Some restaurants open with a bang, all smoke and mirrors, only to fizzle out under the weight of their own hype. But every so often, a few manage to exceed expectations—restaurants that remind us why dining out is a joy rather than an obligation.
Over the past year, I’ve eaten my way through the good, the bad and sometimes, the perplexing, but these are the ones that left a lasting impression. Whether it’s bold new ideas, a deft hand with ingredients, or the sheer pleasure of the experience, these are the openings that earned their place at the top of my table in 2024.
See also: Why everyone wants a seat at Asia’s table
Citrino da Yoshinaga Jinbo
Citrino da Yoshinaga Jinbo’s Nippon Italian cuisine is a delight
This Japanese-Italian restaurant secured its place among my favourites of 2024 by uniting two cuisines with elegance, restraint and—most importantly—without making it weird. Plus, chef Yoshinaga Jinbo’s Japanese-Italian menu treats vegetables with the reverence they deserve, transforming them into dishes that are bold, vibrant and astonishingly good. The saffron risotto is a marvel—indulgent yet mysteriously lightweight—while Dover sole arrives with a bronzed glow and edges so crisp, it could snap under its own smugness. Citrino delivers refinement without the fuss, a quiet confidence that lets the food speak for itself.
Citrino da Yoshinaga JinboAddress: 2/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong
Sushi Zinc
Chef Zinc Leung at Sushi Zinc in Shau Kei Wan
At Sushi Zinc, up-and-coming talent Zinc Leung champions the bounty of Hong Kong’s waters. The 20-course menu is a showcase of his precision and imagination: mantis prawn from the Ninepin Islands bursts with sweetness, orange spotted grouper from Sai Kung is impossibly tender, and fish maw tempura from Cheung Chau is an unexpected triumph. Working closely with local seafood expert Davey Wong, Leung’s creations feel both innovative and deeply rooted, proving that local ingredients, in the right hands, can rival the finest imports.
Sushi ZincAddress: Unit A1, G/F, Pak Ling Mansion, 5-7 Miu Tung Street, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong
Prince and the Peacock
Prince and the Peacock in Tai Kwun
Prince and the Peacock swept onto the Hong Kong dining scene with the kind of swagger only Black Sheep Restaurants can muster, transforming Tai Kwun’s Magistracy into a celebration of India’s princely states. Helmed by chef Palash Mitra of the already acclaimed New Punjab Club, the menu dives deep into royal culinary traditions: saffron-laden Kashmiri rogan josh and fiery Mathania-inspired chapli kebab channel the opulence of Mughal kitchens. What’s more, Joyce Wang’s subtly refined design provides the perfect backdrop for a meal that is both vibrant and unforgettable.
Prince and the PeacockAddress: 2/F, Central Magistracy, Tai Kwun, 1 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong
Trattoria Felino
Marcello Scognamiglio and Felix de Arriaga
Scialatielli pasta with courgette, pecorino cheese and basil
Trattoria Felino made my top openings of 2024 for its effortlessly chill vibe and menu that is as delicious as it is approachable. Marcello Scognamiglio and Felix de Arriaga have crafted a modern Neapolitan trattoria that’s all about comfort without compromise. The pasta dishes are spot-on—robust and full of flavour—while the cocktails bring just the right kick to round out the experience. Add to that a trendy space that feels natural for Wan Chai, and it’s the kind of place you want to linger with friends.
Trattoria FelinoAddress: 1-7 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ming Pavilion
Ming Pavilion at the Island Shangri-La
Ming Pavilion reimagines Chinese dining with a contemporary Hokkien flair in a setting that feels more tropical retreat than a traditional restaurant. Right by the pool and spa of the Island Shangri-La, it’s an escape into lush jade tones, rattan furniture and foliage. From the bold flavours of Xiamen ginger duck to the delicately balanced Yongchun vinegar jellyfish terrine and the sweet-and-sour playfulness of lychee pork, each dish is a fresh take on Hokkien tradition. It’s refined without being stiff, escapist yet grounded—a rare balancing act that makes it one of my top openings of the year.
