LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: 25 Delicious Places to Eat in NYC

Updated: 05/18/2019 | May 18th, 2019

New York City has been my home for close to three years, though I’ve been coming to the city since I was 16.

(Little known nerd fact: My parents took my friend Matt and me to NYC because we won a free trip for placing first (me) and second (him) in the Massachusetts state championship of the card game Magic: The Gathering. Yes, you read that correctly!)

As you probably know, NYC is one of the best foodie cities in the world — you can find cuisines from every ethnicity here. And from dollar pizza slices to expensive $400 USD meals at Per Se, it also has food to cover all price ranges.

Because of the variety and quality of food here, I rarely cook at home (kitchens are small and there’s better food everywhere!), and so, over the years, I’ve developed a robust list of recommended restaurants that I want to share with you now.

My 25 Favorite Restaurants in NYC

1. Corner Bistro (331 W. 4th Street)
World-famous for its thick and greasy hamburgers, I think this is one of the best burger joints in the city. This tiny, dimly lit bar is definitely not the restaurant you would expect to find such mouthwatering food. I bet they haven’t cleaned the grill in ages, which makes the burgers have such an amazing taste. I’m sure the drinks here are good too but I only ever come for the burger.

2. The Fat Radish (17 Orchard Street)
With some of the best farm-to-table, organic food in the entire city, the menu here changes based on seasonality, offers lots of vegetarian options, and will leave you full and feeling healthy.

3. Hot Kitchen (104 Second Avenue)
Delicious, fiery Szechuan food at a great price. This isn’t the place to get General Tso’s. It’s the real deal. Try the tripe (pig’s intestine) – it’s delicious! Be warned though: the food here is really spicy! Since I’m a wimp when it comes to spicy food, my stomach still suffers the day after I eat there, but if you love fiery food (or are willing to suffer the consequences), don’t miss this place.

4. Jeffrey’s Grocery (172 Waverly Place)
Located in the West Village, this is not a cheap meal (most mains are $20 USD), but they pour heavy, heavy glasses of wine and have some of my favorite oysters and seafood in the city. They also host a $1 USD oyster happy hour on their entire selection (4–6pm during the week), which I think is the best deal in the city!

5. Miss Korea BBQ (10 W. 32nd Street)
This is my favorite Korean BBQ restaurant in the city. Granted, I’m not a Korean BBQ expert, but the meat here is delicious, and they give you a TON of sides of a dizzying variety (which to me is the best part of Korean BBQ. Bring on the unlimited kimchi!). The fact that it’s usually full of Koreans is something I take as a good sign.

6. SriPraPhai Thai Restaurant (64-13 39th Avenue, Flushing, Queens)
The best and most authentic Thai restaurant in New York. As someone who has lived in Thailand, I rarely find a place I like. It’s never as good. I hardly ever get Thai food because I’m always disappointed but this place is the real thing. It’s as close to getting to eating in Thailand as you can get. I especially like the som tam (papaya salad) here. It’s legit.

7. Tomoe Sushi (172 Thompson Street)
This tiny restaurant serves big cuts of fish on perfectly warmed rice. Their toro(fatty tuna) is outstanding. Tomoe is considered one of the best sushi bars in the city and gets packed quickly, so come early or for lunch. Prices here aren’t on the cheap side, but their $18 USD lunch set offers the best value.

8. Yuba (105 E. 9th Street)
My favorite sushi bar in the city, this little restaurant is easily missed. I visit here too often — so often they gave me cake on my birthday and call me up when they have hard-to-get or especially fresh fish. I take all my friends here. It’s consistently the best sushi I’ve found for the best price. Try the lemon roll (you have to ask for it, it’s not on the menu), the toro, and the uni. Tell Jack and Nina that I sent you.

9. Russ & Daughters (179 E. Houston Street)
This is the best breakfast and brunch joint in the city, hands down. Nothing even comes close. Come here for latkes, lox plates, world-class cream cheese, and anything else breakfast/deli like you can think of. There are two sections: the restaurant and the deli. The restaurant always has a long, long wait, so if you don’t get there early, it’s better to grab from the deli around the corner and eat elsewhere.

