Gazing around the increasingly Gallic-themed streets of central Hong Kong’s entertainment districts, where cafes, brasseries and even tartine shops are now de rigueur, some weary diners may well wonder if the city really needs another French restaurant. The answer, judging from the response to new ‘neo-Parisian’ bistro Belon, appears to be yes.
But then Belon has a few distinguishing characteristics -- not least head chef James Henry, who teamed up with local restaurant group Black Sheep to open the venue after the demise of his previous venture, popular Parisian eatery Bones. Then there’s the design, by Hong Kong-based Dix Design + Architecture, the visual force behind now near-iconic properties like Yardbird and Carbone. Mirror-clad walls, polished surfaces of marble and aluminium, and snug deep-blue booths give Belon a vibe that’s both classy and comfortable, a rarity in a dining scene that typically veers between scruffy and antiseptic. The cuisine is similarly sophisticated yet sincere. While the menu shifts according to what Henry can source at nearby markets and farms, there are always a few well-executed classics like whole roast chicken with pommes Anna, balanced with more daring dishes that exhibit an Asian influence, such as the sea urchin and sweet potato waffle. It seems Hong Kong’s culinary French revolution isn’t quite over yet.
INFORMATION
Website
ADDRESS
41-43 Elgin Street
-
Seiko and Datsun mark a shared heritage and history with three new limited-edition watchesThe Japanese brands pay tribute to the Datsun 240Z and Prospex Speedtimer in a new collaboration
-
The world’s most exclusive auto show? The Quail is now a hotspot of high-end car launchesThe Quail, A Motorsports Gathering brings a few thousand well-heeled car buyers to a Californian golf course to showcase the latest in luxury and sporting auto design
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café TondoHelmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Discover a futuristic bar in Shanghai with mad-scientist energyPenicillin opens in Shanghai with a clinical steel and concrete design by LC Studio alongside trailblazing, sustainable cocktails
-
A colossal ‘ship’ in Shanghai honours Louis Vuitton’s travel legacyLouis Vuitton’s The Louis is an OMA-designed hub combining retail, culture and dining in the heart of Nanjing West Road
-
The Trip to Hong Kong: exploring a bold new capital of cultureA resilient desire to shift perceptions yet preserve heritage is driving a new energy in Hong Kong as the next generation creates a bold new capital of culture
-
Take off with the June 2025 Travel Issue of Wallpaper*Head to Hong Kong, paint the town red in Las Vegas, reimagine room service, and make a splash in sizzling swimwear – the June issue is hot to globe-trot, on newsstands now
-
Tour the best contemporary tea houses around the worldCelebrate the world’s most unique tea houses, from Melbourne to Stockholm, with a new book by Wallpaper’s Léa Teuscher
-
Prada and Wong Kar-wai dream up a cinematic restaurant in ShanghaiPrada partners with Wong Kar-wai to bring Mi Shang Rong Zhai to life, a dining experience influenced by the arthouse director’s seminal oeuvre
-
A local’s guide to Hong Kong, by photographer Lean LuiAs Hong Kong hosts its annual Art Basel fair, local photographer Lean Lui shares her go-to spots for an alternative take on the city
-
Where to stay in Hong KongFrom sky-high glamour to intimate design sanctuaries, here's our pick of Hong Kong's finest stays
