Discover Hip Hong Kong: Emerging Art Galleries and Trendy Restaurants
Hong Kong pulses with energy and creativity. In this vibrant, politically dynamic city, a rebellious spirit fuels innovative food scenes, cutting-edge design, and a thriving art movement.
This guide uncovers Hong Kong's hippest spots, revealing the authentic heart of this Asian powerhouse.
Emerging Art Galleries
While not always the top destination for contemporary art enthusiasts, Hong Kong's art scene is evolving rapidly. Post-handover introspection has sparked a unique cultural renaissance, highlighted by Art Basel Hong Kong (hongkong.artbasel.com), a premier March event featuring Asian and local artists.
High rents push galleries to repurposed warehouses in Aberdeen, a transforming fishing village on Hong Kong Island's south side. Lorries once hauling rice now share space with art deliveries. Spring Workshop (springworkshop.org) offers rotating local exhibitions, artist residencies with living and dining spaces, plus an outdoor terrace for films and concerts.
Neighboring Gallery EXIT (galleryexit.com) showcases edgy works by Hong Kong and Asian artists, reflecting the city's complex history and modern life.
In Central, PMQ on Hollywood Road revitalizes a historic site. Housed in former Police Married Quarters, it transforms apartments into collaborative spaces for artists, designers, and public interaction.
Trendy Restaurants and Bars
Hong Kong's fine dining scene is shifting toward accessible, chef-driven spots. Beyond luxury, intimate venues by rising stars offer masterful takes on classics and East-West fusions.
Little Bao, opposite PMQ, reimagines bao buns as 'Asian burgers.' Chef May Chow blends her American-Hong Kong roots in dishes like pork belly bao, rice cake mac and cheese, and green tea ice cream bao.
Ho Lee Fook (holeefook.com.hk)—Cantonese for 'good fortune for your mouth'—delivers avant-garde cuisine and bold cocktails by Taiwanese chef Jowett Yu.
Private kitchens thrive amid space constraints. Margaret Xu's Ying Yang Coastal (yinyang.hk) at her beach house features market-fresh, fantasy menus using foraged seafood and homegrown produce. Book for groups of eight.
Nightlife expands from Lan Kwai Fong to Sai Ying Pun. Ping Pong Gintonería (pingpong129.com), in a former ping pong gym, specializes in gin. Enter via Chinese characters (乒乓球) on Second Street's red door.
For curated experiences, join Little Adventures in Hong Kong (littleadventuresinhk.com) bespoke tours, including nightlife with socialite Johannes Pong.