10. Left Bank (117 Perry Street)
Located in the West Village, this French restaurant offers a wonderful $20 USD Sunday prix fixe dinner that is one of the best budget meals in the city. You get two courses and wine in a romantically lit setting. My roommates and I also come here often, especially if we want a nice quiet bonding evening!

11. Sao Mai (203 1st Ave)
A great Vietnamese place located near my apartment, this place serves pho that rocks my world. The portions are huge here and, according to my friend Jodi, who is an expert in all food Vietnamese, this place is authentic.

12. S’MAC (345 E 12th St) 
A mac-and-cheese shop that takes the traditional dish and makes it even better. It’s heavenly, cheesy goodness. Their 4-Cheese and Cheeseburger are my two favorites. The fact that this place is around the block from my house has become a problem, though — I’m eating there too often and may be getting a S’MAC belly!

13. Masala Times (194 Bleecker St)
I was only recently turned on to this place near the NYU campus. Serving Bombay-style street food, this place serves some really good Indian meals. I couldn’t get enough of it. The plates are sharable, and you get rice and bread, too. Try the Fish Tikka — it’s delicious.

14. Vanessa’s Dumpling (220 E 14th St)
I stumbled upon this place in the East Village while walking home one day; it was only later that I found out it’s actually quite famous. After eating their dumplings, it’s easy to see why. They were delicious — the pork dumplings had an intense flavor to them. And at 10 for $2, the price is just right.

15. Prosperity Dumplings (46 Eldridge St)
Located in Chinatown, this is another amazing dumpling place. The pork dumplings come fried or steamed, and there’s a nearby park where you can sit if this tiny place is full. And if you want more for later? You can buy 50 frozen dumplings for $8!

16. John’s on Bleecker (278 Bleecker St)
Pizza in New York is an institution, and I admit I’m no pizza guru. To me, it’s either bad, good or really good. I can’t make those fine pizza distinctions like some New Yorkers can. I qualify John’s as really good. The thin-style pizza comes in huge portions big enough to serve three. Service is quick, but expect to wait for a table during dinner.

17. Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave)
Chelsea Market is more a collection of food places than a single restaurant. It’s extremely popular and a great place to pop into when you need some groceries, a meal, or snacks. You’ll find good Thai food here, and Amy’s Bread has amazing bread. The Lobster Place has decent sushi (and great lobster), but I really enjoy their clam chowder. If you want a meal with local and organic food, try the Green Table.

18. Rosemary’s (18 Greenwich Ave)
This West Village Italian restaurant boasts a rooftop farm with fresh produce and herbs that goes directly into the food you eat. Their handmade pastas are a must-eat and they have a good Rosé selection. It’s one of the best weekend brunch locations in the city too. Come early because it fills up really quickly, especially on nice warm day.

19. Bennie’s Thai Café (88 Fulton St)
As someone who has lived in Thailand, I’m quite picky about my Thai, but this restaurant is legit. It’s a popular lunch spot with the working crowd and serves incredible curry. It’s one of the few locations where I can get an authentic Thai iced tea too! Service is a little too fast and abrupt, but who cares? The food is incredible.

20. Mamoun’s Falafel (119 MacDougal St)
You will find inexpensive falafel and gyro stands all over Manhattan, but the best one is Mamoun’s. You can pick up a classic falafel with tahini and salad for less than $5, but all the options here are tasty and affordable.

21. Karasu (166 Delkab Ave)
This is often considered a restaurant and cocktail bar, but it’s more of an izakaya speakeasy (you’ll need to enter through a secret door). It has an elegant ambiance and the drinks are top-notch. The menu isn’t huge, but everything is delicious.

22. Peter Luger Steakhouse (255 Northern Blvd)
Located in Williamsburg, this is the best steakhouse in the city. It’s an institution in the city. The restaurant has a German beer hall feel and the steak (which they age in-house) is some of the best I’ve had in my life.

23. Eat’s Khao Man Gai ( 518 E 6th St)
This is a tiny restaurant with a limited menu, but the food here is absolutely delicious. Their Thai-style Hainanese chicken and rice is simple but tasty.

