Diwali dining guide in Hong Kong
As any South Asian will tell you, good food is quintessential to Diwali celebrations. Taking a cue from that, Indian and South Asian restaurants are pulling out all the stops with exclusive Diwali menus that go way beyond your usual curry night. We’re talking handcrafted mithai (desserts), sparkling tea pairings that actually make sense, and feasts served everywhere from heritage dining rooms to al fresco terraces on The Peak.
Whether you’re celebrating with friends or family or are just curious about some of the more innovative dishes, like how a smoked butter chicken might taste like with hojicha, there’s something here for you. These restaurants have created Diwali experiences that feel both celebratory and intimate—the kind of meals where you’ll want to pace yourself because everything sounds too good to skip.
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Gaylord Indian Restaurant
The vegetarian classic tasting menu at Gaylord Indian Restaurant
Lobster Malabar curry at Gaylord Indian Restaurant
Fifty-three years in the game means Gaylord knows what works. Their classic tasting menus—one vegetarian, one not—feature the greatest hits: crisp pani poori, kebabs and items from the tandoor that people queue up for. But they’re not resting on nostalgia alone. The à la carte menu now includes lobster Malabar curry, Gunpowder Prawn with proper heat, and coastal crab biryani. Want to take Diwali home? Pre-order their handmade mithai—boondi laddoo, coconut rose barfi and badam pista crafted by the team.
Gaylord Indian RestaurantAddress: 5/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Leela
Inside Leela’s kitchen, which serves as an exciting hub for innovative Indian cuisine (Photo: Instagram / @leela.hkg)
Here’s where things get interesting. Chef Manav Tuli has teamed up with beverage brand Saicho to pair his modern Indian dishes with sparkling teas, and honestly? It works brilliantly. The Lucknowi tokri chaat (think crispy potato baskets) meets jasmine tea’s floral notes, while the honey sesame pork ribs get balanced by Darjeeling tea’s subtle tannins. The star move is pairing smoky hojicha with smoked butter chicken—it’s like they were made for each other.
LeelaAddress: 3/F, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay
New Punjab Club
New Punjab Club collaborates with Bakehouse on a mithai box
When you’re the world’s first Michelin-starred Punjabi restaurant and you’ve held that star for seven years running, you’re allowed to show off a little. Chef Palash Mitra is serving a one-night-only (on October 20), ten-dish Diwali feast that showcases why this tandoor grill house earned its accolades. The team has also collaborated with Bakehouse’s Chef Gregoire Michaud on a mithai box—because even pastry chefs want in on Diwali. Pre-order the sweets until October 16.
New Punjab ClubAddress: 1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
Rajasthan Rifles
Rajasthan Rifles serves up great views and a great Diwali feast
Celebrating Diwali on The Peak with panoramic city views and free-flow drinks? Yes, please. Chef Palash Mitra’s sharing-style menu channels royal Rajasthani hospitality, and the communal format feels right for a festival that’s all about bringing people together. The dramatic setting helps—you’re dining above Hong Kong’s glittering skyline while working through dishes such as roast chicken and Bombay keema masala. It’s the kind of evening where you’ll want to linger over every course. Available 20 October only.
Rajasthan RiflesAddress: Shop 1, Level 1, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak
Prince and the Peacock
Chef Palash Mitra is the mastermind behind Black Sheep Restaurant’s South Asian cuisine
If you’ve ever wanted to dine like royalty, this is your moment. Set inside The Magistracy’s stunning space, Prince and the Peacock goes full palace mode with interiors that could pass for a maharaja’s court. Chef Palash Mitra’s ten-dish menu explores the refined, subtle side of royal Indian cuisine—less about heat, more about layered flavours and stories behind each dish. Running across three evenings (October 18-20), it’s a culinary journey through Indian palace kitchens.
Prince and the PeacockAddress: The Magistracy, 1 Old Bailey Street, Tai Kwun, Central
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