With its sleek interiors and wrap-around terrace, Popinjays rooftop restaurant and bar lures gourmands and design lovers alike. Set atop The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, the restaurant borrows its name from the yellow-crested cockatoos that reside in the neighboring Hong Kong Park and Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
And from this enviable perch on the hotel’s 26th floor, you will enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city’s magnificent skyline, lush mountains and sprawling parks below. In the late afternoon, dig into elevated bar snacks and cocktails on the rooftop, then watch the sun set to the west before moving into the glass-enclosed restaurant for dinner.
While enjoying seasonal, modern European cuisine courtesy of chef Paolo Tolleretti, you’ll also appreciate the smart mid-century furnishings, tropical floral accents and vibrant artwork.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Before hopping in the private elevator reserved for Popinjays’ guests, take a moment to appreciate The Murray hotel — a historic landmark in the Admiralty district. Built by British modernist architect Ron Phillips in 1969, this former government building features a gorgeous white facade with three-story arches and distinct recessed windows, while the grand lobby and interiors showcase four years of painstaking refurbishment by respected architectural firm Foster + Partners.
- The Hong Kong restaurant’s 4,521-square-foot terrace ranks among the best rooftop bars in the city, so we’d recommend arriving at least an hour early to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail while you soak up the scenery.
- A vision of mid-century modern design, the décor feels simple yet elegant. Picture tasteful furnishings in soft grays, powder blues and rich turquoise velvet alongside Italian marble tabletops, gold-toned fixtures and modern pendant lighting.
- If you’re eating out with a large group, consider booking the restaurant’s private dining room, fittingly called The Aviary. Nestled within a separate glass pavilion, this beautiful space accommodates up to 20 people and promises spectacular views from its own terrace.
- With its airy atmosphere and premium ingredients, Popinjays is one of Hong Kong’s most popular weekend brunch spots. At the “Fiesta Brunch,” enjoy two hours of free-flowing Ruinart champagne, a caviar bar experience, an incredible seafood tower, plus a selection of small dishes, a main course and desserts.
Things to Know
- The terrace can be bustling, especially right after work hours or on sunny weekends. In case there’s a wait to be seated or it rains, there’s also an elegant indoor bar with more seating.
- The dress code at Popinjays is smart casual.
- The Murray is within walking distance of many local landmarks, including Hong Kong Park, the Peak Tram terminus and the historic Chater Garden.
- As the Admiralty hotel is tucked away from the closest MTR stations, taxis are the fastest way to get there. For a slower but more scenic ride, hop on Hong Kong’s historic tram, or “ding ding,” as it’s affectionately called, then walk five to 10 minutes south.
The Food
- Originally from Tuscany, Tolleretti is a veteran in the industry, having worked at the finest kitchens across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. His signature dishes include a decadent angel hair and red shrimp carpaccio crowned with 10 grams of Amur caviar, poached Boston lobster with spaghetti alla chitarra, and Rossini-style wagyu beef tenderloin.
- Save room for Tolleretti’s signature dessert: Popinjays’ tiramisu. Offering a playful take on the Italian classic, the chef combines all the traditional components but presents them as a coffee-bean-shaped cake alongside ristretto (robust espresso) ice cream.
- Served daily, the Hong Kong restaurant’s afternoon tea menu changes regularly to include seasonal ingredients. Expect three tiers of classics like freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, alongside bite-sized snacks that pay homage to Asia’s flavors, such as mushroom siu mai dumplings with black truffle or a green tea opera cake.
- When it comes to the tipples, you’ll find a whole page of the menu devoted to gin and tonic experiences, creative cocktails, fine wines, lots of bubbles and a variety of alcohol-free creations. If you’re drinking, don’t miss the bloody mary or the Niccolo Negroni — updated favorites with a Popinjays twist.
Getting There
Rooftop, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong
TEL852-3141-8888
NeighborhoodAdmiralty
Popinjays
