Artichoke Canteen

ABOUT

Birgit Vagani and Riccardo Bardallini are the owners of Artichoke Canteen - the first art gallery and restaurant in Hong Kong with a fun, family atmosphere and a focus on organic, nutritional ingredients and superfoods.Based in the Industrial District, Ap Lei Chau (in the original Canteen unit of th ...More

Birgit Vagani and Riccardo Bardallini are the owners of Artichoke Canteen - the first art gallery and restaurant in Hong Kong with a fun, family atmosphere and a focus on organic, nutritional ingredients and superfoods.

Based in the Industrial District, Ap Lei Chau (in the original Canteen unit of the Harbour Industrial Centre), it's the last place you'd expect to find a restaurant, and yet here it is. Artichoke Canteen is a bright and open space of a restaurant with warehouse styled high ceiling and a spacious art gallery for your appreciation. In contrast to the contemporary artworks on display, the restaurant has a cosy and friendly atmosphere, casual chic decor, tables custom-made from re-conditioned wood that Riccardo built himself, and a cool outdoor courtyard for some al fresco dining. Out in the gardens, you can even see the sea!

After learning about the triple filtration water system in the kitchen; an impressive piece of equipment that guarantees you're drinking water and nothing else, we ordered some. It comes infused with a choice of lemon, ginger or cucumber which you can really taste. If you're more of a wine than water person, at the very least it gives you confidence knowing that what you're drinking is a pure rarity in any country especially in Asia. Everything (including all vegetables, pots, pans and surfaces) is washed using this system to eliminate pollutants that may come from the tap water. We tried the Caprese Salad, which is fresh and tasty and the wood-oven Fungi pizza that comes with a thin and crispy base is divine.

A favorite was the Boston Live Mussel in spicy Italian, tomato and parsley sauce and a generous helping of garlicky toasted bread to mop it all up. Also top of the list was the Quinoa Salad with Artichokes. Given the essential amino acids, anti-oxidants and iron that's packed into quinoa and don't forget the folic acid, Vitamin C and fiber contained in an artichoke - this dish becomes a super, 'superfood' and not to be missed! Made with red onion, peppers, fresh mint and lime juice, it is light, refreshing, and not to mention very healthy.

Made with heart and thought in sourcing ingredients to create these great portions and healthy nutritional dishes, this new concept is a winner. When you take the synergy between art and food that, put it in a relaxed, inviting environment and top it off with its al fresco dining, both body and mind are nourished at Artichoke Canteen. (Jun 2017)

THE BUZZ

"Enter the newly reopened Artichoke Canteen, Ap Lei Chau’s trendy vegetarian restaurant that uses only the freshest organic ingredients available in each one of their delectable dishes." -Sassy Hong Kong"We start with the green pea soup cappuccino. The piping hot soup comes in a tall glass mug, top ...More

"Enter the newly reopened Artichoke Canteen, Ap Lei Chau’s trendy vegetarian restaurant that uses only the freshest organic ingredients available in each one of their delectable dishes." -Sassy Hong Kong

"We start with the green pea soup cappuccino. The piping hot soup comes in a tall glass mug, topped with foamy whips of parmiggiano and layered with white truffle oil. It’s a heavy starter, but surprisingly warming and richly textured." -Time Out Hong Kong

DISHES WE LOVE

Caprese Salad, Wood-oven Fungi Pizza, Quinoa Salad with Artichoke, Boston Live Mussel in Spicy Italian Tomato and Parsley Sauce