The iconic Star Ferry floats delicately travels between Hong Kong island and Tsim Sha Tsui, an urban metropolis boasting a multitude of people, shopping opportunities, foods, culture and history. As soon as you dock you are greeting by a chime of salesmen inviting you to join them into their stores to purchases high quality watches and suits. The seafront is home to the grand Hong Kong Cultural Centre where local and international musicals, plays, ballets and operas alike come to entertain the keen theatregoers.
School trips gather to visit the vast interactive museums and tourists take their spots along the harbour side to watch the city’s famous daily 8pm light show. Further inland are a plentiful blend of restaurants, bars and cafes to visit and enjoy the diverse range of foodie options there are to enjoy. Always wanted to know whether your hands fit in that of Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee? Take a walk down to the Avenue of Stars where Hong Kong celebrities have laid their starts and Lee’s famous statue poses proudly in front of the skyline in the distance.
Katie, 24, Lived in Kowloon for one year
Katie was born in Hong Kong and has grown up on the outlying Lamma Island. She has now traded in the laid back lifestyle to join in the hustle and bustle of Kowloon. She is a freelance artist/illustrator along side her part time teaching job, with plenty of inspiration lurking nearby. She states that even though the area can be very hectic and daunting to those not used to it, there are so many interesting areas to explore that, without taking the time to do so, you wouldn’t normally notice. With Kowloon Park so close by, she is able to visit the birds and enjoy a moment of peace before heading straight back into the excitement.
Appa’s Kitchen
Shop 4C, G/F, Windson Mansion, 17 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui | Daily 12pm – 12:30am
The ideal way to cure a hangover or even just a feeling-down day is to pop by this little Korean restaurant and order the cheese raymun with extra cheese! The owners are super friendly and make you feel right at home, which is what you want when you’re hungover and vulnerable, isn’t it?
Castro’s
1/F, 16 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | Daily 12pm – 2am
For great vibes, reasonable prices and delectable cocktails, check out this Cuban bar located on the first floor, perfect for people watching. Don’t even get Katie started on their daiquiris, which she claims are super delicious. You can also write your name on spare money to stick on the wall – what fun!
Woodlands International Restaurant
UG 16-17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | Daily 12pm – 3:30pm; 6pm – 10:30pm
This Indian restaurant has an all-vegetarian menu, which is unusual in Hong Kong. It has a wide range of choices to get your teeth into including special platters, a selection of breads, and of course curries. A great place to go for a weekday dinner.
Charmaine, 24, Born in Hong Kong
Charmaine has live in Hong Kong her entire life and now works in the city as a Digital Marketing Manager. She loves Tsim Sha Tsui for it’s constant busyness. Whenever she is bored at her home in Jordan, she takes a quick stroll down to TST and people watches. From shoppers on Granville Road to worshippers walking to the mosque to tourists trying to navigate the narrow streets with their suitcases, there’s always something to see. Charmaine is fortunate to be able to try great restaurants for work, so she is certainly the right person to ask for the top reccommendations.
Maison Eight
21/F, 8 Observatory Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon | http://www.maisoneight.com/ | Mon-Fri 12pm – 11pm; Sat-Sun 11am – 11pm
Chef Joe Chan uses classical techniques and presents the food simply, allowing the dishes to speak for themselves. The seared scallop appetizer and Tenderloin Rossini main are cooked to perfection. Save room for cocktails at the lounge after, designed by world-renowned Italian mixologist Salvatore Calabrese. Make sure to try the Breakfast Martini!
Marugame Seimen
609, iSQUARE, 63 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui | Daily 11:30am – 11pm
A simple, easy dinner, but a top pick for this foodie. Pick your udon combination, Charmaine prefers the cold udon with bonito soy, then choose an accompanying side dish – or three! If you’re feeling extra peckish, an additional onsen egg always goes down well.
Wooloomooloo Prime
Level 21, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | http://www.wooloo-mooloo.com/hk/ | Daily 11:45am – Late
If you’re looking for a showstopper meal, Wooloomooloo Prime at The One is the place to go. The stunning view of the harbour along with your signature Wooloomooloo Steak, a cut that’s grain-fed for 150 days and wet-aged for 2-3 weeks, are perfect for that fancy date night out.
