Dim sum, gelato, vegetarian samosas, and don’t ignore the decor – an interior designer’s favourite places to eat in Hong Kong

Interior designer Emma Maclean heads to Man Mo Dim Sum for contemporary dim sum, likes the lunch menu at Veda and says Messina has Hong Kong’s best ice cream

For a splurge, she would pick 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, and Amber for a ‘second to none’ experience, and can’t wait to visit Rome and Bangkok again for the food

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Emma Maclean names her top places to eat in Hong Kong, including the lunch menu at Veda (pictured). Photo: courtesy of Ovolo

Published: 11:24am, 9 Mar 2022Updated: 12:25pm, 9 Mar 2022

Born in Taipei, raised in Hong Kong and educated in Sydney, Emma Maclean is the creative director and founder of interior design studio EM Bespoke. She speaks to Andrew Sun.

I have quite the sweet tooth, as my team would tell you, but I’m working hard on my culinary skills as I like to explore new neighbourhood places and revisit favourites.

I have several go-to restaurants including Man Mo Dim Sum (G/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan). I consider it contemporary dim sum – think tom yum xiao long bao, truffle Brie dumplings. The interior is caped in vibrant forest green, dark rich timbers, and with indoor and outdoor seating that allows it to be a hybrid restaurant by day and relaxed wine bar by night. A very cool spot.

We just completed the soft refurbishment of Veda (2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, tel: 3755 3067), which has an array of vegetarian options and prides itself on its sustainable efforts. We gave the interior a fresh, bright yet cosy ambience. My favourite items there are from the lunch menu, including the samosa chaat and dosa.

Emma Maclean is the creative director and founder of interior design studio EM Bespoke. Photo: Emma Maclean

Messina (37-43 Pottinger Street, Central) is the best gelato in town. It makes everything from scratch. There are some rotating flavours every week, plus Hong Kong-only flavours such as egg tart, Hong Kong milk tea and tofu fa [pudding]. My all-time favourite is pistachio and plain chocolate together. I visited the original gelato Messina in 2002 as a student in Sydney, Australia, so it’s also sentimental for me.

I like La Vache! (48 Peel Street, SoHo, tel: 2880 0248) for its simplicity and excellent service, and that dessert cart! The interior was designed by a dear friend. Its playful, punchy, burgundy and mirror walls are accompanied with large illustrations depicting scenes in the French city of Paris.