You know the drill when heading up The Peak: you take the tram that feels like it’s about to tip over backward, you get to the top, and suddenly you are staring at one of the most ridiculous city views on earth – Victoria Harbour sparkling like it’s trying to outshine the tourists taking selfies. And now, in The Peak Tower, they’ve dropped a spot that’s basically saying, ‘Yeah, the view is great, but wait till you taste Shanghai dumplings in our chill surroundings.’
Petit Jardin is the cool younger sibling of Jardin de Jade, the iconic Shanghai restaurant brand whose first Hong Kong outpost, in Wan Chai, has long attracted sophisticates who savour xiao long bao like it’s fine art. The new Peak arrival grasps that heritage, dials down the white-tablecloth stiffness, and turns it into a bastion of contemporary casual dining with a Jiangnan twist, blending Huaiyang delicacy and Shanghainese soul.
The first thing that hits you as you step inside is the stylish décor. A bespoke design of curvy lines and colourful mosaics hiding little symbols like rice grains and river fish is artsy but not pretentious. It transports you into a modern Jiangnan garden – but one with an Instagram filter and harbour views. The mosaic wall at the entrance is genius. It’s shaped like a giant xiao long bao with the character 品 (taste/appreciate) hidden within, plus a cheeky ‘I Love Xiao Long Bao’.
We start with the Signature Cold Appetiser Platter – five little bites that wake up your mouth like a gentle alarm clock. Drunken chicken soaked in Shaoxing wine (boozy but elegant); vegetarian ‘abalone’ that’s somehow convincing; black-and-white fungus for that crunchy texture; marinated tomatoes with preserved plum (tangy-sweet perfection); and Sichuan-style cucumber that bites back just enough. In the appetiser equivalent of foreplay, it teases you for what’s next.
Which, in our case, is the Signature Jiangnan Gua Bao Platter, replete with soft, pillowy buns you stuff yourself. There’s rich, sticky twice-cooked pork, stir-fried beef with leeks, shredded chicken and cucumber, plus pickled cabbage, sesame sauce and radish to mix and match like you’re building your own edible Lego set. Every bite is a flavour party: sweet, savoury, crunchy, soft. It’s casual luxury in a bun.
The star, though, is Shanghai Juicy Trio Assorted Xiao Long Bao. There’s original (the classic pork-soup explosion), vegetarian (a fresh medley of mushrooms, wood ear, baby corn and carrots), and mala (numbing spice). With thin skins and juicy insides, the colours white, green and red are a dim-sum traffic light that says ‘go, go, go’.
We also try Stir-fried Rice Cake with Pork and Vegetable, a lighter take on the usual heavy-soy versions that lets the natural sweetness of the ingredients shine. Mapo Tofu with Snapper Fillet, featuring tender fish in a spicy sauce over springy shrimp-roe noodles, is fusion without trying too hard.
Drinks lean into Chinese-inspired creativity. The Rosé Bloom cocktail, headlined by Mei Kuei Lu (Chinese rose liqueur), is a dreamy pink mix of apple, lemon, rose syrup and bubbles. The lavender-scented Cloud Dream looks like a piece of the sky fell in your glass. Going non-alcoholic? Wellness meets wow in Osmanthus Pear with salty milk foam.
Petit Jardin takes tradition, adds playfulness, pairs it with killer views, and serves it with a side of ‘relax, you’re on holiday’. You leave full, happy and maybe a little tipsy from the third floral cocktail. If you’re up The Peak, skip the overpriced tourist traps and head here. Your taste buds (and your Instagram) will thank you.
And beyond the food and views, Petit Jardin offers a sanctuary where you can unwind after the crowds and chaos of the city below. It’s a place to linger, sip, and soak in the tranquility of the garden-like atmosphere, all while enjoying the luxurious comfort that makes every visit memorable. Whether it’s a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner, the restaurant’s ambiance invites you to slow down and savor the moment.
Text: Joseff Musa Photos: Petit Jardim