The seafood tanks in this naturally blessed area are the most spectacular in Hong Kong, overflowing with species of fish and crustaceans that have clearly served to fire the imaginations of sci-fi writers over the years. The waterfront restaurants, too many to list here, where you can also pick up live delicacies to take home, whip up gob-smackingly fresh Cantonese-style seafood. But the gastronomic tour de force certainly doesn't end there as Sai Kung also offers a superb range of international treats. Tung Kee Seafood Restaurant As with all of the promenade's seafood restaurants, the prices vary according to seasonal adjustments. Address: 96-102 Man Nin Street Tel: 2791 9886 Opening hours: 24 hours daily; dim sum 5.30am-4pm, seafood 11am-3am Outdoor seating: 80-100 Indoor seating: 50-60 Food: seafood at market prices such as deep-fried squid ($68) and other dishes including barbecued pork ($60) Drinks: beer (tall bottle) $34, house wine (bottle) $150 Recommended: lobster sashimi (about $192 per catty) Specials: beer $22 before 5pm and after 10pm Hung Kee Seafood Restaurant A bustling eatery popular with locals. Address: 4-8 Hoi Pong Square Tel: 2792 1348 Opening hours: 6.30am-midnight Outdoor seating: 180 Indoor seating: 700 Food: seafood at market prices, lobster is $128-$168 per catty Drinks: beer (tall bottle) $32, wine from $120 (bottle) Recommended: steamed stuffed cuttlefish ($65) and braised shrimp with tomato sauce ($100) Specials: 10-course menu for 12 people, including steamed garoupa and scampi, $1,980 Chung Thai Seafood Restaurant One of the most popular, with prime waterfront tables. Address: G/F, 93 Man Nin Street Tel: 2792 9763 Opening hours: daily 6am-2pm (dim sum), 10am-11pm Food: classic Cantonese seafood at competitive prices Drinks: beer (tall bottle) $28; Mateus wine (bottle) $150 Recommended: steamed prawns are sweet and succulent and need little adornment Specials: there are various set menus to choose from depending on group size. An eight-course menu for five to eight people including lobster with cheese sauce, clams, scallops and prawns is $150 per person. Portofino Having moved recently from its more central location, this Mediterranean-inspired eatery now boasts a sea view. Address: shop 3, G/F, Hoi Pong Square Tel: 2791 5818 Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm, weekends 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: 20-25 Indoor seating: 12 Food: a good range of dishes, including paella with seafood and chicken ($125 for two) Drink: no liquor licence at the time of visit. Please call to check Recommended: Linguine with clams in white wine and garlic ($85) Specials: three-course lunch with pasta $38; three-course meal for two with pasta and barbecue ribs $198; weekend brunch (11am-1pm) of egg dish served with french fries, salad, fruit and tea/coffee $58; weekend tea set (3pm-6pm) $32 Thai Beach An exotic establishment by the sea that, on any fine day, may 'make you feel like you're basking in the sun in Pattaya', according to its owner. Address: shop 1, Siu Yat Building, Hoi Pong Square Tel: 2791 1561 Opening hours: daily 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: 40-50 Indoor seating: 40-50 Food: a variety of Thai dishes such as the popular assorted seafood ($188 for two) featuring crab, shrimps, prawns and mussels; red king salmon with red curry sauce ($48) Drinks: chardonnay from Australia (bottle) $158 Recommended: home-made spring rolls ($48) Specials: recent promotion for Singha beer at $15 (normal price: $22). And three sets of meals that cater for two/four/six persons at $168/$318/$548, with a wide range of selections including tom yum koong, pad Thai and fried clams. Anthony's Catch A small yet popular eatery offering fresh seafood and friendly American-style service. Address: 1826B Po Tung Road Tel: 2792 8474/2792 8444 Opening hours: Sunday brunch, 10.30am-3.30pm, Monday-Sunday dinner, 6pm-10pm or later Outdoor seating: 40 Indoor seating: 25 Food: menu is updated every day but clams and mussels from New Zealand ($70/$140 for half/full portion each) are available all year round. Menu details available on anthonyscatch.com Drinks: beer (bottle) $30, wine (bottle) starts at $180 Special: Sunday brunch ($200 per head), Boston lobster set ($250) including mussels, clams, potato and corn every Thursday night with live jazz and blues. An additional $100 will buy you an all-you-can-drink deal. Pepperonis A relaxing hangout by a quiet road serving inexpensive Italian cuisine. Address: 1592 Po Tung Road (round the corner from Honeymoon Dessert) Tel: 2792 2083 Opening hours: 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: 24 Indoor seating: 44 Food: all at reasonable prices such as the popular New Orlean pizza ($70/$115 for small/large size) Drinks: beer (bottle) $25, red wine (glass) $35 Recommended: the chunky dinosaur ribs ($95) prepared with barbecue sauce Specials: set lunch on weekdays at $48 with garlic bread, a main