The city’s dining scene hits a lively stride this November, from cult cocktail bars and luxury hotel collaborations to inventive Italian takeovers and bold new openings. With milestone menus, thoughtful chef pairings and a hint of early festive indulgence, here is where to book now.
Vicky Lau opens JIJA in Tsim Sha Tsui
Vicky Lau shifts gears this season with JIJA, her new restaurant at the Kimpton in Tsim Sha Tsui. Known for the quiet precision of TATE, here she looks to the markets and teahouses of Yunnan for inspiration, offering a looser, warmer expression of her cooking. Expect bold, earthy flavours: wild mushrooms with ginger and chilli, Pu’er-tea smoked chicken, and pork-fat fried rice lifted with wild onion through dishes which are designed to share.
A thoughtful tea programme runs through the menu, treating aged leaves with the same attention usually reserved for wine. To finish, Chinese-French desserts like Sichuan-pepper chocolate or choux scented with roasted peanuts keep things exciting. Soft lighting, a relaxed room and a sense of discovery make JIJA one of the most compelling openings this season.
JIJA, 15/F, Kimpton Hotel, 11 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Pontiac turns 10
Hong Kong’s cult rock-and-roll dive bar The Pontiac hits a decade, marking the milestone with Talking Walls—a new cocktail menu inspired by the graffiti, confessions and late-night wisdom scrawled across its bricks over the years. Expect tequila spiked with Ribena-hibiscus, miso-caramel espresso concoctions and the return of the beloved Hobnail at its original HK$88. Led by industry doyenne Jen Queen, the bar remains a rare space where community, chaos and genuinely great drinks coexist. Follow on Instagram at @wearethepontiac
The Pontiac, 13 Old Bailey Street, Central
Mardi Rouge at Jean-Pierre, Sheung Wan
Jean-Pierre introduces a new monthly ritual to Bridges Street with Mardi Rouge, an intimate evening of live piano, French comfort and a hint of Parisian mischief. On the first Tuesday of each month (4 November this month, 2 December next), the lights drop, candles glow and a resident pianist sets the tone while Champagne and classic bistro plates move through the room. The mood suits most intentions: a quiet date over a Cornichon Martini, steak au poivre with friends, or simply the pleasure of a Tuesday that feels a touch more glamorous than it needs to be. True to Jean-Pierre’s style, there’s a hint of theatre, but nothing forced — just warmth, polish and a soft Paris-after-dark energy. Reservations are essential, with a minimum spend of HK$1,200 per guest collected in advance.
Jean-Pierre, 9 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan
The Repulse Bay’s Wine Rally returns
On 7 November, The Repulse Bay transforms into a seaside haven for wine lovers as its annual Wine Rally Under the Stars returns. Set against the colonial grandeur of this heritage landmark, guests can enjoy unlimited tastings of over 70 vintages from Laurent Perrier to La Magia Brunello di Montalcino, paired with a spread of culinary indulgences — think pumpkin and short rib risotto, New York cheesecake and artisan pizzas. For those seeking something extra, the Premium Pass extends the evening inside The Verandah, with Champagne from Maison Mumm and a masterclass by 67 Pall Mall exploring China’s rising wine regions.
Tickets start from HK$798 for the Regular Pass (6.30–10pm), while the Premium Pass at HK$1,188 offers extended access and elevated pours, with an optional “China Uncorked” masterclass available for HK$80 per person. The evening promises fine wine, live music and timeless coastal charm — a quintessential Hong Kong celebration under the stars. Tickets can be purchased here.
When: 7 November 2025, 6.30–10pm
Where: The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road
Upper House Hong Kong celebrates 16 years
The Upper House celebrates 16 years of quiet sophistication with a one-night-only four-hands dinner at Salisterra. On 7 November, culinary advisor Ricardo Chaneton joins forces with Jordy Navarra of Manila’s Toyo Eatery to present a menu that bridges the Mediterranean and the Philippines. The celebration continues with a Green Room after-party, where guests can raise a glass to the hotel’s new chapter as part of the unified Upper House collection. Expect signature cocktails from Chengdu and Shanghai alongside a guest shift by Ethan Liu of CMYK, ranked #16 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025. The four-hands dinner is priced at HK$988 per person, with wine pairing at HK$1,488. Reserve a table here.
Salisterra, Upper House Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Foie gras and fries at Regent Hong Kong
Regent Hong Kong and Shake Shack don’t usually appear in the same sentence. That changes this month. From 12 November to 12 December, the hotel’s Lobby Lounge hosts a world-exclusive collaboration, introducing the Foie Gras Shack — a decadent reimagining of the classic ShackBurger. Expect 100% Angus beef layered with Gruyère, caramelised onions, frisée, chives, black truffle mayo and a generous slab of foie gras, all tucked into a pillowy potato bun. The indulgence continues with Shack Caviar Fries: golden crinkle-cut fries topped with crème fraîche, chives and caviar.
Set against sweeping Victoria Harbour views, the experience pairs particularly well with a glass of Dom Pérignon 2015 (HK$398; HK$2,280 by the bottle). Burgers start at HK$195, with the full Foie Gras Shack and Caviar Fries combo at HK$410. Playful yet lavish, it is casual luxury with a wink — and worth booking ahead here.
Regent Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
New dishes at LALA in Soho
LALA may be a recent addition to Soho, but it’s already settled into the neighbourhood with real ease. This season brings a refreshed menu from Chef Franckelie Laloum, one that leans into comfort and craft rather than noise. Lunch is quietly confident: parsley-tossed frog legs, clean-cut beef tartare with a hint of miso mustard, and a proper pâté en croûte that feels reassuringly classic. Daily specials keep things interesting without losing the rhythm regulars love.
Evenings take on a richer tone. Think caviar-topped capellini, blue-lobster vol-au-vent and a côte de bœuf built for sharing. With a terrace open from midday and low-key Thursday cocktail evenings, LALA feels like a brasserie built to return to — relaxed, polished and firmly at home.
LALA, G/F, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Marco Quarta at Lucciola, The Hari
Lucciola at The Hari Hong Kong leans into Italian warmth this month as Executive Chef Marco Quarta returns from London for a limited culinary residency. Born in Puglia and polished in the kitchens of The Savoy and private royal households, Quarta brings a southern Italian sensibility shaped by precision and generosity. From 11–14 November, he presents a series of refined, softly indulgent menus: think roasted scallops with golden apple, orecchiette with rapini and tarallo crumbs, and truffle-dusted arancini, followed by elegant mains such as poached halibut with chanterelles or herb-crusted lamb.
Lunch begins at HK$288 for two courses; dinner at HK$688 for four. From 15–30 November, a curated edit of his signature dishes joins Lucciola’s Cena Conviviale menu, extending the celebration with quiet grace. Reservations recommended here.
Lucciola, The Hari Hong Kong, 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
