Castellana

Opened this year by chef Marco Sacco of two Michelin-starred Piccolo Lago in Verbania, Italy, Castellana has already caused quite a stir.

Described as “quiet but powerful” by Tatler Hong Kong’s dining editors, the menu focuses on dishes that celebrate culinary traditions of Piedmont. There’s the vitelo tonnato - tuna wrapped in veal with capers and an anchovy sauce - a rich black garlic risotto paired with a tender river prawn, and their signature carbonara “au koque” with Vigezzo valley cured ham.

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3188 5028; castellanahongkong.com

(Related: Singapore's PasirpanjangBoy Opens Nyonya Restaurant Bibi & Baba in Hong Kong)

Sumi Yakitori

Sumi Yakitori takes up one floor of a small building hidden in an alleyway off Lockhart Road. But don’t be put off by the slightly seedy location—this restaurant is a textbook hidden gem loved by local celebs and creative crowds.

Diners are greeted by a smoky, lively open kitchen where the chefs grill skewers of meat and vegetables between taking sips of sake with guests sitting at the bar. It truly feels like a hidden izakaya you’d find in Tokyo. Aside from tasty grilled skewers, Sumi does a solid eel rice that we highly recommend. 

Sumi Yakitori, 9/F, Evernew House, 485 Lockhart Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2980 3312; facebook.com/SumiYakitori2007

Elephant Grounds

You can always count on Elephant Grounds for great coffee, consistently good food and those legendary "How do I even fit that in my mouth?" ice cream sandwiches. The dog-friendly Causeway Bay cafe is located on Fashion Walk Food Street, and serves lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. 

We love the unagi omurice, the roasted salmon don with ikura and an onsen egg, the fish fillet sando and of course, their signature burger. 

Elephant Grounds, Shop C, 42-28 Fashion Walk, Paterson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2562 8688; elephantgrounds.com

Alto

Created by celebrated British designer, Tom Dixon, Alto delivers a tasteful dose of maximalism that is perfectly complemented by floor to ceiling views of Causeway Bay and Victoria Harbour. 

The menu features international favourites, ranging from salads and pastas to specialities from the grill, including a whopping 40oz USDA Prime tomahawk. The wine list is a tour of the world’s major wine regions, from France and Italy to Australia and the USA. 

A stylish rooftop bar sits one floor above the restaurant, which is perfect for taking out-of-towners or for simply drinking in Hong Kong's electric energy.  

Alto, 31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2603 7181; diningconcepts.com

Sijie Sichuan Kitchen

If chilli-filled cauldrons make you feel some type of way, then it's worth paying Sijie Sichuan Kitchen a visit, where you're guaranteed to leave with a numb tongue and a very happy tummy. 

This intimate restaurant seats around 30 people, and serves Sichuan favourites like dumplings in chilli oil, cold Sichuan noodles and their signature dish, a large bowl of mandarin fish slices poached in chilli broth with chewy potato noodles. To relieve the heat, we recommend a classic pairing: ice old beer.  

Sijie Sichuan Kitchen, 10/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2802 2250

(Related: From Dim Sum To Xiao Long Bao: The Best Places For Chinese Weekend Brunch In Hong Kong)

Sushi Yorokobu

There is an overwhelming number of sushi restaurants in Causeway Bay, so to make things easier for you, we're only going to list one—Sushi Yorokobu. Run by owner and chef Tango Lai, Sushi Yorokobu serves a traditional Edomae style omakase with the level of detail and finesse that one would find in some of Japan's most prestigious establishments. 

Here, the decor creates an instant sense of calm with light woods, soft lighting and beautiful ceramics.

Sushi Yorokobu, 18/F, Aura on Pennington, 66 Jardline's Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3426 2777

Cadillac Bar & Grill

Tacos, pizza, potato skins, oh my. At Cadillac Bar & Grill, come for the comfort food and stay for the view, as the spacious cantina occupies the large covered and open-air space that was formerly Shelter in Hysan Place.

Aside from Tex-Mex classics, the kitchen here gets creative with items such as beef tartare tacos and sea urchin on pork chicharron.

Cadillac Bar & Grill, 7/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2521 2322

b.a.r. Executive

This gem fits the formula for Japan's renowned hole-in-the-wall whisky bars; a dark and intimate setting, the soft hum of jazz in the background and a one man show behind the bar serving the finest Japanese whisky, poured into tumblers filled with near-perfect hand-chiselled ice. Cocktails are also made with incredible craftsmanship and creativity. 

Though not a restaurant, the owner of b.a.r. Executive has some of the most elevated bar snacks in the city. From a giant leg of Iberico ham that he carves from on request, to a selection of the finest seasonal Japanese produce, be it a perfect cantaloupe or candy-sweet Kyoho grapes. 

