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Hong Kong weather is absolutely glorious this time of year, and what better way to herald some sweet summertime vibes than enjoying a leisurely meal with your loved ones in view of sun and surf? Here are the best romantic seaside restaurants in Hong Kong for some sun-soaked bonding with your SO—make a full day of it by lazing on the beach to catch some rays beforehand, then strolling along the waterfront after the meal for maximum romantic enjoyment!
In the woeful absence of The Ocean by Olivier Bellin, Amalfitana is the next best option for pretty seaside dining along Repulse Bay Beach itself. Though its location right on the busy promenade could be both a pro or con, this artisan pizza bar benefits from cosy seating, colourful interiors, an open kitchen, and, of course, gorgeous views. You cannot get away with not having pizza here, so go ahead and order the Capricciosa ($190) or the Amalfitana ($250), and check out their multiple variations of the Aperol Spritz and the Negroni.
Amalfitana, Shop 105, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2388 7787
While not the fanciest option on this list, Bathers instead provides a laid-back, idyllic holiday atmosphere, helped along no doubt by its location right on the sands of Hong Kong’s longest white-sand swimming beach. Bathers’ menu includes a collection of international fusion and classics, so expect your table to hold a spread of grilled octopus ($130), oysters (starting from $220 for six), and pan-fried barramundi fillet ($210). Keep an eye out for the local wild buffalo as they meander towards the restaurant in the late afternoon.
Bathers, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau Island | (+852) 2504 4788
There is nothing quite like outdoor dining with a hint of old-school glamour. Treat your partner to a meal overlooking Repulse Bay from Spices’ open-air terrace, elevated from the crowds along the beach itself. Inspired by Eastern spice markets, Spices serves up fresh, authentic Asian food. We particularly like their wok-seared scallops & prawns with sambal XO sauce ($298), Thai red curry barbecued duck with lychees ($248), as well as options from their live tandoori station. Don’t forget to also order from their wide selection of naan!
Spices, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay | (+852) 2292 2821
Dining alfresco at Cococabana may just trick you into thinking you’re away on holiday along the French Riviera. The prime seats in the house are on their terrace that is right on Shek O Beach, where you can feast on French Mediterranean fare while soaking in the view of the sand, sea, and little islands off the coast. We’d usually go for seafood options, such as the whole grilled French sea bass ($398), but there are also plenty of meat mains like the Daube Provençale red wine beef pot pie ($360) or smoke-roasted duck breast ($360).
Cococabana, Shek O Beach Building, Shek O | (+852) 2812 2226
Venture a little out of Sai Kung Town and you will encounter this friendly restaurant sitting right opposite the Hebe Haven Yacht Club. With an open verandah that encourages al fresco dining and second-floor balcony seating that lets you overlook all the yachts dotting the bay, this is the perfect spot from which to gaze out at the sea, with wind in hair and drink in hand. Padstow’s menu is a tight selection of small plates, salads, and meat and seafood mains such as the grain-fed eight-ounce Black Angus hanger steak ($238) and grilled whole lobster ($398), meat alternative options like the portobello mushroom pasta ($150), and bar snacks like the irresistible chicken, leek, English bacon & Gweilo IPA pie ($148). Attention should be paid to their beers, which is exclusively imported from West Brewery in the UK, with their flagship beer St Mungo as the most popular choice.
Padstow Restaurant & Bar, 112 Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung | (+852) 2335 5515
On an artsy date at the newly reopened Hong Kong Museum of Art? Follow it up with a meal at Hue, a modern Australian affair boasting one of the best views of Victoria Harbour from West Kowloon. (Yes, technically this is still the sea!) Housed within the museum building itself, it only makes sense for the restaurant space to be artfully decorated throughout, featuring abstract wallpaper, a gorgeous blend of colours that doesn’t detract from the view outside, and a dramatic wine wall.
Dinner is available as a two- or three-course menu ($580 or $680 per person, respectively), featuring options such as sashimi hamachi, foie gras ravioli, buffalo ricotta dumplings, and dashi-brined pork loin. For the indecisive, go with the five-course chef’s tasting menu ($800) to try a slew of Hue’s signature dishes.
Hue, 1/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3500 5888
Experience some quiet island holiday vibes with your “bb” at BB Seaview on Lamma Island, where dining in their outdoor backyard area offers lovely views of the water right outside. In less than ideal weather, you can still be seated in the rustically decorated main restaurant, where the romantic atmosphere is enhanced by exposed red-brick walls and flickering candlelight. Food-wise, expect nostalgic Chinese-Western fare, such as baked oysters with cheese & rice in cream sauce ($168), pork chops with caramelised onion gravy ($108), and grilled halibut steak with creamy wasabi sauce ($178).
BB Seaview Restaurant, 22 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island | (+852) 2982 4388
The largest offering along Discovery Bay’s waterfront dining strip, Zaks encompasses a spacious terrace for outdoor dining that overlooks the bay and Tai Pak Beach, as well as an upstairs lounge. Its wide range of fusion flavours includes offerings such as nasi goreng ($150), chicken tikka sizzle plate ($180), and a seafood platter ($703) that serves three to five. The Corona daiquiris ($92) will keep you set for much of the day, but don’t forget that dining here will get you a return ferry ticket for free!
Zaks, Shop G04, Block A, Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay | (+852) 3018 0189
Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals. You can find her belting out show-tunes in karaoke, or in bookstores adding new tomes to her ever-growing collection.
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