Many dishes have become people’s favorites and this is especially thanks to Italy’s fresh and tasty ingredients.

Who doesn’t like some fresh burrata, some melon with parma ham, some buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil?

There are some dishes for which you don’t need to be a great cook or have a lot of time to make them yourself. You just need great Italian produce.

In Hong Kong Italian products are widely available in high-end supermarkets like Great Food Hall and City Super and at Italian grocery stores like Mercato by Giando and il Bel Paese. But the produce can be expensive and with the current Covid-19 situation people are less willing to enter supermarkets or travel across Hong Kong to reach those places (some of which do online delivery too).

A new wave of Italian online grocery stores have appeared in Hong Kong to make it possible to buy Italian food at more reasonable price and have this delivered to your doorstep.

Bella Ciao – this is the newest entry on the private market but it already stands out for great variety of products at competitive prices.

Products vary from Fresh and hard cheese to cold cuts and fresh vegetable and fruits, and even frozen pizzas from Naples. The Burrata is the best in Hong Kong at a great price price. Many products have DOP, IGP denominations and they taste just like you’d get in Italy. All fresh products are imported weekly to Hong Kong. Plus all the staple Italian food: fresh and dry pasta, Mutti tomato sauce and so on. It’s a website to explore to find all your favorite products.

You can pay directly online with credits cards, Paypal, Apple or Google Pay. They deliver between 24 and 78 hours after an order is placed. They deliver with a thermal bag to your door or building reception. They will tell you the delivery day but not the time of the delivery. If they don’t find anyone at home they will leave it outside your door or at the reception. The minimum order to qualify for free delivery is HK$788 anywhere in Hong Kong (where they deliver).

Borgovivo is also another new entry in the Hong Kong market but it has been around for years in Italy. They import fresh products from Italy and have a vast selection of items. Their cold cuts are made to order, just like in Italy. And food lovers will appreciate the difference between freshly cut ham rather than packaged. They sell a big selection of fresh and hard cheese including some Italian favorites: stracchino, formaggini Bel Paese, pecorino, robiola and Parmesan. Price are competitive. They do have an express delivery service with same day delivery, at a charge but it s good to know that it’s possible.

For Hong Kong island they offer deliver the day after (if order is confirmed before 2pm of the day before). Delivery to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is free for orders above HK$500, for the New Territories is free from HK$700 and for Discovery Bay/Tsing Yi/ Tung Chung is free from orders of HK$800. They don’t tell you the exact delivery time but only give you these timeslots: 10am–1pm or 2pm–6pm.

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Simply Fresh

On the market for about a year they sell a big varieties of Italian products including meat that are usually difficult to find in Hong Kong (ossobuco, veal, lamb and meat for tartare). They also sell a big selection of cheese (both Italian and French), cold cuts and Italian rice and pasta. Plus a selection of eco-friendly house products and a selection of gluten free items. Prices are good and they offer a 15% discount for first time clients.

For orders from placed before 2pm delivery is the following day. Delivery is free for orders over HK$800, otherwise a HK$140 charge applies.

Stable Trading

This is the shop that has been trading for the longest in Hong Kong. They sell everything, from Fiesta, mulino bianco to breasola, olives, porcini and many other Italian favorites. In Hong Kong island are the ones that deliver for free for the lowest minimum order (HK$350) and they deliver the next working day. They are well organised and deliver in polystyrene boxes with packed ice to keep things fresh.

The minimum order for Kowloon is still competitive (HK$500 ) but for Clearwater Bay and the new territories it is HK$1500, which is okay sometimes but it makes it difficult if you don’t need a lots of things.

Abrate and Son

It was an online only shop but in July 2020 opened its first shop to the public. Among those above it’s it’s probably the most expensive but it is also because some products are niche and more high-end brands. The shop specialises in Truffle (also fresh, not just in jars) and and sells a huge selection of extra virgin olive oil and chocolate specialties from the north of Italy. But also cheese, pasta and all you would expect from a grocery store.

The minimum order to qualify for free delivery in Hong Kong island is 500 HKD, while for Kowloon the minimum order is 700 HKD. For the New Territories they don’t usually send a driver; they advise customers to get a Lala van to collect the order and pay for that.

