The selected restaurants have been grouped alphabetically within five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. They are divided into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over HK$500)
$$$ (HK$300 to HK$500)
$$ (HK$150 to HK$300)
$ (up to HK$150)
These prices are for an average three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or the cheapest equivalent; they do not include service charge or tip.

A 10% service charge is almost always added to restaurant bills in Hong Kong. In theory, this is discretionary, although in practice, it is better not to challenge it, except in cases of exceptionally poor service

Café Deco Bar and Grill
Café Deco has one of the most breathtaking restaurant views on Earth (the panorama of the harbour from Hong Kong Island's central peak) especially dazzling at night. The cuisine is a hugely diverse array of East and West, from perfect steaks to succulent sashimi and sizzling tandoori platters. What is remarkable is the consistent quality and excellent value. The art deco interior is a gem.

Level 2, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak
Tel: 2849 5111.
Website: www.cafedecogroup.com
Price: $$

Gaddi's
Since opening in 1953, The Peninsula hotel's signature restaurant has served gourmet French cuisine and fine wine to an always appreciative audience. Its spacious, layered space is complemented by chandeliers, large tables and blue and gold décor. There is a three-course lunch menu, with four-, five- and six-course options available for dinner. Perfect for either a romantic dinner or group celebration. Dinner jackets and advanced booking required for evening dinner.

The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2315 3171.
Website: http://hongkong.peninsula.com  
Price: $$$$

Ingredients
In a city addicted to air-conditioning, tasteful al fresco restaurants can be rare. Ingredients has capitalised on the dearth by converting its rooftop into a little garden oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Wan Chai's hectic streetscape. The menu is contemporary gourmand without the associated pretensions. For a decadent dining experience try the lobster bisque followed by eye fillet topped with foie gras.

23-29 Wing Fung St, Wan Chai
Tel: 2544 5133.
Website: www.ingredients.com.hk  
Price: $$$-$$$$

M at the Fringe
With a loyal following, this 19-year-old Australian-owned restaurant is one of Hong Kong's best. It offers splendid continental cuisine (such as a warm salad of buche de chevre, with summer greens and fresh figs and, of course, M's legendary pavlova) in an effortlessly artsy ambience.

First floor, South Block, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
Tel: 2877 4000.
Website: www.m-atthefringe.com
Price: $$$

Wagyu
Expats craving a steak and a decent bottle of red wine tend to flock to Australian-owned Wagyu, a restaurant with a prominent position just above Lang Kwai Fong in Central. The set lunch is popular for businessmen and "ladies who lunch" while the higher-end evening menu attracts a more sophisticated crowd. The adjoining bar tends to overflow out onto the Wyndham Street footpath, making it a great place to ogle Hong Kong's stylish set.

60 Wyndham Street, Central
Tel: 2825 8805.
Price: $$$

The Press Room
For a slice of Parisian life in Hong Kong it's hard to beat The Press Room with its immaculate service, high ceilings, bentwood chairs and dark timber walls. The blackboard menu is chalked up with classic a la carte French bistro dishes including moules frites, steak tartare, cote de boeuf and pot roast corn fed chicken with black truffle jus. Servings are modest. The weekend brunch between 1000 and 1600 is popular.

108 Hollywood Rd, Central
Tel: 2525 3444.
Website: www.thepressroom.com.hk
Price: $$$

Segafredo Zametti
Attracting a regular contingent of office workers and caffeine addicts, this contemporary Italian cafe serves one of the most authentic barista coffees in Hong Kong, well above the quality of other coffee chains. Pastry and panino deals are popular at breakfast time when workers make the most of free Wi-Fi. At lunchtime the aroma emanating from the open kitchen woos patrons wanting a modern take on typical Italian fare.

33 Wellington St, Lang Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: 2523 2821.
Website: www.segafredo.it
Price: $$

SPOON
The lighting may be enhanced by 550 hand-blown Murano glass spoons, but it is the food and harbour views which pull in the punters. French chef Alain Ducasse may count on nine Michelin stars and four other SPOON franchises around the world, yet he has still managed to create a fresh and unique space and ambience in which to serve fine cuisine and more than 350 vintage wines. The work of a true visionary, SPOON serves dishes such as duck foie gras, poached Boston lobster and ceviche of sea bream to a reverential troop of foodies.

InterContinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: 2313 2323.
Website: www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com
Price: $$$$

Tapeo
For a new kid on the block this upmarket Spanish tapas bar has won itself a solid fan base. Punters sit on stools around an open kitchen-cum-bar where they can watch the chef at work. Favourites include juicy prawns, tender garlic soaked pulpo (aka octopus), succulent roast pork and the much-revered Jamon, cured for 32 months and shipped direct from Andalusia. Wines are served by the glass or immerse yourself in tradition by sipping on a sherry.

19 Hollywood Rd, Soho, Central
Tel: 9123 6049.
Website: www.tapeo.hk
Price: $$$

Yakitoritei
Succulent skewered meat and an array of delicious vegetables are cooked over a hot grill in this typical Japanese yakitori restaurant with low ceilings and bumper-to-bumper tables. It's perfect for an intimate dinner for two or pull up a stool at the grill to watch the chefs in action. The eye fillet is worth ordering, so too the bacon-wrapped asparagus.

