Few neighbourhoods capture the unique charm of Hong Kong like Wan Chai. An eclectic area wedged between Central and Causeway Bay, Wan Chai has shuffled through many identities throughout the years โ from fishing village to HK’s red-light district to hip hotspot! Packed with bars, eateries, and boutiques, as well as historical landmarks, heritage sites, and local markets, Wan Chai is brimming with a diverse choice of activities. An ideal neighbourhood to explore as much of on foot, follow our Wan Chai guide and you’ll be ducking into shops or whipping out your camera at every turn!
Read More: Sai Kung Guide โ A Localโs Perspective On Where to Eat, Stay, And Play
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Where To Dine
The Baker and The Bottleman
Serving freshly baked goodies by day and bottles of natural wine by night, The Baker and The Bottleman is both a modern bakery and a vibrant neighbourhood restaurant. Located right in the bustling Lee Tung Avenue, it’s always worth the last-minute drop-in. The Ham & Cheese Toastie is perfect for a midday fuel-up while exploring Wan Chai on foot โ but if you come by on a weekend, be sure to snag the delicious and crumbly, weekend-exclusive Almond Croissant. As evening falls, The Baker and The Bottleman transforms into a prime spot for date nights, friend gatherings, or a casual weekday outing. Serving a wide range of modern fare like a fried chicken burger, smoked eel, and duck leg tortellini, the eatery’s menu is best enjoyed with a glass of natural wine from their curated selection.
The Baker and The Bottleman, Shop G14 & G15 , G/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Whatsapp: 2386 8933, www.thebakerandthebottleman.hk
Samsen
A mainstay on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list every year, Samsen serves a truly spectacular bowl of boat noodles. Now with several branches across Hong Kong, Samsen has firmly established itself as one of the city’s heavy-hitters when it comes to Thai food. But when you’re craving some warm broth and chewy noodles in Wan Chai, it’s always a special treat to visit the original branch of the beloved โThai Noodle House.โ Easily spotted next to the neighbourhood’s historic Blue House, the hotspot’s unmissable menu item is definitely the Samsen Wagyu Beef Noodle Soup โ complete with a flavoursome, 6-hour broth. If you’re jonesing for a sweet finish, we especially recommend going for the Young Coconut Ice Cream, which features a savoury zip of toasted peanuts.
Samsen (Wan Chai), G/F, 68 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2234 0001, www.samsen-hk.com
Kam’s Roast Goose
Did you know that you can indulge in a Michelin-starred meal right in Wan Chai without shelling out thousands? One of the most affordable eateries in Hong Kong that also hold a coveted Michelin Star is Kam’s Roast Goose โ led by the third generation of the Kam family. While the eponymous roast goose here is exceptionally juicy with crispy skin, the other Cantonese barbecue dishes at Kam’s Roast Goose are just as noteworthy. We suggest ordering a table-full of various meats alongside some blanched noodles to help soak up that decadence.
Friday Club. Tip: try to pop in before or after peak hours, as the 30-seater restaurant fills up quick!
Kam’s Roast Goose, GF, Po Wah Commercial Center, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2520 1110
El Taquero
If there’s one thing you never question, it’s the sudden yet powerful craving for tacos after a long day. Luckily, the Wan Chai neighbourhood more than provides with the Mexican eatery El Taquero โ which serves authentic Mexican fare along with a deep shelf of mezcal and tequila. Chow down on an Al Pastor Taco, with meat sliced right off the trompo grill, as well as (our personal favourite) Lengua Taco, loaded with tender ox tongue and salsa verde. Of course, you can also never go wrong with splitting a colossal platter of cheesy nachos amongst friends, all while enjoying a few potent cocktails.
El Taquero, Shop B, G/F, Yan King Court, 119 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2811 1998, www.eltaquero.hk
Where To Drink
Blue Bottle Coffee
If there’s one Blue Bottle Coffee branch in Hong Kong you need to visit, it’s without a doubt the towering Starstreet Precinct branch in Wan Chai. Spanning three floors with floor-to-ceiling windows, this Blue Bottle Coffee not only offers wonderful coffee โ it also serves as the perfect perch for people-watching. But the particularly unique beauty of this branch lies in its thoughtful design, with each floor artfully symbolising a celestial body (sun, moon, and stars). If you prefer enjoying your java with something cuter, swap the people-watching with dog-watching โ this Blue Bottle Coffee branch’s dog-friendly areaย seems to always house no less than three adorable pups!
Blue Bottle Coffee (Wan Chai), 15 St Francis Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 6411 0689, Instagram: @bluebottlecoffeehongkong
Sipper Coffee
This java joint may be a bit harder to find โ but the effort is more than worth it. Located just a skip and a hop away from the iconic Blue House, Sipper Coffee is chic, simple, and serves a mean cup of coffee. With beans roasted locally by Smoky Shark, this cafรฉ is one that warrants multiple visits as the beans are switched every two months or so โ giving you a little something special with each cup. While the cosy interior doesn’t offer a lot of seating, there’s a bench parked right outside that’s perfect for some thoughtful brooding.
