9.30am
Head to The Cupping Room to start your day, for a lazy breakfast that’ll get you excited to explore the wonders of Sheung Wan Coffee. It’s hands down one of the best brunches in the city – try their chili scrambled eggs, avocado on toast or their twist on the classic eggs benedict, to avoid that all-consuming food envy you’re be sure to have otherwise. Their award-winning coffee is also a must try – and it promises to get you buzzing your way around Sheung Wan, suitably caffeinated.
10.30am
Next navigate your way to Ladder Street, which features in the classic scenes of the 1960s film, The World of Suzie Wong. Climb the vertical path almost to the top, and turn right onto Cat Street. Have a mooch around here, it’s full of Chinese pots, old advertisements and other kitsch and wonderful antiques. It won’t take you long to walk up and down the street, so head back to Ladder Street when you’re finished shopping and continue up to the top. There you’ll see the largest Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong, which was built in 1847.
12pm
Once you’re incensed out from the twirling coils that dominate the Man Mo temple, head via Hollywood Road and Pound Lane to 1 Upper Street, where you’ll find Little Burro – a feisty new burrito restaurant on a quirky, graffiti-filled street in Sheung Wan. Enjoy a grab-and-go lunch in the edgy, arty hub of the district and expect to fill-yourself-silly with Little Burro’s fresh and fiery burritos.
1.30pm
When you’ve filled your cravings, have a wander towards the Western Market on Des Voeux Road. Walk past Tung Street onto Morrison Street, walking down from Hollywood Road. The Western Market is one of the few colonial landmarks of the city, and still boasts a thriving fabric trade.
2.30pm
Next walk down Des Voeux Road towards Central, passing Man Wa Lane (or Chop Street), which is a street dedicated to the making of old-fashioned stamps in Hong Kong. Then wander around Wing Lok Street and Bonham Strand, where you’ll be able to check out the Chinese medicine shops and Birds Nest Soup being sold here.
4pm
Eventually, you can make your way to 197 Queens Road Central, where you’ll stop for a coffee at the brilliant Coco Espresso for a mid afternoon pick-me-up.
5pm
Next head over to Gough Street in the very trendy NOHO area, which was historically the printing press hub of the city, for Kau Kee Restaurant’s, famous beef brisket noodles in clear soup (to share). It gains far-reaching queues at lunchtime, so be sure not to miss out. With homeware stores and trendy restaurants, Gough Street is the up-and-coming new shopping district for those urbanites in the know.
7pm
For dinner, make your way to Po Yan Street for one of Hong Kong’s best and most innovative pizzas at Café Deco. Made with the freshest seasonal ingredients, they mix Asian flavours with the traditional Italian classics.
9pm
To finish your night, head back to Pound Lane for some post-dinner drinks at Mrs Pound. It looks like a Chop Shop from the outside and will take you a while to get in but this brightly-coloured, retro-styled bar is going to be the next great Hong Kong institution. So check it out first.
Places to Eat/Drink:
The Cupping Room – Shop LG, 287-299 Queen’s Rd Central, Sheung Wan, 2799 3398
Little Burro – 1 Upper Station St, Sheung Wan, 2547 8821
Coco Espresso – G/F, 197 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2542 2228
Kau Kee Restaurant – G/F, 21 Gough Street
Café Deco – 1 Po Yan St, Sheung Wan, 2559 4100
Mrs Pound – 6 Pound Ln, Sheung Wan, 3426 3949
Places to See:
Man Mo Temple – 126 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan
Wing Lok Lane and Bonham Strand
Chop Street – Man Wa Lane
Western Market – 323 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan
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Emma Russell | Editor