Hong Kong eateries expand space with experiential dining push
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s food and beverage sector took up 155,000 sq ft of new floor space in the second quarter, a record for the trade and more than twice the first-quarter level, according to CBRE. In the first half of the year, operators leased 230,000 sq ft in total, showing continued appetite for expansion despite pressure on local consumption. Property consultants said the city’s retail recovery remained selective and narrow-based, pushing brands to compete through more distinctive dining concepts rather than food alone
Key Points
- CBRE said F&B operators, including new and existing players, signed leases for 155,000 sq ft in the second quarter, the sector’s highest quarterly total on record
- The second-quarter figure was more than double the amount registered in the first quarter, while first-half leasing reached 230,000 sq ft overall
- Lawrence Wan, executive director and head of retail leasing at CBRE Hong Kong, said more operators were adding experiential elements to the dining journey
- Examples cited by CBRE included live music, Korean restaurants using native Korean-speaking staff, Japanese eateries staging traditional drinking games, and venues with vintage European furniture
- JLL highlighted immersive concepts such as Le Petit Chef, The Magic Table, Dans le Noir?, Jing and 7 Paintings, where technology, darkness, art and storytelling extend the meal beyond food
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the leasing surge suggests restaurant operators still see room to grow locally, but only by differentiating themselves in a tougher consumer market. The emphasis on experience-led dining also points to a more competitive phase for landlords and tenants, where filling space may depend increasingly on concepts that can draw spending back to the city