The glorious restaurant concepts of 2015 are behind us, so it's time to look ahead to some of the hottest restaurant, bar and cafe openings for the year to come
2015 has been a good year for restaurants, as new concepts flourished and week after week new openings became the talk of the town. We shared some of the best experiences with you in our round up of the best new restaurants of 2015, but now that 2016 is approaching, we share our top 5 most anticipated restaurant openings for the year ahead.
Omotesando Koffee
Coffee lovers rejoice! The famous Japanese boutique coffee house may be closing its original shop in Tokyo, but the upside is that they are relocating to Hong Kong. The new location of Omotesando Koffee is set to open within the housing complex of Lee Tung Avenue, formerly known as Lee Tung Street. The coffee house aims to keep its minimalist aesthetics as well as signature espresso and baked treats. The new café is tentatively opening in January 2016.
Omotesando Koffee, Lee Tung Avenue, Wan Chai
Cobo House by 2am
Award-winning pastry chef Janice Wong from Singapore’s 2am: Dessert Bar is moving east for Cobo House, her next project that is an all-day dining establishment which features dishes inspired by her childhood and early years as a food lover. The new Western district establishment will feature a rooftop garden as well as artisanal products to create the wide range of menu offerings, including a new collection of plated desserts chef Wong will design for the new restaurant, tentatively opens in March 2016.
Cobo House, G/F-1/F, 8-12 South Lane, Sai Wan, Hong Kong
L’Ambroisie Macau
After a two-year hiatus since we first reported the opening news in 2013, the rumours of L’Ambroisie’s Macau opening is confirmed for next summer. The famous establishment that specialises in French haute cuisine is set to open within the complex of the new Hotel Louis XIII in the summer. Bernard and Mathieu Pacaud, the father and son team, will helm the kitchen at the new Macau branch one week per month to entertain guests with the French restaurant’s classic dishes.
L’Ambroisie, 3/F Louis XIII, Estrada de Seac Pai Van, Macau; +853 8862 6600
Please Don’t Tell (PDT) Pop-Up
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is starting 2016 with a bang. The acclaimed New York City cocktail bar will host a one-month pop-up at The Shell at MO Bar from January 5 to 30, 2016. A team of Hong Kong’s leading chefs such as Jowett Yu of Ho Lee Fook and Matt Abergel of Yardbird will join hands with Richard Ekkebus, the hotel’s culinary director and executive chef of Amber, in creating a menu of hot dogs served at the bar during the promotional period.
Jan Jan Kushikatsu
Currently under renovations, Jan Jan Kushikatsu from Osaka, Japan is making its way into Hong Kong, opening its first local branch in Wan Chai. The Japanese restaurant aims to bring its signature deep-fried skewers as well as a fine selection of other Japanese snacks and light bites during dinner service. Jan Jan Kushikatsu is set to open during the first quarter of 2016.
Jan Jan Kushikatsu; 2/F 100 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai; +852 2157 1408
Some Opening Rumours
A New Concept by Gordon Ramsay
What: After Bread Street Kitchen and London House, rumours of a third Gordon Ramsay restaurant are floating around with talks of a fine dining establishment possibly happening in 2016.
Where: TBC
When: TBC
Yuan Yang
What: We are receiving conflicting sources as to whether this Yuan Yang's Chinese restaurant concept may include the involvement of Margaret Xu from Yin Yang, which was previously in Wan Chai but have since relocated to Tsuen Wan. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest update on the new Yuan Yang set to open on Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai.
Where: Lee Tung Avenue, Wan Chai
When: TBC
New Restaurant Concept by Yenn Wong and Alan Lo
What: The restaurateur couple has told us that they will be joining hands with an internationally known brand to launch a new restaurant and lifestyle concept on Third Street in Sai Ying Pun. While we've been sworn to secrecy, we have it on good authority that the brand they are partnering with is no stranger to those who like a trendy island vibe.
Where: Third Street, Sai Ying Pun
When: TBC
Jean Georges' Return to Hong Kong
What: One of the pioneering chefs who made a mark in Hong Kong may be making his trip East with a new concept in 2016. Watch this space as we bring the latest on his possible return.
Where: TBC
When: TBC
Contemporary Chinese Restaurant by Ben Pollard
What: The rumours of a contemporary Chinese restaurant opening in Macau have been floating around on social media. The Macau restaurant will be helmed by chef Ben Pollard, an alumnus of acclaimed chef Neil Perry, of Rockpool and Spice Temple fame.
When: TBC