24. Friend of a Farmer (77 Irving Pl)
Since 1986, Friend of a Farmer has been embracing the farm-to-table movement, offering seasonal dishes as well as classic comfort food. The food is filling and hearty. They have a great brunch too!

25. Pete’s Tavern (129 E 18th St)
This vintage bar has been open since 1864. It’s an unpretentious place where you can enjoy some pub food and enjoy that classic tavern atmosphere.

***

After living in the city for years, this list reflects what I think are some of the best and most unique offerings the Big Apple has to offer.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg too. New York City has some of the greatest bars and restaurants in the world and you could spend a lifetime (and a fortune) trying them all.

But don’t take my word for it. Come and put my suggestions to the test and let me know what you think!

Want to share your tips and advice? Got questions? Visit the community forum to ask questions, get answers, meet people, and share your tips!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

Why Ari is My Favourite Bangkok Neighbourhood

Lauren | Published on July 16th, 2019

Most visitors to Bangkok choose to stay in one of three neighbourhoods.

There’s the area Banglamphu around Khao San Road for the backpackers, Sukhumvit for the upmarket clubs and bars, and Silom for the business travellers.

One place that’s not found on the typical traveller’s itinerary is the neighbourhood of Ari. Located in north-central Bangkok, it’s away from the major tourist attractions and therefore the tourists. It’s a neighbourhood that’s popular with middle-class Thais and expats, and is known for its relaxed vibes and hipster cafe scene. It’s one of Bangkok’s hottest neighbourhoods, but still relatively undiscovered by visitors.

If you’re currently rolling your eyes and thinking to yourself, Oh look, Lauren’s found a hipster neighbourhood she likes, then believe me — I’m rolling my eyes right alongside you.

Back in 2015, my friend Jodi invited me and Dave to eat with her in Bangkok. Now, if you’ve read Jodi’s site, you’ll know that she knows her street food, and so when she offers to introduce you to a neighbourhood’s food scene, you book your ticket.

That’s exactly what we did. And for the next seven days, we dutifully followed her to tiny restaurants that often served only a couple of dishes, with us having no idea what they even were. Jodi introduced me to pad pongali gai, a dry yellow curry containing egg, celery leaves, onions, mushrooms, chillies, and chicken, and I immediately declared it my favourite Thai dish of all time.

At that point, Ari was still fairly under-the-radar, but just at the point of developing into somewhere more hipster. There were cafes and dessert spots, and plenty of cool bars serving craft beer. There were a handful of tourists and expats wandering the streets but the vast majority of the local restaurants were void of foreigners.

There was so much to love about this neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood was filled with gorgeous cafes, from Fab Cafe to Laliart Cafe to Porcupine Cafe to Aran Bicicletta, which had bicycles all over the wall.

Its location, away from the main tourist activities, meant that it was more calm than chaotic, and the eateries were filled with locals. The restaurant and bar scene was great, with cheap street food available at all times of the day, a fun night market to wander around, plenty of local options where you’d pay $1-$2 for dinner each night, and some great international options for whenever you have a craving for some tacos.

Despite not attracting many tourists, the main attractions in Bangkok were still somewhat accessible, as Ari is on the BTS Skytrain. Chatuchak Weekend Market is just a couple of minutes away from Ari, and Dave and I walked into Siam one evening to check out the over-the-top luxurious Enigma experience at Paragon Cineplex. Was it worth spending $120 on two tickets to see Black Panther? It almost was when you take into account that our seats were actually a comfortable double bed and our tickets included a meal, soft drink, a cocktail, popcorn, a massage, and a butler.

But, as you may have gathered from my already frequent mentions of the food, the restaurant scene is exactly why Ari is my favourite neighbourhood in Bangkok.

Something I’ve been wanting to add to my site is a more detailed look at the foods I eat when I travel. Sampling local food is the principle driving force behind my trips these days, and I know that I rarely write about it, aside from mentioning a meal that was truly life-changing. I hope that by sharing little round-up posts of my favourite meals in the cities I visit, you’ll be able to gain a greater insight into what it’s like to travel to a particular place.

I started doing this for Japan and I have a round-up from Borneo in the works, but for now, I’m focusing on Bangkok and sharing everything I ate while I was exploring the Ari neighbourhood. Enjoy!

