London Calling

The British are coming! The British are coming! Since it's almost time to kick off this year's very English summer with Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics, Susie Riza rounds up all the best places for English grub, drinks and afternoon tea in Hong Kong.

By Susie Riza | May 30, 2012

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English Eats

Yorkshire Pudding
The authentic British pub grub served at this SoHo gastropub definitely hits the spot and for $98 you can get a three-course lunch including coffee and of course a Yorkshire pudding. Remember to save room for dessert as they serve all of the traditional favorites from warm bread and butter pudding to sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla ice cream.
6 Staunton St., Central, 2536-9968
Both the Jubilee and Olympics will be shown here.

The Chippy
This hole-in-the-wall is the only English fish and chip shop in Hong Kong and true to its name, the best thing on the menu is the signature dish. The fish comes crispy and flaky on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside with traditional fat chips on the side. Full English breakfasts are also up for grabs as well as the elusive deep-fried mars bar with ice cream. Prices are a bit steep at this eatery but the food is well worth it.
The Chippy, 51 Wellington St., Central, 2523-1618

Limehouse
This British restaurant serves upscale reinventions of traditional pub food and doubles as the perfect date destination as it's located in a shophouse up a quiet street of stairs in Wan Chai. The lunch deal is great value for money with two courses with tea or coffee for $88. Serving all of the English favorites--bangers and mash as well as fish and chips--combined with the chill atmosphere, makes it even more appealing.
35 Ship St., Wan Chai, 2528-5818

The Chinnery
The Chinnery is a bastion of the best of Britishness with its cozy armchairs, free newspapers, 100-plus single malts and beer served in silver tankards. The menu features steak and stout pie, bangers and mash and chocolate crumble. Also be sure to try the Mandarin burger that comes chockablock with bacon and cheddar cheese as well as triple fried French fries.
1/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Rd. Central, 2825-4003

Brick Lane
Named after the trendy area in London, this small corner venue offers all of the traditional English dishes as well as an all day breakfast. The eggs benedict is served with black truffle on top and the breakfast comes with the works.
G, 2 Blenheim Ave. (near Minden Ave.), Tsim Sha Tsui, 2736-8893

Bespoke
This quirky little restaurant has simple and homey décor. Conventional British tea is served here with little cakes and sandwiches as well as delicious Chocolate Truffle cake. Head here for a quiet, relaxed cup of coffee or tea.
G/F, Manhattan place, 23 Wang Tai Road, Kowloon Bay, 2670-6830


Related Article
A Weekend in London


Boozy Bars

Fancy a cheeky drink? These all-English pubs have some of the best brews Hong Kong has to offer.

The Globe
This homey and bright venue has a massive bar area, a lounge and booths with wooden furniture. There is a huge selection of high quality imported beer with the Belgian and British selections being highlights as well as an impressive wine list. This bar only chooses the best brands so don’t be afraid to try something new. The Globe also invents seasonal cocktails that change every few months. Head here for a tasty beverage or for the traditional British pub food and a Sunday night roast.
Garley Building, 45-53 Graham St., Central, 2543-1941
The Globe will be broadcasting the Olympics as well as the Jubilee and will be serving special Jubilee themed dishes and drinks.

The Pawn
This high end restaurant-slash-bar has beautiful surroundings with its high ceilings and open-air balcony, it is the best “adaptive re-use’ of a heritage building in Hong Kong as its housed in a 19th century heritage building. The pawn has eclectic British charm as well as a wide array of wines to choose from.
62 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai, 2866-3444

Trafalgar
This English Pub boasts a wide array of British home brews with a typically English décor with its barstools and tables indoor and deck chairs on the terrace. Patrons can enjoy a football match the proper way on the impressive 120-inch projectors specifically for matches. The range of home brews is vast with a beer for every occasion. Sample from the pub grub menu whilst listening to Brit rock.
5/F, The Broadway, 54-62 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 2110-1535


Afternoon Tea

Head to one of these Afternoon tea spots for some dainty sandwiches and scrumptious scones to celebrate the Queens 60th year.

The Peninsula Lobby
The Peninsula afternoon tea is the most iconic of all of the Hong Kong choices. Enjoy traditional crumbly scones with clotted cream and jam whilst listening to a string quartet in the main lobby of this beautiful hotel. The teas on offer range from classic Indian blends to Chinese favorites. Tea is served every day from 2 to 7pm and no reservations are taken so be prepared to wait!
Lobby, Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920-2888

Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental
The Clipper Lounge takes a different spin on Afternoon Tea serving chicken tarragon pies and Parmesan éclairs. The cosy lounge offers its own blend of Oolong tea as well as smoked salmon and horseradish and truffle egg mayonnaise sandwiches. Tea is served here from 3 to 6pm every day.
Mezzanine Floor, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Connaught Rd, Central, 2825-4007

The Parlour at the Hullet House
The Parlour offers the traditional English Afternoon tea. The menu offers strictly traditional cucumber, bone ham, smoked salmon and egg salad sandwiches in white bread as well as scones, pastries and fruit tarts. Tea is served from 2:30 to 6pm on weekdays and from 2 to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Ground Floor, Hullett House, 2A Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3988-0101

British TV Takeover 

2012 is an all-British year with the Diamond Jubilee taking place as well as the London Olympics. To celebrate this BBC Worldwide channels will be broadcasting 24 programs to Celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne and will be adding in a few shows about the Olympics under the festive name, "London Calling." The shows range from "Sherlock Holmes" to "William and Kate – A Royal Love Story," among many others. Bars and restaurants such as The Globe and Yorkshire Pudding will be broadcasting both the Jubilee and the Olympics whilst serving themed food and drink.

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