Escape the Expat Bubble: Quarry Bay
Sarah Richard – World Wanderer
Let’s be honest, us expats are as bad as each other. We roll our eyes when people say they never go to Kowloon and sigh when others only ever suggest the same bars to go to. But how many of us actually head out further than the safe zone of Soho, Central and Sheung Wan? Well you should, HK is a big city if you step outside your little box. May we suggest… Quarry Bay? Here’s what’s going on just a few MTR stops away:
Restaurants
Quarry Bay is quite the foodie paradise, boasting more restaurants than you would first imagine. From Western to local you will find most cuisines here – if you know where to look:
Plat du Jour
A French bistro serving a range of authentic French delicacies and classic comfort dishes throughout the day.
21 Hoi Wan Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong | 2789 4200 | www.facebook.com/PlatduJourHK
Mr & Mrs Fox
Mr & Mrs Fox
Mrs Fox on the ground floor welcomes visitors for casual dining, quick lunches and drinks. No reservations and walk in only. Mr Fox on 1/F is a sit down restaurant focusing on dry-aged steak and seafood. Reservations only. Den on 2/F is a 24-seat private dining room with an adjoining terrace, ideal for private dining and events.
23 Tong Chong Street Quarry Bay | 2697 8500 | www.facebook.com/MRMRSFOXHK
The News Room
Serving classic American diner fare, brunch and cocktails this is your go-to before/during and after work haunt.
Taikoo Fong, 33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay | 2562 3444 | thenewsroom.hk
Flames Charcoal Chicken
An Australian style charcoal rotisserie chicken restaurant that also serves fresh salads and chicken salt chips
Shop A2, G/F, Hoi Wan Building, 25 Hoi Wan Street, Quarry Bay | 2563 9928 | www.facebook.com/FlamesCharcoalChicken
Shops
It may not be anywhere near as big as its neighbours in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, but Q-Bay has a huge upcoming boutique shopping scene. Here are some boutiques you should be checking out:
L’Strawberry, 11C Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay
Lass, 8 Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay
Diana Le Luxe, 24A Hoi Kwong Street
Suri, Shop 2A1, Hoi Kwong Court, 13-15 Hoi Kwong Street, Quarry Bay
Cityplaza
Oh, wait, did we forget to mention Cityplaza, Hong Kong Island’s largest mall? There are over 160 shops, restaurants and café’s, cinema, ice skating rink over 10 floors. Yeah, it’s kinda big and a lot less crowded than Causeway Bay.
18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing, Island East
Museums
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
From 1953 to 2002, the fireboat Alexander Grantham served as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department’s fireboat team, responding to fire alarms and conducting rescue operations in Hong Kong’s bustling waters and along its shoreline. The fireboat is now open to the public in the purpose-built Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, which showcases a number of unique firefighting artifacts and illustrates marine rescue work in Hong Kong
OPENING HOURS 9am to 6pm, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday to Saturday. Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year.
The Hong Kong Film Archive
The Film Archive is dedicated to the preservation of Hong Kong’s movie heritage. It collects and conserves films and related materials, provides facilities accessible to the public, and conducts activities to promote Hong Kong’s film culture as well as facilitate research into the history of local cinema.
OPENING HOURS Wed-Mon, 10am-8pm
50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho
How To Get There
Quarry Bay has its own MTR station that is only 7 stops from Central on the blue line. Buses numbers 722 and 2 leave from Central bus terminus to Quarry Bay every 15 minutes. The tram runs from to and from Quarry Bay as far as Shau Kei Wan every few minutes of the day.
Sarah Richard is a 26 year old professional world wanderer. 4 years ago she left the UK and everything that offered her security and routine in exchange for a constant life of excitement and adventure. And she is still living it now. Through out working as a Dive Master, freelance writer,running her blog (coffeewithasliceoflife.com) and working along the way she now leads a life as a full time digital nomad. So follow her in her travels, in which ever country in the world she choses, and learn how you can do it too.