Thani Khao Mudaeng Knows Their Pork

If you want excellent pork, look no further than Thanee Khao Mudaeng — an iconic restaurant in Ari.

This small restaurant is absolutely jammed from breakfast until lunch, and their exceptional roast pork is the reason why. At just 50 THB ($1.50) for a plate of rice, pork belly, and a boiled egg, it offers exceptional value for money while also having some of the best pork I’ve eaten. I preferred the dish without the red sauce, as it was a little too sweet and rich for me, but either way — it’s totally worth visiting this place. The pork was so juicy, tender, and crispy!

There isn’t any English signage outside of the restaurant, so you’ll want to look out for the giant slabs of pork crackling dangling outside. If the tables are packed, you know you’re in the right place.

There’s a Night Market for Street Food Eats

You can’t come to Bangkok and not delve into its famous street food scene, and you especially can’t ignore the night markets.

I was thrilled to discover that not only was the main road in Ari lined with street food all day every day, but that there was a bustling night market to wander around in the evenings. With an enormous array of options for around 40 THB ($1.20), this is a place to get the most out of those inexpensive prices and sample as many dishes as possible. It’s the exact opposite experience to pad thai-filled Khao San Road.

Phan Zen Noodles: I Loved This Inventive Soup Place

Phan Zen may not have the most incredible soups I’ve ever tasted, but they were good and they offer a fun spin on their dishes. You get to build your own soup!

When you arrive, you’re handed a piece of paper that’s covered in checkboxes, and you work your way down, putting together your dream soup experience. You could choose your type of noodle, whether that’s a wide rice noodle, a flat egg noodle, or even a mung bean noodle.

Then it’s time to go for your three toppings, choosing between options like crispy pork belly, a soft boiled egg, steamed shredded chicken, fried wontons, and a seaweed-infused pork ball.

Next up: your broth! You can choose between stewed pork soup, tom yum with chilli paste, and a spicy sour soup.

As you can see from the photos above, Dave and I went for complete opposite options and ended up with two very different soups. Both of them were delicious, and the fun experience had us returning several times to see what other concoctions we could create!

Go to รสเด็ด for the Best Stewed Beef Noodle Soup

รสเด็ด means delicious in Thai, and this tiny restaurant only offers beef noodle soup for hungry customers.

Ordering here was one of those restaurant experiences in Thailand that I live for. Dave and wandered inside and, with no English menus, simply held up two fingers to ask for two of whatever it was they were serving — the only clue we had as to what it could be was a sign pinned to the wall that simply said “Beef”. Still, when restaurants only focus on one dish, that’s an excellent sign that the food is going to have been perfected.

It was delicious, and one of my favourite soups to have for lunch. The beef was tender, the meatballs were rich and full of flavour, and the broth was just the right amount of spicy. This place has a reputation for offering some of the best beef noodle soup in the city, and though I have nowhere else to compare it to, I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed by what’s on offer.

The portion size was a little small, but at 50 THB ($1.50) for a portion, you could easily order two bowls for yourself!

Ong Tong Khao Soi

If you love your spicy food and have spent any amount of time in northern Thailand, you’ve likely developed an obsession with khao soi — I know I did. It’s probably my favourite thing to eat in Thailand at the moment!

Khao soi is a Thai soup made with a mix of boiled egg noodles in the broth and crispy deep-fried egg noodles on top. The soup itself contains pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime, chillies, and coconut milk, and then you add in the meat or vegetable of your choice. I usually go for chicken, but the the mushroom and Northern Thai sausage options are excellent, too.

Ong Tong Khao Soi, in Ari, is a restaurant that’s dedicated to all things khao soi. And while I wouldn’t say it was quite as good as Khao Soi Nimman in Chiang Mai — my favourite khao soi restaurant — it was very close. The soup was creamy yet spicy, the fried noodles were perfectly crispy, and the chicken was so tender it fell off the bone.

I ate here several times while we were in Ari.

Sao-Wari Society

Sao-Wari Society was just a couple of doors away from where we were staying, and we quickly became aware of it, as it was always packed during the lunchtime rush.

