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Header image courtesy of Castellana
Originally published by Gabrielle Caselis. Last updated by Tommy Yu.
Night outs with the gals or the bros have been reduced in the midst of the pandemic, and wine nights at home and over Zoom have increased significantly. It’s time to redeem that night out you deserve—in the form of a boozy lunch with a side of unforgettable food. If you’re the type that loves to pair good food and good company with good wine, here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in Hong Kong with amazing wine lists.
Don’t judge a book by its cover—behind the low-key façade of a slopeside entrance lies 121BC, a semi-basement osteria specialising in natural Italian wines and simple, flavourful foods. Capitalise on this hidden gem’s intimate and homey feel by hosting a private party with friends and loved ones—nothing says family like a long wooden table.
Paired with the rustic atmosphere and humbling flavours of their Italian plates is a seemingly endless wine list of biodynamic and organic vintages, making 121BC the perfect place to become familiar with natural wines.
121BC, LG/F, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2672 8255
Brut, translated from French, means “raw,” and the food and drinks curated by Camille Lisette Glass and George Kwok do exactly that: showcase the beauty of the establishment’s raw ingredients, culinary skills, and personality.
Familiar global dishes are reworked with love and creativity, incorporating influences from as far as Europe and East Asia and as close as local Hong Kong flavours. Perfect for smaller parties, this 20-seater restaurant has its concise and on-rotation wine list written in marker on the wall—it focuses on smaller producers and by-the-glass servings. You can also take their wines home with you if you come across a label you love, via their online shop.
Brut, Shop C, 1–11 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 3460 5863
Located in Tseung Kwan O, Interval provides an all-day dining experience, pulling double duty as an artisanal café by day and an elegant restaurant and bar by night. Yes, they serve Instagrammable coffees and open-faced sandwiches, but we are even more excited about their dinner service—and their wine list, in particular.
Jumping on the natural wine bandwagon, Interval presents a streamlined selection of bottles that not only complements their food, but also have compelling stories behind each label. No reservations are needed here, so just be camera-ready, because their sleek and chic interiors will not go unphotographed. If you like what you taste, the restaurant’s coffee beans and wine are available for purchase at their retail corner!
Interval, Shop 417, 4/F, The Lohas, Tseung Kwan O | (+852) 2638 8904
Bâtard combines elevated comfort food with some of the finest wines in the world into one beautiful space for unreserved enjoyment. Spread across 7,000 square feet—housing thousands of bottles requires quite a bit of real estate—the sophisticated restaurant is the love child between The Fine Wine Experience and Piccolo Concepts, and the wine list emphasises Burgundy, though you will also find Champagne, Riesling, and Bordeaux labels here.
As for the food, their philosophy is to create a menu that is inviting and familiar, presenting dishes that are complementary to the experience of dining and drinking. Utilising fresh, seasonal ingredients and well-informed sommeliers, Bâtard offers an elevated gastronomical experience like no other.
Bâtard, Shop E, 165–166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2318 1802
New York-Italian restaurant Carbone is one of Black Sheep Restaurants’ many Mediterranean concepts, and this mid-century stunner knows how to put on a show. Apart from representing distinctive Italian-American cuisine, its wine list also encompasses notable Italian regions.
In terms of vino, you are in good hands here—their staff offers solid recommendations based on experience and knowledge. Set in a sumptuous environment of deep reds and rich browns, familiar favourites like linguini vongole and spicy rigatoni vodka are sure to please.
Carbone, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central | (+852) 2593 2593
Michelin-recommended Castellana offers an authentic take on Piedmontese cuisine. All without travelling to the foothills of the Alps, you will be transported to the familiar and fuller flavours of northern Italy. Complementing the various menus are the carefully paired wines. If you fancy yourself a bit of a connoisseur, you can opt to make your own selections from its wine list, which bears a heavy focus on regional Italian labels.
Castellana, UG/F & 1/F, Club Lusitano Building, 16 Ice House Street, Central
Amber at the Mandarin Oriental needs no introduction. Helmed by chef Richard Ekkebus, this upscale hotel restaurant is definitely worth a detour with its excellent cooking and expansive selection of wines and wine pairing menus.
Boasting two Michelin stars, Amber presents fine French cuisine in a contemporary and stylish dining room. Sommeliers on duty attend to guests promptly and make excellent wine recommendations, plus the atmosphere is perfect for couples and celebrations, making Amber the perfect choice for that special meal with your special person.
Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2132 0066
One of several well-respected culinary establishments at The Peninsula, Gaddi’s is the Michelin-starred gourmet institution that everyone wants a reservation at. Serving up exquisite French cuisine, expect to see one-of-a-kind ingredients executed with finesse by a world-class team, headed by up-and-coming maestro chef Albin Gobil.
Its collection of wines is one of the finest in the city, with a streamlined selection ranging from champagne, whites, reds, rosés, and sweet wines from France, Italy, California, Hungary, and more. Pair these with a dégustation menu of four to six courses for the ultimate experience. Reservations are a must for this world-renowned destination.
Gaddi’s, 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, 28 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2696 6763
Three-Michelin-starred establishments are a rare breed, but luckily for us, there are seven such restaurants right on our shores! L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon has been continuously singled out for distinction and remains a perennial favourite. Astounding rooftop garden and gorgeously designed interiors aside, this acclaimed restaurant offers a fine-dining experience that elevates gourmet French cuisine to the highest level.
Its award-winning wine list offers diners a plethora of choices, but also recommendations made by wine critics and their personal ratings—these ratings are from Wine Spectator, Allen Meadows’ Burghound, and Michael Broadbent, just to name a few. Expert sommeliers are on hand to make thoughtful suggestions on what to choose from their exhaustive menu of 3,400 labels from major wine regions around the globe, though L’Atelier just as readily recommends for you to “trust your own experience” and embrace the individual choices.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Shop 401, 4/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2166 9000
As an exquisite wine-and-dine spot, Bacchus infuses Asian-inspired flavours into its classic French menu. Befitting its name, all culinary delicacies come served alongside a well-paired glass of wine. For wine aficionados, its massive cellar holds over 800 wine labels and features a selection of uncommon bottles with grape varietals such as Marselan and Rkatsiteli.
Of course, Bacchus’s tribute to the Roman god of wine extends far beyond its name—it’s just as much about the sumptuous and otherworldly décor. Inspired by ancient temples, its interior is adorned with archaic busts and striated, column-like curtains, making a poetic statement about the restaurant’s refinement in a modernised, mythological world.
Bacchus, 3/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan | (+852) 3750 5200
Strumming a few tunes on the guitar or trying to connect her Spotify playlist to the sound system is what you’ll find Gabrielle doing in most social situations. She is a homebody and the way to her heart is good food and good company. Apart from music, she spends her time watching and reading up on all there is to know about pop culture.
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