Hong Kong Dining Awards 2021: Readers’ Choice
Celebrate the city’s best restaurants, bars, chefs, pop-ups and more as chosen by youRestaurant of the Year
8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA
Since opening its doors on the second floor of the Landmark Alexandra over ten years ago, 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA has become the only Three Michelin Stars Italian restaurant outside Italy. Spanning 4,700 square feet, the restaurant’s interior is just as delightful as its menu, which features freshly prepared Italian dishes prepared by chef and co-owner, Umberto Bombana.
Best New Restaurant
Casa Cucina
After four years of training under Richard Ekkebus from Amber at Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Executive chef Anthony Cheung opened his own restaurant venture, Casa Cucina at the start of 2021. With its name translating to home in Italian, this neighbourhood eatery has won the hearts of Hongkonger’s for its welcoming environment and cicchetti-inspired menu.
Chef of the Year
Prabir Banerjee, Chaiwala
As Executive Chef of modern Indian restaurant Chaiwala, Prabir Banerjee is passionate about food. He has spent over 18 years in the culinary world. Born and raised in India, Chef Prabir specialises in Indian cuisine and never fails to impress with delectable dishes and beautiful presentation. Throughout his time at Chaiwala he has helped craft the restaurant’s unique menu. He also showcases the traditional flavours of India in a modern and sophisticated fashion. ‘It’s a great honour for me to receive this award. I am thankful to all the guests who have dined with us over the years. Your love and passion has kept us going through the tough times. Most importantly I want to say thank you to my team, they have been amazing and Mr. Manuel Palacio for giving me the opportunity and showing his confidence in me with Chaiwala.”
Best Takeaway
Bengal Brothers
Recreating the hustle and bustle of streets in India, Bengal Brothers brought the famous kati roll to Hong Kong in July and has become a go-to option for takeaways. It’s Flaky paratha flatbreads are filled with chargrilled meat and vegetables and generously drizzled with chutneys and sauces.
Best Online Grocery Shop
Marks & Spencer
Well-known for its large selection of British produce and treats, many expats think of M&S as their home-away-from-home. Since launching their delivery service last July, its online delivery service has become a go-to option for stocking up before a typhoon or for those wanting to enjoy a delicious meal at home without the hassle.
Most Sustainable Concept
Green Common
With nine locations across Hong Kong and more on the horizon, Green Common hopes to advance global food technology innovations. They will do this by promoting a sustainable and revolutionised food mindset. The plant-based eatery and grocery shop prioritises fair trade, cruelty-free, local sourcing, working with organic farms, social enterprises and SMEs. Grab a meal at one of its restaurants, including Kind Kitchen in Central, before browsing the shelves and bringing home some sustainable products.
Best Charity Initiative
A Freaking Dumpling
A Hong Kong grassroots initiative by F&B professional Kingsley Wong, A Freaking Dumpling sells delicate, dumpling-shaped ceramic chopstick rests. Working with local charity Feeding Hong Kong, for every one handmade ceramic dumpling brought, six real dumplings will be donated to those in need.
Best Collaboration
Shake Shack x Yardbird
This one-day-only collaboration on June 12 caused quite a buzz around town. There were queues for the limited edition menu taking over IFC rooftop. To celebrate Shake Shack’s three-year anniversary in Hong Kong they partnered with the Michelin-starred modern Japanese izakaya restaurant Yardbird for an exclusive burger, bites and drink.
Read more: Hong Kong Dining Awards 2021: Editor’s Pick
Best Pop-up
Butter Cake Shop
Black Sheep Restaurants’ beloved bakery set up shop in Landmark at the end of last year. Offering a range of baked-to-order nostalgic delights like the Apple Pie, New York Cheesecake and Red Velvet Cake, as well as seasonal specials, Butter’s cakes are perfect for every occasion. Following its successful pop-up, it has even opened its doors on Staunton Street, right in the heart of Soho.
Best Hotel Restaurant
CHAAT, Rosewood
With a month-long waiting list to dine here, it’s no surprise that you voted for CHAAT as the best hotel restaurant this year. Translating into ‘to lick’ in Hindi, Chaat offers a selection of Indian street food and homemade classics to the restaurant table. They deliver authentic flavours reimagined and refined for a modern setting.
Best New Bar
ARGO
Truly the talk of the town this year has been the opening of Four Season’s newest bar, ARGO. With floor to ceiling windows overlooking the harbour and a statement column featuring rarefied spirits, this bar is as unique as they come. Along with the beautifully designed decor, the cocktail menu, designed by Four Seasons Asia-Pacific beverage ambassador Lorenzo Antinor, features future-forward cocktails using ingredients which may be endangered over the coming years due to environmental degradation.
Best Catering Concept
Cali-Mex
This California-inspired Mexican eatery is here to make your junk trip a breeze by offering fully customisable catering packages. Its burrito-filled junk package comes with three fillings: grilled chicken, barbacoa beef and vegetarian mixed beans. Its larger menus include its quesadillas, chips with dips and salads. Accommodating to vegetarians and other dietary requests, its packages start at just $98 per person.
Best Cafe
Pane e Latte
Pirata Group’s new Italian bakery sits pretty in Stanley, framed with floor-to-ceiling windows, pink columns and soaring drapes. The café has become an Instagram hotspot, with foodies from all over the city coming to snap a picture of its woven reed ceilings and Italian terracotta floors. Foodwise, Pane e Latte offers its signature bomboloni, croissants, brioches and tarts, all freshly baked in-house. It also serves a mean all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads and pizzas.
Read more: Hong Kong Living Influencer Awards 2021: Dining
Most Insta-worthy Treats
Yum Cha
This novelty dim sum spot is a favourite amongst families for its adorably delicious characters. Putting a playful twist on the classic Cantonese cuisine, Yum Cha’s dishes are not only tasty but are also extremely Instagramable.
Foodie of the Year
@indulgenteats
Releasing her first cookbook this year, indulgenteats (aka Jen) has become the go-to-girl on Instagram for restaurant recommendations and recipes. With 111K followers and counting she is one of Hong Kong’s biggest foodies. We are honoured to crown her Foodie of the Year. “I’m so honoured to have been voted Foodie of the Year, especially on the heels of my upcoming cookbook launch. My book features recipes inspired by both the local Hong Kong dishes I’ve grown to love, as well as dishes from around the world that are hard to find in Hong Kong. I’m excited to bring these recipes to life in a series of pop-ups around the city and can’t wait for everyone to try my food!”
