Cafe Kowloon is a modern Cantonese restaurant in Hackney, inspired by the informal and sociable dining culture of Hong Kong, where meals are often shared and continue late into the evening. Open for dinner and late-night dining, it has quickly established itself as a lively destination for birthday celebrations, date nights and group meals built around sharing plates.
Inside, Cafe Kowloon feels cocooned and atmospheric. A curved, wood-panelled ceiling softens the room, while an open kitchen with a metal countertop and bar stool seating allows guests to watch the chefs at work. At one end of the room, a wooden bar glows with neon Chinese signage, echoing the energy of Hong Kong street markets. Pops of green across the walls and above the kitchen add contrast, creating a space that feels lively and bustling.
The Cafe Kowloon menu takes a contemporary approach to Cantonese food, with dishes designed to be ordered across the table. Smaller plates might include curry fishball skewers, prawn wontons or cucumber salad, while larger sharing dishes range from half chicken with ginger sauce to steamed sea bass finished with seasoned soy sauce. Sides such as jasmine rice or sesame-dressed cabbage finish off the savoury offering.
Vegetarian-friendly by nature, the menu includes plenty of meat-free options that sit comfortably alongside seafood and meat dishes, making it easy to cater for mixed dietary requirements. Desserts are experimental with options like Hong Kong-style French toast, tofu ice cream with ginger and kumquat, or Ovaltine mousse served with milk ice cream. Drinks are handled with the same sense of playfulness. The cocktail list includes modern classics such as white negronis and burnt lemon highballs, alongside mocktails, beers, cider, soft drinks and wine by the glass, all suited to long, relaxed evenings.