49-51A Sing Woo Rd, Happy Valley
Tel: 2838 5377.
Price: $$$

American Restaurant
It's not what you think. This 1940s Chinese restaurant specialises in Pekinese cuisine and is one of the most reliable places in Hong Kong to gorge on Beijing's famous Peking duck. It comes to the table complete so that diners can watch the waiter at work slicing it up. Part of the experience for diners is rolling the succulent meat in the pancake. Not easy with chopsticks!

20 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai
Tel: 2527 1000.
Price: $$

Caramba
Well located Mexican cantina that serves affordable and tasty Mexican food and ice-cold beer. The colourful interior is matched by the neatly presented dishes, particularly the spicy guacamole which brings an intensity of colour and flavour rarely found beyond Central America. The nachos are suitably crunchy and the fiery salsa tingles the tongue to order. Tacos, sopas, fajitas, ensaladas and chimichangas are all offered, as well as a few surprisingly innovative takes on Mexican menu standards. Takeaway food also available.

26-30 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central
Tel: 2530 9963.
Price: $$

Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill
Dan Ryan's is the classic choice for American cuisine in American portions, in the mall-style surroundings of Pacific Place. The Sunday brunch is a notorious way to blow out a Sunday. Hamburgers, ribs, American beers, American cholesterol...diners can forget California, this is the real McCoy.

114 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Tel: 2845 4600.
Website: www.windy-city.com.hk/dans
Price: $$

Dim Sum
It would be remiss to leave Hong Kong without having taste tested traditional Cantonese dim sum, eaten locally for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The queue for seats at Dim Sum might be a little tedious when tummies are grumbling but the wait is worthwhile given the quality of the dumplings that are plonked on the table. Try the pork steam buns and shrimp dumplings with chilli.

63 Sing Woo Rd, Happy Valley
Tel: 2834 8893.
Price: $$

Kublai's
A Mongolian barbecue in Wan Chai is a strange pairing but it works, as droves of tourists attest. With tall bar-style stools and tables and a central area for diners to select their own ingredients for the Mongolian-style grill, the concept allows diners to fill their bowls with imaginative personalised combinations, and then hand it over to experienced chefs to be cooked. Choices range from most varieties of sliced meats and fish to oriental vegetables such as bean sprouts and Chinese cabbage, with a range of sauces from Japanese teriyaki to Thai spice.

Third Floor, 1 Capital Place, 18 Luard Road, Wan Chai
Tel: 2529 9117.
Price: $

Life
Vegetarians should make this their first (and probably, second, third...) stop. Located right beside SoHo's escalators, Life does ‘proper' vegetarian food - well-prepared, creative and served in hearty portions. The dining space is light and airy and the dinner menu well-balanced. The soups, salads and burgers are consistently good, as are the breakfast and lunch specials. Vegan wines and beers are also served. The ground-floor deli offers excellent take-away salads, breads and cakes.

2nd Floor, 10 Shelley Street, Soho
Tel: 2810 9777.
Price: $$

Nha Trang
Packed to the rafters at lunchtime, this Vietnamese restaurant with communal tables and stools is a staple for office workers keen on a quick bite in a busy atmosphere. Menu favourites include beef noodle soup, green papaya salad and fresh rice paper rolls. For a takeaway option try the delicious traditional Vietnamese baguette filled with coriander, pate, chicken, carrot, cucumber and mayonnaise.

88-90 Wellington Street, Central
Tel: 2581 9992.
Price $

Pizza Express Hong Kong
This beautiful white and plate-glass viewing gallery next to the Mid-Levels Escalator is a surprisingly upscale branch of the UK's Pizza Express chain. Its pizzas, such as the signature parmesan and rocket SoHo Pizza, are good quality and great value.

21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Tel: 2850 7898.
Website: www.pizzaexpress.com.hk
Price: $

The Stoep
Anyone who makes it out to the lovely seaside village of Cheung Sha on the south side of Lantau Island will certainly not want to leave after sampling the South African beachfront fare, such as mixed barbecue or kebabs. The big beachside verandah, large enough to seat 120 people, is the perfect antidote to the insane bustle of Central.

32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau
Tel: 2980 2699.
Price: $

Chez Moi
With a quirky submarine facade and curious ET mural on the wall, this unpretentious restaurant combines character and class in equal doses. Despite the French title, the menu is contemporary European cuisine and features classic dishes from across the continent including white gazpacho, foie gras, rabbit terrine and beef carpaccio.

10 Arbuthnot Rd, Central
Tel: 2801 6768.
 Price: $$-$$$

Classified Mozzarella Bar
From the stylish people who bought The Pawn and The Press Room to Hong Kong comes this tasteful little restaurant with a European flavour. The emphasis is on the king of Italian cheese, Mozzarella, but the menu has something for everyone: US Angus beef fillet, Spanish-style prawns, charcuterie and innovative salads. The espresso coffee is the best you will find in Wan Chai. And don't leave without trying the blue cheese ice cream!

31 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai
Tel: 2528 3454.
Price: $$$

Xi Yan Tastes
One of Hong Kong's best kept secrets (located next to G.O.D) is Xi Yan Tastes where designer-turned-celebrity chef Jacky Yu has combined a selection of East and South-east Asian dishes in a tasteful setting without the Hong Kong price tag. Sichuan spicy chicken, Dan noodles and bean curd and soy bean salad are good choices. When you're not looking at the menu, the restaurant's beautiful art collection will keep you occupied.

2d Floor, Leighton Centre, Sharp St East, Causeway Bay
Tel: 2881 6693.
Website: www.xiyan.com.hk
Price: $$