Have Your Say – Marie Yuen

Divin Saney/ Being Neighbourly
26 July 2025

Marie Yuen is a marketeer who has tons to say about her corner of Hong Kong. A long-time resident of Mid-levels central, she has loads of tried and tested recommendations of places to go.

How long have you lived where you live?

I moved to Hong Kong 26 years ago from Vancouver, Canada. I moved because I have family here and I wanted to develop my career in Marketing. For much of my time in Hong Kong, I have lived in Mid-Levels Central.

Can you see yourself anywhere else?

I briefly lived in Sai Ying Pun and Causeway Bay; however, I have always found myself gravitate back to Mid-Levels. I love the convenience of living here as it is very close to key districts and crossing over to Kowloon is easy, with many transportation options to Admiralty to connect to all over Hong Kong.

What’s so great about your home/neighbourhood?

The escalators make going down to Central effortless and there are so many amazing coffee shops, restaurants and stalls along the way! I love the blend of local and expat in the community which provides a wide range of international dining from Mexican, Italian or American to Indian, Japanese and Chinese cuisine. There is also a great art and cultural scene, given the close walking distance to PMQ and Tai Kwun.

Best little known gems?

I’d say hiking trails to enjoy going up to the Victoria Peak, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir or Bowen Road.

Unique cobble stone streets such as Shing Wong Street or Pottinger Street to discover interesting cafes, restaurants, shops or street stalls.

There are many random playgrounds around the neighbourhood, but the one hidden gem is Conduit Road Children’s Playground, which is only accessible using the stairs next to Olympic Mansion, 9 Conduit Road, or through a secret path off Hornsey Road. Alternatively, take a taxi up past the car park of Botanic Terrace, 3 Conduit Road to cut down on walking up so many stairs. It’s a hike to get to the playground, but once you get to the top, there are swings and a football pitch, which is very rare to find in Mid-Levels.

Another thing worth mentioning is the street art along walls on Graham Street, Hollywood Road, Aberdeen Street and Shelley Street; and art galleries 10 Chancery Lane, H Queen’s, White Cube and Pedder Building.

Bowen Road Tennis Courts! I love to play tennis, and these courts are a hidden gem. There are only three, which makes them feel secluded and private.

Best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner?

There are endless places to go to eat and drink from Lan Kwai Fong (LKF), Hollywood Road to Soho. These are some nearby places that are less than a 15-min walk away from where I live: South Lane has nice healthy breakfast options and one of the rare places that has almond milk for coffee; Ne Muni is a small cafe with super-friendly staff and a liquor license, so you can also have a glass of wine. Its hidden back terrace makes it perfect for larger gatherings.

Elephant Grounds on Caine Road is dog-friendly and has the best wagyu beef burgers in town. It’s a great all-day restaurant. Tai Cheong Bakery is one of the oldest and famous bakeries in the area with a lot of history and heritage. They are renowned for their traditional egg tarts having a crispy buttery crust. Bakehouse is along the escalators, and you can smell the wonderful scent from miles away. If there is no massive line-up, you must try their renowned sourdough egg tart. On the weekends, you will see many tourists eating an egg tart and taking photos in front of the bakery.

Ho Lee Fook has amazing authentic Cantonese cuisine in a bold and vibrant environment. A must-visit, but they don’t take any reservations, so go early to avoid waiting in long lines. Madame Fu has the most delicious and unique dim sum. The restaurant always elevates its Cantonese cuisine and presentation. The décor is very photogenic and Chinese avant-garde; I love dining in the pink private room. Some of my favorite dishes are the BBQ Iberico Char Siu, Peking Duck and E-Fu Noodles in Black Truffle Sauce. They also have one of the most extensive vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus I have ever seen.

Best other hangouts?

Hollywood Road gives endless access to trendy bars such as Lockdown, Maggie Choo, The Mixing Room and Iron Fairies.

Soho: I love the abundant restaurant and coffee shops to hang out with friends. The Peak: The morning trail is a great way to spend the day and a nice lunch or dinner can be had afterwards at the Peak Lookout.

Tai Kwun’s heritage, art and cultural experiences, stylish restaurants and bars, and special events in the courtyard make it appealing to visit anytime; and PMQ boasts unique boutiques, trendy restaurants, and, during the weekends, pop-up shops and activities.

What’s true/not true about your neighbourhood?

‘Convenient and well-connected’: This is very true and is the main reason why most expats decide to live in Mid-Levels (to be close to Soho, LKF, Central and Admiralty MTR stations that can connect you to the rest of the city).

‘Overcrowded and overpriced’: If you go higher up in Mid-Levels, the residential areas of Magazine Gap, Macdonnell, Conduit or Robinson Roads will be less crowded than Caine Road and Soho. The higher up you go, flats can be more expensive, but still quite comparable to other parts on Hong Kong, such as Kennedy Town or Elements in Kowloon. So, I can’t say it is that much more expensive. In addition, you save money by not needing a car, as most places are walkable and taxis, minibuses, and the city buses are super-convenient to get you to other nearby districts.

‘There’s Dog Poop everywhere’: in certain areas that are popular with dog walkers such as Conduit and Hornsey Roads, you do need to watch where you step! But, I enjoy meeting new furry friends every time I walk these streets as the dogs are so friendly and bring such joy to our community.

‘It’s easy to live in a bubble’: This is so true because everything is so convenient and the people are so friendly, especially if you also work in Central or Admiralty. In fact, I enjoy my neighbourhood so much that I admit – I live in a ‘Mid-Levels Bubble’, and love it!