The Best of Hong Kong
Lifestyle News
By Celia Hu | August 24th, 2021

For families with little ones in tow, meal times can feel like a mad scramble — especially when one has to cater to varying tastes and preferences. In our household, we’re across the board with a carnivorous little girl that thinks Ocean Park is her own live seafood tank and a stoically vegetarian boy, who was born an animal activist. So when it comes to choosing a restaurant for a family meal, variety is the spice of life.

We’ve put together a list of tried and tested favorites, to hopefully add a little bit of ease to your family meal times.

Pizza Express 

One of our trusty all-time favorites, Pizza Express’s well-loved Piccolo menu has saved us on many a tired Sundays. With a variety of options from margarita pizzas to creamy ham pastas, the kids’ set menu also comes with a side of their famous fluffy dough balls…with Nutella! The kids feel like little adults finishing off their meals with “babycinos” of hot chocolate and biscuits. The fun, activity-packed menu card keeps little hands busy with plenty of games and coloring so dad and mom can also tuck into their pizzas still piping hot from the oven. Our pick: the Etna and Lava pizzas to share. Mama Mia!

Click here for locations. 

The Conservatory

Situated around a little square where kids can zoom around on their wheels, The Conservatory is a great little spot for brunch in Sai Kung. Owned by Enoteca Group, one of the oldest Western restaurant groups in Hong Kong, The Conservatory offers a vast array of tapas as well as satisfying classic breakfasts and crunchy, thin-crust pizzas. The kids menu has plenty of fun activities printed on it, and the flip side doubles as a DIY mask complete with holes for eyes, which should keep little ones occupied for most of the meal. Our kids love the tiffin box sets, as each stackable layer reveals another delicious surprise, ranging from pastas to sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and steamed veggies. Ice cream with sprinkles, or chocolate fudge cake wrap up the meal, and that’s something no kid can say no to.

G/F, 26 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, New Territories, 2792 1105.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

This all-American family diner is themed on the movie Forrest Gump, and the main character’s outlook on life and his love for shrimps. Plenty of movie memorabilia, ranging from scripts to costumes, are displayed around the restaurant. Bubba Gump prides itself on scrumptious seafood platters and its slogan, “Just like Mama makes it”, is close enough for us to credit a visit here as a home-cooked meal. But all kidding aside, their comfort food-driven kids’ menu is full of indulgent eats with the likes of burgers, pizzas, ribs, seafood and hot dogs, but is somewhat counterbalanced by carrots and celery, and fresh oranges as sides. You can always work off the extra calories (and sugar high) by doing a few loops around the Peak.

Shop 304-305, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, 2849-2867.

Hapi 

Hapi is a lot of things: a restaurant, a lifestyle retail space, a flower shop, an art gallery, and an event venue. The bright, sunny ambiance and gorgeous lifestyle products will cheer anyone up, which is the ethos behind the brand: that happiness can be found in all aspects of daily life. Beautifully curated houseware and art keep little ones enticed while the kitchen whips up delicious, very Instagrammable dishes. There’s no kids’ menu here, but plenty to accommodate to everyone’s tastes. We particularly like the big Hapi breakfast, which includes platters of fresh pastries and bread, cold cuts, scrambled eggs, yogurts, fruits, nuts, juices and unlimited coffee for $208.

11 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, 2811 3213.

Interval / Farmacy at Cyberport

Now a family day out on the lawns at Cyberport just got more delicious with the arrival of Interval, a brand-new culinary collaboration between Twins Kitchen and Farmacy HK. Founded by twin brothers Joshua and Caleb Ng, Twins Kitchen owns and operates several food and beverage concepts in Hong Kong and abroad, including Common Grounds and CUT Sando Bar. The large, minimalist venue at Interval / Farmacy features an on-site hydroponic farm as well as wood-fired oven to pump out the perfect sourdough crust pizzas. There’s also an array of pastas, grilled meats and salads to pick from, and don’t forget the tiramisu and burnt cheesecake to end the meal on a sweet note. If the restaurant is too packed, you can always order take out and create your own picnic outdoors.

Shop 207, 2/F, Arcade@Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, 2380-3498.

Yum Cha

The array of adorably shaped dim sum, ranging from “vomiting” custard buns, to little piglets, to rainbow shrimp dumplings, will keep little ones entertained (and fed!) within this trendy and very Instagrammable restaurant. There’s no kids’ menu here, but almost everything would appeal to young diners from the whimsical menu. Plus, Yum Cha uses no MSG, so parents can feast at ease too.

Click here for various locations. 

MeokBang BBQ Kidzone

If sizzling Korean barbecue and a giant ball pit sound like heaven to you, then look no further than MeokBang BBQ Kidzone. The first family-friendly concept by the popular Korean barbecue restaurant chain, the decor is reminiscent of a Hanok, or traditional Korean house, adding a touch of historical whimsy to the dining experience. All the classics are on offer, from bibimbap, to marinated shortribs, to  shake shake lunch bentos, a popular school lunch box in Korea. In addition to the ball pit, there’s also a dress-up area where kids and adults can dress up in traditional Korean attire and live out their K-drama fantasies.

2/F, 90 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, 2326-2220. 

Origami Cafe

Family-center Origami Cafe sits within the massive 23,000 square-meter rooftop park of Kai Tai Cruise Terminal. The park offers panoramic views over Victoria Harbour as well as highly coveted lawn space for picnics and outdoor play. The beautifully decorated cafe gives parents a chance to unwind and relax with a Chinese fusion menu while kids frolic in their various play areas ranging from slides to jungle gyms, to role-playing market places and kitchens. There’s various sensory and educational workshops available and the venue could also be hired for events and celebrations.

Rooftop, North End, Zone B, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon Bay, 6063-7470.

