[Happy Valley Food Recommendations] A full range of restaurants, from Hong Kong-style cafes to Western restaurants!

Happy Valley boasts a selection of Western restaurants that includes long-standing establishments full of history, as well as newer modern bar-restaurants.

Amigo｜A Long-Standing High-End French Restaurant in Happy Valley

Amigo has stood in Happy Valley for many years and is the area’s most representative high-end French and Continental restaurant. It is a frequent choice for marriage proposals, anniversary celebrations, and gatherings of political and business elites, highlighting its esteemed status among locals. The restaurant’s exterior evokes a classical European manor, while the interior features warm yellow lighting, crystal chandeliers, and wooden furniture, creating a subdued yet elegant dining atmosphere.

Amigo specializes in traditional French and Continental cuisine, featuring classics such as pan-seared foie gras, baked escargots, lobster bisque, roasted lamb rack, and beef tenderloin. Some dishes adjust their ingredients with the seasons, but the overall approach leans towards faithfully recreating classics, catering to patrons who appreciate traditional fine dining. The restaurant also occasionally offers tasting menus, complete with appetizers, soups, main courses, and desserts, providing a mid-to-high-end French dining experience at a reasonable price point. This is suitable for those new to French fine dining who wish to try several signature dishes at once.

Amigo’s service is renowned for being meticulous and attentive. The staff are well-versed in pairing dishes with wines and can make recommendations based on guests’ tastes, making them very friendly to newcomers unfamiliar with French cuisine or wine pairing. For plans to visit on occasions like Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or important anniversaries, it’s advisable to make a reservation in advance and mention the celebration in the notes. The restaurant generally tries to arrange seating with greater privacy to ensure a more complete experience.

The Beat：Multicuisine Bar-Restaurant with Racecourse Views

Located on the 2nd floor of the Happy Valley Racecourse’s United Stand, The Beat allows you to enjoy a variety of international dishes and beverages while overlooking the greenery of the racecourse. It’s a popular choice during the racing season for catching up with friends while watching the races and savoring good food. The Beat positions itself more as a casual gastro-bar, with music, lighting, and seating arrangements that are very relaxed, ideal for groups of friends to chat and share small plates.

On the food front, a series of bold-flavored bar snacks like deep-fried smoked pork ribs, Typhoon Shelter-style squid, and fries with cheese sauce are perfect accompaniments to drinks. The flavors are savory and aromatic, making them easy for groups to share. There are also lighter cold dishes or starters available, such as Hamachi Crudo and salads, catering to guests who prefer something more refreshing or with a Japanese twist.

The restaurant offers a wide selection of drinks, including beer, cocktails, and red and white wines. The atmosphere is particularly vibrant on race nights during the racing season. Since The Beat is located within the racecourse facilities, it’s recommended to check in advance regarding reservation requirements, entry arrangements, and the racing season schedule to plan your visit accordingly.

THE COFFEE ACADEMICS：A Popular Specialty Coffee Spot in Happy Valley

The Happy Valley branch of THE COFFEE ACADEMICS continues the brand’s consistent positioning of “specialty coffee + comfortable space.” The interior features wood tones and minimalist design, complemented by large windows for natural light, making it comfortable whether you’re working on a laptop or enjoying a weekend brunch with friends. Compared to branches in core commercial districts, the Happy Valley location enjoys a slightly quieter flow of customers, making it a great spot to quietly enjoy a cup of coffee, handle some work, or simply relax.

In terms of food and beverage options, besides a range of pour-over, espresso-based coffees, and signature specials, the café also offers various Western-style light meals like all-day breakfasts, salads, pasta, and desserts. Pairing a full English breakfast with a latte, or opting for a salad and dessert cake as a light lunch, allows for a comfortable enjoyment of quality food and coffee. Many branches provide free Wi-Fi and power outlets. For those who prefer working on their laptops outside, it’s advisable to avoid the busiest lunch hour, as the morning or mid-afternoon periods offer a better environment and seating options.

Although Happy Valley is not a typical “Japantown,” it does have a popular Japanese ramen restaurant that is highly praised by diners.

Zagin: A Popular Japanese Ramen Shop in Happy Valley

Zagin is a highly popular Japanese restaurant in the Happy Valley area, known for its ramen and refined Japanese small plates. The restaurant focuses on detail, with an interior primarily featuring wood tones and warm colors, creating an izakaya atmosphere while retaining a modern touch. It’s suitable for casual meals for one or two people, and also perfect for ramen enthusiasts on a solo pilgrimage.

