The quintessential blend of old Hong Kong and modern twists, Sai Ying Pun houses a blooming community filled with trendy locations perched on sloping streets. Read Hive Life’s guide to Sai Ying Pun for our top picks of what to eat, drink and do.
Spurred on by the opening of the MTR station in 2015, Sai Ying Pun has grown to become one of the most happening neighbourhoods on the west side of Hong Kong Island. Delivering the perfect blended offering of stylish restaurants and popular bars alongside quintessential parts of traditional local life, it oozes charm and quaint finds around every corner, many located along its renowned seafront area. Only a seaside stroll away from the Hive Kennedy Town, here are our picks for Sai Ying Pun’s best hotspots.
Best Coffee Shops in Sai Ying Pun
Winstons Coffee
Situated right outside the Sai Ying Pun MTR station, local favourite Winston’s Coffee is up and running at 7 am every day, serving high-quality artisan coffee to the neighbourhood’s early risers. One of the most Instagrammable spots in Sai Ying Pun with its retro facade and homey interior, this cosy café serves up top-notch coffee as well as scrumptious snacks such as avocado toasties, lamingtons and pain au chocolat.
Insider Tip: Head there in the evening for great cocktails – and on a Thursday, make sure you buy the bartender a drink then toss a coin to decide who pays for the bill. If you’re a Hive member, don’t forget to cash in on your discount!
Address: G/F Rich Court, 213 Queen’s Rd W, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon: 7 am – 6 pm, Tue – Sun: 7 am – 11 pm
NOC Coffee
An acronym for Not Only Coffee, NOC lives up to its name. Serving up breakfast favourites from avocado toast to your traditional full English breakfast, they’re also great for vegetarian options. Design-wise, their minimalist approach offers a calm oasis from the chaotic streets outside, making it an excellent spot to enjoy their house-roasted coffee.
Insider Tip: Looking for something a little different? Try their Fizzpresso, a drink combining espresso shots, passion fruit, tonic water and lemon juice.
Address: 321 Des Voeux Rd W, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: 8 am – 6 pm
IG: @winstonscoffee
IG: @noccoffeeco
Best Restaurants in Sai Ying Pun
Krua Walaiphan
One of several Thai places on High Street, Krua Walaiphan is characterised by its relaxed, casual and no-frills atmosphere. Earning their spot on this list by serving up some of the best value and most authentic Thai food on Hong Kong Island, be sure to order their Grilled Pork Neck and Stir-Fried Cashew Nut Chicken on your next visit.
Insider Tip: During the week, they have set lunches and dinner sets starting at HKD 100, as well as great weekender deals.
Address: G/F, Ko Wang Court, 29 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon – Fri: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm & 6 – 10 pm, Sat – Sun: 12 pm – 10 pm
Feather and Bone
If you’re a meat lover, be sure to make a beeline for Feather and Bone, which doubles up as a grocers/butchers and restaurant, serving some of the finest quality meats around. For a sit-down meal, simply head on up to the counter and select the exact cut of meat you want, and how you want it cooked. Oh, and did we mention they sell double magnums of rosé at super affordable prices?
Insider Tip: Check out their weekend market from 11 am – 7 pm.
Address: G/F Bohemian House, 321 Des Voeux Rd W, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon – Thu: 7 am – 10 pm, Fri: 7 am – 10:30 pm, Sat: 8 am – 10:30 pm, Sun: 8 am – 10 pm
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IG: @kruawalaiphan
IG: @feathernbonehk
Homeslice
New on the block and sporting an interior clad in neon signs and posters that reflect their love for punk and alternative rock bands, Homeslice is vying for the crown of best pizza in Hong Kong. Their dough (some of the best on the island) is beautifully cooked and they also do tasty side-dishes such as sticky lamb ribs and Ninja Bombas (fried potato balls, ‘nduja, scamorza) that give plenty of reasons for visitors to head on in.
Insider Tip: You can’t go wrong with their ‘Coffee Eyes’ shake.
Address: Shop 3 Bohemian House, 321 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 1 pm, Fri: 11:30 am – 1 am, Sat: 10 am – 1 am, Sun: 10 am – 11 pm
River Sichuan Restaurant
If you’re somewhat of a spice junkie, then head on down to the River Sichuan Restaurant. Their traditional chilli oil is made in-house without any preservatives or sweeteners for that extra authentic feel and just about every dish in this deceptively modest-looking restaurant is dished up with plenty of heat! Prices run about HKD 40 for a small dish and around HKD 150 for a larger one to share.
Insider Tip: Our favourites are their poached mandarin fish slices in chilli oil and their sautéed shrimp. For something less spicy, try their garlic lady’s fingers (okra).
Address: 62 Centre St, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: 11:30 am – 5 pm & 6 – 10 pm
IG: @homeslicehk
IG: @river_sichuan
Saam Hui Yaat Dim Sum
It wouldn’t be a complete guide to Sai Ying Pun without one of Hong Kong’s great local dim sum joints on the list. Our personal favourite, this hidden gem serves up old-school, no-frills local cuisine from ‘siu mai’ to ‘char siu bao.’ And better yet, the prices are so incredibly cheap at only around HKD 15 per item, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value meal in the area.
Insider Tip: Head here early to get one of their acclaimed steamed rice bowls, as they sell out quick – by 9:30 am, they’re all gone.
