9.30am | Oolaa restaurant
Australia’s renowned for its world-famous breakfasts, so where better than Oolaa restaurant on Bridges Street to start your day? It’s open-planned, windowless exterior, combined with tiled floors and a café-style ambiance, give the restaurant a laid-back Aussie vibe that’s perfect for a leisurely brunch in Hong Kong Central.
Photo courtesy of Oolaa Restaurant
11pm | Former Central Police Station Compound
After breakfast, walk towards Staunton Street, turning down onto Shing Wong Street (a very jungle-y staircase leading down to Hollywood Road) on the left. At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find an old-school barber and antique pot shop, both of which are well worth a quick look. Next wander along Hollywood Road, passing numerous art galleries and antique stores, until you reach the Former Central Police Station Compound. Recently renovated, the station is one of the largest colonial buildings left in Hong Kong Central – making it the perfect spot to read up on Hong Kong’s British heritage.
1pm | Wellington Gallery, Zee Stone Gallery, Connoisseur Art Gallery
Continue along Hollywood and Wyndam Street, checking out more contemporary Chinese art at one of Hong Kong Central’s award-winning art galleries, (Wellington Gallery, Zee Stone Gallery, Connoisseur Art Gallery being but a few along these two streets.) Time Out HK always has comprehensive guides on the latest must-see exhibits and interviews with visiting artists. When you reach the end of Wyndam Street, walk past The Fringe Club, Hong Kong’s oldest active contemporary art and performing space.
A Chamber classical concert ‘Interlude: Music for Oboe and Strings’. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Fringe Club
2.30pm | Mana!fast slow food
Next, head to Wellington Street to check out Hong Kong Central´s latest institution, Mana! A healthy-food hub cooking up a name for themselves with their ‘fast slow food.’ The eco-friendly oasis in the heart of the bustling Hong Kong, offers a woody, nature-oriented ambience that attracts white-collar workers and fitness fanatics to the café in their masses. And with an extensive menu of vegetarian wonders, it’s not hard to see why! Check out their signature flats, modern oven-baked twists on the classic Middle Eastern flatbread, filled with healthy goodness and topped with Mana’s very own homemade Zaatar.
Mana!fast slow food
3.30pm | The Jamia mosque
Then, go almost to top of the mid-levels escalator (one that boasts being the longest in the world), where you’ll get to Shelley Street. Here you’ll find a beautiful mint-coloured mosque on your right hand side. The Jamia mosque, while relatively unknown, is a Grade 1 listed building built in 1890 on a piece of land leased by the British Hong Kong government. After this head up to Caine Road, where you can then hail a taxi to the peak tram terminus.
4.30pm | Pacific Coffee
When you reach the peak, stop for a moment at Pacific Coffee, walking out onto their terrace, which overlooks the stunning Hong Kong skyline. From here find the Peak Lookout, on the right of which there is a walk taking you around the peak for some breath-taking views over Hong Kong’s many outlying islands.
7pm | PMQ building
When you’re finished, jump in a taxi to Soho’s art-centre at the PMQ building – an old police station recently rejuvenated into the pop-up store host of Hong Kong Central. With craft shops, design studios and the city’s very coolest brands, the PMQ building attracts the city’s trendiest. Check out Sohofama, for some modern-Chinese comfort cuisine that is guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling. From the distinctly retro-feel inside to the chilled-out terrace, you’ll be able to sit back and relax in true hip-HK fashion.
Photo courtesy of travelphotos.picturetheplanet.com
Places to Eat
- Oolaa – Bridges St,.
- Mana! – 92 Wellington St, Central, 2851 1611.
- Sohofama – PMQ building, Aberdeen Street.
- Pacific Coffee – Peak Tower.
- Want to order home delivery and eat from the comfort of your home? Find a list of top restaurants in Central Hong Kong here.
Places to See
- Former Central Police Station Compound – 10 Hollywood Rd.
- The Peak.
- The Fringe Club.
Cover photo courtesy of cdn.c.photoshelter.com
Editor | Emma Russell