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Header images courtesy of Bathers (via Facebook)
Originally published by Amanda Sheppard. Last updated by Annette Chan.
Lantau Island is one of the go-to destinations for Hongkongers looking to escape the crowds and spend a day in nature. And while its hiking trails and beaches are reason enough to visit, there’s no need to resign yourself to a McDonald’s meal or a grumbling stomach until you step off the ferry and head back to skyscrapers and city life. Lantau Island plays host to a number of quality restaurants, from casual outdoor eateries to authentic regional cuisine. Here are some of our favourites.
For a Bali-style island café experience—complete with macrame wall art and rattan lampshades—head to Pause Café, a popular brunch spot with a chic plant-lined shopfront. (If you’re there after 11 am, you’ll be able to spot it easily by the crowd of brunchers sat outside.) Opened by the wellness brand of the same name, Pause Café is all about nourishing, healthy bites—think smashed avocado sourdough toasts ($95), masala veggie bowls ($100), and fresh juices ($35). If you’ve worked up an appetite, you can explore their more substantial plates, such as the beef burger ($108), chipotle pork tacos ($80), or fruit-topped French toast ($130).
Pause Café, 21 Chung Hau Street, Mui Wo, Lantau Island | (+852) 9352 0560
Nestled in the sleepy village of Tong Fuk is this long-standing, laid-back gastropub specialising in barbecued meats and homemade pizzas—and arguably the best garlic bread on Lantau. For a perfectly relaxed weekend lunch, come through for a steak and a glass of wine. Just remember to call ahead to avoid disappointment, because they get pretty busy.
The Gallery, 28 South Lantau Road, Tong Fuk Village, Lantau Island | (+852) 2980 2582
While you can’t technically dine in at Southside Lantau, this charming little takeaway’s home-cooked Southern soul food has enough fans—and outdoor seats—to warrant recognition. Dig into fried chicken tenders (starting from $78), Memphis pulled pork sandwiches ($55), Mississippi fried fish (starting from $78), and chilli cheese tater tots ($50) as you pull up a chair in their petite garden area, or drop by on Thursdays for $6 wing night!
Southside Lantau, Block 10, Silverview Centre, 8 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island | (+852) 9627 2441
Live your best beach bum life with a trip to Lower Cheung Sha Beach, which offers plenty of beachfront dining options. One of the most popular restaurants around is Long Island, a chilled little hangout where you can plonk yourself down on the sand with a mojito. There are plenty of cuisines on offer, including Indonesian, Indian, and British, so you could easily follow your seared ahi tuna salad ($138) with a nasi goreng ($150) and tiramisu ($68), all while enjoying the sun.
Long Island, 35 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau | (+852) 2320 2001
After trekking up and down all those stairs to see the Big Buddha, you will probably want something to eat. Enter Po Lin Monastery, which has a vegetarian kitchen on-site ready to whip up wholesome plant-based fares like deep-fried bean curd sheets in lemon sauce, spring rolls, mushrooms stir-fried with mixed vegetables, and vegetarian dim sum.
Po Lin Monastery Vegetarian Kitchen, Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping Road, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island | (+852) 2985 4736
This open-air food market in Mui Wo boasts some of the freshest seafood in Hong Kong, and at a fraction of the price of its island counterparts! Comprised of several restaurants each housed under the tented structure, the market serves up freshly steamed dim sum to satiate local residents by day, while generous portions of rice, noodles, and protein are piled onto plates during the busy lunch and dinner service.
Mui Wo Cooked Food Market, Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, Lantau | (+852) 2984 2240
Located a stone’s throw from the Mui Wo Ferry Pier, Bahçe Turkish Restaurant is a small eatery serving up hearty flavours and even heartier portions. Its menu includes staple Middle Eastern spreads and dips, with several sharing meze platters (starting from $130) available for hungry hikers after a long day on the trails. There’s also the option (weather permitting) to sit outside and end the day with an alfresco meal. Its reputation has begun to precede itself, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself among the late lunch crowd waiting for a table.
Bahçe Turkish Restaurant, Shop 19, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island | (+852) 2984 0222
Cheung Sha Beach is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike thanks to its long stretch of sand, comparatively clear waters, and the number of bars and restaurants on its doorstep (most of which are located on the beach’s lower section). Formerly known as The Beach House, Bathers is one such institution, offering alfresco all-day dining and a range of Western cuisine and drinks. It also hosts frequent weddings, parties, and corporate events.
Bathers, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Cheung Sha, Lantau Island | (+852) 2504 4788
Opened in 2013, Solera is a Spanish eatery in Discovery Bay’s D’Deck complex. The spacious restaurant boasts an extensive menu of Spanish staples—from paella to patatas bravas and other tapas – as well as an outdoor dining area for the warmer months. With live music performances taking place every Friday and Saturday night, it’s one of the livelier spots to while away a weekend on the island. Click here to discover more great Spanish restaurants in Hong Kong.
Solera, Shop 101, 1/F, D’Deck, Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island | (+852) 2555 0772
Koh Tomyums is an authentic Thai restaurant located in D’Deck, only a short walk from the ferry pier in Discovery Bay. With an open sea view, traditional interiors, spacious outdoor seating section, and a menu filled with traditional Thai dishes and flavours, this is a popular spot (particularly on the weekends), so we’d recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment. Its assortment of unique fusion dishes is not to be missed.
Koh Tomyums, Shop 105B, 1/F, D’Deck, Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island | (+852) 2987 0767
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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