I’m often asked what tailor I use or where I get my hair done in HK. So I thought I would put all this info into one post 🙂 just in case it helps! This is no way meant as a definitive list just some insights.
Tailoring/Adjustments:
Fashion Alterating & Tailor Company, 2nd floor, Melbourne Plaza, Central. This place has altered soo many items of clothing for me, from vintage jumpsuits to tailored trousers to flowing ball gowns. I would bring anything here. See my Insta post here for a photo of the store and the jumpsuit I recently altered.
Cobblers/shoe repair in HK:
The best cobblers by far is Shing Do Shoe Repair, No.6 Pedder Lane in Central. They have fixed my heels, loafers, even hand-embroidered flats from an ancient Chinese town. Open 10:00-7:30pm Mon-Fri, so really convenient if you’re in Central.
Hair dresser in Hong Kong for curly hair:
More recently I have been visiting the Firm in Central. Before this I went to Ivy at Upper Room in Causeway Bay. I would be so wary of hair salons saying they can cut curly hair. Paul Gerrard did an amazing cut but I paid nearly 5,000HKD for a cut and highlights once.
I buy curl cream from Sasa or from The Firm, but mostly I buy in bulk during a trip to London.
Facial bleaching cream:
Fanda Pharmacy, Worldwide House, Central
Best spot for a wax in HK:
Nude waxing, locations in Causeway Bay and Central.
Dim Sum spots:
Dim Sum in Happy Valley. I would also take guests to Maxim’s Palace in City Hall (but avoiding for the moment – google for Maxim’s Group and HK protests for why).
Nice restaurants with great service and vibe:
Personally, I like any restaurant from the Pirata Group. I loved Chifa Dumpling House and Madame Ching but both have shut down recently – I like Pici for pasta feasts. For Chinese food definitely The Monogamous Chinese (very reasonable and filling lunch sets and great for a statement dinner). I also like Maison Libonaise, Le Souk and Olive.
Books:
I really recommend signing up to the HK public library. Its super easy, and they have an amazing collection of books.
Where to drop clothes for charity stores:
If I can’t re-gift clothes or books I no longer want, I drop them off at the Salvation Army Wan Chai drop off point just off Woods Road.
Cantonese classes:
I took some great classes at VTC, 20 hours for only 1,000HKD, and if you pass you get a rebate so it worked out approx 600HKD in total! I took the course in Survival Cantonese.
Where to live in HK:
My top advice is to find out where most expats live now / think is trendy and avoid it. Eg Kennedy Town rental prices went really high after expats saw it as trendy. You can get cheaper rents if you live in a walk-up apartment (no lifts, only stairs). But normally the ones on the market for cheaper rents are 4 floors and up. I lived on a seven floor walk-up for a few years. It depends what you want, what your mood is, and where you work, but I would recommend Tin Hau / Tai Hang area for space, very convenient location but not too expensive rents. I would suggest the real estate agent Winnie at Landworld Property Agency for aparments in Tin Hau/Causeway Bay (office at 66 Tung Lo Wan Rd), often old buildings so they have some character but new bathrooms/kitchens.
Public walking / running track with a great view:
I used to jog at Happy Valley public running track – the track follows the horse racing track and you run inside the stadium which is fun. Free public entry. The entrances are a bit tricky to find – one is on Wong Nai Chung Road next to the public toilets, and some subway steps will lead you there.
E-waste recycling spots:
I drop off my old broken laptops at the government recycling scheme in Southorn Centre Building, after I pay someone to delete all the files off of it at the Wanchai Computer Centre. I drop off headphones/CDs at the local point – which for me is now in Tin Hau. If you google for community recycling spots you can drop off e-waste goods at these places.
Second hand furniture in HK:
I got all of my furniture secondhand, and I used several Facebook groups including Facebook marketplace: Swap-it-Furnitures Hong Kong HK home furniture and appliances sale swap-it-hk
I also used Asia Expat classified listings for a few products. I then used Go-Go Van to help me pick up the furniture, and often asked the driver to help dismantle it too if need be.
Cocktails/ Happy Hours in HK:
Here’s a list that was shared with me a couple of years ago (so double check a few of these before going)
Moving a dog or pet to or from Hong Kong:
I would really suggest george at internationalpettravel dot com. Really great service, helped me move a ferret from Tokyo to Hong Kong which is really complex!
Babette Radclyffe-Thomas 