Zagin’s signature rich chicken broth ramen: The soup base is a chicken bone broth simmered for a long time, resulting in a thick yet not overly oily texture. It has a distinct chicken flavor upon first taste without being cloying, making it very suitable for those who prefer rich broths. The ramen noodles are on the thinner side with a slight firmness, offering a springy texture when paired with the soup. Combined with toppings like a seasoned soft-boiled egg, chashu pork, or chicken, the overall dish has rich layers of flavor.

In the Wan Chai district, not far from Happy Valley, there is also a popular option for Italian cuisine.

Lucciola Italian Restaurant & Bar

Lucciola Italian Restaurant & Bar is located within The Hari hotel in Wan Chai. It is an upscale restaurant and bar specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, situated just a few minutes’ drive from Happy Valley, making it convenient for diners active in the Happy Valley area or living on Hong Kong Island.

The restaurant’s design follows a modern Italian style, using a distinct amber and green color palette, combined with soft lighting and an open bar design, creating a stylish and somewhat luxurious atmosphere. It’s suitable for romantic dates, celebrations, or a post-work drink. The seating primarily consists of comfortable sofas and marble tables, paired with neatly arranged wine racks and an open wine display area. The ambiance falls somewhere between fine dining and a relaxed enoteca, offering a sense of occasion without being overly formal, making it perfect for semi-formal, semi-casual dinner occasions.

Lucciola’s à la carte menu is quite comprehensive, covering everything from appetizers and small plates to pasta, risotto, main courses, and desserts. Many dishes highlight ingredients and flavors from different regions of Italy, suitable for diners who enjoy savoring multiple courses slowly.

Appetizer options include:

• Ostriche al Pepe e Limone: Seasonal oysters with Amalfi lemon sauce and black pepper.
• Minestrone Tradizionale: Traditional Italian vegetable soup with 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, ideal for guests wanting to start the meal in a refreshing way.
• Choices like La Burrata Pugliese (Italian burrata cheese with cherry tomatoes and basil), black mussels, pan-seared scallops, and Italian beef tartare, allowing guests to choose seafood or meat-based appetizers according to their preference.

An Italian restaurant naturally features pasta:

• I Tonnarelli Cacio Pepe, e Limone: Handmade tonnarelli pasta with Pecorino cheese and Amalfi lemon.
• Pennette al Ragu di Peperone Calabrese e ‘Nduja: Pasta in a sauce with spicy ‘Nduja pork sausage and roasted sweet peppers from Calabria—a must for lovers of rich or slightly spicy flavors.
• Tagliatelle 36×36 al Tartufo Nero: Homemade tagliatelle pasta made with 36 egg yolks, served with 36-month aged cheese and seasonal black truffle.
• Dishes with rich layers of flavor like Gli Spaghettini alle Vongole Veraci e Bottarga (with Mediterranean clams and cured fish roe), La Carbonara ai Ricci di Mare (sea urchin carbonara), or Cavatelli al Granchio, Limone e Zafferano (with Alaskan king crab, lemon, and saffron).
• Risotto options use aged Acquerello Carnaroli rice, such as Risotto Carnaroli, Rucola, Pistacchio e Burrata (with rocket pesto, burrata cheese, and pistachios) or Risotto Carnaroli ai Funghi Porcini e Tartufo Nero di Stagione (with porcini mushrooms and seasonal black truffle), perfect for risotto lovers who enjoy a creamy texture.

The main course section offers a variety of meat and seafood choices:

• Il Filetto di Branzino all’Acqua Pazza: Sea bass fillet cooked in a light broth with peas, baby potatoes, and a mussel-clam broth, offering a fresher taste suitable for seafood lovers.
• Options like Polletto Ruspante alla Diavola (grilled free-range chicken), Guancia di Manzo Brasata al Barbaresco (beef cheek braised in Barbaresco red wine), the Milanese-style veal chop La Cotoletta alla Milanese Orecchia di Elefante made from milk-fed veal, and La Tagliata di Manzo Americano (U.S. rib-eye steak), are excellent for meat enthusiasts or sharing among a group.

Side dish and dessert selections include:

• Salads, butter-glazed carrots, roasted mushrooms and onions, French fries (with a truffle fries upgrade available), mashed potatoes, and roasted new potatoes, allowing guests to complement their main course as needed and enrich the dining table.
• Desserts to perfectly conclude the meal, such as La Panna Cotta ai Frutti di Bosco (vanilla panna cotta with wild berry sauce), I Cannoli Siciliani (Sicilian cannoli), Tortino al Cioccolato Caldo, Sorbetto al Cocco e Amarene (chocolate fondant cake with coconut sorbet and sour cherries), and the signature Il Tiramisù Tradizionale (traditional tiramisu).