Your neighbourhood guide to Tai Hang

Featured image courtesy of @kaysonhui

Just a stone throw away from the busy Causeway Bay, Tai Hang shows a quiet and cosy character that attracts laidback souls. Gradually becoming a favourite for artisanal cafes and modern restaurants, the small town still retains its old-school charm and historical elements.

If you’re looking for a spacious cafe where you can sit back and pull out your favourite novel, we assure you Tai Hang is where to look. We’ve done all the legwork for you. From a modern gallery to a bar with a terrace, here’s the all-in-one guide for you to enjoy the neighbourhood of Tai Hang.

Read more: Your neighbourhood guide to Sheung Wan

What to do

The Shophouse

The charm of Tai Hang is how the new blends in with the old. Consisted of mostly tong laus, the humble area still retains most of its historical houses while welcoming hippie cafes and eateries. From the outside, The Shophouse is a Grade-III listed pre-WWII building but what it stores says otherwise. The 4,000 square feet space is actually a gallery dedicated to showcasing the works of modern unconventional artists. Combining lifestyle and exhibition areas, you can also enjoy some aromatic Oolong tea in the 1930s shophouse.

The Shophouse, 4 Second Lane, Tai Hang

The Minimal

Quirky figurines, old-school tableware, and vintage lamps; this compact store in Tai Hang feels like a scavenger hunt. Preloved items and thrifted goods always hold a special place. Whether it’s the rarity or the history behind each piece, finding a unique item after browsing through the pile makes shopping more fun. If you happen to be in the area, make sure to pay a visit to The Minimal for a new addition to your collectives.

The Minimal, 38 Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, 2369 2328

Lin Fa Temple

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Whenever Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, the neighbourhood of Tai Hang will be lit by the burning incense on the dancing fire dragon. Lin Fa Temple will also be crowded with faithfuls wishing for good luck and good health. Located at the end of Lin Fa Kung Street, the temple is decorated with murals of phoenix and lotus with an iconic roof. Declared a Grade I historic building, it is a popular tourist spot, especially during festivals.

Lin Fa Temple, Lily Street, Tai Hang

Victoria Park

This might be the most well-known park in Hong Kong. Stretching from Causeway Bay to Tin Hau, it sits right opposite to the Central Library. With strolling trails, multiple basketball courts and a huge grass-field, the park is a go-to gathering spot for locals in the area. While some may choose to picnic in the vast greens, you’ll also find groups of amateur, or professional, basketballers dribbling their way through the courts.

Cake of Stardust

Who doesn’t love a good loaf of banana bread? Homemade with lots of love, the little cake shop bakes everything from gooey s’more cookies and banana loaves, to indulgent dessert cups and whole stacked birthday cakes. As a small-batch bakery, the menu varies every day. So make sure you follow it on Instagram and check what’s in store for the day.

Cake of Stardust, G/F, 20 Brown Street, Tai Hang, 9642 5703

Where to eat

Dough Kitchen

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No one can resist some chewy homemade pasta. Dough Kitchen serves Italian comfort food in a cosy dining space. From antipasti and grilled meats to pastas and pizzas, the team behind Dough makes sure to pay extra attention to, surprise, the dough. Fans of sea urchin will agree, the creamy and umami seafood can easily elevate any pasta dish. Visit the pasta place and taste for yourself.

Dough Kitchen, 21B Brown Street, Tai Hang, 2688 7008

I M Teppanyaki & Wine

Hidden in the quiet neighbourhood of Tai Hang are some exclusive and intimate dining experiences. The Michelin-starred restaurant feeds your eyes and leaves your tastebuds happy. Teppanyaki chef Lawrence Mok sources fresh and seasonal ingredients for every exquisite dish. I M Teppanyaki has its own loyal base of fans, so before you go in for a visit, make sure to reserve your spot.

I M Teppanyaki & Wine, 134 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, 2570 7088

Shun Hing Cha Chaan Teng

Cha chaan tengs in Hong Kong are the inventors of some of the most unique local dishes. Specialities include the macaroni soup, pineapple bun stacked with butter or in this case, scrambled egg and char siu rice. Smooth and still slightly runny, the scrambled egg can also be paired with shrimp or fried pork chop over some rice, and of course, everyone’s favourite—soy sauce.

Shun Hing Cha Chaan Teng, 5 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang, 2576 6577

Plumcot

To many, pastry holds a special place in the heart. Unlike other confections, pastries can be so buttery yet light and fluffy, if done right. Plumcot surely knows what they’re doing. From a simple croissant to the Galette des Rois, the bakery pride itself of perfecting the delicate French pastries for you to enjoy. If you’re a fan of buttery creations, make sure to check out its madeleines and caneles. It makes its own ice creams to!

Plumcot, G/F, 10A Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, 2573 6293

Kona

Resonating with Tai Hang’s cosy and quiet character, Kona is an intimate izakaya eatery in the neighbourhood. With only a few tables, the Japanese restaurant is always filled with foodies. Besides enjoying the food, you will also get to witness the preparation, where chefs in the open kitchen grill your yakitori. One of the must-try items is there is the A4 Wagyu beef bowl with sukiyaki sauce and summer truffles.

Kona, 16 Lin Fa Kung Street West, Tai Hang, 2881 6339

Where to drink

Muse

Pretty cafes are no strangers to the neighbourhood. The minimalistic cafe dazzled with hints of wood and leafy greens serves artisanal coffees, fruit-infused teas, light bites and sweet treats. The two-storey cafe also offers al fresco dining where you can enjoy a sweet honeycomb coffee under the sun.

Muse, 15-17 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang, 2670 0882

Second Draft

A fan of craft beers? Lucky you. Second Draft in Tai Hang is a creation of the famed local brand, Young Master Brewery. With its interior designed to look like cha chaan tengs, its menu is also infused with Hong Kong essence. Named after the neighbourhood, the Tai Hang Fries is spiced up with cumin and chilli powder and paired with aioli. Feeling adventurous? Try the Fu-yu (fermented tofu) carbonara.

Second Draft, G/F, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, 2656 0232

Sonne Cad

Yet another shop utilising the traditional tong lau look, Sonne Cad is a paradise for serious coffee drinkers. Serving you single-origin coffee roasted locally, the interior is nothing like your usual cafe. Decorated with designer chairs and sofas on both floors, the bright space is a casual gathering area for coffee buffs.

Sonne Cad, G/F, 16 San Tsuen Street, Tai Hang, 6922 5398

Bond

A nice terrace bar in the busy city is not the easiest to find. Upstairs of hotel Little Tai Hang, the restaurant slash bar is literally a place for people to bond. Be sure to drop by during happy hour to take advantage of its crazy good deals.

Bond, 2/F, 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, 2155 1777

Second Sip by Studio Caffeine

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Tucked behind the main roads, Second Sip is a compact and cosy coffee shop that serves hearty cappuccinos and indulgent pancake platters. Like many other coffee houses, it serves loaded sourdoughs and wholesome all-day breakfasts. Mark this down for your next café-hopping adventure. But be sure to come early since it is quite a small café, otherwise be prepared to queue up.

Second Sip by Studio Caffeine, G/F, 23 School Street, Tai Hang, 2882 8956