Tai Kwun Guide: Where to Eat & Drink in The Newly Opened Heritage and Arts Centre

With 12 dining outlets set to open in the new Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, we’re telling you all you need to know and what is yet to come

Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, situated in the restored Central Police Station compound, is not only Hong Kong’s new hub for cultural and historical appreciation, but a great place to take the kids for a day out. Take a free guided tour of this piece of restored heritage, and then eat your way through its wide variety of food and beverage outlets, from local fast food to fusion fine dining. There’s something for everyone, so have a read through our guide to find out all about the restaurants and bars that have already opened, and some which are yet to come…

Named after French poet Paul Claudel, Café Claudel is a new concept from French Creations. You’ll be transported to 1930’s Paris by the charming retro interior, and if you want to people watch like a true Parisian, grab a seat on the quintessential terrace while you dine on classic dishes including truffle croque monsieur or roast chicken. For a taste of fusion fare, try the mini peking duck burgers.

Café Claudel, Shop 01, G08, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2411 1310, www.cafeclaudel.com

Just like its serene Hong Kong Park location, LockCha Tea House’s Tai Kwun branch offers a break from the hustle and bustle with its sustainably sourced teas and vegetarian dim sum. Beat the summer heat with its Tai Kwun exclusive mocktails; we recommend the RFT, made with Tianshan gongfu red tea, fig and lime. Take home your favourite teas at the LockCha tea shop just next door, as well as the peace and serenity of your time spent here.

LockCha Tea House, Shop 1, G07, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2276 5777, www.lockcha.com

Christian Rhomberg of Kee Club fame is back with a vengeance. The stunning Madame Fu occupies the top floor of the Barracks Block, using 8,000 square-feet of space to house its Grand Café, whiskey lounge, private dining rooms, verandah and more. Drawing inspiration from Hong Kong’s colonial past, the menu centres on contemporary Cantonese classics. We can’t wait to try out the afternoon tea options in the perfectly pink Pearl Room!

Madame Fu – Grand Café Chinois, Shop 03, 3/F, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2114 2118, www.madamefu.com.hk

Following the success of Duddell’s and Meen and Rice, Jia Group opens its third Chinese restaurant in the avant-garde JC Contemporary building. Old Bailey showcases the cuisine and hospitality of the rarely explored Jiangnan region, focusing on time-honoured techniques and subtle flavours. Vegetarians need not worry, as there is a dedicated veggie menu alongside the exciting meat dishes (the mala Iberico pork xiao long bao is to die for), and even a specially curated tea-pairing experience to go with your exquisite meal.

Old Bailey, 2/F, JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2877 8711, www.oldbailey.hk

Magical designer Ashley Sutton has already worked with Dining Concepts a handful of times to bring us fantastical bars like Ophelia, Iron Fairies and Dear Lilly. Set to open in Tai Kwun at the end of July, 2018, his latest project, Dragonfly, is a boutique cocktail lounge. The lounge will feature mesmerising artwork and blown glass pieces by Sutton’s favourite artist, Louis Tiffany, as well as drinks straight out of fairytales that we’ve come to expect from Sutton’s projects.

Dragonfly, Shop 10 & 13, G01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

The ever ambitious Aqua Restaurant Group will be taking over the main police headquarters block when it opens in September, with two flagship restaurants and a luxury lounge concept. Spotlighting Hong Kong’s East-meets-West heritage, the Chinese Library will serve Chinese cuisine, while the Statement will bring new imaginations of British delights. The Dispensary will separate the two wings of the establishment, elegantly reminiscing the city’s colonial past – with drinks to match.

The Chinese Library, Statement, and The Dispensary, 1/F, Headquarters Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

MaoMao Eat is local favourite Tsui Wah’s latest venture into fast and healthy dining. Located in the old reporting room, visitors looking for a light refuel can dine on updated cha chaan teng dishes such as the scrambled egg Beyond Burger, and the seafood medley macaroni. MaoMao Eat also has an outdoor area in the parade grounds, so you can lounge under the 60-year-old mango tree with the limited-run mango smoothie, while the kids run around and burn off some steam.

MaoMao Eat, Shop 03, G08, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2601 9818, www.facebook.com/maomaoeat

The Hong Chi Association will also be opening hc:Bistro, its 13th catering and social enterprise project at Tai Kwun soon. Although no open date has been announced, we can expect fresh farm-to-table food, which will be prepared and served by empowered individuals with intellectual disabilities. Though the restaurant will be in the confines of the old prison, the message that everyone can live without boundaries shines through.

We’ve also heard whispers that Chef David Thompson’s famed Thai street food restaurant Long Chim will be making its Hong Kong debut in the Armoury Building. While an opening date is looking to be closer to September, this news already has us excited for what’s to come!

To round out the Tai Kwun food and beverage outlets, we are also anticipating the arrival of Behind Bar, a bar cleverly named for its location looking out into the prison yard, along with Menya Musashi, a quick ramen stop named after Japan’s legendary samurai, on the ground floor of the Superintendent’s House. Stay tuned for more news!