It wasn’t until our final morning in town that we managed to find a space, and then we discovered why it was always so popular with the locals.

Sao-Wari Society has a fairly standard menu, offering all of the Thai classics for between 70-100 THB ($2-3). I opted for the chicken cashew curry and it was pretty damn delicious. The sauce was tangy and spicy, the chicken tender, and the peppers and cashews added a crunchy texture to the meal. For such a low price — although you may have noticed that all of the prices are low in this post — I was seriously impressed with the quality of the food here.

I Even Snacked on Cricket Tacos

If you’ve read Never Ending Footsteps over the past couple years, you’ll know I live for trying unusual foods. Take me to a restaurant with a menu filled with grasshoppers, brains, and chicken anus, and you’ll undoubtedly make my night.

When Valentine’s Day happened to roll around while we were in Bangkok, we decided to take a break from the local eats and treat ourselves to a meal at Mexican restaurant Tacochela. When we walked through the door and the staff told us there giving away free tacos for couples we were excited. When we discovered they were filled with fried crickets, we were overjoyed. So romantic! But seriously — for us, this was totally an added bonus.

I’d eaten crickets before — way back when I first started travelling — but at that time, I hadn’t been able to work past my mental barriers to fully chew and swallow them. Seven years later, I was barely giving them so much as a second glimpse.

Crickets are delicious! I had no idea. They added such a crunchy texture to the tacos, and made our night. Not only are crickets a great protein source, but they reduce inflammation and improve your gut bacteria, making them an excellent option if ever you see them on a menu. I know this is a tough sell!

Overall, though, Tacochela was expensive for Bangkok but excellent for tacos, and we appreciated their guacamole, fun taco flavours, and tasty margaritas. I would definitely recommend heading there if you’re craving Mexican food in Bangkok. Update: unfortunately, Tacochela has closed down!

The first time I visited Bangkok, I was underwhelmed.

It came across as a crowded, chaotic capital city with little to offer but hassle. This uninformed opinion, of course, entirely my fault, as I rarely ventured away from the backpacker haunts of Khao San Road.

I knew there was more to Bangkok, and I suspected that if I just delved a little deeper, I’d fall in love with a city that has so much to offer. For a long time, though, I didn’t want to put in the effort. Bangkok was fine. I didn’t hate it; I didn’t love it; and I had little reason to spend more than a couple of days there during a layover. There were so many other cities — Saigon and Taipei to name just two — I’d rather visit over Bangkok.

It turned out that spending time in Ari was just what I needed to finally click with Bangkok and discover areas of it I loved. I enjoyed Ari’s laidback vibe, had so much fun cafe-hopping across the neighbourhood, and, as evidenced by this post, couldn’t get enough of the delicious cheap eats.

After spending a week in Ari earlier this year, I can see myself returning for sporadic week-long stints in the future, spending my days checking out new restaurants, relaxing in coffee shops, and sampling inventive cocktails at the hottest bar of the moment.

If you’ve been to Bangkok before but never really warmed to it, I’d recommend giving chilled-out Ari a chance when you next return.

My Tips for Visiting Ari

How to get there: Fortunately, Ari is on the Skytrain, so getting there is easy. If you’re arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, jump on the rail link to Praya Thai station — it leaves every 10 minutes, takes 25 minutes to get there, and costs 45 THB ($1.30). From Phaya Thai, take the BTS Skytrain to Ari. This leg of the route takes 10 minutes costs 26 THB ($0.80). Easy!

Where to stay: We stayed in a condo in Siamese Ratchakru, which we booked through Airbnb and paid $40 a night for (side note: you can grab $30 off your first booking with Airbnb by using this link!). Despite having a fairly odd room set-up, where the bed was inside a glass box, making it seem as though we were sleeping in a museum, I’d recommend staying there. We had a sofa and TV, powerful A/C, and a balcony with a decent view over the Bangkok Skyline. It was on the main road in Ari, but the sound-proofing was excellent, so the street noise didn’t bother us, and was within walking distance of all of the great restaurants.

If you’re on a budget, the Yard Hostel receives consistently amazing reviews and if I hadn’t been travelling with Dave, I would have 100% stayed there. It looks so cool!