Address: 11 Pok Fu Lam Road, Western District, Hong Kong
Open From: 5 am – 3 pm
Triple Steak
New on the block, this unique Japanese dining spot only opened its Sai Ying Pun branch earlier this year and has a whole new take on steak. Normally a dish you’d find in a fancy restaurant served with a correspondingly premium price, Triple Steak has cut down the unnecessary extras, serving only three dishes: tenderloin, sirloin and the Triple Steak – their most bang-for-buck cut. Get there early as queues run long, self-order from a vending machine, and wait for your steak to arrive with its rice, salad and soup sides.
Insider Tip: Like almost everything in life, buying more gets you the best value per gram, so if you’re feeling like indulging yourself, head straight for the 400g button on the vending machine.
Address: G/F Fung Yip Building, 349 Des Voeux Rd W, Sai Wan
Open From: 12 am – 10 pm
openrice.com
FB: @triplesteakhk
Metropolitain
For a French twist, head down to Metropolitain, the sophisticated younger brother of Hong Kong favourites Pastis and FAB in the French Creations family. Named after the metro at the heart of Paris, this pet-friendly restaurant embodies all things French with a menu that features classics such as Entrecôte served with béarnaise sauce, garlic butter escargots and warm camembert with roast potatoes.
Insider Tip: From 3 pm – 7 pm on weekdays, they have a buy-one-get-one Ayala champagne happy hour deal.
Address: Aspen Court, 46 High St, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: 9:30 am – 11 pm
Locofama
Healthy should be fun – and the team behind Sai Ying Pun’s organic and dog-friendly eatery Locofama shows us how. Offering everything from vegan, dairy-free and nut-free all the way to pescetarian meals, the team works with local farmers to source chemical-free ingredients and prides itself on a scrumptious menu.
Insider Tip: Gather your friends, family and dog for a chilled out evening at Locofama!
Address: 9, 13 Fuk Sau Ln, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon, Wed – Fri: 12 pm – 10:30pm, Sat – Sun: 11 am – 11 pm
IG: @metropolitainhk
IG: @locofama
Best Bars in Sai Ying Pun
Potato Head
The cool kid on the block, this restaurant-bar-music room locale hails originally from Bali and is the popular spot to head to for Friday night drinks. With an Indonesian menu that covers food and cocktails, head to its buzzing bar for a Pisang Colada, blended and served inside a coconut, or a Barong Zombie, so potent they only allow two per visit. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, the 8000 square foot interior is fun, atmospheric and spacious enough to bring all your friends.
Insider tip: Whether you come to Potato Head for dinner, drinks or both, head to their Music Room afterwards to finish off your night on a high note.
Address: 100 Third St, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Mon – Fri: 5 pm – 11 pm, Sat – Sun: 11 am – 11 pm
Ping Pong 129
Nestled down Second Street with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entranceway stands the unassuming and ever-popular Ping Pong 129. Step into the past as you take in their vast industrial interior adorned with neon lights – the perfect place for hipsters to get a feel of old Hong Kong. This gin and tonic parlour has probably the widest selection of gins in the city, from classics like Martin Millers to G’vine Floraison, and we suggest you never get the same thing twice.
Insider Tip: They often have live shows so be sure to check their Facebook events page so you won’t miss out on the next one.
Address: L/G Nam Cheong House, 129 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Sun – Wed: 6 pm – 11:30 pm, Thu – Sat: 6 pm – 12:30 am
IG: @potatoheadhk
IG: @pingpong129
Bar Tomoko
Down for a fun evening spent with friends? Bar Tomoko offers a wide range of activities for group hangouts and parties under its friendly roof – think beer pong and arcade machines, or even karaoke! All about colour, from the lighting to even the drinks, you’ll find there’s a lively mood about both this place and its crowd.
Insider Tip: It’s the perfect spot to catch a game while enjoying a cold brew.
Address: 5 First St, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: Fri – Tue: 5 pm – 2 am, Thu: 5 pm – 12 am
What to Do in Sai Ying Pun
Instagram Pier
You’ve probably guessed how this pier got its name: by being a popular location for photographs and evening strolls since Instagram culture began back in 2010. A great place to get an unobstructed and panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, head down for an evening stroll, a harbourfront run or to walk your dogs.
Insider Tip: Plan your visit to catch golden hour after a rainstorm for the perfect Insta light.
Address: Sai Wan Waterfront
Open From: Come by in the evening after the pier’s normal operating hours
IG: @bar.tomoko
IG: @blairsugarman1
Live Zero
Gaining attention as the first zero-waste store in Hong Kong, Live Zero has become a trendsetter across the city, selling food and home essentials. You won’t find anything unnecessary here: just raw grains and products being stored in containers much like a kid’s candy store bins alongside a variety of reusable versions of often disposable items (think straws and cotton pads).
Insider Tip: Bring your own jars to put the produce in, or even donate some jars to their free collection for people to use.
Address: 20 High St, Sai Ying Pun
Open From: 11am-8pm
Sai Ying Pun Market
Before you head to ParknShop or Wellcome to buy your meat and veggies, hold up! Sai Ying Pun houses some of the best markets to get the freshest produce. Walk along Centre Street to find the market’s indoor area and go beyond for a surprising number of stalls outside along the same road where you can get just about anything you’re looking for. This is where all the locals head to, and if you can bear the crowds and not quite so squeaky clean shops, you’ll find some true value deals while supporting smaller family-owned businesses.
Insider Tip: This is where you should be heading to if you’re on the hunt for the biggest avocados, ripest fruits, and rarest herbs and spices.
Address: Along Centre Street
Open From: Varies by stall, but the building is 6 am – 8 pm
IG: @livezero.hk
IG: @katespringer
Banner Photo: Mark Lehmkuhler
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