A Taste of Amalfi: Hot off the success of its beachfront outlet in Repulse Bay, Amalfitana Central has opened on Wyndham Street to bring a taste of the Amalfi Coast to the heart of Hong Kong.

Look & Feel: Light and airy. Created by interior design studio A Work of Substance, Amalfitana Central is a breath of fresh air on the often dark and dank Wyndham Street. Inspired by the courtyards of Capri and the azure Mediterranean sea, the space is decked out with whitewashed walls, terrazzo flooring and countertops, earth-toned furnishings, and lots of timber. The highlights though, are the big postcard windows that open onto the street and the bar area that acts as a focal point.

On the Menu: There’s no reinventing the wheel here. Instead, Amalfitana Central delivers casual coastal Italian fare that’s been done well and with bright, fresh produce. The menu here has some of the most popular dishes from the Repulse Bay outlet—including Bocconcini ($100) made with mozzarella, garlic, or truffle.

We kick things off with the Tricolore ($120) a super fresh—and appropriate for spring and summer—dish of diced tomatoes, avocado, and bufala mozzarella, and an order of eggplant polpette ($90) which are so moreish, they’re worth popping in for on their own.

Of course, the primary focus at Amalfitana is artisan pizza. In all honesty, it’s probably not going to be crowned the best pizza in town—there’s a lot of competition, after all— but the pies here certainly hit the spot. The Regina ($180) comes loaded with ham and artichokes, while the Italia ($180) features a tomato base loaded with mozzarella, bufala mozzarella, and sprinklings of basil and oregano—a dash of chili oil and it’s a satisfying Friday lunch.

Amalfitana Central also boasts a drinks list inspired by Southern Italy, and they’re certainly worth trying. The Espresso Zabaglione ($100) is a heady twist on the Espresso Martini that features Kirsch, vodka, espresso, hazelnut, and a creamy marscapone foam, but other signatures include the refreshing Hugo Watermelone ($110; salted watermelon, Italicus bergamot liqueur, americano biano vermouth, soda, Prosecco) and punchy Parmesan Sour ($110; Rye, almond wine, fresh citrus, whites, fresh grated parmesan).

Jeng: Somewhat surprisingly, we were probably more impressed with the starters and drinks than with the pizza.

Not So Jeng: Not to say that the pizza wasn’t worth trying—they are—but with such fierce competition in the city these days, we’d be lying if we said this is the best in town.

Meet the Chef: Michel Delgi Agosti also oversees the kitchens of sister venues Amalfitana Repulse Bay and Fratelli.

Great For: Casual lunches and dinners, or aperitivo with bites.

FYI: By night, Amalfitana will be adding to Wyndham Street’s nightlight with house tunes being spun by resident DJ Noel, turning the space into more of a fun bar vibe.

Check out Hong Kong’s newest restaurants and bars here.

This writeup was based on a complimentary media tasting. The Loop HK doesn’t guarantee/sell restaurant review coverage. See our editorial policy here.