When it comes to Lantau Island, most people think of the Tian Tan Buddha, the Ngong Ping Cable Car, or Disneyland. But actually, Hong Kong's largest island is also home to quite a number of heartwarming tea restaurants. Let me take you on an exploration!
Tea restaurants on Lantau Island have an interesting characteristic—they're not as "convenient" as those on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. The tea restaurants here are mainly located in Tung Chung, Mui Wo, Tai O, and Ngong Ping, each offering a totally different vibe and flavor. You might ask if they're remote? Well, yes, they are! But that's exactly what makes them so special—the genuine local charm has been preserved.
Tung Chung: A Tourist-Friendly Option
Tung Chung could be called the "downtown" of Lantau Island, thanks to the MTR Tung Chung Line, it's where you'll find the most visitors. Tea restaurant options here aren't extensive, but the prices are reasonable and the menu selections are quite comprehensive.
If you've just gotten off the Ngong Ping Cable Car and are looking for something to eat, the restaurants and eateries near Tung Chung MTR station are quite convenient. The tea restaurants in this area generally offer standard Hong Kong cafe fare like iced milk tea and fried egg with rice, priced at around HK$35-50—not expensive at all. For travelers who don't want to travel too far, Tung Chung is a decent choice.
Mui Wo: The Hidden Gem of Old-School Eateries
Now Mui Wo is the real deal! This small town in southern Lantau Island, while not a major tourist hotspot, has actually preserved the most traditional tea restaurant flavors.
The biggest特色 of Mui Wo's tea restaurants is their sense of history. Some grandmothers and grandfathers have been serving here since they were young, and the service is lightning-fast. Their signature dishes are typically the traditional ones: milk tea, toasted butter bread, char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and beef brisket noodles. These items are becoming increasingly rare in the city, but Mui Wo has managed to keep that tradition alive.
Tai O: Fishing Village Vibes with Boat Noodles
Tai O, this ancient water village, is famous not only for its shrimp paste and crispy seafood specialties, but its tea restaurants also have a unique style. An interesting phenomenon here is that many restaurants incorporate seafood elements—since many local residents and fishermen live nearby.
In Tai O, you can try specialty items like "boat noodles" (艇仔粉)—a bowl filled with fish balls, cuttlefish balls, pig skin, and more, served with a dried fish broth. That freshness simply can't be found in the city. Another特色 of Tai O's tea restaurants is that many owners will strike up conversations with customers, asking "Is this your first time here?" or "Have you tried Tai O's specialties yet?" That warmth and hospitality is truly hard to find elsewhere.
Ngong Ping: Where Vegetarian Choices Meet Tradition
Ngong Ping, thanks to the Tian Tan Buddha, attracts large numbers of pilgrims and tourists every year. An interesting phenomenon here is the especially wide variety of vegetarian options—makes sense, since some visitors come to worship and keep a vegetarian diet.
However, tea restaurants in Ngong Ping are generally smaller in size, with simple noodles and milk tea being the main offerings. Prices tend to be slightly higher, due to higher rental costs compared to Tung Chung and the fact that tourists make up the majority of customers—which is understandable.
Practical Information
To reach the tea restaurants on Lantau Island, here are the main transportation options:
Take the MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung Station, then transfer to buses to Mui Wo, Tai O, or Ngong Ping. For Ngong Ping, you can also take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, which goes directly to Ngong Ping Village.
If you want to experience the ferry, you can take a boat from Central to Mui Wan—the journey takes about 35 minutes, and this method actually has much more charm.
Travel Tips
Do keep in mind that many tea restaurants on Lantau Island close early, especially in Mui Wo and Tai O—they often shut their doors around 6 PM. So if you want lunch, you'll need to get an early start! Also, most tea restaurants on Lantau Island only accept cash, so make sure to withdraw some money or have change ready.
One more tip: if you want to visit Tai O, try to avoid rush hour times. Waiting for a boat and finding a seat can be quite time-consuming.
