Lamma is famous for its seafood and seafront tables, often difficult to come by at weekends.

Address: 5 Main Street

Tel: 2982 1112

Opening hours: 11am-10pm daily

Outdoor seating: 100

Indoor seating: 30

Food: Fresh seafood from the tanks at market prices such as the ubiquitous fried chilli claims and black bean sauce ($48) and chilli prawns ($120)

Drinks: Beer (tall bottle) $30, house wine (glass), $45

Recommended: Lobster with cheese sauce ($100-$400, depending on weight); lobster $256 per catty

Sampan Seafood

Probably the most well-known of Lamma's waterfront establishments.

Address: 16 Main Street

Tel: 2982 2388

Outdoor seating: 120

Indoor seating: 30

Opening hours: 6am-10.30pm daily; dim sum until 10.30am

Food: Classic Cantonese seafood at market prices such as fried squid ($58) and sauteed scallops ($95)

Drinks: Beer (tall bottle) $28, house wine (glass) $40

Recommended: Deep-fried whole snapper with sweet and sour sauce ($120)

Spicy Island

Popular local hangout offering reasonable Indian fare with tables looking on to greenery as opposed to water. With a tiny, but well-frequented, bar.

Address: 23 Main Street

Tel: 2982 0830

Opening hours: 11am-midnight daily

Outdoor seating: 30

Indoor seating: 35

Food: All the subcontinental curry and tandoori favourites such as prawn karai ($65)

Drinks: Beer (small bottles) $30, house wine (glass) $30

Recommended: Chicken tikka masala ($50) and Goa fish curry ($55)

Specials: Five-course set dinner ($60); lunch of curry with rice, salad and soft drink ($45)

B&B

Lamma's own Western/Cantonese dai pai dong in elegant (by Lamma standards) surrounds. Not five-star food, but it tries hard and its set meals couldn't be cheaper.

Address: 22 Main Street

Tel: 2982 4388

Opening hours: 11.30am-11.30pm daily

Outdoor seating: 35

Indoor seating: 50

Food: A wide range of basic meals and its own variety of fusion such as baked mussels with bacon and onion appetiser ($48) and barbecued chicken steak ($68)

Drinks: Carlsberg or Tsingtao beer (pint) $35, house wine (glass) $40-$50

Recommended: Barbecued king prawns and beef tenderloin ($128) served with soup of the day and garlic bread

Specials: These change daily and are the real attractions. Mon-Fri set lunch $32-$38. The day we visited a dinner of grilled sole with vegetables, soup, garlic bread and soft drink was $48

Bluebird

A real treasure, this Japanese restaurant is one of Hong Kong's best-kept secrets, offering superbly fresh fare at bargain prices.

Address: 24 Main Street

Tel: 2982 0687

Opening hours: Noon-1am

Accepts: Cash only

Outdoor seating: 30

Indoor seating: 30

Food: Many Japanese favourites with a teppanyaki speciality. Deluxe assorted sashimi ($110)

Drinks: Sapporo beer (small bottle) $18, sake $45 (180ml)

Recommended: Try the teppanyaki seafood set ($130), which includes appetiser, salad, assorted sashimi, grilled seafood, fried mixed vegetables, rice, miso soup and ice cream.

Specials: Lunch sets, noon-5pm such as silver cod fish miso-style with fried mixed vegetables, rice, miso soup and dessert ($55), jumbo seafood ramen with salmon hand roll, appetizer and dessert ($40)

Deli Lamma

No visit to Lamma is complete without dropping in on Praful Ambekar who has run this island institution for 11 years, a consistent eatery that is also known for its lively bar and great waterside tables.

