Restaurant review: M&S Café in Mong Kok– cheap and tasty rest stop after a hard day’s shopping

In-store restaurant serves products from British chain’s food section: hot dishes from the microwave and delicious cakes and sandwiches washed down with cups of tea

Hong Kong budget eats

Elaine Yauin Beijing

Published: 7:00am, 1 Dec 2016

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Marks & Spencer has recently opened a café inside its supermarket in Langham Place in Mong Kok.

Although the M&S Café boasts a simple set-up with only a few seats, there are some surprises on offer.

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The afternoon tea set (HK$179 for two) comes in three tiers, with classic British treats such as Scottish smoked salmon cheese sandwiches, tuna and cucumber sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, scones and chocolate cake, which can be washed down with a nice cup of tea.

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Although not as dainty as those served in high-end cafés, the cakes and sandwiches were delicious and the tea set is reasonably priced.

We also liked the crushed avocado on toast (HK$49 for two pieces). The avocado came in a creamy and generous layer on top of chewy bread.

Mixed vegetable masala with pilau rice and naan bread (HK$79) was disappointing. The sauce was too sour with too much tomato, and the rice and bread were hard and dry, tasting as if the dish spent too long in the microwave.

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But the spaghetti Bolognese (HK$79) was much better. Although a bit oily, the rich tomato sauce with beef and cheese had a lot of flavour, and the pasta came with soft garlic bread and fresh salad.

We would also recommend the nachos (HK$49): crunchy corn chips slathered with sour cream, cheese and spicy tomato sauce.

The soup offerings are the same as those sold in the supermarket section, and microwaved to order. The minestrone (HK$29) with mixed vegetables and noodles was filling and appetising.

Although only a simple café that serves products from the M&S supermarket, this is a nice rest stop for those who are peckish after a long day of shopping.

M&S Café, Shop 25, Basement 2, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, tel: 2415 8300. Open: 8am-11pm

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