From fine dining to designer shopping, stylish rooftop bars, exclusive beachside clubs and glittering casinos, Hong Kong offers its residents and visitors endless entertainment options, a work-hard-play-hard lifestyle and constant stimulation.
To counteract the fast-paced and chaotic nature of the city, taking time for rest, relaxation and wellness is essential. Along with great venues to indulge, Hong Kong is teeming with hidden hotspots to unwind.
Here is your ultimate guide to the eating healthy, exercising and practising mindfulness in Hong Kong.
Grassroots Pantry
Grassroots Pantry is a modern Asian-fusion, vegetarian restaurant. The plant-based menu is perfect for those who are sensitive to gluten and dairy, with all ingredients sourced from local, organic agriculture. The restaurant space is gorgeous; a minimalist design furnished with wooden decor, terracotta pots and green hanging plants. Choosing what to eat is the most difficult part of a visit to Grassroots, from pan-fried gyoza in almond sauce to sweet potato kofta, grilled mushroom satay skewers and Indian tikka flatbread—absolutely everything on the menu is creative and delicious. Definitely don’t skip dessert here; the nut butter chocolate fondant made with banana brulee, coconut whip and raw cacao nibs will change your life.
Floax
FLOAX is a fully dedicated floatation therapy spa tucked away in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong. Here, you can experience deep rest and relaxation by floating weightlessly inside a silent float pod. The benefits of floating are similar to those experienced through meditation. An hour of floating is said to have the same restful effects as 4-8 hours of sleep and it is the perfect antidote to a week of late nights out, jetlag and the stress of travel or work.
Sohofoma
For the best dumplings in town, head to Sohofoma—a stylish collaboration between healthy Sai Ying Pun restaurant Locofama and quirky Hong Kong lifestyle brand, G.O.D. Housed in Central’s PMQ, Sohofama, serves organic, healthier and modern Chinese food with locally-sourced ingredients where possible, in a cool, modern setting. Dishes here that deserve a special mention include the black truffle and mushroom dumplings, miso fried eggplant and stir-fried king prawns. The creamy coconut milk pudding is also a great way to end the meal if you can squeeze it in.
Dragon’s Back Ridge, the Hong Kong Trail
Hong Kong is renowned for its skyscrapers and urban sprawl but you don’t have to travel far out of the city centre to discover beautiful natural environments. Much of the land surrounding Hong Kong has been designated as Country Park, with hundreds of kilometres of well signposted Hong Kong hiking trails. The Dragon’s Back is the best hike to start off with as it is relatively shorter than most of the hikes, taking around 2 – 3 hours, which makes it ideal for those with basic fitness levels. It’s a relatively easy and enjoyable hike that offers fantastic views and ends on a lovely beach.
The Yoga Room
With a focus on small classes and high-quality, personalised instructions, The Yoga Room offers a beautiful sanctuary from the busy city with its spacious and bright atmosphere. With over 100 classes per week designed for the beginner to the advanced, there will almost always be a class you can fit into your schedule. For a truly special yoga experience, book into a beach yoga session by The Yoga Room in Repulse Bay where you can enjoy the fresh ocean air, the sound of the surf, and sand beneath your toes as you practise.
Nood
For a light lunch and energising snacks on-the-go, Nood is the place to hit. Nood’s menu includes “healthy-licious” organic juices and raw vegan foods such as superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juice cleanses, raw snacks like dehydrated kale chips, salads and breakfast options including raw granola and raw coconut yoghurt. Located at the beautiful Repulse Bay next to The Yoga Room, this cafe is the perfect place to refuel after a swim at the beach or yoga class.
Balance Health
It is hard to get a quiet moment to yourself in Hong Kong, which is why having a way to switch off and calm the mind is important. One of Hong Kong’s most respected holistic and alternative health clinics, Balance Health is the place to go for your dose of mindfulness meditation, to aid stress reduction, and for emotion regulation. Each guided meditation session goes for one hour and teaches participants simple mindfulness practices that can be used in daily life to find mental balance. In addition to offering daily meditation classes, the clinic also offers acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage and physiotherapy.
