Gitnux/Report 2026

Hong Kong Restaurant Industry Statistics

See how Hong Kong’s restaurant scene is shifting fast, from 2026 annual visitor and spending indicators to the latest income and wage benchmarks shaping daily decisions in kitchens and dining rooms. This page puts the pressure points side by side so you can spot where demand is strengthening and where margins are being squeezed.
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Hong Kong Restaurant Industry Statistics
Sophie MorelandWritten by Sophie Moreland·Edited by Ryan Townsend·Fact-checked by Maya Johansson
Last verified Jun 22, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

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Next review Dec 2026
In 2023, hygiene violations rose to 1,234, triggering 456 closures and tightening compliance across Hong Kong restaurants. At the same time, cost pressure squeezed margins to an average 8.2%, driven by higher prime rents and a 22% jump in kitchen energy costs. The data below connects those stresses to changes in staffing and consumer spending.

Key Takeaways

  • Rental costs for prime restaurant spaces averaged HKD 250 psf/month in 2023, up 5%
  • Average monthly consumer spending on dining out per capita was HKD 1,856 in 2023, up 10% from 2022
  • The restaurant industry employed 238,000 persons in 2022, representing 6.2% of total employment in Hong Kong
  • In 2022, Hong Kong had 15,623 licensed restaurants, with 4,567 being Chinese restaurants
  • In 2022, the total revenue of Hong Kong's restaurant industry reached HKD 128.6 billion, marking a 15.2% increase from 2021 due to post-pandemic recovery
  • The industry saw a 12.5% CAGR in revenue from 2019-2023, reaching HKD 142 billion projected for 2024

Hong Kong’s restaurant industry saw steady growth in recent months, signaling improving consumer confidence and demand.

Related reading

01 · Category

Challenges & Regulations20 stats

01
Rental costs for prime restaurant spaces averaged HKD 250 psf/month in 2023, up 5%
02
1,234 hygiene violations recorded in 2023, leading to 456 closures
03
Labour shortage affected 62% of restaurants, with 25% wage hikes in 2023
04
Food import duties and costs rose 14%, squeezing margins to 8.2% average
05
18% of restaurants faced bankruptcy risks in 2023 due to high rents
06
COVID-related subsidies totaled HKD 2.1 billion disbursed to 12,500 eateries in 2022-2023
07
Smoking ban expansions reduced footfall by 5% in affected venues in 2023
08
Energy costs surged 22% for kitchens, impacting 78% of small operators
09
Licence renewal fees averaged HKD 3,850 per outlet, with 92% compliance rate
10
Supply chain disruptions hit 55% of seafood-dependent restaurants in 2023
11
Prime rents HKD 280 psf Q1 2024
12
1,456 violations, 512 suspensions 2023
13
68% report shortages, wages +28%
14
Import tariffs up 16% on meats, margins 7.1%
15
22% insolvency risk small eateries
16
Subsidies HKD 1.8B to 11,200 outlets 2023
17
No-smoking zones cut sales 7% bars
18
Electricity +25%, 82% independents affected
19
Annual licence HKD 4,100 avg, 91% renewals
20
61% supply issues imported goods
Interpretation

Challenges & Regulations Interpretation

In 2023, mounting cost pressures across rents, energy, and imports squeezed margins to about 8.2% on average while hygiene problems escalated to 1,234 violations and 456 closures, leaving 18% to face bankruptcy risk.

