Bar Leone — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

From the very first bite to the final sip, this experience was nothing short of extraordinary — a masterclass in balance, creativity, and execution. Every element on the table sang with personality and purpose.

Arancini With Mozzarella & Pomodoro Golden, crisp perfection on the outside, meltingly creamy within. The mozzarella was rich and indulgent, with the pomodoro providing a bright, tangy contrast. Classic, comforting, and elevated to the sublime.

Anchovy, Whipped Ricotta & Parsley Oil Crostino A bold and brilliant bite — the anchovy was salty and assertive, mellowed beautifully by the cloud-like whipped ricotta. The parsley oil brought a fresh herbal lift that tied everything together effortlessly. A perfect palate opener.

Steak Tartare, Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo, Pane Carasau One of the best tartares I’ve had in recent memory. The meat was delicately seasoned, tender, and impeccably fresh. The sun-dried tomato mayo added umami depth and sweetness, and the pane carasau gave it that satisfying crunch. A brilliant reimagining of a classic dish.

Focaccia With Mortadella, Whipped Ricotta, Pickled Chillis This was comfort and contrast in every bite — the pillowy focaccia soaked up all the richness of the mortadella and ricotta, while the pickled chillis cut through with the perfect zing. It was rich, spicy, and downright addictive.

CAFFÈ PARADISO An absolute revelation. The cold brew’s deep roast played beautifully with the honeyed warmth of the Ratafia Rossi, and the salted cream brought a luscious, almost dessert-like edge. The whisper of green cardamom lingered on the finish like a gentle breeze — complex, comforting, and unforgettable.

APPLETINI Fresh, sharp, and delightfully unexpected. The green apple and celery made for a vegetal, zippy pairing, while the Calvados and aperitif wine grounded it with warmth and depth. The black pepper added just the right bite. A modern, grown-up riff on the appletini — utterly genius.

SGROPPINO A dreamy, palate-cleansing interlude. The raspberry sorbet was vibrant and tart, and the combination of elderflower and amontillado sherry added floral sweetness and a hint of nutty elegance. Light, refreshing, and totally addictive.

BOOGIE NIGHTS A party in a glass. Passion fruit and sour pineapple brought tropical punch, while Aperol and hot sauce gave it a sophisticated edge and a smoky kick. The tequila was smooth and well-integrated — this cocktail was playful, punchy, and impossible not to love.

Final Thoughts This wasn’t just a meal; it was a curated journey through flavour, texture, and innovation. Every dish was thoughtful, every drink bold and balanced. The interplay between Italian tradition and modern technique was seamless. If you’re looking for a place where passion meets precision, this is it. A...

Coinciding with Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, the first major gathering of the cocktail community in 3 years, Bar Leone opened its doors on Bridges Street in Soho, Hong Kong in June 2023. At the helm of Bar Leone is Lorenzo Antinori.

Bar Leone is Antinori’s first independent venue and pays tribute to the craft of classic and modern classic cocktails and influenced by the elegant simplicity of vintage Italian bars.  Bar Leone joins the list of international bars that take inspiration from Italian bars such as Dante in New York and Bar Termini in London. However, Antinori’s Bar Leone is more than a tribute to Italy, being a love letter to his beloved home city of Rome. Bar Leone is strongly influenced by Antinori’s home neighborhood of Trastevere in Rome. The name Leone - the strong, sovereign lion - was Rome's symbol until the Renaissance, and is still the symbol of Trastevere today.

Bar Leone’s interior features orange-red banquettes which channel the signature colour of Rome - in particular Roma Football Club - in addition to a sociable mix of high-top tables and a communal table. The simple and warm materials along with classic furniture give the Leone a timeless and inviting atmosphere, with a large mahogany bar counter being the centerpiece. During the day, the large windows allow ample natural lighting to fill the space, while diffusing a soft glow into the street during the night. A long ledge with high stools lets the guests watch the people on their passeggiata strolling by outside.

Set to an eclectic soundtrack that celebrates Italian pop culture - from iconic 1970s and 1980s Italo Disco mixed with afrobeat - the walk-in Bar Leone has many details that celebrate Italian popular culture, including art, fashion, music and style. From vintage football shirts to nostalgic posters, to photos of Italian icons, there are endless photo opportunities for fans of Italian culture. Bar Leone’s atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between professional and casual, as further evidenced by the team's outfit of white jackets, chinos and elegant but fun sneakers.

The Leone Martini is the quintessential cocktail of Bar Leone. It features Ginepraio gin from Tuscany, Marsala secco, orange blossom, and garnished with a signature olive.

In the spirit of traditional Italian coffee counters, guests can walk in for a quick espresso or an amaro and a chat while standing at the bar. Food wise, Antinori serves nostalgic Italian bar snacks including Parmigiana, Parmigiano Reggiano, cold cuts and a childhood favorite, Roman stuffed pizza with mortadella.

The highly anticipated opening of Bar Leone is a breath of fresh air for the Hong Kong bar community, which has suffered greatly over the...

Atmosphere 8/10 Inside feels like an Italian restaurant/café - relatively authentic decor. I don’t like the fact that the bar area is not in focus of the layout at all - it has only 6 tight seats, and is located in the corner of the space. Music was breaking up for some reason, but overall still a pleasant atmosphere.

Drinks 7/10 Recommendation: King Kong Old Fashioned Cute Italian menu design, small drink selection though. Drink presentation and garnish are very simple. Especially the “Golden Boy” - not just presentation, but also the taste did not convince me. KK Old Fashioned garnish was just a piece of chocolate on top, but it tasted good - a unique Old Fashioned flavor. The glassware felt a bit “cheap”. Coasters have a cool design.

Service 4/10 They take no reservations - the average wait time is 2 hours and your best chance is to line up half an hour before they open. But at the same time they “secretly” reserve some seats for some VIPs and let them even jump the line !! without any explanation !! to the people waiting in line. That’s straight disrespectful. No snacks, no wet towels. At least they serve water on the spot. And the prices are slightly below average for Hong Kong. I would recommend trying their mortadella focaccia - it was delicious!

This bar is ranked #1 Asia’s Best 50 Bars 2024 aka “Best Bar in Asia” according to @50bestbars. Decide for...