 

Does Ari sound like your kind of neighbourhood?

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My 17 Favorite Places to Eat in Hong Kong

Updated: 07/04/2018 | July 4th, 2018

In the crowded streets of Hong Kong, one always finds street vendors serving delicious noodles, roasted ducks hanging in the windows of restaurants, fish tanks full of tonight’s dinner, and trendy eateries next to decades-old dim sum establishments. Smells of rice, fried chicken, and noodles fill the air as you move from restaurant to restaurant. Food is the grease that keeps the wheels of this city moving at a lightning-fast pace.

As my flight began its final descent, I drooled over the thought of all the food I was going to eat during my (fourth) visit. Within hours of landing, I’d eaten three meals.

Over the course of the next four days, I gorged myself every waking hour in order to create a robust list of suggested restaurants for future travelers. I’m pretty sure I gained about five pounds. But the food in Hong Kong is worth all the extra time at the gym. I can’t imagine the city without it.

Here is my list of the best places to eat in Hong Kong:

Mak’s Noodles (77 Wellington Street, Central, 852-2854 3810) – Mak’s is famous for its wonton noodles and is one of the best noodle shops in the city thanks to its tasty broth, healthy-sized portions, and cheap prices (less than $5 USD). All its food is homemade, and the service is quick. I’ve been twice, and slurping down those noodles is one of my new favorite things to do in Hong Kong. Besides the Wellington Street location, there are four other locations in Hong Kong.

Kong Restaurant (Alpha House, 27 Nathan Road, TST, 852-2366 724, wukong.com.hk) – Located on Nathan Road, the fried rice and chicken dishes make this restaurant worth a stop. I loved their pineapple rice, which arrived in a big portion, heavy on the pineapple (yum!). If you’re looking for a quick, light, and cheap lunch, this place is a good choice. Sadly, their noodles are mediocre in a city known for noodles (Mak’s is better).

Tsui Wah (15-19 Wellington Street, Central, tsuiwah.com) – This popular chain restaurant serves both Hong Kong and Western dishes, though it’s famous for its Cantonese dishes such as fish ball noodles, curry beef brisket, and crispy condensed milk buns. It’s always crowded but makes for great hangover food. If you go during peak dinner or lunch hours, expect a long wait. You can find locations all over the city.

Aberdeen Fish and Noodle Shop (139 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok) – I stumbled across this noodle and soup shop located near the Ladies Market in Mong Kok while searching for lunch one day. The shop was filled with locals — I didn’t see one Westerner there, and judging by “are you lost?” looks from the other patrons, I don’t think they see many Western diners. The fried noodles were delicious and super cheap ($2.50 USD) and they serve a tasty fish ball soup. Service is slow, so be sure to flag down the staff when you want something. The restaurant will also seat various parties together to fill the table, so don’t be shy about sharing a table with strangers.

Yokozuna (466-472 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei) – This is one of the best and most consistently good ramen places in Hong Kong. The restaurant only seats 24, so expect a wait for a table. But, for your patience, you’ll be rewarded with flavorful broth and noodles made fresh and served quickly. As a ramen lover, this place gets two thumbs up from me.

Butao Ramen (69 Wellington Street, Central, butaoramen.com) – Another world-class ramen restaurant. This small establishment is famous for its slow-cooked pork bone soup and “King Black,” a squid ink ramen soup. The regular ramen with basic pork and noodles are richly flavored. They serve a delicious miso-flavored ramen, too!

Sushi Mori (16/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay) – This sushi restaurant isn’t cheap, but their $45 USD lunch special gives you a lot of superb-quality fish, big portions, and an appetizer and dessert. They even use real wasabi (what you eat at most places is just colored horseradish). Sushi is always a splurge, but if you want to do so and make it worth it, I recommend this place. It’s incredible.

Shang Hai HK Restaurant – This tiny restaurant tucked away in Jardin’s Bazaar on Causeway Bay offers some of the tastiest chicken and rice in Hong Kong. Big portions are served by friendly staff on shared tables. I return here every time I’m in the city. Not only is it delicious, it’s cheap (under $5 USD).