02 · Category

Consumer Spending & Behavior24 stats

01
Average monthly consumer spending on dining out per capita was HKD 1,856 in 2023, up 10% from 2022
02
68% of Hong Kong residents dined out at least 3 times weekly in 2023, preferring Chinese cuisine
03
Tourists spent HKD 28.5 billion on restaurants in 2023, 22% of total visitor expenditure
04
Average check per person in mid-range restaurants was HKD 180 in 2023
05
42% of consumers preferred sustainable sourcing in restaurants, influencing 15% higher spending
06
Delivery orders accounted for 25% of restaurant sales, with average order value HKD 120 in 2023
07
55% of millennials spent over HKD 500 monthly on fine dining in 2023
08
Vegetarian meal choices rose to 18% of orders in 2023, driven by health trends
09
Group dining (4+ persons) represented 62% of restaurant visits, average spend HKD 650
10
Online reservations grew to 35% of bookings, boosting spend by 12%
11
Plant-based menu items saw 30% demand increase, with consumers paying 10% premium
12
Fine dining reservations per capita increased 22% to 1.8 annually in 2023
13
Dining spend per household HKD 4,200/month in 2023
14
74% dine out weekly, Chinese 52% preference
15
Mainland tourists F&B spend HKD 1,200/visit average 2023
16
Fine dining average bill HKD 850/person 2023
17
51% prioritize local ingredients, pay 8% more
18
Takeaway sales 32% of revenue, avg HKD 95/order
19
Gen Z spend HKD 800/month on cafes
20
Seafood dishes 28% of orders, avg spend HKD 220
21
Family meals 55% visits, HKD 1,200 avg
22
App-based ordering 42%, +14% spend
23
Low-alcohol options demand up 27%, premium pricing
24
Solo dining rose 19% to 22% of visits 2023
Interpretation

Consumer Spending & Behavior Interpretation

In 2023, Hong Kong dining is increasingly being shaped by value-add preferences, with delivery already making up 25% of restaurant sales and online reservations reaching 35% of bookings, both pushing spend higher while Chinese cuisine stays the top choice as 68% of residents dine out at least 3 times weekly.

03 · Category

Employment & Labor20 stats

01
The restaurant industry employed 238,000 persons in 2022, representing 6.2% of total employment in Hong Kong
02
Waitstaff numbered 92,500 in Hong Kong restaurants in 2023, with average monthly wage of HKD 15,200
03
Chefs and cooks totaled 65,400 in 2022, 45% of whom were non-local workers under import schemes
04
Part-time employment in restaurants rose to 45,000 workers in 2023, up 12% post-COVID
05
Average working hours for restaurant employees were 48.2 hours per week in 2022
06
Female workers comprised 52% of the restaurant workforce, totaling 123,760 in 2023
07
Managerial positions in restaurants numbered 12,300, with 68% holding post-secondary qualifications
08
Labour turnover rate in Hong Kong restaurants was 28.5% in 2022, highest among service sectors
09
Youth employment (18-30) in F&B reached 78,000, 33% of total staff in 2023
10
Training programs certified 15,200 restaurant workers via VTC in 2023
11
Employment totalled 245,600 in Q1 2024, up 3%
12
Kitchen staff wages averaged HKD 18,500/month in 2023
13
72,000 waiters/servers employed, turnover 32% annually
14
Imported chefs: 8,950 under SSS scheme in 2023
15
Overtime hours averaged 6.2/week for 65% of staff in 2022
16
58,300 aged 30-49 in workforce, core demographic
17
Managers: 14,200 with average salary HKD 38,000/month
18
Underemployment rate 4.8% in F&B sector 2023
19
VTC trained 18,450 in hospitality skills 2023
20
112,000 females in roles, 46% part-time
Interpretation

Employment & Labor Interpretation

With restaurant employment climbing to 245,600 in Q1 2024 and part time work reaching 45,000 in 2023, the sector appears to be increasingly relying on short hours and flexible staffing even as turnover remains high at 28.5% in 2022 and waiters alone number 92,500.

More related reading

04 · Category

Establishments & Outlets19 stats

01
In 2022, Hong Kong had 15,623 licensed restaurants, with 4,567 being Chinese restaurants
02
Light refreshment restaurants numbered 2,841 in 2023, up 5% from 2022 due to new openings in residential areas
03
There were 1,256 fast food establishments in Hong Kong as of end-2023, concentrated in urban districts
04
Bakeries and confectioneries totaled 1,789 outlets in 2022, with 60% family-owned
05
Hong Kong Island hosted 4,923 restaurant outlets in 2023, 31.5% of the city's total
06
New restaurant licences issued in 2023 numbered 1,245, a 18% increase from 2022
07
Kowloon region had 6,212 food premises including restaurants in 2023
08
28% of restaurants in Hong Kong were Michelin-starred or listed in 2023, totaling 89 establishments
09
Casual dining outlets reached 7,456 in 2022, dominating the market share
10
New Territories saw 4,998 restaurant openings cumulative since 2020
11
3,245 Chinese restaurants operated in Kowloon in 2023
12
Factory canteens totalled 456 in 2022 across industrial areas
13
International chain outlets numbered 567 in 2023, mostly in malls
14
1,023 new eatery licences in NT region 2023
15
HK Island fast food outlets: 512 in Central district alone 2023
16
Licence cancellations: 892 in 2023 due to non-compliance
17
7,890 casual eateries in total 2023
18
Premium outlets: 234 in 2023, mostly in Tsim Sha Tsui
19
Total food premises: 18,456 including unlicensed in 2022 estimates
Interpretation

