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The Chairman

Restaurant · Modern Cantonese fine dining$$$$Central, Hong Kong

A Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant on Wellington Street that topped Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2021, known for steamed crab with Huadiao wine and fresh local produce.

At a glance

Type
Modern Cantonese fine dining
Area
Central, Hong Kong
Price
$$$$ · Luxury

Good to know

  • Reservations essential
  • Set menus
  • Credit cards accepted

Why we recommend it

The Chairman is one of the most celebrated Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong. Its cooking is built on very fresh ingredients, mostly organic and sourced from local farms and fishermen, and handled with a light touch. In 2021 it became the first Hong Kong restaurant to top the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, it was ranked 19th in the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025, and it holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide.

In 2022 the restaurant moved to its current home on the third floor of The Wellington, a building at 198 Wellington Street at the western end of Central. The dining room is elegant and decorated with plenty of greenery, and the mood is polished rather than stiff.

The signature is steamed crab with Huadiao wine and chicken fat, served over Chen Cun rice noodles that soak up the juices. It is the dish most diners come for and the one most associated with the restaurant. Another well-known plate is oxtail stewed with Sichuan peppercorns. Dining here is based on set menus, which diners choose in advance from options emailed by the restaurant, so you can plan the meal and the budget before you arrive.

Booking is essential. Reservations open online on certain days only, and tables are often taken months ahead, so plan well before your trip and be flexible about the date. The restaurant serves lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 11pm daily. Credit cards are accepted. Expect fine-dining prices, and check the restaurant's website for current booking channels and any deposit or cancellation terms.

The Chairman suits food-focused travellers, special occasions and anyone who wants to understand how refined Cantonese cooking can be. It is less suited to young children or anyone looking for a quick meal. Cantonese dining is built around sharing, so a group of four can taste more of the menu than a couple. Afterwards, the streets of Sheung Wan and the upper end of Central are an easy walk for a drink, and Mak's Noodle is further east along the same street for a casual lunch on another day.

The Chairman FAQs

Do you need to book The Chairman?

Yes. Reservations open online on certain days only and tables are often booked months ahead.

Where is The Chairman?

On the third floor of The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central.

What are the opening hours?

Lunch is from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 11pm, every day.

What should you order?

The signature is steamed crab with Huadiao wine and chicken fat over Chen Cun rice noodles.

How does the menu work?

Diners choose from set menus that the restaurant emails in advance of the booking.

Does it have a Michelin star?

Yes. It holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide.

What awards has it won?

It topped Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2021 and was ranked 19th in the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025.

Where do the ingredients come from?

The kitchen uses very fresh ingredients, mostly organic, from local farms and fishermen.

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