Sipper Coffee, Shop H, King Sing House, 1A Kennedy Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Instagram: @sipper_coffee
Dirty Laundry
Add a touch of whimsy to your night out by paying a visit to this Wan Chai bar that’s tucked behind a laundromat facade. Past the prime-photo-op entrance, the interior of Dirty Laundry is bathed in pink neon and eclectically retro-themed. With East meets West signature cocktails and shisha options, this hidden bar offers a very playful night out. The talented mixologistsย are constantly concocting inventive drinks โ with one even featuring popping candy – so come with your liver prepped for the unexpected.
Dirty Laundry, Shop A, G/F, 100 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Instagram: @dirtylaundryhk
The Wanch
As Hong Kong’s prime live music venue for over 30 years, The Wanch remains a go-to spot for music-lovers. With live performances every night and no cover charge, the club spotlights both local talents and international guests. A true neighbourhood gem, The Wanch is truly a unique experience that’s both affordable and unpretentious. Additionally, various music showcases and festivals are frequently hosted at The Wanch, with full schedules and details available online.
The Wanch, 1/F, Henan Building, 90-92 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3692 5933, www.thewanch.hk
Where To Shop
Lee Tung Avenue
A 200-metre-long, tree-lined pedestrian walkway surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafรฉs, and more, Lee Tung Avenue is a must-visit when exploring the neighbourhood. Previously known as โWedding Card Street,โ the Avenue has gone through an extensive redevelopment but remains a bright light in the Wan Chai community. The boutiques lining the street here range from Carpenter Tan to POP MART to Vivienne Tam, along with plenty of eateries such as Rakuraku Ramen, Crepe Delicious, and The Baker and The Bottleman. This self-contained hub is a great place to walk leisurely from shop to shop before grabbing casual bites or settling in for a meal.
Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3791 2304, www.leetungavenue.com.hk
Starstreet Precinct
Another wonderful little shopping and dining hub, Starstreet Precinct is an area made up of multiple streets including Moon Street, Star Street, and Sun Street. Thisย walkable area houses stores like the two-storey Kapok boutique, stylish Japanese brand 45R, and the trendy Monocle. Starstreet Precinct is also home to numerous popular eateries including The Pizza Project, Honbo, and Elephant Grounds. Known as one of Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhoods, you’ll run into hipsters, locals, and tourists alike here.
Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.pacificplace.com
Wan Chai Computer Centre
Although the rise of online retailers like taobao, Amazon, and HKTVMall has hurt local spots like the Wan Chai Computer Centre, shopping the old fashioned way still comes in handy when you find yourself in a time crunch and need that oh-so-specific cord or gadget. In fact, many Hong Kongers still prefer to use the repair services offered by some shops here over the pricier options at places like the Apple Store. Phones, computers, game consoles, SD cards, audio equipment, and more span the multiple crowded floors of this neighbourhood tech centre. While you could most likely find lower prices online for some items, being able to simply duck inside and leave with your purchase in your hands is a convenience that’s hard to beat.
Wan Chai Computer Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2834 7685, Facebook: ็ฃไป้ป่ ฆๅ Wanchai Computer Centre
Tai Yuen Street Market (Toy Street)
For kids, young-at-heart-adults, nostalgic individuals, and collectors exploring Wan Chai, a visit to Tai Yuen Street Market โ colloquially known as Toy Street โ is a must. The street stalls and shops have everything from hard-to-find LEGO sets, superhero action figures, and even some vintage items. You’ll find that the prices here tend to be lower than at most retail shops โ which may make it even harder to leave the street without a mountain of new finds. Keen-eyed collectors will have an especially exciting time hunting for hidden treasures, with unique Hong Kong toys often being quickly snapped up.
Tai Yuen Street Market, Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Where To Explore
Hong Kong Arts Centre
The non-profit arts institution and museum, Hong Kong Arts Centre, is a cornerstone of the local creative community. In addition to offering programmes to support young and emerging artists, the centre also has facilities open for the public to explore and discover the arts. In addition to galleries and exhibitions, Hong Kong Arts Centre also has an in-house movie theatre that frequently hosts screenings of both mainstream and alternative cinema works, as well as classics, shorts, and documentaries. A diverse range of festivals, showcases, and performances are held by the centre every month, with details available online โ or simply stop by when you’re in the area and jump right in!
Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2582 0200, www.hkac.org.hk
Blue House
One of Hong Kong’s most notable (and photogenic) Grade 1 historic buildings, Wan Chai’s Blue House is aptly named for its vibrantly-coloured exterior. While the beloved Lingnan-style house more than deserves a spot on your Instagram grid, we suggest you check out Hong Kong House of Stories on the ground floor. Exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, and more are frequently held by the community platform to promote local culture and bring the community together โ proving that Blue House is more than just a pretty face!
Blue House, 72-74A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2833 4608, www.vivabluehouse.hk
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