Kam Lung Gourmet (Floor 1, Shop 29, Jade Plaza Shopping Plaza, 3 On Chee Road, Tai Po, New Territories) – On the same street and a couple of doors down from Shang Hai HK, this place also served delicious noodles and succulent pork. It’s inexpensive, popular, and open late. It’s a nice little hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Tim Ho Wan (Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui) – This is the world-famous dim sum restaurant located in Mong Kok. Its three Michelin stars mean that everyone wants to eat here and, as a result, wait times can be up to three hours long. The food is worth the wait! (To avoid lines, come in the morning — dim sum is a breakfast food anyway.)

Chom Chom (G/F Block A, 58-60 Peel St, Central, chomchom.hk) – If you’re looking for good Vietnamese food in Hong Kong, check out this place in SoHo. It serves amazing pho with richly flavored broth in healthy portions. It’s a popular place among the Western expats in the city.

Din Tai Fung (G/F, 68 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, dintaifung.com.hk) – Another very popular dim sum restaurant in Causeway Bay (they actually have multiple locations around the city and the world) that is packed all the time. They are famous for their soup dumplings and steamed pork buns (I loved both). The food comes quickly, the servers are friendly, and you feel like you’re in banquet hall because it’s so large.

Lan Fong Yuen (G/F, 2 Gage Street Central) – Located in the Graham Street market area, this tiny restaurant is famous for its milk tea and sandwiches. But come here and get their noodles and BBQ pork — they’re flavorful and more filling. It’s a popular stop with both locals and food tours. 

Tuk Tuk Thai (G/F, 30 Graham Street Central) – Also located on Graham Street, Tuk Tuk offers the most traditional Thai food in the city. Their curry, papaya salad, and rice all taste like they were made in Thailand. Be sure to stop here if you enjoy authentic Thai food (and something a little spicy).

Lin Heung Tea House (G/F, 160-164 Wellington Street) – Located in SoHo, this dim sum place is popular with local Chinese and seems to have its fair share of regulars who just sit around and shoot the sh*t. It reminds me of a local suburban coffee shop where old-timers go. It’s a traditional place, so waiters come around with carts of food and you take what you want. Don’t expect an English menu, but locals and waiters will help you when they see your confused face looking at all the dishes. This place is great for families and large groups too.

Mr. Wong’s (10 Shamchun Street, Mong Kok, Mr. Wong’s) – A place popular with foreigners in Mong Kok, Mr. Wong’s doesn’t serve the best food in Hong Kong, but he does serve up unlimited food and beer at one price. It’s one of the most enjoyable experiences, with travelers and expats sharing stories and beer with each other and Mr. Wong himself! This restaurant is all about the experience. It’s my favorite value place in Hong Kong.

Ding Dim 1968 (Shop A, 14D Elgin Street, Central, dingdim.com) – Affordable and delicious, this dim sum restaurant offers both a traditional take and a modern spin on classics, as well as food that is hand-made fresh daily with no MSG, and great vegetarian options.

This list is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg for a city with thousands of restaurants, but if you only have a few days and are wondering where to eat in Hong Kong, you can’t go wrong with these incredible places that will keep you full and satisfied.

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Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Hong Kong by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Hong Kong with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Hong Kong?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Hong Kong for even more planning tips!

Taking a Delicious Food Tour in Madrid

While I was in Europe earlier this month, I finally managed to visit Madrid. Years ago I went to Madrid but was deathly sick and didn’t do much while I was there. So as I spent a week riding the rails around Europe, I made Madrid a definite stop on my tour.

Since the city is famous for food, I decided I wanted to take a food tour, and numerous people pointed me to the Madrid Food Tour, which turns out to be run by a fellow blogger I met at a conference last year (small world)!

So Lauren and James, who run the food tour, took me around Madrid and taught me the history of food in the city (warning: excessive ham eating occurs in this video):

I ate my way around Madrid during the four days I was there, moving from market to market and tapas restaurant to tapas restaurant. Regardless of whether you go on a food tour or explore for yourself, Madrid is full of delicious offerings, and I hope this video helps you find them the next time you’re in the city.

Disclaimer: Despite me offering to pay, Lauren and James provided the food tour for free.