chicken, fried shrimps, steak tartare, and foie gras musubi. The restaurant also boasts a superb range of wines from some of the world’s most respected vineyards and a creative assembly of cocktails to keep everyone topped up as they admire the city views below.

Alto, 31/F, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 2603 7181

On days when the sun comes out in full force and all you want to do is soak up the rays with a fruity cocktail in hand, there’s no better spot to do so than at Harbourside Grill. Offering sweeping panoramic views from the Hong Kong Convention Centre in Wan Chai across IFC Mall and all the way over to ICC in West Kowloon, this alfresco dining experience at the very tip of Ocean Terminal is perfect for all occasions.

Modern European cuisine is the focus, with dry- and wet-aged steaks as its stars and an authentic Spanish Josper grill—an important component in achieving high cooking temperatures—at the heart of the operation. From steak tartare with grilled sourdough to seared scallops with crispy pork belly in a star anise sauce, full flavours and rich indulgence with a touch of French flair best describe the culinary experience here. Definitely one to mark down for your next special occasion dinner!

Harbourside Grill, Shop OTE401, Level 4, Ocean Terminal Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui

Founded by Virgilio Martínez, the celebrated chef behind the award-winning Central in Lima, Ichu aims to honour Peru’s “no-fuss” dining culture, where the atmosphere is relaxed, the dishes are shared, and the recipes highlight fresh ingredients and traditional flavours. Whilst the land-and-sea-inspired interior is thoughtfully designed and intricately beautiful, it’s the outdoor terrace and greenery vibes that we’re here for.

Tuck into the vibrant coconut aji tuna, served quinoa chips and panca sauce, and the punchy mixto ceviche of tuna, octopus, scallops, and rocoto emulsion, all while taking in the open sky from a leafy green terrace, surrounded by towering plants along the walls and rustic wooden furniture. With an atmosphere like this, the term “urban jungle” is given a whole new meaning.

Ichu, 3/F, H Queen, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2477 7717

Created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Julien Royer, you know you’re in good hands when you step into the airy and botanical downstairs parlour and tuck into honest homestyle fare and all-day French favourites. Ingredients are sourced from speciality producers that echo the rustic comfort Louise provides, with ingredients like frog legs and truffles coming across as completely unpretentious. Menus change seasonally, so come often to experience new dishes and see what the team’s cooking up.

Louise, G/F, JPC, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central | (+852) 2866 0300

Love the idea of alfresco dining but not the glaring sun and heavy foot traffic that could come with it? Ruam is the answer. A casual Thai eatery surrounded by lush greens, Ruam focuses on family-style food, with a spotlight on lesser-known, authentic dishes that you don’t come across at most other Thai eateries.

For starters, dig into the moo ping, premium Australian organic pork belly skewers served with jim jaew, and the gai ping, chargrilled chicken skewers served with a savoury peanut sauce. Fan favourites like the pad see ew can be spotted on the menu, as well as pad kee mao nuea stir-fried flat rice noodles with Australian grass-fed beef. Curries come aplenty—just take your pick the gaeng phed ped yang, a duck leg red curry, and gaeng kiew wan gai, a creamy green curry with chicken thigh and vegetables.

And how can you have a Thai meal without wrapping up with a classic mango sticky rice? As a finisher, the khao neeo mamuang is not to be missed. Pop down and indulge in some of Thailand’s most famed fare with a fresh Up to You cocktail in hand.

Ruam, Shop 9, 1/F, J Senses, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 3160 8535

Fancy taking a trip to 1930s Paris? Wander up to Café Claudel, Tai Kwun’s quintessential French bistro, to indulge in traditional and authentic fare from la France. For us, its terrace dining area is the best place to be for a lazy afternoon rendezvous and people-watching. Sate your appetite with Claudel’s panini or a classic croque monsieur, or set your sights on bigger plates like the salmon risotto with asparagus and creamy garlic sauce. Finally, quench your thirst with a Purple Bliss mocktail.

Café Claudel, Shop 01-G08, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2411 1310

Boasting an open kitchen and alfresco seating area, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse is the perfect spot for people-watching and soaking up the buzzing atmosphere of Tsim Sha Tsui’s bustling harbourside promenade. Guests can also expect live music served alongside menu favourites like the signature lobster bisque, classic Caesar salad, and, of course, juicy grilled Australian filet mignon. From succulent tenderloins to sizzling rib-eyes and the popular wet-aged Australian Wagyu, this is one restaurant carnivores will not want to pass up.

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, locations across Hong Kong

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of Central and enjoying a spot of people-watching over lunch or dinner, then the Italian bar and restaurant Enoteca in Quarry Bay is the place to be. A mainstay of the neighbourhood’s dining scene, the casual venue offers Italian pasta and pizzas as well as interesting Mediterranean choices.

A popular post-work watering hole among office workers in the area, and an ideal choice for stress-free weekend dining, Enoteca has the feel of an Italian town piazza where guests can kick back and relax with a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

Enoteca, G/F, 35–41 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay | (+852) 2744 6000

JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong’s refurbished Fish Bar is probably the closest thing to a cabin pool in Hong Kong. The view of the pool, the semi-outdoor area, the nearby herb garden, and the wood aesthetic ooze with relaxing holiday vibes. Fish Bar is also dedicated to its eco-conscious practices, from sustainably sourcing ingredients for food and drinks to using eco-friendly textiles for staff uniforms. What’s not to love?

Fish Bar’s large selection of seafood fare include signature dishes that are making a comeback, with the chilled seafood tower and the Oasis giant grouper fish and chips both on the menu. New additions are also available for you to try, from the French blue prawn tartare with chilli lime gel to the fish bone fettuccine.

Fish Bar, 7/F, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty | (+852) 2810 8366

Nothing beats dining against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic harbour, and the outdoor terrace at Spanish restaurant La Rambla by Catalunya is the perfect spot to do just this. Seating up to one hundred guests, the wooden-decked terrace includes a separate outdoor bar where you can enjoy the venue’s infamous Spanish gin and tonic, and tuck into some tasty food from a separate menu from 3 pm till 8 pm daily. Nibbles include classics like patatas bravas and truffle bikini sandwiches.

La Rambla by Catalunya, 3071–73, Level 3, IFC Mall, Central | (+852) 2661 1161