course out of seven options and ice cream as dessert Sauce Contemporary international cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming setting. This popular local is the place for everything from a chilled brunch over the Sunday paper to celebratory dinners. Address: 9 Sha Tsui Path Tel: 2791 2348 Opening hours: weekdays, midday-11pm; weekends 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: 20 Indoor seating: 24-40 Food: wide range of excellent international and Mediterranean-inspired dishes including full breakfast ($68), pastas (from $32) and large salads ($45) Drinks: beer (small bottle) $35, wine (glass) from $44 Recommended: tenderloin fillet with green peppercorn sauce, parmesan mash and vegetables ($135); barbecued marinated red snapper served with red and yellow pepper mash, leeks and asparagus ($98) Specials: char-grilled chicken salad ($68), fresh tagliatelle with pork sausages ($88) Live tunes from the stars of the local music scene on Monday nights. Jaspers The original in what is now a group that includes an outlet in SoHo and Pepperonis, Al Frescos and Jaccs. Self-described as five-star fusion. Relaxed and child-friendly. Address: 12 Sha Tsui Path Tel: 2792 6388 Opening hours: 8am-late daily Outdoor seating: 20 Indoor seating: 40-45 Food: the sort of menu you would expect in an upmarket Sydney cafe offering Australian-style fusion such as Aussie T-bone steak served with wasabi mash and vegetables ($135) Drinks: Carlsberg (pint) $50, house wine (glass) $50 Recommended: Moreton Bay bugs ($155) or in a salad ($110) Specials: three-course dinner for two with soft drink ($290), children's menu ($45) Osteria No 1 Simply the best Italian in Sai Kung, home-made by Claudio Conforti, formerly assistant manager of Jaspers, and his family. If you can't make it to Italy, this is the next best thing. Address: 183D Po Tung Road Tel: 2792 5296 Opening hours: 10am-10.30pm daily Outdoor seating: 24 Indoor seating: 40 Food: The real deal when it comes to a wide range of Italian dishes such as pizza ($90) Drinks: Becks (pint) $50, an extensive wine list starts from $50 glass Recommended: home-made pasta either made or supervised by Conforti's mum, fettuccini paglia e fieno (with green peas, parma ham and mushrooms) $80; lasagna ($80); risotto with seafood ($80) one-thirtyone Its secluded and solitary location makes this high-end French restaurant a favourite of celebrities and the well-to-do. Address: 131 Tseng Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung Tel: 2791 2684 Opening hours: Tue-Sun, dinner from 7pm-close; lunch from 12.30pm on Sat-Sun. Reservations a day ahead required Outdoor seating: 20 Indoor seating: 20 Food: five-course lunch $500 a head and seven-course dinner $800. Menu designed by the chef changes daily but can be adjusted for clients on request. Both the main dish and starter offer two options. Drinks: beer (bottle) $40, house wine (glass) $70 Near Sai Kung Sha Kiu Seafood Restaurant Out-of-the-way location that takes a 60-minute boat ride along the Sai Kung coast or a two-hour walk from Pak Tam Chung to reach. But many sampan-loads of get-away diners and hikers think it's all worth it considering the delicious seafood. Address: Leung Shuen Wan, High Island Tel: 2792 4733 Opening hours: 11am-flexible closing time Outdoor seating: 150 Indoor seating: 150 Food: A plethora of seafood supplied either by trawlers, fish merchants or Sai Kung village. Dishes are prepared in Chinese or Western style upon request, with the former being lighter and the latter spicier. Drinks: beer $30, house wine (bottle) $110 Recommended: fried squid ($80), black pepper and salted prawns (about $100 per catty) Specials: Staff can arrange a speedboat back to Sai Kung ($200, maximum of three people) Tai Po Little Egret Restaurant Occupying the ground floor of a South European-style building, this eatery commands a pleasant view of a lake and offers medium-priced international cuisines. Address: 2 Hung Lung Drive Tel: 2657 6628 Opening hours: 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: 100 Indoor seating: 250 Food: international dishes ranging from baked American sirloin in Paris sauce ($178) to African chicken ($88). Also available are tailor-made dishes (ordered in advance) Drinks: Lowenbrau beer (bottle) $25, house red wine (glass) $38 Recommended: baked giant mushroom ($60), tagliolini ($82) Specials: set dinner for two, $388 Yucca De Lac Restaurant A 41-year-old establishment in a tea garden setting that has been the backdrop of numerous films. Talk of its demolition for redevelopment has been in the air for years but, thankfully, has never materialised Address: Tai Po Road, Ma Liu Shui Tel: 2691 1630 Opening hours: 11am-11pm Outdoor seating: about 200 Indoor seating: about 150 Food: Guangdong cuisine such as panfried flat noodles with beef ($75) Drinks: beer (can) $32, red wine (bottle) about $200 Recommended: roast pigeon ($78) Special: five-course set meal for two ($400)