LSA Eats: Our picks of the best restaurants offering art-infused dining during Art Month

March has solidified its position as the official arts month in Hong Kong, with a flurry of art events taking place throughout the city, culminating in the highly anticipated Art Basel 2024 and Art Central 2024. This annual celebration of the arts has transformed Hong Kong into a vibrant cultural hub, attracting artists, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the world.

This year’s calendar has been enriched by the addition of notable events such as ComplexCon Asia Edition, and a slew of harbourfront attractions such as the Art@Harbour project, with the highlighted immersive installation “teamLab: Continuous”. The Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space (WCHES) will also host “Illuminate! Run Beyond”, featuring the internationally acclaimed light art installation by Italian artist Angelo Bonello.

For those seeking an art-infused dining experience to stay on vibe, several restaurants in Hong Kong offer a feast for the senses. These establishments showcase interesting artworks, adding another dimension to the culinary experience. Here are some places where visitors can indulge in both visual and culinary delights as they explore the city’s vibrant arts scene.

Duddell’s

Cathay Pacific business class frequent flyers will have had the pleasure of tasting some of Duddell’s signature dishes during their flights, but nothing beats have these dishes freshly cooked and sent to your table. This one-Michelin-starred establishment has been offering consistent quality Cantonese fare. Besides Chef Chan Yau-leung’s dual flavoured char siu and specials such as the glutinous rice fried chicken, Duddell’s is also known for the interesting artworks starting from the exhibition space on the third floor to paintings adorning the bar and dining space on the fourth floor. The restaurant/space features a year-round arts programme of exhibitions and talks. The restaurant also offers a good dim sum lunch.

Duddell’s, 1 Duddell Street, Central. Tel: +852 25259191. Open: daily, 12nn-3pm, 6pm-11pm.

Magistracy Dining Room

Magistracy Dining Room, part of the restored old Magistracy from the colonial days, is worth a visit just for the history and the architecture alone. Renovated under the direction of Joyce Wang Studios, the stately interiors exude old-world glamour with high vaulted ceilings, lustrous wooden panelled walls, and sumptuous curved banquettes in rich red hues. Artworks discreetly adorn the premise, including a hand-painted map of olden Hong Kong. The menu features a selection of English classics, expertly served by impeccably dressed captains and presented on elegant trolleys. Start with a Caesar’s salad or some oysters and go on to some steak tartare and prime rib, but don’t miss out on some fine confit potatoes.

Magistracy Dining Room,  The Magistracy, Tai Kwun, Central. Tel: +852 2252 3177. Open: daily 6pm onwards, Thurs – Friday from 12nn.

Hue Dining

At Hue Dining, it’s all things Australian, including the artworks that decorate the restaurant. This modern Australian restaurant nestled within the Hong Kong Museum of Art occupies a spacious 5,000 square feet. The restaurant takes full advantage of its breath-taking panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Hue’s menus are carefully crafted with the finest ingredients sourced from a curated selection of producers worldwide. Executive Chef Anthony Hammel, hailing from Australia, ensures that seasonality and freshness take centre stage in each culinary creation. Hue Dining has fostered a partnership with Tanya Baxter Contemporary Art, bringing an ever-changing selection of art installations to the dining room. Many of these artworks feature pieces by Australian artists. The restaurant is now also offering weekend brunch with live jazz music on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hue Dining, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tel: +852 3500 5888. Open: Mon-Fri 11.30am-midnight, weekends, 11am-midnight.

Ho Lee Fook

More than just a restaurant offering Cantonese cuisine, Ho Lee Fook is truly one of the few elevated casual restaurants that can truly claim to embody the “Hong Kong” spirit. Greeted by figurines of tens of lucky cats (they’re Japanese in origin but have been adopted by Hong Kong with relish) waving you in, Ho Lee Fook’s interiors are bold and in your face. The vibrant and flamboyant oriental motifs splashed across the walls may sometimes distract from some of the art hanging on the walls but look closely enough, and you can admire some interesting oriental-themed artworks. Chef ArChan Chan is one of the most exciting young Chinese chefs in town right now, devoting her prowess to cuisine deeply rooted in Hong Kong culinary traditions such as the steamed mud crab with egg roe on Chinese egg custard, the prawn toast, and also the pandan milk bread French toast with peanut butter. Strong vibes here.

Ho Lee Fook, 3-5 Elgin Street, SoHo. Tel: +852 2810 0860. Open: daily 6pm to midnight.