Your neighbourhood guide to North Point
What to do and where to eat in this eastern neighbourhood brimming with old-school charmLocated at the northeastern tip of Hong Kong Island, North Point is a mixed-used area with a history stemming back to the mid-19th century. Made up of cultural monuments, niche art galleries and a slew of local eateries, this age-old neighbourhood has an unpretentious charm that draws visitors in. Here are the must-see spots in North Point, from a landmark theatre showcasing Cantonese opera to Hong Kong’s very own ‘railway market’.
Read more: Your neighbourhood guide to Sai Wan Ho
How to get there
From Central, take the MTR Island Line to North Point Station. You can also take bus 2, 10 or 18. Alternatively, enjoy a slow and leisurely ride on the eastbound tram.
Things to do
Chun Yeung Street Market
You may have heard of Thailand’s Railway Market, but have you heard of Chun Yeung Street? This humble neighbourhood market may not get the same publicity, but it has the same charming qualities. As a tram rattles onto the street, following the tramway that runs through it, shopkeepers and visitors will disperse to either side to make way for the vehicle. And, in addition to all the live animals and fresh produce usually found at wet markets across Hong Kong, the one at Chun Yeung Street sells more unusual food from the province of Fujian in China as many vendors originate from there.
Chun Yeung Street, North Point
Read more: Best wet markets in Hong Kong
Mom Livehouse
Opened in 2016, multi-functional event space Mom Livehouse finds its home in an unassuming shopping centre in North Point. The venue, equipped with a stage for musical performances, a functional bar and a spacious interior that can hold up to 200 people, aims to provide a platform for local musicians and artists to share their craft. Past performances include Finnish metal band Dreamtale, punk rocker Evan Dando and lofi artist Japanese Breakfast.
Mom Livehouse, B39, Seven Seas Shopping Centre, 113-121 King’s Road, North Point, 25789077
North Point Ferry Pier
Move over, Central Ferry Piers – there’s a new kid in town. Run by First Ferry, North Point Ferry Pier began operation in 1957 near the site of the former North Point Estate. With an east and west berth, it offers affordable ferry rides to Hung Hom, Kowloon City, Kwun Tong, Mui Wo and Discovery Bay.
North Point Ferry Pier, North Point, 2131 8181
Oil Street Art Space
Housed in a Grade II Historic Building, Oil Street Art Space is a non-profit arts venue managed by the government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The building was constructed in 1908 and used as the headquarters for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, before undergoing multiple transformations and finally settling into what it is today. Keep an eye on the venue’s Facebook as it hosts an everchanging programme of exhibitions and events.
Oil Street Art Space, 12 Oil Street, North Point, 2512 3000
State Theatre
The shabby, worn down State Theatre doesn’t command much attention at first glance, but look closely and you’ll see this is no ordinary building. State Theatre’s architectural style is exemplary of post-war modernist architecture in the city, featuring a captivating parabolic exoskeleton truss at the roof that holds up the entire structure. Due to its contextual and historic values, it was listed as a Grade I Historic Building by the city’s Antiquities and Monuments Board in 2017.
State Theatre, 277-291 King’s Road, North Point
Sunbeam Theatre
Situated at the intersection of Shu Kuk Street and King’s Road, Sunbeam Theatre is hard to miss with its bright neon sign and prominent movie posters. Said to have been set up by Shanghainese emigrants in 1972, the theatre has been turned over to multiple owners over the decades, weathering numerous possible closures in the process. Today, it contains a grandiose reception hall, a newly renovated three-screen cinema and a chamber for stage performances.
Sunbeam Theatre, Kiu Fai Mansion, 413-423 King’s Road, North Point, 2563 2959
Restaurants
Café Gen
A hidden gem tucked behind a small alley in North Point, Café Gen offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The minimalist café boasts white walls, light wooden furnishings and large glass windows that give it a spacious feel. Its menu features light meals such as salads and burgers, as well as desserts like cakes, muffins and sweet toasts.
Café Gen, G/F, Block B, Tung Fat Building, 31A Kam Ping Back Street, North Point, 5936 4740
Read more: Best minimalist cafés in Hong Kong
Katsuisen
Ask the locals for restaurant recommendations, and 10 out of 10 times they’ll point you in the direction of Katsuisen. This Japanese restaurant has two locations in North Point and Shek Tong Tsui, both serving up a diverse menu of sashimi, sushi, skewers and more. Popular dishes include the sushi platter, salmon sashimi don and unadon.
Katsuisen, G/F, Block A, Tung Fat Building, 21 Kam Ping Street, North Point, 3481 1928
Tung Po
How can we write a guide to North Point without mentioning Tung Po? Located inside a multi-storey government building, the rowdy atmosphere of this dai pai dong-style restaurant is one you’ll never forget. Famous for its traditional Cantonese stir-fried and deep-fried dishes, Tung Po has become quite a tourist attraction in recent years, even making it to CNN’s website in an article titled ‘Hong Kong’s wildest dining experience’. If you like your food authentic and your dinner with a side of entertainment, then Tung Po is the place to be.
Tung Po, 2/F, Java Road Municipal Services Building, 99 Java Road, North Point, 2880 5224
Sooo Vegi
You don’t have to go far for tasty, healthy food. Sooo Vegi is a cosy vegetarian eatery that focuses on home-cooked plant-based fare. It offers both Chinese and western-style dishes, including salads, snacks, spaghetti and rice, all priced at around $50 per order including a drink. Make sure to try its vegetarian sausage wrap, braised aubergine with rice or string beans with mince.
Sooo Vegi, Shop A6, Wah Hoi Mansion, 254-280 Electric Road, North Point, 2881 7996
