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The 10 Best Tai Kwun Restaurants for an Unforgettable Meal Inside Hong Kong’s Heritage Landmark
Most people visit Tai Kwun for the art, the architecture, or a quick wander through history. What they don’t expect is to leave talking about the food.
Between the preserved prison blocks and heritage courtyards, Tai Kwun hides some of the most memorable dining spots in Central. The problem? There are so many good ones that you can spend longer deciding where to eat than actually eating.
After a few hungry afternoons of doing exactly that, we decided to narrow it down.
Here are the best Tai Kwun restaurants that make the precinct worth visiting for more than just culture. Each one proves that good food can be just as inspiring as great art.
The Chinese Library
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Location: Block 01, Tai Kwun, Police Headquarters
Contact: +852 2848 3088
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: Closed
- Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Pricing: $$$
The Chinese Library is a really interesting spot if you’re into modern takes on Chinese food. The place itself feels fancy but not intimidating. The restored colonial building gives it a kind of old-school charm that makes sitting down for a meal feel special.
The menu matches the setting, offering both dim sum and regional Chinese classics. You can expect delicate bites like steamed dumplings, fluffy buns, and a few bold, flavorful dishes inspired by different parts of China.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, there’s an extra treat. They do a brunch with free-flow champagne and cocktails, which is a fun way to turn a lazy morning into a mini celebration.
We especially loved the black garlic prawns and pork siu mai. They were full of flavour, but they weren’t overwhelming, so we think even foreigners would enjoy them.
| Pro tip: If you love dim sum, go with a small group so you can order a bunch of different items and share. |
Pazta
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Location: Shop 03-G08, G/F Barrack Block
Contact: +852 2626 1186
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM –10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Pazta is one of the best restaurants in Tai Kwun for Italian food. The bonus is that you get to enjoy the dishes in a relaxed, open-air setting.
It offers a modern twist on classic Italian dishes. The ambiance is casual yet stylish, making it a great spot for both date nights and casual hangouts.
The menu features a variety of pasta dishes, pizzas, and small plates. If you’re craving a comforting bowl of spaghetti carbonara or a crisp Margherita pizza, Pazta has you covered.
They also offer a selection of wines and cocktails to complement your meal.
One of the highlights is their Aperol Spritz Garden, a unique outdoor space where you can enjoy a range of spritz cocktails paired with mini panini. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening, especially during happy hour from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
| Pro tip: Go for the pasta tasting menu if you want to sample a few different dishes without overthinking what to pick. |
Madame Fù – Grand Café Chinois
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Location: 3rd Floor, Barrack Block
Contact: +852 2114 2118
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:30 AM
Pricing: $$
Madame Fù – Grand Café Chinois is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a really striking setting. The space feels artistic and airy, making it a nice spot to settle in for a meal.
The menu is a mix of Chinese classics with modern twists. We tried the truffle chicken and the prawn dumplings, and both stood out for their flavor and presentation. The dim sum in particular felt fresh and thoughtfully made.
You can also find more small plates and some western-style desserts, all carefully crafted.
Afternoon tea is also a thing here, offering a calm break with a mix of sweet and savory bites.
| Pro tip: Ask if the seasonal dim sum is available. They’re usually not on the regular menu and make for a unique treat. |
Café Claudel
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Location: Shop 01-G08
Contact: +852 2411 1310
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Café Claudel feels like a little slice of Paris tucked into Tai Kwun. It’s cozy and relaxed, with small tables that spill into the courtyard. It’s an easy spot to sit back and people-watch for a while.
The menu is full of French comfort food. Think croque monsieur, quiche, and freshly baked pastries.
We tried the fresh onion soup and the beef tartare, and both hit the mark. The soup had a nice depth without being too heavy, and the tartare came with crisp fries that disappeared fast.
It’s the kind of place that works for both a lazy brunch or a glass of wine in the afternoon.
| Pro tip: Grab a table outdoors if you can. The courtyard setting adds to the whole Parisian vibe, especially during golden hour. |
Cantina
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Location: Block 01, Tai Kwun
Contact: +852 2848 3000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Cantina brings a modern Italian touch to Tai Kwun. The space feels bright and inviting, with big windows and a casual setup that makes it easy to linger over lunch or stay for a long dinner.
The menu focuses on classic Italian dishes done well. You’ll find handmade pasta, seafood, and simple plates that highlight good ingredients.
We tried the burrata and tagliatelle with beef ragu, and both were rich and comforting. They’re the kind that make you want to order a little more just to keep the meal going.
