The Pawn

Housed in a former pawn shop dating from 1941, this atmospheric Wan Chai gastropub offers a tame but lovely glimpse of Hong Kong’s past amid the city’s soaring skyscrapers. Following a revamp in 2014, the iconic building is decked out in minimalist, colonial style with potted ferns, marble tabletops, sleek lights hanging from lofty ceilings and pops of color courtesy of local artist Stanley Wong. Rockstar British chef Tom Aiken has amped up the menu to include elevated classics supplemented by the rooftop herb and vegetable garden. There are multiple levels of dining and drinking nooks, including a botanical cocktail bar and a hugely popular covered balcony, which is open year-round and overlooks the busy Wan Chai streets below.