Aqua
Location, location, location. Perched on the top floor of One Peking Road, this sleek spot has unbeatable views of the harbor. It’s split into three venues: Aqua Tokyo serves Japanese food, Aqua Roma serves Italian, and up on the mezzanine floor is Aqua Spirit, a divine bar. The interiors are uber-chic, with plenty of glass and mirrors, sexy light fixtures with dangling silver beads and three tiers of plush seating. Excellent food, attentive service and innovative dishes—you just have to give it to Aqua Group restaurateur Calvin Yeung. Don’t go home without trying the lychee martini.
29/F-30/F One Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3427-2288
Morton’s
One of the best steak restaurants in Hong Kong, with prices to match. Expect huge slabs of prime, aged beef and what look like the winning entries in a vegetable show. The appetizers will also win you over. The “show and tell” trolley covered with various cuts, broccoli, asparagus and large Idaho potatoes is also helpful, if a little stagey, but the service is impeccable. The manager recommends the lobster cocktail and the bone-in rib-eye. For dessert, indulge in Key lime pie and New York cheesecake.
4/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2732-2343
One Harbour Road
Of all the fine Chinese restaurants in our many luxury hotels, this is one of the classiest. Tables are generously spaced over two floors—other diners seem miles away—and the downstairs area features a stone lily pond. The food is graceful and sumptuous, with a focus on luxury ingredients such as abalone. There is an extensive wine list specially selected to pair with Chinese flavors. Takeaway is available but why would you want to eat anywhere else?
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., 2584-7938
Pearl on the Peak
This is destination dining, with 270-degree views, 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, great food, cool design and attentive, friendly service. When we went we started with an innovative amuse bouche of crisped hibiscus flower with wilderness honey and aromatic spices. The menu has changed but still includes plenty of steaks, seafood and game and, of course, the signature pearl meat. Desserts are fantastically artistic and delicious.
Level 1, The Peak Tower, The Peak, 2849-5123
Steak House Wine Bar & Grill
Gorgeous wine bar, killer harbor view, and stunning steak, perhaps the best in the city. This place celebrates beef with an amazing range of cuts: USDA certified prime beef (New York strip, rib-eye, petit filet mignon, center cut, filet mignon and a Chateaubriand for two); Australian wagyu and Black Angus; and Argentinean and Canadian strip loin, all grilled to order on the city’s only charcoal grill (the government won’t issue any more approvals). Choose your own knife, a sauce and natural rock salts from around the world to accompany your feast. The salad bar boasts 24 kinds of fresh veggies to get things started on what will be a meal to remember. Terrific.
18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313-2405
Top Deck
What was once a mahjong parlor for the staff of the floating Jumbo Kingdom restaurant is now a gorgeous alfresco destination dining spot. Though the giant restaurant boat is generally considered a tourist trap, the Café Deco Group has created a real gem, where you can munch on jet-fresh oysters and Tasmanian salmon while relaxing in huge lounge chairs. Good for a long Sunday brunch and private parties. The menu covers virtually every corner of the globe, which could be worrisome, except they have a Japanese chef at the massive sushi bar and an Indian cook manning the tandoori oven.
Jumbo Floating Restaurant, Aberdeen (boat from Shum Wan Pier), 2552-3331
