Categories > Guides and Tips
Where and How to Get the Most Out of Quarry Bay and Tai Koo
In Hong Kong and looking to venture outside the usual tourist traps in favor of a more authentic local experience? Then we’re pretty sure you’d enjoy a visit to Quarry Bay and Tai Koo.
From cool movie theaters to delicious dry-aged beef dinners, this area has everything you need to experience Hong Kong’s true charm. Peel back the layers to this interesting island by checking out the best places to visit in this unique neighborhood – we listed them below!
1. MOViE MOViE Cityplaza
Website: https://www.moviemovie.com.hk
Address: Cityplaza, 18 Tai Koo Shing Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2388 0002
Looking for a relaxing activity for the weekend? Maybe MOViE MOViE at Cityplaza is great for this sort of stuff. There’s a wine bar and seats that vibrate to provide you the ultimate relaxation while munching on some butter popcorn.
As for the movies they show, they have plenty of films from all over the globe like from Hollywood, South Korea, and Japan. Surely, film buffs would love this too.
Pro tip:
There are also plenty of other things to do at Cityplaza, which is why going here to catch the latest film is super convenient. There are plenty of dining options and cool boutiques, so you can easily make a day out of your trip here!
2. Quarry Bay Promenade
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/mbDiCSNxDVygTqHC7
Address: Hoi Yu St, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2513 8499
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 11 PM
Quarry Bay Promenade is one of the places in Hong Kong that gives a scenic view of the harbour and the local iconic skyline.
Some people go here to jog, walk (sometimes with their dogs), and many more. It’s a peaceful escape from the clamor of the sounds of the city.
And you get all of that for free! Take a breather, maybe even take off your sandals, and relax at Quarry Bay Promenade.
Pro tip:
Try this: grab a drink from the nearby stores and sit on one of the benches that face the harbour. Maybe even wait for the sun to set while you’re at it.
3. Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/ytRUiZtNLwRLjtUQ8
Address: Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2367 7821
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Tuesday – closed
Behind the Victoria Harbor is a famous local spot that has a historical significance – the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery.
It serves as a reminder of Hong Kong’s sea rescue operations by providing information to its visitors about its interesting history and local significance. You even get a tour from a retired firefighter!
Pro tip:
You can also take your kids to this gallery. In fact, a lot of locals and visitors bring their kids here because they seem to be amazed by seeing a huge ship up close.
4. Coral Sea Ferry Service Company Limited
Website: https://www.coralseaferryservice.com.hk
Address: Ferry Pier, Tai Hong St, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2368 8885
Price: HK $45
One of the things we most recommend to Quarry Bay visitors (especially to first timers) is to fully enjoy the views of Victoria Harbour by indulging themselves to a ferry ride.
You’ll get a chance to ride the nostalgic ferry that’s reminiscent of a wooden fishing boat, which is also one of Hong Kong’s iconic sights that has a historical significance.
There are different routes available, such as Sai Wan River to Kwun Tong, Sai Wan River to Sanjia Village, and more.
Pro tip:
You can easily purchase a ferry ticket by going to Coral Sea Ferry Service Company Limited’s website. The complete schedule is available there too.
5. Hong Kong Film Archive
Website: https://www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/home.html
Address: 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2739 2139
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Tuesday – closed
If you appreciate good films, especially those that came from Hong Kong, then you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to check out the Hong Kong Film Archive.
Think of an iconic movie you know that you think shaped local cinema. Done? We bet there’s something about it here whether it’s in one of the film vaults or they have an exhibit of the costumes worn in the film.
Pro tip:
Sometimes, they would even have a screening of local films, so we find it best to check their website before planning your trip to make sure you don’t miss anything!
6. The Porter – One Island East
Website: https://www.theporter.co
Address: One Island East, 18 Westlands Rd G/F Area A, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 4688 3831
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 8 AM to 6 PM
- Thursday & Friday – 8 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM
- Sunday – closed
The Porter is such a nice addition to the Quarry Bay neighborhood. If you’re a local who has been to this cafe, we know you’re nodding along to our previous statement!
Anyway, we say this because we love their coffee and their interior. We love their comfortable velvet couches and their cool-looking leathered stools that make everything look posh and luxurious.
Pro tip:
We highly recommend getting their cold brew coffee if you’re more of a coffee connoisseur who doesn’t like a lot of things in their coffee. However, if you think sweetness is what makes a great coffee, they have something for you too! Try their white coffee or their mocha.
7. Grotto
Website: https://www.kumigroup.co/grotto
Address: 19 Hoi Chak St, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 3563 8935
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 PM to 6 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9:30 PM to 6 PM
Another coffee shop you should try if you ever find yourself in Quarry Bay is Grotto. This one shouldn’t be hard to find because of their eye-catching cerulean exterior.
They have plenty of drinks available like tea, lemonade, and of course, coffee. Their love tea collection is also highly recommended by our staff.
Our favorite at Grotto though, are their food options. They have croffles (sweet and savory flavors available), pastries, toast, and hot dishes. Whatever you try at Grotto, you’re bound to leave with a happy tummy.
Pro tip:
We find that the ultimate Grotto experience wouldn’t be complete without trying their dirty chicken rice. It’s basically chicken marinated in coffee and masala served with veggie rice, spicy cashew dip, and house-made picke.
