Café Kool is a buffet restaurant at the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Located in Tsim Sha Tsui East, the popular eatery has 12 dynamic live kitchens serving an eclectic selection of mouthwatering Asian, Indian, and Western dishes. Notably, there are partnerships with four of Hong Kong’s most iconic eateries serving local specialities, giving visiting foodies a chance to “eat like a local”!
In This Post
The Back Story
Kowloon Shangri-la, Hong Kong, is a five-star hotel with 679 rooms. It is located in Tsim Sha Tsui East on the Kowloon Peninsula.
Overlooking Victoria Harbour, the Kowloon Shangri-la offers sweeping views of Hong Kong Island. It is a very short walk from the East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station.
Most importantly for foodies, the Kowloon Shangri-la has seven food and beverage outlets, and Café Kool is one of them. Other F&B outlets include:
- Angelini – fine dining Italian restaurant.
- Baked By Shangri-La – artisanal bakery.
- Lobby Lounge – leisurely teas and sophisticated cocktails.
- Nadaman – authentic Japanese restaurant.
- Shang Palace – fine dining Cantonese restaurant.
- Tapas Bar – wines, cocktails, and tapas.
Click HERE for my review of the Lobby Lounge at the Kowloon Shangri-la.
Café Kool – Overview
Café Kool is a casual buffet restaurant, which opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It serves brunch buffets on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
In addition to its lavish buffets, Cafe Kool offers a la carte menus and set menus. Its Indian set menus are especially popular.
Keep reading for my first-hand review of Cafe Kool’s dinner buffet. My dining companion and I were guests of the hotel.
Cafe Kool – the Dinner Buffet
Cafe Kool’s lunch and dinner buffets are the talk of Hong Kong. International selections run from starters, soups, and salads to fresh seafood, steamed fish, Italian pastas, casseroles, Asian dishes, Indian dishes, and a carving station with roast meats.
The menu at Cafe Kool changes with the seasons. And it frequently offers special themed promotions.
For example, it was offering a Sri Lankan food promotion on the evening of my visit. Chefs from the Shangri-La Colombo were flown in especially for the special promotion!
When I dine at a buffet restaurant, I like to treat it as a multicourse meal. So my first stop was at the salad bar. OMG! What a selection! First, I made myself a tossed green salad. Then I returned to try the other starters. I particularly liked the breads, crackers, cheeses, and dips!
Next I checked out the selection of fresh seafood on ice. Lobster anyone?
I have a particular fancy for sushi. And believe me, I was spoiled for choice at the sushi and sashimi station. What a treat!
As I mentioned, there was a Sri Lankan food promotion during my visit. So I had the chance to compare the curries of Sri Lanka with the curries of India. Which type would I like best?
The list of international dishes goes on. There were casseroles and pastas, steamed fish and carved meats.
As for my personal favorite, I think the Giant Spanish Paella was particularly impressive! It was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
But I must confess. It was the prime rib that I liked best!
Cafe Kool – Local Favourites
One of the things that sets Cafe Kool apart from other buffet restaurants in Hong Kong is that it partners with some of the territory’s most iconic eateries, giving visiting foodies a chance to “eat like a local”.
Health Works
The HealthWorks station serves herbal teas and nutritious snacks based on the traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Would you believe tortoise herbal jelly, which is often served as a dessert?
According to TCM, tortoise herbal jelly is associated with several health benefits. For example, thought to be beneficial for the skin, tortoise herbal jelly is also thought to improve circulation, relieve itching, and reduce acne. It is even thought to be beneficial to the kidney.
While I didn’t try the tortoise herbal jelly, I did try the apricot kernel apple sweet soup, and it was very tasty!
Mak’s Noodles
Mak’s Noodles has a century-old pedigree, which dates back to 1920. To clarify, the recipe for its wonton noodles has been handed down through the generations.
In fact, they are considered among the best wonton noodles in Hong Kong, and I couldn’t agree more. Those silky thin-skinned wontons were absolutely delicious!
Yung Kee Restaurant
Established in 1942, Yung Kee Restaurant is famous for traditional Cantonese dishes, and its charcoal grilled barbecue meats are considered to be among the best in Hong Kong.
It might not be Cantonese, but I particularly liked the Peking Duck! In fact, I made trips back for seconds and thirds!
I simply love wrapping those thin slices of meat and crispy skin with that gooey sauce in those paper thin pancakes.
I can almost taste them as I type!
Master Low-key Food Shop
Among the most popular street eats in Hong Kong are egg waffles and egg puffs. But no need to prowl side streets and back alleys in search of these yummy snacks.
The Dessert Station at Cafe Kool serves serves eggs waffles and egg puffers from Master Low-key Food Shop, purveyors of perhaps the yummiest versions in Hong Kong.
in addition, you will find Haagan Dazs Ice Cream and many other decadent Eastern and Western indulgences at the Cafe Kool Dessert Station.
Unfortunatelym, by the time I reached my dessert course, I was absolutely stuffed! No room for dessert?
I wanted to try something new, so I tried one of the French desserts. It was dark brown and dense, with a slightly burnt, chocolatey taste. I just wish I could remember what it was called!
Cafe Kool – the Ambiance
Cafe Kool has a nostalgic, retro ambiance, with dark wood, earthen tones, and circular chandeliers reminiscent of the 1980s. It is spacious enough to accommodate groups of friends or multi-generational family gatherings.
But there is a quieter area off to one side, with tables for two, which overlook the lobby. These are appropriate for romantic evenings and intimate dining.
Cafe Kool – the Verdict
My dining companion and I absolutely loved dining at the aptly named Cafe Kool! It was a very cool cafe! I give it an enthusiastic thumb’s up!
Cafe Kool – the Location
Cafe Kool – Mezzanine Floor, Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong – 64 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong.
Cafe Kool is a very short walk from the East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station. In fact, it is across a very narrow street from Exit P1!
The East Tsim Sha Tsui Station is on the Tuen Ma Line. Tunnels and moving sidewalks connect the station with the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, which is on the Tsuen Wan Line.
If you book a room on this post, I my received a small commission – at no additional cost to you!
Please comment – what are your thoughts about dining out – do you prefer buffets or ordering a la carte?
What a great review of Cafe Kool, Hong Kong. The ambiance is so kool looking. The Food Explora in me would enjoy the rich food culture in Hong Kong.
I hope you get to experience it first-hand some day!
Thanks for the opportunity to share your personal experience with this restaurant! It’s always great to hunt for hidden gems that offer not just delectable dishes, but a truly memorable dining experience.
Yes, it really was a memo table dining experience. !
What an experience getting to try out all the different cuisines! A herbal tea sounds like a great accompaniment too. Saving for later!
Yes, it was quie an experience!
It’s nice that they partner with local eateries as it’s a good chance to sample local dishes; like a one-stop shop that I find very convenient. The Paella looks amazing! Thanks for sharing, adding this to my list.
I agree! It was a very interesting concept!