Hong Kong

Hong Kong is home to some of the most celebrated Italian cooking outside Italy. It was here that Umberto Bombana built the first three-Michelin-star Italian restaurant beyond Italy's borders, and the city's appetite for white truffles, handmade pasta and serious Italian wine has only grown since. Today the scene stretches from sky-high fine dining in Kowloon to tiny pasta bars and award-winning pizzerias in Soho.

Central and Soho are the heart of it, with dense streets packed with everything from Bib Gourmand pizzerias to buzzy osterias. Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui add hotel restaurants with harbour views, and the Black Sheep and Pici groups have made good, affordable Italian food part of everyday life in the city. Neapolitan pizza is especially strong, with several Hong Kong names ranked among the best in the Asia-Pacific region.

Budget around HK$250 to HK$450 a head for a casual pasta or pizza dinner, and HK$1,500 or more for a tasting menu at the top end. Many of the best-loved casual spots prioritise walk-ins, so arrive early, while fine dining rooms should be booked well ahead, particularly during white truffle season in autumn.