Hong Kong Dining: Our Top Weekend Brunch Picks

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Dining out with the family can be a tad stressful. It’s a fine balance of finding a family friendly place where the staff, and indeed fellow guests, don’t judge if your toddler has a meltdown (let’s face it they are a ticking time bomb!) but also provides food that suits the fussiest of eaters as well as entertains them to stay put for the duration. Here’s a lineup of old faithfuls and new kids on the block that are worth checking out with the fam.

This is normally my go to place for taking out-of-towners for a slap up Chinese banquet, the food is fabulous and as you overlook the harbour you get one of the best views of the island’s skyline. I had never dared to bring my brood here before, mistakenly thinking that this restaurant was strictly reserved for grown-ups. However Hutong tops my brunch charts, not only does the One Peking Road establishment provides an endless supply of delectable dim sum and other Chinese delicacies (check out the “pink rice”, which is in fact beetroot chicken fried rice that my two adored!); the entertainment that is on show every weekend is a big hit with the littles. From Kung Fu tea pourers to a magic mask magician known as Bian Lian, Hutong will have you and your little ones enthralled. Oh and did I mention there’s a free sail for your family on the Aqua Luna so you arrive in true Hong Kong style. A memorable day out that reminded me why I love Hong Kong so much, I will be back!

Need to know:

Hutong’s Feng Wei Brunch is available on Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays from 12pm – 3pm.

Dim sum appetizer & entrée buffet, a selection of main dishes followed by Hutong dessert platter costs $428 +10% per person.  Children under 12 eat for free so why not add that extra HK$200 for free flow Veuve Clicquot champagne!

Hutong, 1 Peking Road Shopping Arcade, 28/F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; 3428 8342

In our household, dad is happiest with a steak on his plate and Hong Kong’s premier Argentinian restaurant, Gaucho does not disappoint on this front. Adding their signature steak and combining it with everyone’s favourite breakfast ingredient, the Steak and Eggs is just one of many sampler dishes you can choose from time and again. The stopwatch starts as soon as you order your first dish from the menu and you can order as much as you like over the two hour time frame. The perfect place to bring fussy eaters, or even adults who are having a hard time choosing, Gaucho’s bottomless brunch of tasting plates will leave your hunger well and truly locked up until tea time.

Read more: An Evening of Wine and Argentinean Steak: Gaucho’s Divine Bovine

Need to know:

The Gaucho Brunch costs HK$450 a head and includes all your food for the 2 hours plus juices, soft drinks and mocktails. The Champagne Brunch is a reasonable HK$650 a head and includes everything in the above standard brunch package as well as access to Veuve Clicquot champagne, a selection of signature cocktails, wines, house spirits and beer.

Children under 2 eat for free and older kids are offered a sizeable discount.

Gaucho, 5th Floor, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; 2386 8090

Looking on the bright side of brunch, The Optimist embraces the Spanish family style of feeding your loved ones. A moveable feast, this brunch is a buzzy affair with a market buffet, sharing tapas, asador-style mains and desserts brought to the table. Free-flow options of prosecco, sangria punch, Spanish wines and beer get mum and dad in the mood. A big fan of the buffet this brunch starts off with help-yourself servings of market pintxos, embutidos, cheese, fresh salads and cold soups.

Sticking to its Spanish roots, the Iberico ham spread of cured aged jamon is the crux of this cuisine. For those who don’t want to leave comfort of their seats, hot sharing tapas of Huevos Rotos ‘Broken Eggs’, Grilled Octopus and Ham & Mushroom Croquettes as well as a fair selection of main courses and delicious desserts can be brought to the table.

Read more: Ham and Cheese Delights on the Spanish Mediterranean-Inspired Lunch Menu 

Need to know:

Brunch at The Optimist is available on Sunday & public holidays from 11:30am to 3pm

The menu starts from HK$348 with the free flow drinks package at an additional HK$180.

There is a separate kids menu, which costs HK$98 a head.

The Optimist, G/F – 2/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.theoptimist.hk

Quite literally get your skates on… after enjoying a fun morning on the ice at Elements Mall’s The Rink Ice Rink, head on up to Grand Central for a family feast.  This a la carte menu has everything you heart would desire in a brunch, from the seafood platter for two to GC’s signature cast iron skillets and everything in between. The staff are great at dealing with kids and serve up their food in cute colourful containers. Continue to make a day of it by sticking around the mall to take in a family flick at the cinema. This is a great option for a big day out!

Need to know:

Available on weekends from 11am – 3pm, Grand Central is located in Civic Square of Elements Mall providing al fresco dining and access to entertainment such as the shopping centre’s ice rink and cinema.