Address: 36 Main Street

Tel: 2982 1583

Opening hours: 9am-2am daily

Outdoor seating: 40

Indoor seating: 40

Food: A good range of Indian dishes and everything from full English breakfast ($70) to pizza (try a boti kebab variety, $75) and chicken shaslik ($70)

Drinks: Beer (pint) $20 until 5pm, $25 until 8pm, $35 thereafter, house wine (glass) $20 until 8pm, $30 after

Recommended: Fish mexicana, ling fish with sauteed asparagus and mango and tomato salsa ($80), prawns with Jack Daniels sauce served with mixed vegetables in a cola sauce ($105)

Specials: Sunday thali, five vegie dishes, samosa, roti, dahl and dessert ($70)

Lamma Bistro

Adding a European touch of class to Main Street, this outdoor-only restaurant offers a good tapas selection and Western dishes.

Address: 44 Main Street

Tel: 2982 4343

Opening hours: 11.30am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-11pm weekends

Outdoor seating: 28

Food: Sunday roasts ($88) have just been reintroduced.

Drinks: Carlsberg (pint) $30, house wine (glass) $30

Recommended: tapas selection ($115)

Bookworm Cafe

Vegetarian delight that uses as many organic ingredients as possible and also serves as a Whole Earth centre and occasional venue for live performances. May soon serve organic wines if import licence bid is successful.

Address: 79 Main Street

Tel: 2982 4838

Opening hours:10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm Sat, 9am-9pm Sun

Outdoor seating: 20

Indoor seating: 40

Food: Good range of salads, soups and mains such as veggie shepherdess pie with salad ($60) and green goddess lasagne ($70)

Drinks: Lassi from $20-$25, healthy shakes ($35)

Recommended: Weekend brunch 9am-2pm including organic Eggs Florentine ($60).

Sok Kwu Wan

This small, relaxed village is lined with classic Cantonese seafood restaurants that all enjoy waterfront positions.

Wan Kee

The name means Wan's shop.

Address: 28 First Street

Tel: 2982 8548

Opening hours: 10am-midnight daily

Outdoor seating only: 160

Food: Seafood at market prices including deep-fried squid ($50)

Drinks: Beer (tall bottle) $28, wine $100-$380 bottle

Recommended: Pepper prawns, large prawns $160 per catty

Specials: five-course set meal for two-to-three people including fried prawns and clams for $230

Rainbow

Well-known group of three restaurants on the Sok Kwu Wan waterfront.

Address: 1A-1B, 23-24, 16-20 First Street

Tel: 2982 8100

Opening hours: 11.30am-10pm daily

Outdoor seating: 500

Indoor seating: 130

Food: Try the steamed garoupa (from $160) and spicy prawns ($160 per catty)

Drinks: beer (tall bottles) $25, an extensive wine and champagne list with house wine from $30 (glass)

Recommended: Crab with black pepper and honey ($100 for small servings)

Specials: Free ferry service with reservations from Queens Pier, Central, or Tsim Sha Tsui (by arrangement). Inquiries: 2982 8100

Tai Yuen

Friendly staff in this family-owned establishment create a pleasant atmosphere.

Address: 15 First Street

Tel: 2982 8386

Opening hours: 10am-11pm

Outdoor seating: 140

Indoor seating: 48

Food: Seafood at market prices and a large vegetarian selection from $35

Drinks: Beer (tall bottle) $25, bottle wine from $120

Recommended: Deep-fried calamari ($45, small), salt and pepper prawns (small prawns half catty $60-$80)

Specials: Ten-course meal for 12, including prawns, clams, calamari and steamed fish, $100 per person with one soft drink or beer each

Others:

Wai Kee

3-4 First Street

2982 8135

Lamma Fortune

5 First St

2982 8142

Mo Tat Wan

Twenty minutes walk from Sok Kwu Wan or a short ferry ride from Aberdeen, this quiet little beach enjoys a great view.

Cococabana

This former boathouse is now one of our most unique restaurants.

Address: G/F,7 Mo Tat Wan

Tel: 2328 2138

Opening hours: Noon-10pm daily

Outdoor seating: 32

Indoor seating: 80

Food: Meditterean-style food, including tapas, washed down with jugs of sangria.

Drinks: Beer (small bottles) $33; house wine (glass) $39

Recommended: Fried shrimps ($98) and African chicken ($138).

Specials: Latin band Havana Libre play every Fri night, and possibly Sun soon.

Next week: Lantau