8. Honjokko
Website: https://www.honjokko.hk
Address: Entrance at, The Sixteenth, 2/F Oxford House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, 22 Westlands Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2788 1996
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 to 9 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 to 9:30 PM
Honjokko is a Japanese restaurant in Quarry Bay that has one of the best interiors in the neighborhood.
Their ceiling mimics a traditional Japanese parasol. Meanwhile, their brown marble counters and fashionable red chairs exude a contemporary vibe.
Based on the interior itself, you can already guess that their menu is filled with authentic and traditional Japanese dishes with its own Honjokko twist. They offer food items like robata pork belly, seafood tempura, and bluefin akami.
Pro tip:
We highly recommend ordering one of their sushi or sashimi. It’s on the pricier side but they’re guaranteed fresh and of high quality!
9. Sushiro
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/JpFEkq5Rx9fjWa1a8
Address: 1060號 King’s Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 5665 8533
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Sushiro offers an affordable sushi experience that anyone who is a fan of Japanese cuisine will know and enjoy. Served on a conveyor belt, your order will travel from the kitchen to your table by a pulley.
Anyway, what we love most about Sushiro is their wide range of sushi selections sold with a cheap price tag. Of course, don’t expect ridiculously high quality – though it’s at least good enough to satisfy sushi cravings.
Pro tip:
We recommend going here before lunch or before dinner to avoid the crowds. This restaurant tends to attract crowds to be sure to plan accordingly!
10. The Butchers Club Grille
Website: https://thebutchers.club
Address: G/F, Westland Gardens, 12 Westlands Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2388 9644
Operating hours:
- Sunday & Monday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Prepare for your mouths to water because The Butchers Club Grille is all about dry-aged beef. They get their beef from Australia, but they age it themselves at a local dry-aging facility.
Anyway, they have a lot of food items on their menu so feel free to go crazy with this one. They have dishes like Australian grain fed filet, linguine truffle carbonara, and USDA Prime porterhouse dry aged for 45 days.
Pro tip:
There are a lot of tasty dishes on their menu that we find it hard to recommend just one or two. That’s why we suggest just focusing on their steak collection. After all, it’s their specialty. Sure, their other mains are to die for. That said, if it’s your first time and you don’t know when you’ll be back, don’t miss out on their steaks!
11. Greyhound Cafe
Website: https://gaiagroup.com.hk/restaurant/greyhoundcafe/
Address: Shop 007, G/F, Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2560 9668
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Greyhound Cafe is a restaurant from Thailand. In fact, Hong Kong is the first one to have the delightful opportunity of having one on its shores.
If Thai food with a western twist is up your alley, you’ll enjoy this one. Dishes you can expect here are deep fried Thai-style fish cake, tiger prawns and crab meat with yellow curry, and sweet & sour fried whole sea bass with Thai mango.
If you’re not good with spicy food, don’t worry. We find that the spicy level of their dishes have been adjusted compared to traditional Thai food which would have you asking for a pitcher of water.
Pro tip:
They also have alcoholic drinks that would be great for a chill night out with friends!
12. Foo Ka Chinese
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/6cL8VMNYyW2dSsnP6
Address: 2/F, Kerry Centre, 683 King’s Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2750 0823
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 3:15 PM, 6 PM to 9:45 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 3:15 PM, 6 PM to 9:45 PM
One of the Chinese restaurants in Quarry Bay that we like recommending to our international friends is the Foo Ka Chinese.
It’s quite affordable, but it doesn’t taste cheap. They serve a lot of famous dishes like Hainanese chicken, dim sum, and plenty more.
Oh, and if you want a great dining experience with a beautiful view of the harbor, Foo Ka Chinese is the one to go to.
Pro tip:
One of the things we love about Foo Ka Chinese is how accessible it is. Just alight at the Quarry Bay Station and walk for 5 minutes!
13. Bafang Dumpling
Website: https://goo.gl/maps/FuzQAN4jbizFQTkS7
Address: Sunway Gardens Block E, 989 King’s Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Contact details: +852 2736 8358
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
The first time we tried Bafang Dumpling, we couldn’t stop raving about it to our co-workers. Which is why, unsurprisingly, almost everyone at Happy Hongkonger is now officially a Bafang Dumpling fan – we’ve all tried their Taiwanese dumplings by now1
Anyway, they offer a lot of good combo dishes like signature potstickers + signature noodle, old fashioned noodle + bafang porkshop and plenty more.
This makes ordering much easier especially if you’re feeling indecisive. We get that! After all, everything here looks good.
Pro tip:
Here’s what we usually order when we’re at Bafang Dumpling: signature noodle + wonton soup, sesame noodle, and bafang porkchop. It’s impossible to go wrong with these!
14. Yau Wun Roast Meat
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/Kx62fndhUGdEAPWq5
Address: Hong Kong, Quarry Bay, Pan Hoi St, 1-3號號地下
Contact details: +852 2590 7968
Operating hours:
- Monday to SUnday – 8 AM to 8:30 PM
Yau Wun Roast Meat is one of Quarry Bay’s well-kept secrets. But we’re spilling everything to you just so you can have the best of what Hong Kong has to offer!
Dishes you can expect here are braised pork rice, roasted chicken noodles, and so on – very typical local dishes that would make any Hong Konger feel nostalgic.
This is highly recommended for visitors who have yet to explore Chinese cuisine. It’s cheap, authentic, and delicious, so what more can you ask for?
Pro tip:
Their BBQ pork is the best! In fact, it’s probably one of the best we’ve tried in Hong Kong.
