The South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables 2021 celebrates its ninth edition this year. Considered the definitive guide to fine dining in our cities, the book features 100 of the best restaurants in Hong Kong and 20 in Macau.

Gary Liu, CEO, South China Morning Post, said: “100 Top Tables continues to be the definitive and trusted dining guide for the best restaurants for culinary aficionados and executive diners, and we’re proud to launch the ninth edition this year. The annual guide is meticulously put together by our editorial panel and is respected by restaurant establishments for its independent selection process. 

“In addition to honouring our top restaurants and celebrating the city’s leading chefs for their dedication, professionalism and culinary creativity, we want to acknowledge their resilience as well. Congratulations to the winners and we look forward to another spectacular year of fine dining in Hong Kong and Macau.”

Inside the 100 Top Tables guide are eight categories – Chinese, Western, French, Italian, Japanese, Steak & Grills, East/West and Macau – where the best fine dining restaurants are featured.

This year, we have introduced our pick of Hong Kong’s top 10 best bars with criteria such as outstanding ambience, service and creative drinks.

It has been another tough year on the food and beverage industry, and many restaurants are still suffering the consequences of the pandemic, which has led to the cancellation of our annual 100 Top Tables award event for the second consecutive year. 

Some restaurants have not weathered the storm and have closed but there have been several new openings, some of which have been included in the guide this year.

Winnie Chung, editorial director, specialist publications, advertising and marketing solutions, said: “This year, it is more important than ever for us to honour Hong Kong’s food and beverage stalwarts, not only for their culinary innovation but also for their resilience and agility in adapting to unprecedented instability caused by the pandemic. 

“This is why we’ve decided to add a special award for the finest deliveries, a true reflection of the versatility of our chefs in re-interpreting their creativity for in-home experiences, as well as a new section for the 10 best bars in Hong Kong.”

There are 18 new restaurants and two re-entries on the winners’ list this year. New entries include Nove at the Fringe, Rùn and Yong Fu in the Chinese category; Aulis in the Western category; Bâtard, Odyssée and Tirpse in the French category; Aria in Italian, Ippoh Tempura and Tominokoji Yamagishi in Japanese; Harbourside Grill in Steak & Grills; Ando, Chaat, Hansik Goo and Soil to Soul in East/West; and Copa Steakhouse, Lotus Palace and Sichuan Moon in Macau. We have also included our first vegetarian/vegan restaurant this year – Soil to Soul.

For outstanding achievements in the food and beverage industry this year, we have awarded Best Chef to Kwong Wai-keung, veteran master chef of three-Michelin-starred T’ang Court, for his contribution to Chinese cuisine. 

“I think this recognition does not only belong to me but to my whole culinary team, for their hard work and endeavour to strive for the best in preserving and presenting exquisite authentic Cantonese cuisine together with me,” says Kwong.

Best Pastry Chef goes to Mandy Siu Yuen-sang at L’Envol for her exceptional desserts and cakes, and Rising Star goes to Manav Tuli at Chaat who has made Hong Kong diners fall in love with his elevated Indian street food. 

Best Service award goes to Roganic Hong Kong for a second consecutive year, and the Best Ambience award goes to Amber for its modern yet unassuming luxe decor. 

As 2021 has been an unusual year in fine dining, with restaurants having to close at 6pm for months on end, some establishments were creative in offering diners high-end dishes delivered to their door. With this in mind, we have created a special award for this year only – Finest Delivery, and the one we believe stood out the most is Écriture. We heartily congratulate all our awardees!

100 Top Tables provides the reader with an impartial overview of each restaurant, including information on the cuisine and ambience. There is a shortlist of signature dishes and the price of corkage, as well as amenities like valet parking and alfresco dining. We also include information about vegan dishes and menus. Addresses, phone numbers and hours of operation are also provided.

100 Top Tables 2021 is available to print subscribers of the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, and a VIP list of business owners, listed companies, professionals, entrepreneurs and C-suite readers. Display copies are also available at select hotel lounges and recreation clubs. In Macau, it is available at membership clubs and deluxe restaurants.

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100 Top Tables 2021 – A definitive guide to executive dining