Brew Bros

This cafe may occupy a tiny hole-in-the-wall space in Sheung Wan, but its brews are top-notch (and one of the best coffees we had). Their “Melbourne-style” cuppas are rich and well-balanced, not diluted or overly sweet. Don’t miss trying their chai lattes too, especially if you’re looking for something warm and comforting on a rainy day.

Cupping Room

You’ll probably spot Cupping Room as you wander around the Sheung Wan or Wan Chai areas. With its distinctive monochrome facades and modern interior, it stands out amidst Hong Kong’s rather run-down shopfronts. The cafe has earned accolades for being home to the five-time Hong Kong barista champion, and their food offerings are pretty standard cafe fare – eggs benedict, avocado toast and the like.

Omotesando Koffee

The famed Tokyo coffee joint opened its doors in the Wan Chai district last year, and will soon be in Singapore at the new Downtown Gallery. Whether or not you’re a hardcore coffee connoisseur, it makes the perfect Instagram-worthy pitstop. With soft lighting and wood-panelled furniture, the cafe interior exemplifies the quintessential minimalist approach to life that the Japanese ace. Food options here are pretty limited, so it’s best to stop by for a caffeine-only boost.

Maison Libanaise

Hummus is my weakness – and this Lebanese restaurant does it fantastically well, from its texture to its flavour. If you need a dim sum detox, this cheery, three-storey outfit in Central is the place to be. They have great value-for-money lunch sets where you can sample yummy offerings like baba ganoush (a charred eggplant dip). Another plus: Grab a post-dinner tipple at its chill rooftop bar.

Yardbird

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For yakitori, always swipe right. #SUNDAYSGRAM

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It’s the yakitori joint that everyone wants to pay a visit to, and it sure lived up to the hype. Every skewer we ordered was grilled and seasoned perfectly, and we particularly liked the fried corn fritter balls too. Service staff here are the friendliest folks we’ve met, too. Go hungry and go early – spots were filled up almost instantaneously when doors opened at 6pm.

Gentle Monster

The Korean eyewear brand’s flagship in Causeway Bay is worth checking out, not just for its wide selection of chic sunnies but also for its stylish store aesthetic. Resembling a subway train, the store interior is decked out in the prettiest pastel hues.

Asterisk

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We chanced upon this boutique in Tai Ping Shan and spotted some Supreme x Commes des Garcons t-shirts within (and you know how highly in demand that collection was). Expect to find lots of vintage or second-hand treasures here, from luxury brands like Chanel and sportswear giants like Nike and Adidas.

Woaw

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This lifestyle store stocks a wide range of accessories, from French eyewear label See Concept to cool tech gadgets by Native Union. Things here may be quirkily designed, but they all are practical and functional – and you never know what you might stumble upon.

Uber Tunique

For simple yet sophisticated jewellery, head to Uber Tunique’s boutiques in Causeway Bay or Wan Chai. Ranging from dainty bracelets and rings to colourful clutches, the pieces are great for folks who are into sculptural designs that are great for the everyday.

PMQ

In a former police dormitory in Central, this compound is occupied by arty designers and creatives spanning the fields of fashion, lifestyle and beauty. Take at least half a day to explore its corridors, and check out cool stores like Stockholm, which imports beauty products and slick raincoats directly from Sweden; The Refinery, an accessory store which frequently collaborates with artists to design exclusive products; and Cecilia Ma, who specialises in hand-illustrated box clutches with cheeky sayings.

 

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