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Besides New York, it’s difficult to think of another city as food-obsessed as Hong Kong. The buzzing metropolis has thousands of eateries with a huge variety of cuisines. Of course there is no place better to eat Chinese food than here (the city even boasts the world’s cheapest Michelin -star, a hole-in-the-wall dim sum place). Apart from luring the best chefs from mainland China, the city has direct flights from both hemispheres and most continents, permitting the sourcing of fresh fish, meat and seasonal vegetables.

Sampling such specialties as spicy crab, Peking duck and dim sum are musts for any visitor. But in recent years the city has also developed a cool private-kitchen scene (small establishments where a chef cooks for just a handful of diners), as well as seen the opening of trendy spots, especially in the fast-transforming Sheung Wan neighborhood, near Central.

Here is a short-list of Hong Kong favorites that would make a comprehensive culinary itinerary for a three- or four-day trip. If you have other favorites to add send us a postcard.

Best for…a Big Night Out

• Café Gray Deluxe, in Admiralty
• Bo Innovation, in Central
• Caprice, in Central
• Spoon by Alain Ducasse, in Kowloon

Best for…an Authentic Local Vibe

• Wang Fu, in Soho
• Tung Po Sea Food Restaurant, in North Point
• Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, in Lamma
• Tim’s Kitchen in Sheung Wan
• Coco Thai, in Deep Water Bay

Best for…Private Kitchens/Innovative Chefs

• Yin Yang, in Wan Chai
• Cantopop, in Central
• TBLS, in Central

Best for…a Hip Scene

• Lily-Bloom, in Central
• 208, in Sheung Wan
• The Pawn, in Wan Chai
• Posto Pubblico, in Central

Best for…a Cocktail with a View

• Aqua Spirit, in Kowloon
• Café Gray Deluxe Bar, in Admiralty
• Intercontinental Lobby Lounge, in Kowloon
• Sevva, in Central

Best for…Lunch

• Isola, in Central
• Agnes B., in Sheung Wan
• Press Room, in Sheung Wan
• Classified Mozzarella Bar, in Sheung Wan

Best for…Chinese Specialties

• Chili Crab: Under the Bridge Spicy Crab, in Wanchai

• Peking Duck: American Peking Restaurant, in Wan Chai, or Peking Garden, in Central

• Dim Sum: The Grand Stage at Western Market, in Sheung Wan, Maxim’s Palace, in Central, Victoria Harbour Seafood, in Central, Tim Ho Wan, in Kowloon

• Dumplings: Wang Fu, in Central, Din Tai Fung, in Causeway Bay