The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival returned this 2024 bigger and better than ever, kicking off on October 23 with endless food and drinks for locals and foreign guests alike.
This year, the event was extended to five days, making it a full-on extravaganza for gourmet lovers.
If you’re looking for an activity that’s fun and filling while giving you a close-up look at Hong Kong’s culture, there’s more than one reason to add this annual event on your bucket lists.
1. The immaculate vibe
The five-day event took place at the Central Harbourfront, a sprawling space smack in the middle of Hong Kong’s financial district. A massive ferris wheel sits right by the venue’s borders, and yachts cruise by on the water — beyond the water, the Kowloon skyline.
Undoubtedly, the atmosphere makes half the fun. Guests wandered around unable to escape the view of Victoria Harbour on all sides. The vibe was best at night, with the glittering lights of the sky-high buildings, and the blinking neon lights of the stall signs.
2. The variety
As lovely as the evening was, inside the venue, everyone’s attention could only be on the overwhelming number of offerings.
Over 300 booths participated in this year’s Wine & Dine Festival. Aside from local flavors, global wines were given the spotlight. There were offerings from a whopping 35 countries and regions, including France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
Volume aside, the range is the winning point. There were all sorts of liquor to be enjoyed, such as craft beer, sake, Chinese baiju, and more. In fact, there was a new zone dedicated to just gin and whiskey.
3. The delectable food
Speaking of new zones, the best one must be the “Culinary Stars,” which features booths from Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. There were rising stars there, too, like the local restaurant Fisholics, which turned heads thanks to its creative fish dishes. (Fishdogs, anyone?)
Another notable zone was the Japanese zone, which was a hit, if the crowd was anything to go by. The area was warmly decorated with lanterns, and displayed at the stalls were sake and classic Japanese meat dishes, and of course, sushi.
There were countless more — large pizzas and pasta from Italy, chorizo sandwiches and steaks from Spain, raclette cheese and crepes from France, milk tea from Thailand, and coffee from Vietnam.
4. The music and performances
Every night, performers were invited to take the stage of the Wine & Dine Festival. For the opening night, the Hong Kong Tourism Board invited South Korean singer-songwriter Gyubin.
The performers were not the only superstars around — renowned chefs lead workshops for the “Tasting Theatre,” which allow guests to further enjoy the wine and delicacies made available to them.
5. The outfits
The Wine & Dine Festival took place near the end of October annually, so a lot of people were on Halloween mode. Several guests brought the festival feel by dressing up in costumes and cosplays.
Moreover, booths from other countries shared not just their cuisine, but also their culture by dressing up in traditional garb.
And of course, is it a festival if there isn’t even a little bit of fashion? If you ever come to the Wine & Dine season, wear your most Instagram-worthy outfits — the cityscape makes for a good backdrop.
Overall, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival brings together the world’s colorful flavors conveniently into one spot. It’s not a matter of whether or not it’s worth it, but rather how much food and drinks you can handle.
Travelers who wish to attend future editions of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival can purchase a “tasting pass,” which starts at HK$240 and covers the entrance fee, along with an initial load of tokens that will allow you to buy from the stalls. Otherwise, entrance is at HK$40.
This story was produced with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