Ming PavilionAddress: Level 8, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Sukiyaki Nakagawa
Wagyu sukiyaki with egg dips at Sukiyaki Nakagawa
Sukiyaki Nakagawa makes no apologies for its singular obsession with beef, and frankly, why should it? This intimate 15-seat Causeway Bay spot is helmed by chef Kazuyuki Itagaki, whose 25 years of experience culminate in an omakase menu that’s all about beefy indulgence. The star of the show? Matsusaka Wagyu, which is so decadently marbled that it practically melts at the sight of heat. Oita Wagyu and Jinnai Wagyu Aka hold their own too, and come paired with different egg dips that add layers of richness and complexity. Sukiyaki Nakagawa didn’t just serve a meal—it commanded my attention from start to finish, and it still has it. Sukiyaki NakagawaAddress: Shop B, 3/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Gokan
Shingo Gokan opened Gokan in Hong Kong in the summer of 2024
Gokan opened to great fanfare in 2024, setting a new benchmark for Japanese bars in Hong Kong, but it’s the seamless interplay of drinks and food that earns it a place among my top openings. The cocktails are every bit as inventive as you’d expect from Shingo Gokan, the man behind Speak Low and SG Club. Highlights include the Watermelon Coffeezz highball and Banana Chu-hi, as well as the playful yet nostalgic food menu with dishes like the ikura potato salad, Napolitan—a gloriously kitschy tomato ketchup-based Japanese pasta—and kakigori, a shaved ice dessert that’s fun and refreshing to eat.
GokanAddress: 30 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong
In case you missed it: Shingo Gokan’s new bar Gokan is a sensational hit in Hong Kong
Tozzo
The maritozzo at Tozzo are pillowy delights
Tozzo is what happens when a chef as talented as Fabio Bardi, Tatler Dining’s Best Pastry Chef 2024 winner, lets his imagination run wild. At the bright and spacious end of Tai Kwun, Bardi turns the humble maritozzo—a cream-filled brioche bun—into something delightful, offering sweet and savoury iterations including matcha, chocolate and guanciale with scrambled eggs. There are also creative gelato flavours such as montblanc chestnut and locally-inspired coffee-tea flavoured Yuen Yeung. Add takoyaki-inspired arancini and carbonara spaghetti, and you’ve got a menu that’s equal parts comfort and creativity.
TozzoAddress: 2/F, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa
Masaaki Miyakawa in action
The abalone dish at Sushi Kissho
Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa is the kind of place that doesn’t need to shout to make its presence known. Tucked inside the Raffles Hotel in Macau, it quietly delivers one of the most extraordinary sushi experiences. Here, chef Masaaki Miyakawa turns simplicity into an art form, with chutoro aged to a sublime silkiness and kuruma ebi blanched just enough to tease out its delicate sweetness. With its serene Kiso Hinoki Cypress counter and sake pairings, Sushi Kissho is a study in quiet, confident mastery—the kind of place that stays with you, calling you back to Macau for more.
Sushi Kissho by MiyakawaAddress: 2/F, Raffles Hotel, Galaxy Hotel, Estrada Da Baia Da Nossa Senhora Macau
22 Ships
22 Ships moved from Wan Chai to PMQ in Central
The Spanish spread at 22 Ships
22 Ships may not be a brand-new opening, but its move to PMQ brings a fresh chapter with new digs, a sleek design and an updated menu. The larger space, now with room for al fresco dining, offers the perfect stage for chef Antonio Oviedo’s bold Spanish fare. Familiar favourites like the uni toast, Segovian suckling pig, and burnt Basque cheesecake remain, joined by vibrant new additions like pimientos rellenos, vinagreta-dressed oyster salpicon, and the Iberico Txuleta—a dry-aged Iberico pork prime rib steak. Paired with an expanded drinks menu of vermouth-heavy cocktails and an all-Spanish wine list, the new 22 Ships has managed to retain all its charm and proves that bigger really can be better.
22 ShipsAddress: S109 -S113, Block A, PMQ, Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong
See also: 22 Ships relocates to PMQ: A new space to celebrate Spain’s social dining spirit in Hong Kong
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