When it comes to milk tea in Central, many people's first reaction might be "expensive" and "nothing special." If you're still at this level, you really need to step up your game! Today, let me, an uncle who's worked in Central offices for over ten years, share some specialty milk tea shops in this area — not every time you need to go to Australian Dairy Company to visit Central, there are other better options.
Central's milk tea culture is actually quite different from nearby Causeway Bay. Causeway Bay belongs to the younger crowd, while Central is the territory of office ladies and bankers. In recent years, a wave of tea shops主打精品豆同 has emerged, focusing on specialty beans and slow, meticulous craftsmanship, selling to professionals who know their stuff. So for this article, I won't write about those chain stores that tourists must visit, but will directly tell you about three hidden gem shops that I've been patronizing.
First: South Side Ice Room — Traditional Milk Tea with Old Neighborhood Charm
This place really deserves a mention! They make one of Central's rare traditional milk teas, using real tea leaves blended with local Hong Kong evaporated milk — unlike many places outside that deceptively use creamer. At $26 per cup, compared to the average price in the office district, it's quite affordable. Their pineapple buns are pretty good too, usually sold out by early afternoon if you go late — so if you want to try them, head there early.
Second: Gongfu Tea in Wellington Street No. 44 Tenement Building
If you think Central is all chain stores, you're badly mistaken. This hidden gem is located on the 2nd floor of an old tenement building, with minimal publicity, but the masters really know their craft when making gongfu milk tea. Their silk stocking milk tea is made with three types of tea leaves, including Anhui Lapsang Souchong, Fujian Wuyi Rock Oolong, and Sichuan Chengdu flower tea — the layers of complexity they achieve are rarely seen elsewhere. At $32 per cup, honestly, comparing quality to chain stores, you get what you pay for, definitely worth it. Also worth noting, seating is limited here — maximum about ten people, and during busy times you may have to share tables, but the atmosphere feels more personable.
- Address: 2/F, 44 Wellington Street, Central
- Business Hours: Monday to Saturday 07:30-18:00
- Phone: 2522 0888
The "third wave milk tea" that has emerged in Central in recent years operates like coffee shops. They don't just sell Hong Kong-style milk tea, but also innovate with Earl Grey milk tea, Thai milk tea, and other varieties, yet the quality is nothing to scoff at. This shop's signature is "Osmanthus Mandarin Milk Tea" — fragrant yet not too sweet, perfect for women's tastes. Although $38 per cup is on the pricey side, the ingredients and brewing technique really offer value for money. In terms of ambiance, their decor follows a minimalist industrial style, unlike old-fashioned tea restaurants — many office ladies drop by after work to relax. Fourth: A Chain Store Near Hong Kong Station That Actually Delivers When it comes to Central's transportation hub, MTR Hong Kong Station is a must-mention. There's a chain tea restaurant here that has been consecutively selected for "Michelin Recommended" — don't be fooled by those doing their own thing first — honestly, their consistency in quality is truly higher than branches elsewhere. Their egg tarts are baked fresh upon order, truly delicious when just out of the oven, and their milk tea performs normally. At $28 for a regular set meal including milk tea/coffee without sugar + ham macaroni + egg tart, you can upgrade to hot milk tea for just one more dollar. This price is quite reasonable for office workers as a daily option. Fifth: The Hidden Old-Shop on Hollywood Road The last shop I want to introduce is an old standby on this street, having been around for nearly fifty years, surviving SARS, Occupy, and the pandemic without closing — thanks to word-of-mouth from neighborhood customers. Their milk tea is the strong tea version, with a heavier tea flavor, suitable for older tea connoisseurs who prefer robust flavors. It was only while chatting with younger folks that I learned this is the authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea — too many shops nowadays brew it too sweet and weak, completely losing the tea's character. At $24 per bowl, it's practically the cheapest in Central. Of course, the ambiance isn't as classy as new establishments, but that's precisely what makes it more "Hong Kong-flavored." Special Highlight: What Makes Central's Milk Tea So Unique? The biggest difference between Central and other districts is that the consumer base here consists mainly of white-collar workers and expats. Because of this, most tea restaurants' milk tea is relatively more "civilized" — moderate sweetness, clear tea flavor, not overly sweet or with bitter old tea notes. Meanwhile, due to rental pressure, low-quality shops quickly get naturally eliminated, leaving mostly those with decent quality. Another worth mentioning aspect is that Central's milk tea shops generally place great emphasis on "table turnover." You'll notice the pace here is faster than other districts — yes, they'll rush you, but for time-pressed office workers, this efficiency is just right. Practical Info You Should Know In terms of pricing, Central's milk tea is generally 15%-20% more expensive than in Kowloon and the New Territories. This isn't simply due to rent, but also labor costs and customers' purchasing power. Regular tea restaurant milk tea goes for about $22-$28, while premium outlets can charge $38-$45. If your budget is really limited and you want to save some money, consider the morning period or afternoon tea sets around 3-4 PM, which usually offer discounts. In terms of transportation, Exit C of MTR Central Station has the most shops, but others are also walkable; bus routes are everywhere; if coming from Tsim Sha Tsui, take the Star Ferry across and walk a few minutes. The most convenient method is definitely the MTR, basically just one stop away. Travel Tips A few tips for everyone: First, absolutely avoid the busy lunch hour peak at 12 PM at tea restaurants, or you'll wait forever for a seat; Second, if you want to quietly enjoy a bun, choose between 2 PM and 4 PM; Third, many old-shop masters listen to feedback from "knowledgeable customers," so if you strike up a conversation with them, you might get surprises from a "hidden menu." One final note: Many shops in Central are closed on weekends and public holidays — if you're going up on a Sunday, check in advance. Over these three years, Hong Kong's food and beverage industry has actually faced many challenges. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the total revenue of restaurants in 2025 only increased slightly by 0.2% compared to 2024, but in terms of volume, it actually dropped 0.9%. What this means is, this industry isn't as lucrative as outsiders think — treasure the small shops that are still holding on. So if you have the chance, go support them!