 

    • By Celia Hu | August 24th, 2021

    For families with little ones in tow, meal times can feel like a mad scramble — especially when one has to cater to varying tastes and preferences. In our household, we’re across the board with a carnivorous little girl that thinks Ocean Park is her own live seafood tank and a stoically vegetarian boy, who was born an animal activist. So when it comes to choosing a restaurant for a family meal, variety is the spice of life.

    We’ve put together a list of tried and tested favorites, to hopefully add a little bit of ease to your family meal times.

    Pizza Express 

    One of our trusty all-time favorites, Pizza Express’s well-loved Piccolo menu has saved us on many a tired Sundays. With a variety of options from margarita pizzas to creamy ham pastas, the kids’ set menu also comes with a side of their famous fluffy dough balls…with Nutella! The kids feel like little adults finishing off their meals with “babycinos” of hot chocolate and biscuits. The fun, activity-packed menu card keeps little hands busy with plenty of games and coloring so dad and mom can also tuck into their pizzas still piping hot from the oven. Our pick: the Etna and Lava pizzas to share. Mama Mia!

    Click here for locations. 

    The Conservatory

    Situated around a little square where kids can zoom around on their wheels, The Conservatory is a great little spot for brunch in Sai Kung. Owned by Enoteca Group, one of the oldest Western restaurant groups in Hong Kong, The Conservatory offers a vast array of tapas as well as satisfying classic breakfasts and crunchy, thin-crust pizzas. The kids menu has plenty of fun activities printed on it, and the flip side doubles as a DIY mask complete with holes for eyes, which should keep little ones occupied for most of the meal. Our kids love the tiffin box sets, as each stackable layer reveals another delicious surprise, ranging from pastas to sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and steamed veggies. Ice cream with sprinkles, or chocolate fudge cake wrap up the meal, and that’s something no kid can say no to.

    G/F, 26 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, New Territories, 2792 1105.

    Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

    This all-American family diner is themed on the movie Forrest Gump, and the main character’s outlook on life and his love for shrimps. Plenty of movie memorabilia, ranging from scripts to costumes, are displayed around the restaurant. Bubba Gump prides itself on scrumptious seafood platters and its slogan, “Just like Mama makes it”, is close enough for us to credit a visit here as a home-cooked meal. But all kidding aside, their comfort food-driven kids’ menu is full of indulgent eats with the likes of burgers, pizzas, ribs, seafood and hot dogs, but is somewhat counterbalanced by carrots and celery, and fresh oranges as sides. You can always work off the extra calories (and sugar high) by doing a few loops around the Peak.

    Shop 304-305, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, 2849-2867.

    Hapi 

    Hapi is a lot of things: a restaurant, a lifestyle retail space, a flower shop, an art gallery, and an event venue. The bright, sunny ambiance and gorgeous lifestyle products will cheer anyone up, which is the ethos behind the brand: that happiness can be found in all aspects of daily life. Beautifully curated houseware and art keep little ones enticed while the kitchen whips up delicious, very Instagrammable dishes. There’s no kids’ menu here, but plenty to accommodate to everyone’s tastes. We particularly like the big Hapi breakfast, which includes platters of fresh pastries and bread, cold cuts, scrambled eggs, yogurts, fruits, nuts, juices and unlimited coffee for $208.

    11 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, 2811 3213.

    Interval / Farmacy at Cyberport

    Now a family day out on the lawns at Cyberport just got more delicious with the arrival of Interval, a brand-new culinary collaboration between Twins Kitchen and Farmacy HK. Founded by twin brothers Joshua and Caleb Ng, Twins Kitchen owns and operates several food and beverage concepts in Hong Kong and abroad, including Common Grounds and CUT Sando Bar. The large, minimalist venue at Interval / Farmacy features an on-site hydroponic farm as well as wood-fired oven to pump out the perfect sourdough crust pizzas. There’s also an array of pastas, grilled meats and salads to pick from, and don’t forget the tiramisu and burnt cheesecake to end the meal on a sweet note. If the restaurant is too packed, you can always order take out and create your own picnic outdoors.

    Shop 207, 2/F, Arcade@Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, 2380-3498.

    Yum Cha

    The array of adorably shaped dim sum, ranging from “vomiting” custard buns, to little piglets, to rainbow shrimp dumplings, will keep little ones entertained (and fed!) within this trendy and very Instagrammable restaurant. There’s no kids’ menu here, but almost everything would appeal to young diners from the whimsical menu. Plus, Yum Cha uses no MSG, so parents can feast at ease too.

    Click here for various locations. 

    MeokBang BBQ Kidzone

    If sizzling Korean barbecue and a giant ball pit sound like heaven to you, then look no further than MeokBang BBQ Kidzone. The first family-friendly concept by the popular Korean barbecue restaurant chain, the decor is reminiscent of a Hanok, or traditional Korean house, adding a touch of historical whimsy to the dining experience. All the classics are on offer, from bibimbap, to marinated shortribs, to  shake shake lunch bentos, a popular school lunch box in Korea. In addition to the ball pit, there’s also a dress-up area where kids and adults can dress up in traditional Korean attire and live out their K-drama fantasies.

    2/F, 90 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, 2326-2220. 

    Origami Cafe

    Family-center Origami Cafe sits within the massive 23,000 square-meter rooftop park of Kai Tai Cruise Terminal. The park offers panoramic views over Victoria Harbour as well as highly coveted lawn space for picnics and outdoor play. The beautifully decorated cafe gives parents a chance to unwind and relax with a Chinese fusion menu while kids frolic in their various play areas ranging from slides to jungle gyms, to role-playing market places and kitchens. There’s various sensory and educational workshops available and the venue could also be hired for events and celebrations.

    Rooftop, North End, Zone B, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon Bay, 6063-7470.