You can find more details about the Legoland Discovery Centre here.

Reviews that you can trust. Unlike many other online media that write reviews about attractions in Hong Kong, our reviews are always 100% independent. We never accept any payment whatsoever for favourable coverage. We simply tell things as they are. The only thing that we care about is providing value to our readers.

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I tried many looking for freshness and authentic flavors and I have been often disappointed.

Here are the restaurants that in my opinion deserve a visit:

Sangeetha

Found in a prime location in Tsim Sha Tsui, this place serves authentic and delicious Vegetarian Indian food at affordable prices. It specialises in South Indian cuisine but it offers some dishes from the North too, which are really tasty too.

Filled dosas – a sort of thin crêpe – are what you should really try. Sangeetha serves them filled with vegetables. There are a variety of options

Thali is served at weekends only.

The menu is small but what they do, they do everything well.

The restaurant is big enough that you don’t need to reserve in advance during the week. They do offer food delivery.

Decor is pretty simple so it won’t appear in any list for a romantic evening out, but the place is clean and tasty, which makes it an ideal place for lunch. It closes between 3 and 6pm

No alcohol is served.

UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza
62 Mody Road
East Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Branto

Another Vegetarian Indian restaurant from the South of India with a more colourful but still simple decor. Located in a residential building, it would be hard to guess there was a good restaurant there unless was from word of mouth.

Dishes are good value, Fresh and delicious. The menu is quite large, plenty of things to try.

Dosa is again a hit but also the curries are good.

It also closes between 3 and 6pm but it’s usually open until 11pm.

No alcohol is served.

Karlock Building, 5-7A Lock Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Other highlights include a soft-play area, a craft workshop where instructors explain how to build certain Lego models and Lego pits where kids can just play.

Other highlights include a soft-play area, a craft workshop where instructors explain how to build certain Lego models and Lego pits where kids can just play.

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Gaylord Indian Restaurant

Spacious and with a beautiful decor, serves both Vegetarian and non vegetarian options, from the north of India. Loved by Indian but also well-know among the western community of Indian food lovers. It has a vast menu with a number of less well-known dishes. It serves alcohol and cocktails.

Lamb dishes are really tasty and service is friendly. It comes at a price but still not too bad. It’s possible to get discounts to this restaurants by booking in advance through eatego app.

Closes between 2.30 and 6pm.

5/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui

Bombay Dreams

In the heart of central, with a very nice decor and good Indian food, this restaurant is popular and requires booking especially on Friday and Saturday night. Belong to a big restaurant group (the same as other good western restaurant Braza, Spiga, Fiamma, Alto etc). Opens every day non stop and has been around for a decade.

1/F Winning Centre, HK Hong Kong Island, 46 Wyndham St, Central

Jo Jo Indian Cuisine

There is a shortage of good Indian restaurants in Wan Chai but this is good. It’s a popular place for lunch during the week for it’s good buffet deal. It’s recomanded to book in advance.

It serves both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. It has a lot of natural light.

2/ Floor, David House, 37-39 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai

New Punjab Club

It has a Michelin star since 2019, and serves authentic Punjab dishes. it’s part of the Black Sheep Group. The restaurant is quite small so prior booking is essential. The décor design has a post-colonial theme and it’s quite dark. It has some charms but despite being one of the most expensive Indian restaurants in town they don’t use a tablecloth so it’s okay for casual dining but not for a fancy dinner.

Food is really tasty.

Opens daily from 12 noon.

World Wide Commercial Building, 34 Wyndham St, Central

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Covid-19 has hit the economy in Hong Kong resulting in many restaurants and shops to close down, including what was my favorite ice cream shop.

So I went on a mission to find another ice-cream parlour and I found one that tick all the boxes, which in Hong Kong isn’t easy:

✓ Made with fresh ingredients

✓ Delicious

✓ Artisanal

✓ Good value for money

✓ Friendly staff

✓ Not in a shopping mall which are already so cold

✓ At street level so I don’t have to go inside a high-raising building getting lost looking for it

✓ With a decent amount of tables and natural lights

✓ Close to a park so I can get it to take away too and eating in a beautiful environment

✓ Not too sweet (just the right amount)

And I was pleased to see that apart from Ice Cream they sell other things too.

