6 of Hong Kong's Oldest Restaurants Hiding in Plain Sight

Hong Kong is a city that's steeped in history. From its humble beginnings as a fishing village, through colonialism, World War 2 and much more, the city has retained its charm and appeal as one of Asia's gems. However, as of late, we are seeing a surge of modernism sweeping the city, often at the expense of Hong Kong's heritage and history. Luckily, there are still many historic wonders that remain in this modern metropolis that offer a flavour of what old Hong Kong was like. In this article, we're going over six of Hong Kong's oldest restaurants. We won't be featuring them in any particular order, but each of these stellar locations has a long and storied history to them.

1. Lin Heung Tea House: Opened 1926

If you're in the mood for a heavy dose of nostalgia, look no further than Lin Heung Tea House. This historic location first opened its doors in Guangzhou in 1889 and then subsequently started business in Hong Kong in 1926. As is traditional in many older establishments, dim sum is served on trolleys all throughout the day. Main dishes are served only at night. Should you wish to get a seat at Lin Heung Tea House, you'll have to be prepared to wait in line as the popularity of this Hong Kong mainstay hasn't waned in the decades since it opened.  

2. Tai Ping Koon Restaurant: Opened 1937

Tai Ping Koon follows a similar journey to Lin Heung Tea House in that it was opened first in Guangzhou before moving to Hong Kong. If you need some proof as to how prestigious this establishment is, just remember that Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek, Ho Chi Minh and Chow Yun-fat have all dined at this famous Hong Kong eatery. The food today remains as high quality as in the past and continues to follow its ethos of adding a Chinese twist to Western dishes. 

3. The Peak Lookout: Opened 1947

Located in one of Hong Kong's most famous tourist hotspots, The Peak Lookout has been in business since 1947. While today, it looks new and modern, this is solely because of a revamp completed in 2001 where the original Peak Café changed its name to The Peak Lookout and updated its décor. The menu follows a spectrum of dishes across a medley of different cultures. You can enjoy everything from Asian flavors, western favorites, a raw bar, barbecue and even burgers. The setting is rather special, too, as diners can choose whether they'd like to sit inside or in the outdoor garden area. 

4. Honolulu Café: Opened 1940s

Honolulu Café was founded in the 1940s and it is arguable that it was their egg tarts that propelled them to culinary stardom in Hong Kong. It's said that Honolulu Café's egg tarts have 192 layers of flaky pastry, but whatever the case, the fact that they're still open after all these years is testament to the taste and quality of their food. 

5. Hoi On Café: Opened 1950s

This little café has retained the simple and practical charm it had from when it first opened in the 1950s. Serving up typical Hong Kong - Western fusion fare ranging from HK-style French toast with maple syrup to noodles and chicken wings, this is a spot that keeps things as they were decades ago. Much of the food here harkens back to a time when Hong Kongers adopted western cuisine and made it their own. If you're lucky, you'll even see the shop cat pop out to impart some good fortune upon you! Our last bit of advice is that you should definitely try the HK-style milk tea.

6. Mido Café: 1950s

Feel like stepping back in time and experiencing 1950s Hong Kong? Well, you could visit Mido Café, where in addition to the food retaining its old charm, the décor is much the same. Surprisingly, Mido Café is a big hit with the younger generation who not only enjoy the food but also love taking photos of the restaurant to post on social media channels like Instagram.