We think British cuisine undeservedly gets a bad rap. Far from being the stereotypical boring, bland, and overcooked dishes of the past, today we think there’s much to love about a comforting plate of bangers and mash, hearty Sunday roast with all the trimmings, or warm-from-the-oven sticky toffee pudding.
When we’re yearning for the best flavours that Britain has to offer, these are the restaurants we turn to in Hong Kong.
The best British restaurants in Hong Kong
1. Magistracy Dining Room
Magistracy Dining Room, Black Sheep’s British stunner, is the only restaurant on our list to garner a Michelin recommendation, and that’s for good reason. Chef Alyn Williams is passionate about singing the praises of British cuisine, which he showcases at this grand Tai Kwun eatery in a refined à-la-carte menu. The Magistracy sausage roll (HKD188) and shepherd’s pie (HKD588) are elevated renditions of these classic British recipes, whilst the showstopper of the menu is the rib of beef (HKD1,088 for 2), carved tableside. Above all, however, is chef Alyn’s lavish Sunday roast (HKD688 pp) menu.
Magistracy Dining Room, G/F, Central Magistracy, Tai Kwun, 1 Arbuthnot Road, Central, 2252 3177, book here
2. The Globe
A long-standing favourite in Soho, The Globe is cherished by British expats and locals alike as one of the only proper gastropubs in Hong Kong, with its warm and welcoming vibe rivalling the top pubs in London. The craft beer selection here is also one of the best in town, featuring both rotating guests taps and full-time taps from Hong Kong and around the world. To accompany your booze, The Globe’s authentic British fare is first-rate; go-tos include the Scotch egg (HKD95), beer-battered Atlantic haddock (HKD190) with mushy peas, chips, and curry sauce, and Glamorgan sausages (HKD195), more colloquially known as bangers and mash. Perhaps most beloved of all though are the pub’s rib-sticking pies (HKD175), which come with mash, peas, and gravy.
The Globe, G/F, Garley Building, 45–53 Graham Street, Soho, Central, 2543 1941, book here
3. The Chinnery
Another swish British dining experience can be yours at The Chinnery, housed within the Mandarin Oriental hotel since its opening in 1963, with its exclusive private gentleman’s club feel. The whisky bar and restaurant is fittingly named after 19th-century British artist George Chinnery, famous for his landscape paintings of Hong Kong. The colonial-style ambience is mirrored in the à-la-carte menu rooted in British-Indian cuisine. The lamb samosa (HKD168) and tikka chicken (HKD368) are perennial Indian-style favourites, but The Chinnery also features a selection of traditional British dishes, from fish & chips (HKD378) to a daily roast (HKD598).
The Chinnery, 1/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, 2825 4009, book here
4. 181
Offering sweeping harbour and skyline views, especially as the sun sets, 181 is the elegant in-house restaurant of gourmet British grocer Fortnum & Mason. The menus change with the seasons, but they always include 181 signatures that never fail to impress, such as the smoked bone marrow with parsley salad and shallot jus (HKD208), beef Wellington for two (HKD1,288), and Knickerbocker Glory (HKD108) ice-cream sundae dessert. The oh-so-British afternoon tea (HKD588 pp) at 181 is also a daily treat, coming with a tiered assortment of finger sandwiches, scones, and afternoon tea cakes.
181, Shop 022, G/F & 1/F, Fortnum & Mason, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3916 8181, book here
5. BRICK LANE
BRICK LANE is named after the vibrant street in London’s East End, and as expected at this restaurant, the menu veers towards iconic British dishes. The number 1 order at its Admiralty and Tsim Sha Tsui locations is the BRICK LANE Full English (HKD158), available all day long, a slap-up breakfast plate of eggs, smoked salmon, sausage, ham, bacon, tomato, baked beans. mushroom, hash browns, Yorkshire pudding, and toast. An equally filling choice is the Guinness beef pie (HKD188).
BRICK LANE, Shop 404, 4/F, CITIC Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Admiralty, 2363 2500, book here
BRICK LANE Gallery, G/F, 17–23 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2721 0628, book here
6. King’s Belly
Tai Po is not an obvious location for a traditional British public house, but King’s Belly fits that bill to a tee, complete with British beer on draught, sport on the telly, and expat regulars. On a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, the pub’s roast menu is a must-order, either the roast US Prime beef (from HKD228) or roast crackling pork belly (HKD198), both wonderfully satisfying in their own right and made even more so with all the accompanying trimmings, including a divine homemade Yorkshire pud. King Belly’s all-day Indian curry menu – British pub grub at its finest – is also recommended.
King’s Belly, Shop C, G/F, Mei Fung Building, 6 Wan Tau Kok Lane, Tai Po, 2663 3550
