Motorino Wan Chai — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

There were only 2 waitresses serving the entire restaurant - we went with a walk in and they quickly found a table for us (hence the points and stars here for them) but we had to wait up at the entrance for quite a few minutes to even enter even though there was only 1 other table/family sat down..

Even then the two waitresses and the whole kitchen staff were too busy with takeaway orders and were not very attentive with dine in customers (which were the two tables in the whole restaurant)

Pizza/calzones are good but burnt (not charred) as always but we also ordered shrimp scampi as well for our appetisers which were overcooked and the meat was so tough it was like eating rubber. They forgot the shaved parmesan cheese and pepper on the caesar salad not to mention it was sitting by the counter for good long while before anyone attended to it to serve to us. At one point I did think about getting up and get it myself.

It is as though the entire kitchen staff were too busy with takeaway pizza orders and didn’t really cate about anything else - hence the incomplete salad dish, and most likely just left the shrimp unattended and too long and forgot? Even the garlic and herb in the oil was burnt and bitter!

But of course just the scampi dish was 168 dollars not including service charge so we just had to finish it. We did try to wait to get a staff’s attention to let them know the feedback or tell them about it but…. they were too busy cutting the pizzas for takeaway and delivery order so we gave up and just let it go.

Frankly speaking was quite disappointed because for the price AND the service charge on top… i felt a bit...

There are two Motorino pizzerias in Hong Kong, one in Central and this branch on Ship Street in Wanchai. They are members of the Black Sheep restaurant group. Opening hours at this branch are 11am to 11pm daily.

Motorino specialises in Neapolitan style pizza baked in a round brick oven that you can see next to the pizza preparation station. For the most part they get it right, pizza crust comes out with some char. Our recent pizza served had slightly doughy outer crust but otherwise was just fine.

Pizzas are served with more toppings than you might expect but ingredients have been fresh and taste pretty good the past couple of times we've eaten at the Motorino branches. We recently ordered the Soppressata Piccante which came with a heavy lathering of tomato sauce, yummy salty soppressata and a nice use of chilli.

We asked for extra topping of arugula. They covered the top heavily, almost like salad added on top of the pizza. No problem if you like arugula and the bitterness it adds to pizza.

They offer a decent small selection of wines, cocktails and beer at Motorino as well. I tried their negroni recently, it was well made. A glass of Chardonnay on the other hand was just ok. We'd go for something different next time around.

In the end, this was a pretty good Neapolitan style pizza, something that is otherwise nearly impossible to find here in Hong Kong. That is why we eat here from...

The menu showcases premium ingredients imported from Italy—flour, tomatoes, and cheeses straight from Naples. Kick off with the Caprese salad (HK$168), featuring creamy burrata, juicy cherry tomatoes, and basil with a drizzle of olive oil—fresh, though the burrata can vary in consistency. The pizzas are the stars: the classic Margherita (HK$188) balances tangy tomato sauce, fior di latte, and pecorino on a perfectly chewy base. Spice fans will love the Soppressata Piccante (HK$208), loaded with spicy salami, chili, and garlic, earning raves for bold flavors despite occasional over-charred edges. The La Stella (HK$230), a star-shaped pie stuffed with ricotta, burrata, prosciutto, and pistachio oil, is a gooey, Instagram-worthy treat. The lunch set (HK$168 per person) is a bargain—starter, pizza, and drink—ideal for sharing, as one pizza easily feeds two. Service shines with friendly staff like Cheng and Pollyana, who add personal touches and may comp a dish if it misses the mark. Some diners note high prices (mains HK$188-230) or minor inconsistencies, like undercooked dough or overdone shrimp in the Scampi (HK$168), but the consensus hails Motorino as Hong Kong’s top Neapolitan pizza. Finish with a creamy, not-too-sweet tiramisu. In a city brimming with fusion eats, Motorino delivers pure Italian soul—crispy, flavorful, and unforgettable. A must for...