Magistracy Dining Room

I recently visited a venue with a special atmosphere and good service. The staff were friendly and attentive, which enhanced the experience. However, the food was just fair. Given this, I don’t think I’ll be returning.

The verdict is in - 10 out 10. We booked a table at the botanical garden (the terrance outside the restaurant) and we didn’t know that it was just a bar and the waiters very nicely help us arrange a table. We ordered the rib of beef (with a side of yorkshrine pudding), the fried mushroom, and the truffle gnocchi. We waited for a while for the restaurant, but the wait was worth it. The gnocchi is possible the best gnocchi I have had in town, it has this marshmallow texture that is just makes you want one after another. We were shocked at that fact that the truffle was not overpowering, but actually blends well with all the other ingredients and not stealing the focus. At the end of the dish, I was even asking myself: have I been having truffles wrong this whole time? The rib of beef is a showstopper - literally, it was served to us by hand cutting it into small pieces in this giant countertop that made it a spectacle. The beef was tender and cooked to just right (they dont really let you pick how well the beef to be cooked to but im a firm believer of medium rare supremacy so it was fine for me) and the sauce, which was an essential part of the dish, did not disappoint. The fried mushroom was interesting, because we did not expect it could be prepared like this, but it was really good to go with the saucy dishes - a bit bland on its own but it guess that is ok since it was just a side dish. Now onto the actual spectacle of the whole night, which is the interior environment of the whole restaurant. The restaurant used to be a courtroom and it really shows. The high ceiling gives you a sense majesty, and each table is set to have really spacious rooms so we each can absorb the environment in our own space. The decorations are just simply classy and elegant and still represents the history and culture of the place. We ordered the salted caramel tart as the dessert and it ties our night together with a photo finish. The lemon curd was with this herbal refresh that was right when it was needed, and the caramel tart was so well balanced that we just couldn’t stop taking bite after bite. The staff was cheery, lively and overall really nice. They checked with us if the food is ok, and gave us recommendations, and gave us a handwritten card for the birthday dinner (and the card was giant). We are so pleased the whole night and I cannot wait to tell everyone about it.

A few weeks ago, my friends and I had our very first afternoon tea experience at The Magistracy — and it was such a lovely surprise! From the moment we walked in, the team made us feel genuinely welcome. We were greeted with warm smiles and guided to our table with such care. It’s rare to feel that kind of hospitality these days, and it instantly set the tone for something special. As soon as we sat, we were offered a selection of teas, and since we couldn’t decide (classic us!), we each picked a different one and shared. Honestly, every single blend was top-notch — smooth, fragrant, and just perfect. Now, let’s talk about the food. I’ve lived in London for 11 years and consider myself a bit of a sausage roll snob… but the mini sausage rolls here? Mind-blowing. I had to pause mid-bite just to appreciate how good it was. And the scones — warm, fluffy, with jam and clotted cream — Just dreamy. The whole experience felt special, cozy, and indulgent. Huge kudos to the chef and team for making it so memorable. If I had to rate it, I’d give it an 11 out of 10 – no question.

The food is above average, and the service is beyond excellent—especially Nansen’s hospitality. From ordering to surprises and great photos, the staff nailed it!

Second time at the Magistracy, on their beautiful terrace, the venue is really fantastic. Staff is very professional, welcoming and friendly, creating a relaxing atmosphere. We had the cod, lobster, sole (again), it’s consistently good, cooked to perfection. Desserts are their best but you don’t go there for sweets. Beautiful wine list.

Recently indulged in the exquisite Magistracy Afternoon Tea at Botanical Gardenin in Tai Kwun, it's a celebration of 🇬🇧British Elegance with a 🇭🇰 HK twist Each item on the menu was meticulously crafted, showcasing a perfect balance of flavors and textures😋 🫖Tea - The peach tea I chose was absolutely delightful, with a perfect balance of sweetness and fragrance 🥪Sandwiches 🧀🥒Cream Cheese and Cucumber Fingers - Refreshingly light, with a satisfying crunch 🐔Coronation Chicken Toasted Crumpet - A savory delight with rich, aromatic spices. 🦐Prawn Mayonnaise Toasted Brioche - Creamy and decadent, with perfectly cooked prawns 🐟Smoked Salmon Soda Bread - The salmon was smoky and paired beautifully with herbs 🐷Chef ArChan's Kurobuta Pork Char Siu Puffs - This is an absolute standout, with tender pork and a flaky pastry that melted in your mouth 💛Cornish Scones and Mixed Fried Fruit Scones - Scones were perfectly baked, and accompanied by fluffy whipped cream, jams, and marmalades 🧁Sweets 🍫🍒Chocolate and Cherry Choux Buns - Decadent and rich, these buns were filled with a luscious cream that balanced the tartness of the cherry 🍓Strawberry Eton Mess - A classic dessert, this version contains fresh and dried sliced strawberries, such a delightful mix of flavors and textures 🥕Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese - Moist and flavorful, this cake was a comforting finish to the meal 🍋Lemon Meringue Tart - Couldn't try cause too full already, the portion was really generous 🌿Vibe - We enjoyed our afternoon tea outdoors, surrounded by lush green plants that created a serene and refreshing atmosphere. Enchanting! 🧑‍💼Service - The staff were incredibly attentive and friendly, making our experience even more delightful

1. Stunning architecture and interior design 2. Professional and confident staffs always with smile (recommendations available and every fine details were described!) 3. Dishes with right temperature and great texture 4. Yup it was pricey but worth. It’s Hong Kong and inflation is real and we are having supper in such an amazing historic place with high quality food with efforts behind. The experience was truly remarkable. I definitely recommend you to do a visit.

The environment is amazing and the staff provides great service throughout the dinner. However, I think they should have room for further improvement on the food quality in terms of the price. We ordered prime ribs while the quality was not as good as expected. The tendon in between was unexpectedly tough and it gave me hard time to chew and digest. The tendon was in. Between the meet itself and I dint really enjoy the steak throughout. Other than that, I love the dessert ( Flaming Alaska) . It was so special and tasted so nice with the pistachio cake and ice cream.