You’re reading this, we hope, when the sun’s shining. Right now, this writer is about to round up animals two by two and load them onto the Star Ferry to see out the seasonal heavy rains.
For you, it’s now August, and probably too hot. So we’ll focus on indoors things that Hongkongers love to do. Like: eating. Like… brunch.
First, we have to mention our favourite. Blacksalt, tucked away on tiny Fuk Sau Lane in Sai Ying Pun, only has a handful of tables, so you’ll need to be fast to reserve for its platefuls of Indian-inspired eggs, dosas and sinfully strong coffee. (Plus: on Sunday afternoons there’s a dog adoption drive outside – hang around to see cute puppies.) Elsewhere in Sai Ying Pun, Nate Green’s Rhoda does things like eggs benedict with steak, corned beef hash and chorizo and fried potatoes from its elegant open-plan space on Des Voeux Road West.
Then there’s the new-ish brunch at polished 12,000 Francs on Elgin Street. Order Bloody Marys, sourdough doughnuts with chocolate glaze (for starters – we weren’t sure either at first), and wagyu steak and eggs. And Bloody Marys and champagne and Bloody Marys and champagne…
Further afield. On silvery Cheung Sha Beach on Lantau Island, Bathers is the all-new, sexed-up version of The Beach House – but still doing the same huge breakfasts and Bloody Marys re-styled as Bloody Madams.
But our favourite brunch still remains the one where we chase it with tea rather than bubbles. In Chuen Lung Village, 20 minutes from Tsuen Wan in the New Territories, Duen Kee Tea House is a dim sum buffet of hot little parcels of siu mai, xiaolongbao and lo mai gai stacked high in steamer baskets. It comes with the added bonus of being near enough to trek up Tai Mo Shan afterwards (or beforehand).
Further afield
4-6 Aug: E-sports and Music Festival Hong Kong
8-10 Sep: Freeze frames
Catch this fair dedicated to fine art photography and moving image. A programme of talks, book signings and a stage show incorporating photos are part of the event.
9-30 Sep: Northern bites
With stalls sprawling the length of Odori Park, this showcase of Hokkaido’s seafood, ramen, sake and wine is food heaven for Japanophiles.
16 Sep: Road to Ultra music festival
24 Sep: Diving right in
Tens of thousands compete in this long-distance swimming event, with the three-kilometre course crossing central Taiwan’s picturesque Sun Moon Lake.
3-5 Oct: Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance
20-22 Oct: Looking up
You can watch for Borneo’s colourful birds any time of year, but this event at the Rainforest Discovery Centre delights enthusiasts with talks, photo competitions and lots of kids’ activities.
