Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of @themurrayhk (via Instagram)
Not a cloud in the sky and the sunnies are out! When the weather is perfect, terrace many a reason to be out and about, and one of those things is dining at alfresco restaurants. While there are rooftop bars for after-work tipples and alfresco dining for the long weekends, you would be remiss to miss out on the abundance of hidden terrace dining spots in Hong Kong. Here are some of our favourites to make summertime chilling more worthwhile.
Babacio is a cosy spot right above the Soho hubbub that manages to somehow drown out all the noise. An Italian restaurant and bar serving traditional Neapolitan pizza, its weekday set lunch is a great introduction to the à la carte menu, which you can round off with a cheeky mini tiramisu alongside the mixed green salad and your choice of Italian pizza. Whether you choose to wine and dine here on a first date or host a friendly catch-up with the gang, we would highly recommend grabbing a table on their outdoor terrace—it makes the entire dining experience so much more enjoyable.
Babacio, 5/F, Carfield Commercial Building, 77 Wyndham Street, Central | (+852) 2808 1961
At Louise, gourmands can expect a feast for both the stomach and the eyes. If you are on the hunt for all-day French dining, this Michelin-starred beauty will deliver. Upon entering PMQ from the Aberdeen Street entrance, Louise invites guests with arms—and French doors—wide open. From its dining room to the lounge and terrace, the acclaimed restaurant serves dishes that pay homage to the provincial French cooking that’s close to chef Julien Royer’s heart. Look out for the daily rotation in the weekday parlour lunch menu.
Louise, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central | (+852) 2866 0300
Sneak in a break and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon at Between, where the calming lines of its well-appointed interior design and stunning terrace views over Tai Kwun will instantly make you feel at ease. From the daily menu, the chicken, cabbage, and wakame mayonnaise sando and pour-over are must-tries.
Between, 2/F, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2877 8711
If the hustle and bustle of Central is too much to bear, escape to the garden-like terrace at Portico for the perfect happy hour spot for after-work drinks. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini, Portico adjoins Spiga, the restaurant famed for being his first dining venture outside of Italy. Portico primarily serves small bites and platters for sharing as well as pizzas, but the real reason we love to come here is for the well-curated beverage menu. Feel the warmth and intrigue of vintage Italy right here in the centre of Hong Kong!
Portico, 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2871 0055
If one has not been to Duddell’s, it is believed that one simply must go—if just to experience its sumptuous dining experience once. Be sure to prepare ahead when you do, as you will want to indulge in the elegantly presented dim sum and expertly prepared libations on the Garden Terrace, the extension of the fourth-floor salon. From an upscale à la carte menu that centres around Cantonese cuisine to the executive lunch that’s sure to impress, Duddell’s is the place to go for an exclusive meal that you are sure to remember.
Garden Terrace at Duddell’s, 4/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central
Cotton Tree Terrace at The Murray welcomes all sorts of get-togethers, and all furry members of the family, too! Happily for all dog owners, the search for dog-friendly hangout places stops here. A luxurious terrace restaurant that features alfresco dining and a lush environment amplified with romantic hanging lights and vibrant foliage, Cotton Tree Terrace serves unique craft brews and a delectable selection of food for all-day dining.
Cotton Tree Terrace, UG Level, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central | (+852) 3141 8888
Australian-themed restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse needs no introduction, but its Tung Chung location has a unique dining set-up not found in its other restaurants. Apart from the indoor dining hall, there is a special bubble tent on the outdoor terrace! Although the chain has multiple locations all across Hong Kong, the bubble tent has become one of the main reasons fans flock over to Lantau. If being contained in a white and opaque dining bubble is not your idea of a good time, fear not—you can always reserve a seat on the terrace proper and lap up the gorgeous views and beautiful sunset alongside plates of comfort food.
Outback Steakhouse, Shop 326B, 3/F, Citygate Outlets, 18–20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung
The Envoy calls itself “a colonial-inspired city retreat,” but before anyone feels put off by this description, what the sophisticated restaurant means is that its menu puts a modern twist on local colonial-era fare. From lunch and afternoon tea all the way to dinner, the culinary and bar team here work tirelessly to wow guests with flavour and visuals—and the best place to enjoy them is on the terrace dining area. Expect a unique mix of British classics infused with a novel Hong Kong touch, and visit the cocktail bar for flavourful tipples.
The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2169 3311
Feel the warmth and vibrance of the Land of Smiles at Ruam, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it restaurant hidden up on the terrace floor of J Residence. Home to some of the best Thai cuisine found on Hong Kong Island, Ruam executes its casual fare perfectly, covering snacks, rich soups, refreshing salads, and fragrant curries with aplomb. Our favourite thing about Ruam has to be its verdant terrace, where it truly feels like you are spending your leisurely weekend brunch or long weekday lunch lounging in a serene tropical getaway.
Ruam, J Residence, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 3160 8535
Strumming a few tunes on the guitar or trying to connect her Spotify playlist to the sound system is what you’ll find Gabrielle doing in most social situations. She is a homebody and the way to her heart is good food and good company. Apart from music, she spends her time watching and reading up on all there is to know about pop culture.
Top