On a typical weekend afternoon in Paris, locals flock to their neighborhood bistro to tuck into classic homemade dishes and wine. In Hong Kong, the French expat community is ever-expanding, meaning there’s an abundance of bistros to choose from. Here are the best French bistros in Hong Kong to get your Parisian dining fix…
District 8
Specializing in wine and steak, Parisian bistro District 8 houses two locations in Hong Kong – both al-fresco. Signature steaks come with Café de Paris sauce, charred onions and frites. Dine in style at this brasserie, uplifted with its friendly service and delicious drinks selection.
Various locations (Tsim Sha Tsui and Tseung Kwan O), 2537-7555. Open every day, times vary.
Le Bistro Winebeast
Art and wine lovers come to Le Bistro Winebeast, a sophisticated hub in the heart of Wan Chai. The French restaurant is helmed by Chef Léa Cantalloube, a Toulouse local. Stop by to try the Saturday brunch or browse the divine dishes from the à la carte menu.
G/F Newman House, 35-45 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 2782-6689. Open Monday to Saturday 12:00pm to 11:00pm.
SOMM
LANDMARK Mandarin Oriental’s SOMM is a modern French neo-bistro, famed for its delectable selection of top-notch dishes and wines. Flanked by the hotel’s exquisite Amber and Sushi Shikon by Yoshitake, SOMM offers a more relaxed ambiance to reflect Parisian weekend hangouts. Passionate sommeliers swing by purely for the wines, but the food is just as noteworthy.
7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 2132-0033. Open every day, times vary.
Bouchon Bistro Français
LA VACHE!
Crowd favorite La Vache! is undoubtedly one of Soho’s busiest venues, and rightly so. The restaurant – meaning ‘the cow’ in French – specializes in exactly what you’d expect – steaks. Oh, and frites, which are unlimited.
Various locations (including Soho and Tsim Sha Tsui). Opening times vary.
Pastis
Jérôme Spitzer and Olivier Caisson opened Pastis back in 2009, a French hub loved by partygoers. But there’s much more to this bistro than its post-work happy hours – its food menu, especially in TKO, is authentic and delightful. From tapas to classic French mains, Pastis has you covered.
Various locations (including Central and Tseung Kwan O). Opening times vary.
La Crêperie
If you’re a fan of the French pancake, then La Crêperie is the place to be. As soon as you walk into the crêpe restaurant, you’ll be greeted with the sweet aromas of the fun-filled dessert. Interiors are inspired by Brittany, enhanced by its lighthouses and crockery.
1/F, Kui Chi Mansion, 100 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, 2529-9280. Open every day, times vary.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Serving Mediterranean-French cuisine, LPM Restaurant & Bar is an upmarket diner in trendy H Code. Diners here dress to impress and its beautiful interiors make it one of the most desirable places to be on a Friday night. But don’t be fooled by its exquisite setting – the food is incredible (especially the steak and prawns), plus the service is amicable and very friendly.
23-29 Stanley Street Shop 1, 1/F, H, Queen’s, Central, 2887-1113. Open every day, times vary.
Jean May
Independent French bistro Jean May is a cool French bistro in Wan Chai, decked in chic green interiors. The neighborhood gem pays tribute to timeless French bistros, serving a seasonal menu with an array of handpicked wines. Classics on the menu include the chicken liver parfait and the razor clams – the latter, a new take on the Chinese dish.
Shop A, 14 Gresson St, Wan Chai, 3590-6033. Open Wednesday to Sunday, times vary.
