The F&B industry in Hong Kong is going through a tough time at the moment, with restaurant restrictions impacting their bottom line, but that has not stopped progress. Many bars and restaurants have pivoted, creating exciting new menus to cater to the growing daytime crowd, while several concepts have expanded to new locations in anticipation of better times ahead. There are a lot of new and exciting dining and drinking options to check out once time allows – and we hope everyone stays safe in the meantime. New openings 1. Clarence Fans of L’Envol and chef Olivier Elzer will soon have a new location to admire his creations at. There isn’t a lot of information about this new venture apart from its name and that it will open in Central after the Lunar New Year holiday. We’re definitely intrigued. H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central Where to eat in Hong Kong (and Macau) in January – 15 new menus to try 2. Testina One of Milan’s hottest restaurants is opening a reimagined version of its concept in Hong Kong. Working with chef Diego Rossi and partner Pietro Caroli (of the famed Trippa Milano), Testina will be a modern Italian diner with chef Marco Xodo, previously chef de cuisine 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Shanghai, in the kitchens. If ZS Hospitality’s success with Hansik Goo and Whey is anything to go by, then Testina will be one to watch. 3/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central 3. Mora Founder and executive chef Vicky Lau of two Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room is opening the new restaurant Mora on Upper Lascar Row in Sheung Wan. It’s an interesting concept that features the soybean as the star of the show. We look forward to the creativity of the menu to come. 40 Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan 3. AMA Ristorante View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paolo Monti (@paolo_monti_chefhk) Head to Wan Chai for authentic Roman-style cuisine. Look forward to pasta, tripe and Italian roast beef, plus an unmissable tiramisu. Expect top-notch ingredients. 25/F, 208 Johnston Road, Wan Chai 4. Kuromaru Those who love Japanese whisky will be happy to know that the people behind Mizumara have opened a second bar on Mallory Street in Wan Chai. However, shochu cocktails and music are the order of the day. Alongside concoctions that will shine a new light on shochu are delicious bar bites that include karaage fried chicken, mentaiko pasta and Wagyu burgers. 1/F, 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai 5. Orka A new hang-out for healthy bites just opened on Wyndham Street. Orka, meaning energy in Swedish, offers health-conscious options from multi-course meals to grab- and-go tea and smoothies. There are gut-healthy dishes on the all-day à la carte menu such as the vegan Beet This Soup and Bibambap Zen – rice, fresh veggies, kimchi and either a light beef tartare or soy-marinated jackfruit. 36 Wyndham Street, Central Hong Kong’s 11 best Lunar New Year poon chois for every palate 6. Nagamoto For those who miss the exquisite dishes from Kashiwaya, you’re in luck. Teruhiko Nagamoto, the former head chef of the two Michelin-starred institution, is picking up where the much-missed restaurant left off and opening a shun -style omakase. Promising a focus on seasonal ingredients from Japan and an open kitchen to showcase the eponymous chef’s culinary skills, Nagamoto offers diners a culinary journey to remember. 18 On Lan Street, Central 7. Omusubi From the former creative director of Uniqlo comes the cool as a cucumber grab-and-go concept Omusubi. Sustainability is at the forefront of its omusubi and onigiri , two slightly different varieties of the classic rice ball dish. The rice is sourced from eco-minded Japanese farmers, while packaging is made using eco-friendly materials. Pair the parcels with a warming soup to make a perfect quick meal. Shop 1061, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central 8. Yaichi Kura Miss travelling to Japan? Multi-concept space Yaichi Kura will ease some of those pangs. Housed within the 5,100 sq ft space is high-end izakaya Toge by Jyungin, all-day dining venue Eclipse by Luna Café & Bar, bakery Painduce – a popular import from Osaka – and a physical location for Go81.com – an online Japanese speciality store. It looks like more than one visit will be required. 1/F, Imperial Kennedy, 84 Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town 9. The Matcha Tokyo View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE MATCHA TOKYO (@the_matcha_tokyo) Famed green tea aficionados The Matcha Tokyo have landed in Hong Kong. Made with 100 per cent organic green tea, we’re looking forward to their iced matcha, cookies, pound cake, and everything in between. G/F, 8 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay 10. Butahage The purveyors of fine donburi have opened a second location in Kornhill Plaza in Taikoo. To celebrate the occasion, the eatery created a special seafood don – Kani Tendon – with goodies such as fried softshell crab, minced Matsuba crabmeat and crab miso wrapped in seaweed. Don’t forget that the signature Obihiro meibutsu premium rare pork loin don is available too. Shop G3, North, Kornhill Plaza, 1 Kornhill Road, Taikoo Meet Michelle Ma-chan, Hong Kong’s beauty and fine dining queen 11. Sonia Coffee The famed Kyoto coffee roasters have opened a second location in H Code, Central. Exquisite siphon coffee made with house-roasted beans flown in from Japan is what it’s all about, but you can pair this with delicious hot cakes in three new flavours to celebrate the new opening. Stick your fork in mixed berries, chestnut or chocolate brownie flavours or a velvety smooth caramel latte pudding to complete your coffee experience. Shop 2, G/F, The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central 12. Stecco Natura Authentic Italian gelato? Yes, please! From the shores of Sicily comes Stecco Natura and a new location in Tai Kwun. Just in time for Lunar New Year, they have introduced a totally adorable tiger-shaped, mandarin-flavoured ice-pop. We can’t wait to try the natural strawberry and mango flavours. 10&13-G02, Block 10 & 13, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central 13. Ponty Cafe For those who miss the vibrant vibe of The Pontiac because of dining restrictions, fret not – Ponty Cafe is open from 11am to 6pm. With a fresh batch of “daytime” cocktails such as espresso martinis and horchata frappes, there’s also a delicious assortment of melted cheese sandwiches to sink your teeth into. With trademark Ponty vibes, day drinking just became more inclusive. 13 Old Bailey Street, Central New menus and promotions 1. Casa Lisboa and Olé The Lunar New Year holiday is a long time to just be eating poon choi, so refresh your palate with a Portuguese or Spanish brunch at Casa Lisboa or Olé from February 1 to 6. Priced at HK$498 (US$64), diners get stacks of sharing plates such as codfish cakes or gambas al ajillo and a fabulous selection of mains – think traditional paella at Olé or suckling pig at Casa Lisboa. Free flow options are also available. Olé, 1/F, Shun Ho Tower, 24-30 Ice House Street, Central Casa Lisboa, 2/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central 2. Foxglove Jazz fave Foxglove has launched a new line of cocktails to treat your taste buds. Inspired by the iconic song, The Girl from Ipanema , a concoction of Plantation Original Dark Rum, Fernet Hunter, Green Chartreuse, horchata, ginger syrup and a dash of citrus. Other new drinks include Nettai Tropical Jazz and Bloodest Saxophone Smash, named for the Japanese band. While restaurant restrictions are making day drinking in vogue again, why not pair it with some awesome dim sum from the menu? 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central 10 best places to eat char siu in Hong Kong – scored for barbecue delight 3. Locanda Dell’ Angelo Happy Valley favourite Locanda Dell’ Angelo has launched a new set menu. Starting at HK$1,180 (US$150) for four courses, expect modern Italian dishes such as Hokkaido scallops two ways (with Ossetra caviar, avocado and arugula foam), lobster salad (with puntarelle, orange mascarpone cream and hazelnut), and Black Angus beef carpaccio (with sea urchin, pear, quail egg, and Parmesan foam). G/F, 12 Yuen Yuen Street, Happy Valley Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .