Summer is nearly here in Hong Kong and things are heating up – in more ways than one. Not only are the Pirata Group family of memorable restaurants serving up a range of exciting new menus and special offers, but the city is buzzing with activity in the form of art fairs, festivals and sporting
Summer is nearly here in Hong Kong and things are heating up – in more ways than one. Not only are the Pirata Group family of memorable restaurants serving up a range of exciting new menus and special offers, but the city is buzzing with activity in the form of art fairs, festivals and sporting events. So get ready to explore and enjoy with Pirata Group’s guide to summer fun from Sheung Wan to Stanley and plenty of spots in between! To celebrate summer with all travellers, all travellers will receive a special welcome drink upon presenting their passport or train/flight ticket when dining at any Pirata Group restaurant!
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan has been called a “world of wonder” and for good reason. One of the earliest settled places by the British is home to historic temples, dried seafood stalls and some of the city’s finest antique stores. It’s also a stone’s throw from Tai Kwun, the restored Central Police Station compound that now serves as Hong Kong’s Centre for Heritage and Arts. The site will play host to a number of events during the French May Arts Festival (May–July), including free street theatre performances and discussions on heritage preservation and the rebuilding of Notre-Dame de Paris. Following closely after is the International Arts Carnival (14 July–13 August) with a range of outstanding overseas and local artists performing everything from ballet to puppetry to musicals for children and their families. Also not to be missed is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival (26 May) with its lively parade and famous bun tower climbing competition on Cheung Chau Island – an easy trip from Sheung Wan and Central Pier No 5.
Whether you’re climbing the stairs at Tai Kwun or the bun towers of Cheung Chau, you need to eat! Thankfully Pirata Group has a number of great options in Sheung Wan. Honjo, which offers an exciting and eclectic display of Japanese cuisine reimagined with new dynamic flavours, has introduced a brunch menu with standard and vegetarian versions (available at weekends and public holidays, 11:30am–2:30pm). Tuck into a round of starters for sharing, followed by unlimited sashimi, maki and nigiri as well as a choice of main course and dessert. Brunch starts at HK$498pp with the option to add oyster free-flow for HK$68pp, premium alcohol free-flow for HK$398pp and classic alcohol free-flow for HK$220pp. If you prefer to just “roll” with it, head over to TMK Punk & Rolls for its For Punk Sake Brunch (available weekends and public holidays, 12:00nn–2:30pm). For HK$248pp (plus HK$168pp for 90 minutes free-flow), enjoy karaage, TMK cabbage salad and salmon tataki to share; a choice of temaki and TMK signature rolls; the signature Big-Ass Maki Free-Flow and a choice of dessert.
Wan Chai & Causeway Bay
Another vibrant neighbourhood blending old and new Hong Kong, Wan Chai is home to both small-scale historic landmarks and the colossal Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). This summer you can enjoy it all, starting with the Affordable Art Fair (18–21 May) at HKCEC. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the fair features inspiring artworks from around the world alongside interactive workshops, engaging tours and fun-filled evening events. Wan Chai is also the perfect place to experience the Hungry Ghost Festival (30 August), when people leave out offerings of food and light incense and paper offerings for their departed ancestors. Or, why not join a walking tour to learn more about the area’s intriguing history? Hong Kong House of Stories reveals the spooky tales that have been passed down through generations in its Wan Chai Haunted Tour, while Wan Chai Livelihood offers a hiking tour exploring the natural and manmade treasures hidden in the neighbourhood’s rolling hills.
All that walking calls for some serious refreshment. Conveniently located in Wan Chai’s hip Star Street district, TMK Rap & Rolls is an alternative temakaria and sake bar that swears by living life the fun way. You won’t want to miss its legendary Brunch (available weekends and public holidays, 11:30am–2:30pm) featuring a Big-Ass Maki Free-Flow with a variety of different maki available throughout the meal. Also included in the HK$248pp brunch (plus HK$268pp for 90 minutes free-flow of sake, beer, and red and white wine) are starters for sharing, a choice of TMK signature rolls and temakis, and dessert. If your cravings lean more towards Italian, run – don’t walk – to The Pizza Project. The popular eatery has recently launched the exciting Giro Brunch available every other Saturday – 6 & 20 May (Central), 13 & 27 May (Wan Chai), 3 & 17 June (Central) and 10 & 24 June (Wan Chai)! Priced at HK$248pp for free-flow pizza and HK$158pp for 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, it also includes a portion of starters for each guest and a Nutella Pizza as a sweet finale. Sticking with the European theme, just a short hop over to Causeway Bay and you can find yourself in the warm and convivial environs of Calle Ocho. The Spanish tapas restaurant inspired by the historic Madrid de Los Austrias neighbourhood is offering up an Afternoon Tea Menu (available weekdays, 3–5:30pm) with a wide range of classic tapas – croquetas, pan con tomate, patatas bravas, charcuteria and more – to be washed down with sangria, vino, or cocktails and mocktails.
Taikoo Place & Quarry Bay
With the rapidly growing Taikoo Place business district, gentrifying residential neighbourhoods and easy access to both Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island’s lush green mountains, Quarry Bay has become the place to see and be seen. The area is home to a number of famous temples, chief among them the one dedicated to the deity Tam Kung. Built in 1905 and reconstructed in 2002, the temple invites one and all to celebrate the Birthday of Tam Kung (23 May) with lion dances, Chinese opera and a street parade. Another great way to enjoy the best of Quarry Bay is to follow up a Happy Hour with a night hike along Sir Cecil’s Ride, a short and mostly flat jaunt to Braemar Hill that combines the serene beauty of nature with the glittering lights of the city below. Finally, while you’re in the area, don’t forget to post your own IG of the infamous residential complex known as Monster Building, made famous in movies like Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: Age of Extinction.
When it comes to where to eat and drink, Pirata Group has you covered with weekly specials, brunches and Happy Hours aplenty throughout Taikoo Place. Don’t tell the boss, but neighbourhood pasta bar Pici’s best-kept secret is its Happy Hour (available weekdays, 3–8pm) with delectable snacks and discounted prices on beer, wine, cocktails and coolers as low as HK$22 per drink. TMK Funk & Rolls, meanwhile, is offering an amazing Brunch deal (available weekends and public holidays, 11:30am–2:30pm) for HK$248pp (plus HK$148pp for 90 minutes free-flow) with karaage, TMK cabbage salad and salmon tataki to share; a choice of temaki and TMK signature rolls; the signature Big-Ass Maki Free-Flow and a choice of dessert. A flamboyant trattoria inspired by Italy in the 1960s, La Favorita has introduced Brunch Della Famiglia (available weekends and public holidays, 11:30am–2:30pm) complete with a choice of antipasti, primi and secondi including the must-try Sexy Seafood Tower with lobster, oysters, mussels and seafood salad. The HK$398pp brunch (plus HK$198 for Classic free-flow or HK$298pp for Champagne free-flow) has all the classics from burrata and bolognese to slow-roasted pork belly and eggplant parmigiana. If you’re looking to take the party outdoors, make your way to Tempo Tempo on Saturdays and Sundays from 3–7pm for its Weekend Sessions. Enjoy the al fresco terrazza while you and your loved ones sip on one of several curated drinks packages, such as the Firenze (HK$1,888) with two bottles of G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne, a bottle of spirit of your choice and an array of mixers. Kids can also enjoy two hours of free-flow juice and soft drinks for HK$98pp.
Stanley
A great place to visit no matter the season, Stanley truly comes alive in the summer. The coastal village on Hong Kong’s South Side is home to the thrilling Stanley Dragon Boat Championships (22 June), when teams from around the world gather at Stanley Main Beach to battle it out for dragon-boating glory. The larger of the area’s two main beaches, Stanley Main Beach is also popular for windsurfing and other watersports. St. Stephen’s Beach, on the western side of Stanley peninsula, is a more secluded spot with picnic areas and barbecue pits perfect for a leisurely day out with family and friends. But if you’re looking to work up a sweat before or after, consider a trek up Twin Peaks and Violet Hill. The challenging two- to three-hour hike starts at Stanley Gap Road and traverses the infamous Thousand Steps before descending to Wong Nai Chung Gap.
And during the summer months, any visit to Stanley isn’t complete without a stop at Pane e Latte, Pirata Group’s Positano-inspired seaside panetteria, to experience its in-house gelateria. Here, the beloved Italian frozen dessert gets a unique twist with a creamy soft serve “crown” decorated with a multitude of toppings including cotton candy, croissant chips, dark and white chocolate shards, and loads of other surprises. Take your pick of five artisanal gelato experiences (from HK$98) ranging from Tiramisu to Mango Pistachio, or take home your choice of seven single-flavour gelati in 250ml cups (from HK$78) or a 1L tub (from HK$268).
Summer doesn’t get much better than this! Check out all our great venues and latest offers at piratagroup.hk and start planning your season under the dazzling Hong Kong sun. To complement your perfect summer trip in Hong Kong , all travellers will receive an extra special house welcome drink when dining at any Pirata Group restaurant, after showing their passports and train/flight tickets. Act quickly as this promotion ends on 30 November 2023. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Hong Kong and our Pirata Group family!