I went to taste it with my family and we all loved it.

A part of me wanted to keep this place secret because egoistically I still want to find a seat next time we go, but as a guide book writer, good things have to be shared.

So here it is: the place is called Gelato Go. For now it’s only in TST (close to Kowloon park) but I won’t be surprised to see more locations opening in Hong Kong in the future.

Address:  174 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui Tel:  +852 2383 9118 Store Hours: Mon – Thu: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm Fri – Sat 8:00 am – 12:00 am Sat 7:00 am – 12:00 am Sun 8:00 am – 11:00 pm

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The urban island of Tsing Yi will never make it on to the list of Hong Hong’s top beauty spots but there are some great reasons for taking the whole family here. Here are 10 of them:

1. The first big advantage is that, although Tsing Yi is technically an island, there is an MTR station there, so the place is easily reachable. Tsing Yi is also well connected by bus from both Tseun Wan and Ma Wan.

2. You will find a long and pleasant promenade with playgrounds and nice views, just outside exit A2 of the MTR. It is possible to use scooters, bikes, rollerblades and model cars along the promenade, with is 2.4 kilometres long. When you reach the promenade remember to head north (with the sea on your left), as this side is longer and more pleasant. Plus, most importantly, you’ll end up at Tsing Yi Northeast Park, which is a real blast for children.

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3. Tsing Yi Northeast Park at the end of the promenade is a great little park for all the family, it has grassy areas for picnicing and playing on, ponds for model boats, playgrounds, a bike rental kiosk (where you can rent both children and adult bikes, as well as rickshaws), two basketball and volleyball courts, an 11-a-side artificial turf soccer pitch and an outdoor gym area for adults. If you want to reach the park by car or taxi the address is 10 Tam Kon Shan Road. There is a car park. In the park there are drinking vending machines but nothing else in terms of food.

4. On a hot day head to a great public big swimming pool with water slides (Tsing Yi MTR Exit B). They have 4 swimming pools: the main pool, a teaching pool, a leisure pool and a toddlers’ pool. The pools re open from April to end of October and closed on Wednesdays. The first Session is between 6:30 in the morning and noon. The second session is from 1pm until 6.30pm. The third session is from 7.30pm to 10pm.

5. For a little more adventure take a taxi to the south or north entrance of the Tsing Yi nature trails. Here you’ll find several picnic spots and some great views over Ting Kau Bridge. There are quite a few steps to negotiate but the walk isn’t too difficult It takes around one hour to complete the circuit. You can spot birds and wildlife.

6. Located at the northwest corner of the island, the Lantau Link viewing platform is a great place from which to take pictures and see both Tsing Ma Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge. The visitor centre has an interesting explanation about the area. It’s free of charge. The viewing platform is open daily between 7:30a.m. to 11pm, while the visitor centre closes at 5pm during the week and at 6.30pm during weekends and public holidays.

7. Just outside the MTR there are two shopping malls with plenty of eating options: from pizza, to dim sum to well-known chains. Since there are quite a lot of restaurants the queues to eat don’t tend to be that long (even during bank holidays!). You can also bring your own picnic and eat it at Tsing Yi Northeast Park grass area, or at one of the picnic areas that punctuate the Tsing Yi nature trails.

8. If Tsing Yi is a bit too far away to come for just a day trip, you might want to think about staying overnight. There is some decent and reasonably-priced accommodation here. There are two big hotels, both with seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a gym. They are both around 10 minutes away by taxi from the station. Hotels The hotels are okay for a night, but don’t expect five star luxury!

9. If you you have already seen everything that there is to see on the island already you might consider visiting nearby Ma Wan. Here you’ll find a beach, a number of good restaurants opposite the beach, a garden and a large-scale replica of Noah’s Ark, complete with model animals an interesting exhibition on this particular Bible story. Occasional children activities are also held here.

10. A short taxi ride away you’ll find Shing Mun Reservoir: a great spot for picnics, walks and monkey-spotting.

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