The Hong Kong food and beverage (F&B) market stands at a new crossroad in 2025—a city renowned for its dynamic culinary scene, global appeal, and unique blend of local tradition with international innovation. If you are considering opening a restaurant or starting an F&B business here, the timing could not be more promising. Let’s explore why 2025 is an exceptional year to invest in Hong Kong’s thriving F&B landscape.
1. Booming Tourism and Foot Traffic
Hong Kong remains a premier destination in Asia, welcoming over 44.5 million arrivals in 2024, a 31% increase from 2023. This surge in tourists means steady foot traffic for restaurants and increased demand for a diversity of cuisines and dining experiences. Events such as the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and Asia’s 50 Best Bars Award Ceremony have put a renewed global spotlight on the city’s culinary excellence, driving further interest for locals and visitors alike.
2. Robust Consumer Spending and Restaurant Culture
Dining out is deeply embedded in Hong Kong’s food-centric culture. The population is known for its high rate of restaurant visits, with a restaurant for every 415 people and over 17,154 licensed establishments as of April 2025. Consumer spending on dining remains strong, and local residents show an enthusiasm for both traditional favorites and innovative new concepts, making the market resilient even in fluctuating economic climates.
3. Market Growth and Positive Profit Outlook
The Hong Kong F&B sector generated HKD138.2 billion ($17.7 billion) in 2024. Though the market faced a slight decline between 2019-2024, the outlook for 2025 and beyond is highly optimistic, with a projected CAGR of 6.7% through 2029. Restaurant transactions are also expected to rise by 4.5% annually during this period. Full-service restaurants led the industry with a 61.4% market share, while quick-service restaurants and pubs & bars for rent are poised for additional growth.
4. Evolving Trends: Casual Dining, Delivery, Plant-Based Menus
Hong Kong’s F&B scene is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer demands:
– Casual dining is on the rise, as diners seek quality and comfort over formality, creating space for approachable and innovative concepts.
– Food delivery has become vital, with market revenue projected to hit $4.41 billion in 2025. 93% of restaurateurs consider delivery platforms “essential” to business growth.
– Plant-based foods and wellness-focused menus are increasingly popular, with more than half of consumers willing to try alternatives, reflecting new opportunities for health-conscious brands.
– Unique customer experiences remain key—whether via technology-enabled service, interactive dining, or community-driven restaurant concepts.
5. Attractive Real Estate and Supportive Business Environment
Rentals for high-street shops in core areas dropped by as much as 46.7% since pre-pandemic levels, making prime retail spaces more accessible to new entrants in the F&B sector. Landlords are more willing to accommodate F&B tenants as a way to differentiate and stabilize occupancy, providing entrepreneurs with a stronger negotiating position. Additionally, Hong Kong’s free-market economy, low tax rates, easy business setup, and strategic location as a gateway to Mainland China, underpin its status as a global business hub. Hollies can help you find the best F&B location.
6. Government Initiatives and SME Support
The Hong Kong government continues to promote innovation in F&B through investments in digital transformation, streamlined licensing, and financial support for small and medium enterprises. The infrastructure boom—including new office, retail, and residential developments—further expands the addressable customer base for aspiring restaurateurs.
7. Innovation and Resilience Drive Success
While Hong Kong remains an intensely competitive market with profit margins averaging 23% (lower than some regional rivals), its restaurant sector is defined by a willingness to adapt. Operators who embrace new consumer trends, leverage technology, and customize offerings by district stand to benefit most. As the F&B sector rebounds from pandemic-era challenges, there is clear evidence of industry confidence and renewed entrepreneurial optimism for 2025.
8. Events and Community Engagement
Major events—like large-scale concerts and sports tournaments (e.g., Hong Kong Sevens)—and festivals drive bursts of business, while thriving neighborhoods open doors for restaurants that serve as community hubs. These dynamics offer significant business opportunities for creative operators who can capture both local loyalty and tourist attention.
Conclusion: Seizing Opportunity in Asia’s Culinary Capital
Hong Kong in 2025 is a city buzzing with culinary ambition, set against a backdrop of economic recovery, booming tourism, and strategic innovation. For passionate entrepreneurs or seasoned restaurateurs, this is an ideal environment to launch or expand an F&B venture.
If you are seeking a market that demands quality, rewards creativity, and offers access to a vast and diverse customer base—all within a world-class business framework—there is no better time than now to open a restaurant or F&B business in Hong Kong. The opportunities are waiting. For expert advice on Hong Kong commercial real estate for F&B, contact us and explore available properties in the city’s hottest districts!