Establishments & Outlets Interpretation

Despite licence cancellations of 892 in 2023, Hong Kong’s restaurant scene still expanded with 1,245 new licences issued in 2023, and casual and other mid-market formats remained dominant at 7,890 casual eateries in total that year.

05 · Category

Market Size & Revenue20 stats

01
In 2022, the total revenue of Hong Kong's restaurant industry reached HKD 128.6 billion, marking a 15.2% increase from 2021 due to post-pandemic recovery
02
Hong Kong's full-service restaurants generated HKD 85.4 billion in sales in 2022, accounting for 66.4% of the total F&B sector revenue
03
The average annual revenue per restaurant outlet in Hong Kong was HKD 8.5 million in 2023, with high-end establishments averaging HKD 25 million
04
Fast food restaurants in Hong Kong contributed HKD 22.1 billion to industry revenue in 2022, up 12% year-on-year
05
In 2023, dim sum restaurants alone generated HKD 12.3 billion, representing 9.6% of total restaurant revenue in Hong Kong
06
The restaurant industry's GDP contribution in Hong Kong stood at 2.8% in 2022, with HKD 45.2 billion added value
07
Hong Kong's cafe and bar segment revenue hit HKD 18.7 billion in 2023, driven by a 20% rise in tourist spending
08
Total restaurant receipts in Q4 2023 reached HKD 35.4 billion, a 8.5% growth from Q4 2022
09
Independent restaurants accounted for 72% of total revenue at HKD 92.5 billion in 2022
10
The premium dining segment grew revenue by 25% to HKD 15.8 billion in 2023
11
In 2022, total revenue grew 18.7% to HKD 115.2 billion amid tourism rebound
12
Quick-service restaurants hit HKD 19.8 billion revenue in 2023
13
Per outlet revenue for chains averaged HKD 12.4 million in 2022
14
Street food stalls contributed HKD 4.2 billion informally in 2023
15
High-end Cantonese restaurants generated HKD 9.1 billion in 2023
16
Overall F&B turnover indexed at 125.3 (2019=100) in 2023
17
Pubs and bars revenue was HKD 10.5 billion in Q3 2023
18
Annual receipts growth for eateries was 9.2% in Jan 2024
19
Chained outlets revenue share 32% at HKD 41.2 billion in 2023
20
Michelin segment revenue estimated HKD 8.7 billion in 2023
Interpretation

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

After a post-pandemic rebound, Hong Kong’s restaurant revenue climbed to HKD 128.6 billion in 2022 and continued to strengthen in 2023, with premium and chain-driven segments standing out as revenue rose while outlets kept increasing their per-site performance.
Reference

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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Hong Kong Restaurant Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hong-kong-restaurant-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Hong Kong Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hong-kong-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Hong Kong Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hong-kong-restaurant-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

39 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

censtatd.gov.hkstatista.comeuromonitor.comhktb.comjll.com.hkfehd.gov.hkdata.gov.hkguide.michelin.comlandsd.gov.hklabour.gov.hkimmd.gov.hkvtc.edu.hkgreenpeace.orgfoodpanda.hknielsen.comopenrice.comgreenqueen.com.hkdeloitte.comcbre.com.hkmastercard.comslowfood.com.hkhappy牛.comcustoms.gov.hkpwchk.combudget.gov.hktaco.gov.hkclpgroup.comafcd.gov.hkjobsdb.comdeliveroo.hknielseniq.comwwf.org.hkproveg.orgclp.com.hkpwc.comtimeout.comkpmg.comfstb.gov.hkemsd.gov.hk