Sitting on the 27th floor, b.a.r. Executive offers glittering views over the Happy Valley racetrack. Go on a Wednesday (aka race night) for a little extra pizazz.

b.a.r. Executive, 27/F Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2893 2080 

Skye Rooftop Bar

Perched on the 27th floor of The Pullman, Skye Rooftop Bar offers wraparound views that span from Central's iconic skyscrapers to Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline and finally, lush green views of Victoria Park. This minimalist bar keeps things simple with sleek all-white interiors and a futuristic sci-fi glow to allow the breathtaking vistas to take centre stage. 

Try one of their original cocktails, like the Park Typhoon which is a mix of Asian flavours like pandan and coconut combined with tequila and a French herbal liqueur.

Skye Rooftop Bar, The Park Lane Hong Kong, A Pullman Hotel, 310 Gloucester Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2839 3327; parklane.com.hk

Basao Tea

For a more wholesome drinking experience, Basao Tea has all the makings of a serene, modern tea bar - simple Scandinavian design elements, organic tea and photogenic plates of healthy food.

Sourcing single-origin teas from China, Taiwan, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, the baristas at Basao take great care to honour the ingredients and serve up drinks that are good for the soul.  

Basao Tea, 16 Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2338 8172; basaotea.com

HER

This store-meets-cafe is designed to deliver the sweet, simple things in life; minimal but beautiful interior design, thoughtfully curated fashion and lifestyle products and good coffee. 

Amongst a sea of sneakers, skincare and holographic tote bags, HER is anchored by a cafe that serves traditional cups of coffee as well as out-there frappes that are topped with everything from marshmallows to macarons. You'll also find cookies by Cookie Department—it even has exclusive rights to sell their highly sought after Nutella-filled cookie. 

As its name suggests, HER was designed to be a female-driven retail experience, but it's honestly an experience that anyone can appreciate. 

HER, 55 Paterson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2856 9907; instagram.com/_her.official_

Loveramics

Those with a soft spot for pottery and ceramics will get a kick out of Loveramics' flagship store, where you'll find a rainbow of beautifully made tableware.

Keep an eye out for their limited edition pieces, as they regularly collaborate with artists as well as brands - they've previously teamed up with the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and Pantone to name a few.   

Loveramics, 97 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2915 8018; loveramics.com

I.T.

I.T. is Hong Kong's answer to celebrated multi-brand retailers like Dover Street Market or Paris' now-closed Colette. The store carries a spectrum of fashion's most coveted goods, from luxury labels like Balenciaga and Maison Margiela, to cult classics like A.P.C., Comme des Garcons and Ann Demeulemeester, to special collections by the likes of Adidas and Nike. 

Its flagship store at Hysan One is four stories of pure fashion hedonism that no lover of style should deprive themselves of. 

I.T., 1 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2890 7329; ithk.com

Gentle Monster

If you've got a penchant for visual merchandising, it's worth making a stop at Gentle Monster's Causeway Bay boutique, the South Korean eyewear label's first ever flagship.

Similar to its ever-changing 'Quantum Project' concept stores in Seoul, Gentle Monster frequently sheds its skin to bring a new and exciting experience to shoppers. In the past, it has been a futuristic subway, a mysterious jungle of weird and wonderful creatures and more. 

Oh, and the eyewear they sell is pretty amazing, too. 

Gentle Monster, 25 Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2612 1968; gentlemonster.com

(Related: A Gentleman’s Travel Guide to Hong Kong: 6 Best Barbers)

Eslite

Taking over three floors and more than 40,000 square feet of Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite has tens of thousands of titles to choose from—over a third of which are in English. There's also a dedicated and extremely diverse magazine section,  as well as quirky lifestyle products.

There's even a built-in Moleskine concession should you feel inspired to unleash the writer in you. 

Eslite, 8/F-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3419 6789; eslitecorp.com

Fivelements

Fivelements Habitat in Times Square brings a touch of Bali bliss to the madness of Hong Kong. It is centred around the Balinese healing philosophy of Tri Hita Karana which emphasises the importance of balancing connection between spirit, human and the environment—and let's face it, if there's anyone who needs a space to slow down and disconnect to reconnect, it's Hongkongers. 

From soothing spa therapies to energising practices ranging from yoga to dance, and meditation sessions ranging from sound therapies to tea ceremonies; the programme at Fivelements Habitat is led by some of Hong Kong's leading wellness experts. 

Fivelements Habitat, Level 13A, Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 6803 5081; fivelements.com

(Related: 5 Luxurious Airbnb Properties To Stay At When You’re in Hong Kong)