Top Lunch Deals in Central and SoHo
So it’s lunchtime, you’re starving, and you’re feeling poor. Don’t feel like another plate of cha siu fan? Sure, there are loads of restaurants in Central and SoHo—but which ones can scratch your stomach’s budget-conscious itch? Read on, and feed yourself on words—they’re free…
Central
Fresh
For a quick, tasty bite, stop by Fresh in Lan Kwai Fong for sandwiches, salads, pizzas and more. If you’d like to sit and enjoy your meal instead of going for takeaway or delivery, you’re welcome to stay, take a break, and people-watch. Oh look, there’s that guy who’s still drunk from spending 48 hours straight in Insomnia. Fresh’s prices are reasonable, with sandwiches available for $40 to $80, and they also have a number of cakes if you are craving something a little sweeter.
11am-2pm. 18 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2868-3716.
Mana! Fast Slow Food
Have too many late nights and junk food binges left you craving a healthier lunch? Mana is your best bet for a delicious, reasonably priced vegetarian meal. With a cool, rustic interior and a menu that even a carnivore couldn’t resist, Mana is a restaurant with a mission, promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. With wraps, salads, juices, and more, you’re sure to leave Mana full, happy—and with your conscience cleared. Prices for main courses range from as low as $30 for a plain flatbread to $100 for a mezze platter.
All day. 92 Wellington St., Central, 2851-1611.
Goccia
Here’s a real Italian gem that deserves to be near the top of anyone’s list of go-to lunch spots. With a delicious set-lunch menu ranging from $138 to $178 that’s full of pastas, pizza, seafood and more, you can choose a two-, three-, or four-course meal depending on how much time you’ve managed to wrangle out of the office. There’s even an outdoor terrace upstairs if you prefer to savor your meal alongside a lungful of somewhat-fresh Hong Kong air.
Noon-3pm. Shop 2, 73 Wyndham St., Central, 2167-8181.
Le Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon
If you’re more pressed for time than usual, but don’t want to sacrifice on quality just because you’re in a rush, this tea salon on the third floor of the Landmark may be what you’re after. This restaurant offers an impressive range of highly-acclaimed meals and high teas, but if you’re in a rush then takeaway is another attractive option for sampling some fabulous French cuisine. Whether you’re after breads, pastries baked to perfection or satisfying sandwiches (ranging from $55 to $85), there are plenty of ready-made options to walk away with.
Noon-2:30pm. Shop 315, 3/F, The Landmark, 16 Des Voeux Rd. Central, 2166-9088.
SoHo
Motorino
Just opened in March, this new pizza joint hails all the way from New York and it’s well on its way to becoming one of SoHo’s next dining hotspots. There’s a range of fresh antipasti and pizza options with loads of tempting toppings and a number of wines to pair, so it’s no wonder the resto has created such a buzz on the dining scene. A set lunch menu offers your choice from four types of mouthwatering pizzas, a salad, and a soft drink for only $118. Sounds like the perfect easy lunch to us.
Noon-4pm. 14 Shelley St., Central, 2801-6881.
The Globe
Whoever said the English can’t cook clearly hasn’t checked out The Globe. It’s got all the perks of a cosy pub—but with air-con—and a tasty and diverse menu that will put your previous assumptions about British food to shame. With a robust international beer selection and classic favorites such as lamb rack, fish and chips, salads and more, this is the perfect spot to catch a lunchtime game on the big screen TVs and enjoy a hearty meal served by a warm, accommodating staff. Set lunch prices are $135 for two courses, and $150 for three.
Noon-3pm. G/F, Garley Building, 45-53 Graham St., Central, 2543-1941.
Soho Spice
With unbeatable flavors and a large menu of noodles, meats, rice dishes, soups, salads, and pretty much anything else you could want, Soho Spice is a great place to stop off for a South-east Asian lunch during a busy work week. The food is a contemporary twist on classic Vietnamese and Thai tastes, and given its cool, sophisticated setting it’s no wonder this joint has a loyal following in Soho. That following also means it gets pretty busy at peak hours, so book ahead if you can. Set menus, which are priced between $88 and $118 for several dishes, are for two or more people, so be sure to bring your co-workers along to take advantage of the deal.
Noon-3pm. 47B Elgin St., Central, 2521-1600.
Jaspa’s SoHo
Got a large appetite and some time to spare? SoHo old hand Jaspa’s is a great place to catch a casual, cheap lunch with co-workers and enjoy some real downtime. With a lunch set of starters, mains, and dessert for only $118, the Western-style menu offers heaped portions, so sharing is ideal. And with scrumptious burgers, meat dishes, pasta, pizzas, salads—and even vegetarian options—you can’t go wrong.
Noon-3pm. 28-30 Staunton St., Central, 2869-0733.
Ricos
Spain takes on SoHo at this resto on the corner of Shelley and Elgin Streets. Offering the finest in Spanish cuisine, from delicious paellas to spicy seafood soups, this spot has a diverse tapas menu that makes it perfect for sharing lunch (and even sangrias) with friends. For only $78, you’ll get four courses from a set lunch menu that changes every three days, plus a coffee or tea.
Noon-2:30pm. UG, 51 Elgin St., Central, 2840-0937.
