There are myriad reasons why we love Christmas.
There are the spectacular festive displays that light up the town; the cracking fire and jolly carols that never get old; and then for some of us, it’s the excuse to satiate our bellies with irresistible festive feasts that we look forward to every year.
Luckily for us, Hong Kong’s restaurant scene is known to pull out all the stops when it comes to serving up delicious Christmas fare. Whether you’re craving a traditional roast with all the trimmings, a boozy afternoon tea with friends or an elegant meal with a twist, there is something for everyone in our curated round-up of the best holiday menus to savour. Click through the below gallery for ideas and feast away:
(Cover photo features festive offerings at Emirates' first class lounge in Dubai)
End your year on a sweet note with an afternoon tea at St Regis Hong Kong’s elegant Drawing Room, where a total of four new savouries and sweet treats by chef Vincent Leroux and chef Chad Yamagato have been added to their menu, including the Instagram-worthy Gold Ornament (Oscietra cavier-topped avocado and king crab ball) served on signature dim sum cart-inspired trolleys.
To cap off, make your way up to the chef Olivier Elzer-helmed French restaurant L’Envol for three new exclusive festive menus, or head into the adjoining St Regis Bar for one (or three) of their famous Bloody Marys or innovative cocktails with a Cantonese twist.
1 Harbour Dr, Wan Chai; 2138 6888
Home to one of the city’s most picturesque al fresco bars, ZEST by Konishi is marking the festive season with a Christmas Eve nine-course degustation tasting menu and New Year’s Eve nine-course menu complete with exclusive wine pairings. Featured dishes include the sesame rusted chu-toro served with wasabi mousse, the kawahagi fish served with kristal caviar and tosazu sauce and slow-cooked Wagyu beef consommé, crafted by acclaimed chef Mitsuru Konishi most known for marrying French culinary precision with authentic Japanese flavours to perfection.
28/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central; 2715 0878
Live la dolce vita this holiday season with a scrumptious celebration at 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, the three Michelin-starred Italian restaurant helmed by chef Umberto Bombana. Expect authentic yet refined Italian staples such as the chestnut gnocchi embellished with alba white truffle, the tender poularde from Bresse and popular Mayura beef sirloin from Australia.
Shop 202, Landmark Alexandra, 18 Chater Road, Central; 2537 8859
Looking to ushering in the new year but not those extra pounds? The newly launched Asaya Kitchen - Rosewood Hong Kong’s first-of-its-kind urban wellness concept - serves up a series of special health-conscious festive menus that are light, mindful yet packing plenty of flavour. Available on Christmas Eve and Day, as well as New Year’s Eve and Day, these wellness-focused menus include dishes such as rock lobster carpaccio and steamed spotted grouper with winter truffle for lunch, and the roasted 6-day aged tuna loin and kombu steamed black bass for dinner.
No 18, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; 3891 8888
Dazzling rooftop dining destination Sevva will be welcoming revellers into its newly reimagined space following four months of renovation with not only a new design elements (take the stunning bedazzled flower dome) but some of their iconic East-meets-West dishes returning to the menu, including the Pasta Named Desire (king prawns, caviar and crab roe spaghetti in champagne cream sauce) and the Pan-Fried Foie Gras with sautéed apple thyme and port wine reduction sauce.
25/F, Landmark Prince’s, 10 Chater Road, Central; 2537 1388
For an elegant celebratory affair, one can’t go wrong at Zuma, the feted contemporary Japanese restaurant at the Landmark Atrium known as much for their exquisite decor as their traditional izakaya dining. This season, the team behind the bar is revamping their enticing cocktail menu to offer a series of unique Japanese-inspired concoctions, including the Supercooled Japanese Gin Martini - all of which go perfectly with dishes offered on their Festive Daikoku Tasting Menu and Baikingu Brunch complete with free flow champagne, and upgraded sushi display and dessert station.
Level 5&6 Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central; 3657 6388
