Cuisine: International

Specialities: Buffet

Wine list: 250 wines and champagnes from

15 countries, and 15 wines by the glass

Average food cost: $210

Opening hours: 6.30am-1am

Remarks: Creative all-day dining offering free choice from a range of international cuisines presented buffet style, with many dishes flamboyantly prepared at a choice of seven cooking theatres.

DAN RYAN'S CHICAGO GRILL

Shop 114, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2845 4600

Cuisine: American-Chicago

Specialities: Steaks, seafood, ribs, burgers

Wine list: Over 20 international choices

Average food cost: $150

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-midnight;

Sat-Sun 10am-midnight

Remarks: Fans swear by the ribs and seafood, and say the burgers are the best in town. The location is a great respite from taxingly glamorous Pacific Place.

FISH BAR

Level 7, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2841 3858

Cuisine: Seafood

Specialities: Seafood

Wine list: International

Average food cost: $400

Opening hours: Noon-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm

Remarks: A poolside seafood restaurant with good harbour views, serving classic seasonal dishes based on the freshest catch of the day. A popular lunch rendezvous spot.

GARDEN CAFE

Conrad International Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2521 3838 (ext 8220)

Cuisine: International

Specialities: Buffet, pasta, coffee, cakes, desserts

Wine list: Yes

Average food cost: $200

Opening hours: 6.30am-11.30pm

Remarks: A coffee shop and unlikely alfresco dining spot in Pacific Place serving a poolside buffet and barbecue dishes and various other western and Southeast Asian staples.

GRAPPA'S RISTORANTE

Shop 132, Level 1, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2868 0086

Cuisine: Italian

Specialities: Pizzas, pasta, cakes, desserts

Wine list: Wines from all regions

Average food cost: $400-$500

Opening hours: 11am-midnight

Remarks: This see-and-be-seen venue serves up home-style Italian recipes made of carefully sourced ingredients from Italy, as well as imported fine cheeses and home-baked bread.

JW'S CALIFORNIA

Level 5, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2841 3899

Cuisine: Pacific Rim and Japanese

Specialities: Sushi, seafood

Wine list: Over 150 bottles, mostly Californian and Australian

Average food cost: Lunch $200-$300, dinner $400-$500

Opening hours: Noon-3pm, 6pm -11pm

Remarks: The justly renowned sushi bar leads into a fine Californian-style restaurant serving imaginative modern American cuisine. The list of North American wines is well selected.

LA FOURCHETTE

LG/F, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2522 8830

Cuisine: Modern French

Specialities: Pasta, steaks, coffee, cakes, desserts

Wine list: Red, white and champagne

Average food cost: Lunch $180, dinner

$200-$250

Opening hours: 11am-midnight

Remarks: A modern bistro frequented by tai tais and bon viveurs. Some great wines and modern French dishes spiced up with flavours from beyond France's borders.

LIPPO CHIUCHOW RESTAURANT

G/F, Lippo Centre, Queensway, Admiralty

Telephone: 2845 4151

Cuisine: Chiu Chow

Specialities: Dim sum, noodles, seafood, desserts, shark's fin, abalone, bird's nest

Wine list: International

Average food cost: $150-$200

Opening hours: 11am-4.30pm, 5.30pm-11.30pm

Remarks: Famous for its poached cold crab, this restaurant serves traditional Chiu Chow dishes with a modern touch in a sophisticated environment. Look out for the seasonal specials.

LOBSTER BAR AND GRILL

Level 6, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Supreme Court Road, Central

Telephone: 2820 8560

Cuisine: International

Specialities: Pasta, steaks, curry, seafood, coffee, cakes, desserts

Wine list: More than 200 choices

Average food cost: $380

Opening hours: Sun-Thu noon-1am;

Fri, Sat & PH noon-2am

Remarks: A wide choice of fresh seafood specialities including lobster and oysters from around the world. Recently renovated to extend the bar. Great service and evening cocktail jazz.

METROPOLITAN CAFE

LG/F, Shop 008, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Telephone: 2918 0882

Cuisine: American-New York Deli

Specialities: Pasta

Wine list: Yes

Average food cost: $70

Opening hours: 8am-9pm

Remarks: This New York-style deli is well-suited to high-traffic Pacific Place, with its American breakfasts, rotisserie chicken, paninis and people-watching.

NADAMAN

Level 7, Island Shangri-La, Supreme Court Road, Central

Telephone: 2820 8570

Cuisine: Japanese

Specialities: Sushi, kaiseki, sashimi and teppanyaki

Wine list: Hot, cold and sparkling sake, and shochu

Average food cost: Lunch $200-$300, dinner $450-$600

Opening hours: 12.30pm-2.30pm; 6.30pm-10.30pm

Remarks: A large selection of gourmet Japanese dishes served in minimalist designer surroundings and commanding great harbour views. Kaiseki sets and the sushi bar are recommended.

RESTAURANT PETRUS

Level 56, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Supreme Court Road, Central

Telephone: 2820 8590

Cuisine: French

Specialities: Pasta, steaks, seafood, coffee, cakes, desserts

Wine list: The cellar stocks 11,600 bottles of 900 international choices

Average food cost: Breakfast $220, lunch $400, dinner $1,000

Opening hours: 7am-10am, 12.30pm-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm

Remarks: Restaurant Petrus epitomises excellence in French haute cuisine, and a superb cellar houses probably the city's largest collection of Petrus and other fine Bordeaux wines.

RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

G/F, Lippo Centre, Admiralty

Telephone: 2522 9090

Cuisine: American steakhouse

Specialities: Steaks, seafood

Wine list: Award-winning list, mainly French, American and Australian

Average food cost: $500-$800

Opening hours: Noon-11pm

Remarks: Specialising in the finest quality steaks and seafood, served with New Orleans flair in a reassuringly old-fashioned club-like atmosphere. Don't miss the magnificent blue crab cakes.

SUMMER PALACE

Level 5, Island Shangri-La, Supreme Court Road, Central

Telephone: 2820 8552

Cuisine: Cantonese

Specialities: Dim sum, noodles, seafood, coffee, desserts

Wine list: More than 900 international choices from the master wine list

Average food cost: Lunch $200, dinner $400

Opening hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm

Remarks: The best of the best Cantonese cuisine by Master Chef Lee Keung, as well as some dishes from other regions in China. Also known for its great dim sum.

THAI BASIL

Shop 005, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2537 4682

Cuisine: Thai

Specialities: Curry, rice-paper rolls, desserts

Wine list: Red and white from around the world

Average food cost: Lunch $130, dinner $170

Opening hours: 11.30am-11pm

Remarks: Modern Thai food, attractively and imaginatively presented. Try the lamb rack in green curry, and the crab tempura rice-paper rolls, but leave some room for the excellent desserts.

YE SHANGHAI, HONG KONG

Level 3, Pacific Place, Admiralty

Telephone: 2918 9833

Cuisine: Shanghainese

Specialities: Dim sum, noodles, seafood, desserts

Wine list: 16 white, 14 red, Chinese wine

Average food cost: $250

Opening hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-11.30pm

Remarks: Traditional and modern Shanghainese food served in a retro 1920s setting. Drunken chicken and stir-fried river shrimps are house specialities. Live music in the evening.