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Sticking around in Hong Kong for Lunar New Year? Check out our guide to welcoming in the Year of the Rat from firework dining options to hitting the flower markets.
Kick off the festivities after work by heading down to the last day of the flower markets in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay or Fa Hui Park, Mong Kok. After picking up some auspicious peonies and peach blossom, there are some fantastic dining options in Causeway Bay, which will help you kick start the festivities. Check out Opia for stunning Japanese and Aussi fusion food from celebrated chef, Dane Clouston or, if you are keen for some good, wholesome Italian food, The Excelsio’s Cammino serves fresh seafood and wonderfully warming creamy lobster pasta. If you’re in the mood for some Cantonese classics, perfectly executed in chic surroundings, Jade Garden serves all the favourites, including a fantastic wrapping chicken.
For soccer fans, The Lunar New Year’s Cup, organized by the Hong Kong Football Association, is the highlight of the sporting calendar. Kick off is at 2pm in Causeway Bay stadium. Check out www.hkfa.com for more details.
In the evening head of to Tsim Sha Tsui to watch the night parade, where the harbourfront will be transformed into a huge party to welcome in the Year of the Rat. The parade runs from 8pm-9.30pm and admission is free.
Parade Route: Starting at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, the parade proceeds along Salisbury Road to Mody Lane then makes U-turn and ends at the New World Centre.
You will definitely have to book a table to get anywhere near a chance of dining out on Lunar New Year’s Day, but if you can squeeze yourself in, TST has some world-renowned dining options. Head over to One Peking Road to Hutong, for modern Chinese with a harbour view. Or pop down to Knutsford terrace for some great value dining options including beautifully executed Italian in Pappa Razzi or the pizzas in Il Meglio. If you’re in need of warming indulgence, go to Chesa in The Peninsula for a fondue or Angelini for a steaming hot bowl of pasta.
Tonight is the night for celebrations over the harbour with the biggest firework display of the year. The Fireworks start at 8pm and you can either join the crowds lining Victoria Harbour and watch them for free or indulge yourself in high-end fireworks dinner. Here are our top five places to watch the fireworks:
1. Spoon: Without a doubt one of the best harbor views in the city with modern French cuisine from the celebrated Alain Ducasse.
2. Nobu: Life doesn’t get better that watching the fireworks from the comfort of a chic restaurant while enjoying the delights of Nobu’s modern Japanese and South American fusion cuisine.
3. Aqua: The view is spectacular and the decor incredible and while the food does not quite match that of Nobu or Spoon, the bill is also not quite as painful.
4. Grissini: Beatuiful classic Italian food, everything from the bread basket to the coffee will wow you, and that’s before you’ve even looked at the view of the harbour, which is perfectly complimented by candlelight.
5. Isola: A cheaper Italian option to Grissini, this is a fantastic place to watch the fireworks as you can enjoy a drink on the terrace before hand and then head into the warmth of the main restaurant for dinner.
Sha Tin Racecourse celebrates the first race day of the Lunar New Year with a huge race day. Races start at 12:30pm and tickets are $150 for a tourist badge, which grants admission to the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Members’ Enclosure. Be prepared to show your passport when purchasing a Tourist Badge.
While the race day offers many food stalls and dining options, if you are in need of post-race dinner, head to the Regal Riverside Hotel, where you can find great value Italian in Avanti or Shaghainese cuisine in a traditional 1930s setting in Regal Court.
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My friend and I are tired of sitting next to noisy patrons in the restaurants. For our next gathering, we would like to have a private space to enjoy ourselves. We are looking at numbers between 6-20. Can you suggest some venues? |