Grand Central, Shop R001, 3/F, Civic Square, Elements, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; 2736 4888

Read more: Best Outdoor Playgrounds in Kowloon

This is one of our family favourites whatever the meal time. Surprisingly the staff at this five star hotel do not bat an eyelid at misbehaving children, instead the Mandarin’s Café Causette team are on hand with a smile, a fantastic children’s menu, which includes all the usual suspects cooked to perfection, as well as an activity pack, colouring sheet and pens. High chairs are sturdy and the kids love peering in to see the live kitchen as the chefs are busy at work.

Need to know:

Not strictly brunch, the Mini Mo menu provides both breakfast and lunch options. Lunch starts from 11.30am perfect to get a quick feed in before lunchtime naps and for those early risers breakfast begins at 6.30am.

Café Causette, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong; 2825 4005

New kid on the block, Morty’s Delicatessen in Jardine’s House is an authentic New York-style deli with its own bakery featuring a selection of classic smoked meat sandwiches as well as other contemporary signatures… mama the Cobb salad looks good! They have just launched their new Kids Special Menu that is available only on Saturdays.

At HK$68 per child, this includes all-American firm favourites including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches plus a drink. If your kids have been good then treat them to an ice cream sundae or slice of apple pie for an extra HK$38. Highchairs are available on request and the deli provides kiddos with a colouring mat and crayons and a chance to win a prize from Morty’s treasure chest.

Need to know:

Perfect place for a sarnie, Morty’s are appealing to kiddiewinks with a new children’s menu, colouring placemats and a lucky dip treasure chest. Kids menu starts from HK$68 per child.

Morty’s Delicatessen, Shop 12-14, Lower Ground Floor, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central

Sadly we missed the Flamingo fiesta at WHISK however The Mira keeps on brunchin’. Offering a bounty, in my opinion priced a little on the high side, Whisk cooks up a selection of buffet appetisers from seafood to sashimi, a hot main brought to the table and access to… shhhh… their secret dessert and cheese room, which clearly was our favourite part of the meal.

Need to know:

Available every Sunday, 12pm – 3pm, the WHISK brunch costs HK$638 with free-flowing soft drinks and juices. Add HK$250 for free-flowing Moët & Chandon NV champagne and cocktails
HK$398 children (3-11 years inclusive)
All prices subject to 10% service charge

WHISK, 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road,Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; 2315 5999

Le Bistro Winebeast and sister outlet Le Café Winebeast are laying on a good value brunch, which is a real steal of a deal at HK$180 a person and what’s more two children under 12 get to eat for free! Available in October between 11am to 4pm, the restaurants provide a basic offering of pastries, teas, coffee and juices followed by a choice of four main courses – omelette, beef bavette, smoked salmon and poached egg or a hearty veggie pasta dish.

Need to know:

Kids eat free and adults need only pay HK$180

Le Bistro Winebeast serves brunch from 11am – 4pm, Saturdays only

Le Café Winebeast serves brunch from 11am – 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays

Le Bistro Winebeast, G/F &1/F, Tai Yip Building, 141 Thomson Road, Wan Chai; 2782 6689

In the nicer end of Wan Chai lies Pirata, on the 29/F of 239 Hennessy Road. Go here for a delicious selection of antipasto, including cold cuts, cheeses and salads. Come prepared to eat, as you’ll get a small portion of meatballs, asparagus flan and a fried mozzarella sandwich as well as your choice of main… it’s a lot of food, mama! Pirata has great veggie options too, such as the eggplant parmigiana and the truffle tagliatele… both are definitely a must try!

Need to know:

Brunch at Pirata is $298 for four courses, including dessert. You can also add $180 for free-flow drinks. The Kids menu is $98 for three courses including dessert and orange juice.

Pirata is open for weekend brunch from 12 noon – 3pm.

Pirata, 29/F & 30/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; 2887 0270, www.pirata.hk

Before you even get to your seat in La Paloma, your eyes are introduced to a feast of bright, colourful walls, laden with dynamic decorations and art throughout the restaurant. The sangria is generously poured as you take a wander through the buffet of hams, cheese, ceviche and other perfect bite sized nibbles (a test to one’s self control as the mains are prepared in the kitchen).

Warm tapas dishes fill up much of the table, but leave enough space for a large paella pan. We chose the pitch black squid ink paella, which was topped with a variety of colourful seafood. Make sure the give your drink a few swishes over your teeth every few bites otherwise they may just change colour!

Need to know:

All you can eat paella and Spanish suckling pig for $250 per person. Add $160 for free flow Cava.

La Paloma, 1/F, SoHo 189, 198 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong; 2291 6161