It’s also a great spot for small gatherings since the atmosphere stays relaxed even when it’s busy.
| Pro tip: Go for one of their set lunches if you want good value without skipping on quality. It’s one of the better midday deals around Tai Kwun. |
Magistracy Dining Room
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Location: G/F, Central Magistracy
Contact: +852 2252 3177
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
- Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Pricing: $$
Magistracy Dining Room is a grand restaurant in Tai Kwun with a strong British fine-dining vibe. It’s in a restored Central Magistracy building, and walking in feels like stepping into a history book dressed up for dinner.
The food leans toward British classics with some modern touches. You’ll see starters like Brighton Beach dressed crab, pastry-topped French onion soup, and sausage rolls.
For mains, expect things like rib of beef carved at the table with Yorkshire pudding or Dover sole and lobsters when they feel fancy.
Desserts and afternoon tea are also part of the deal. Their shifts of tea service on Saturdays include sweet and savory bites plus carefully chosen teas made by a tea master.
| Pro tip: Try to get a reservation for dinner on Thursday through Sunday, so you can sample the seasonal à la carte dishes. |
Armoury Terrace
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Location: G/F, Armoury Building 02
Contact: +852 9738 4979
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Armoury Terrace is a casual, open-air bar-terrace in Tai Kwun that leans on fun rather than formality. It sits under the mango tree at the head of the Parade Ground, so you get a good view and breeze while you hang out.
The food is modern Thai-style bar snacks with simple mains if you want more. Dishes like prawn and corn cakes, pad Thai, and sweet & sour crunchy pork are on the menu.
We tried the grilled pork skewers and pad see ew and liked how the spices hit without being too intense. The dishes are good for sharing with friends rather than ordering solo.
The drinks line-up is decent too: coffees and teas in the morning, draught beers, wines by the glass, and creative cocktails later in the day.
| Pro tip: Visit during happy hour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Sunday through Thursday, to get good deals on drinks plus bar snacks. |
1862 Bar de Tapas y Vino
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Location: Shop G01, Ground Floor
Contact: +852 2633 1862
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
1862 Bar de Tapas y Vino is a Spanish tapas joint in Tai Kwun that doesn’t try too hard but delivers nicely.
The menu is all about Spanish small plates and sharing food. You can order classic bites like patatas bravas, padrón peppers, and ham croquettes.
For something more substantial, try the Galician octopus or the roast suckling pig served with pineapple piquillo peppers and gravy.
We tried the patatas bravas and the cordero Ibérico, and they stood out for being flavorful without being overamped. The balanced spice and crisp texture of the potatoes and the richness of the lamb made us want to try more.
If you like wine or cocktails, you won’t feel left out. There’s a decent wine list and some Spanish wines that pair well with tapas.
| Pro tip: Try their chef’s tasting menu if you’re visiting with friends. It’s an easy way to sample a range of tapas without overordering. |
Sushi Zo Hong Kong
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Location: LG1/F Block 01
Contact: +852 2884 0114
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$
Sushi Zo is an omakase sushi place that takes everything seriously but in a calm, elegant way. Only a small number of guests are seated per sitting, which makes the experience feel special.
Everything is about Japanese Edomae-style sushi using fresh fish flown in daily from Japan. They serve a daily rotating omakase menu where each piece is laid out one by one with care in terms of texture, temperature, and flavor.
You’ll get nigiri, sashimi, possibly temaki, palate cleansers, and a small dessert.
We tried the signature pieces and felt they were delicate without being overworked. Each bite felt balanced, which is rare for such premium sushi; the rice complements the fish rather than fighting it.
| Pro tip: Book way ahead and opt for the dinner sitting so you can enjoy the full 18-dish omakase when the seafood selection tends to be more varied. |
Botanical Garden
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Location: G/F, Central Magistracy
Contact: +852 2252 3177
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Botanical Garden is a terrace-bar next to Magistracy Dining Room that leans into garden vibes. The space is lush with foliage and feels like a calm English heritage garden repurposed for drinks and bites.
The focus is on quality gin & tonics, classic cocktails, and wine paired with small British-style bites. You’ll find things like smoked salmon, oysters, cheese gougère,s and sandwiches like The Beefeater with prime rib and horseradish cream.
Botanical Garden hits the sweet spot when you want drinks and light food without going full dinner mode.
| Pro tip: Order a flight of gin or a tasting board of small bites so you can try several things without committing to just one. |
