Tell Camellia
Central, Hong Kong
Bar in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Book with PearlThe Read
Lower-Ground Cocktail Precision
Why go
Book Tell Camellia if tea-led cocktails are the main event and the group is small enough to stay flexible. Its Asia's Best Bars #23 ranking in 2021 and Top 500 Bars #300 placement in 2025 make it a serious Central cocktail stop, but treat it as a drinks-first plan rather than a full dinner solution.
About Tell Camellia
Tell Camellia is a Hong Kong bar with a smart casual dress code and a strong awards record. It placed #23 on Asia's Best Bars in 2021 and #300 on Top 500 Bars in 2025. Plan around those essentials rather than assuming a particular menu, service style, price point, or setting.
The case for planning a visit is strongest if the group wants a recognized Hong Kong bar rather than a fully specified dinner plan. If the night depends on specific drinks, food, seating arrangements, or availability, confirm those details directly and keep a backup from the full Hong Kong bars guide rather than assuming a same-night plan will work.
Choose it as a recognized Hong Kong bar, not a full dinner plan
This is not the venue to pick when the food has to carry the evening. For that, pair a visit with a separate restaurant booking, or scan the full Hong Kong restaurants guide before committing the whole night to one stop.
That does not make it a weak pick. It just clarifies the use case: consider Tell Camellia when the table wants a recognized bar in Hong Kong and is comfortable confirming practical details directly. If the occasion is more about dinner, hotels, or a broader itinerary, use the Hong Kong hotels guide to build around it.
First-timers should plan with a backup
For a first visit, keep the plan simple: treat Tell Camellia as a bar stop, arrange food elsewhere if needed. If this is the anchor of a date or a small-group night, plan ahead and keep other Hong Kong options ready in case timing, availability, or practical details do not fit.
If the table wants to compare other choices, consider Hong Kong bars such as Bar De Luxe, Fu Lu Shou, Lockdown, Penicillin, or Terroirs by LQV. Tell Camellia works best as a Hong Kong bar with a smart casual dress code and an awards record.
Planning details
- Location
- H-Code, LG Shop 2, 45 pottinger street, Tung, On Wo Ln, Central
- Website
- tellcamellia.hk
- Phone
- +852 6596 0975
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Tell Camellia occupies a lower-ground space in Central's H‑Code and presents itself as a programme-first cocktail bar. The writing frames it against high-volume nightlife and hotel-bar formality, so the mood feels deliberately subdued and modern: focused, craft-driven and quietly confident rather than buzzy or panoramic. Awards and a strong review score underscore a serious, technically literate approach to cocktails, which translates to an atmosphere where the drink, technique and service take center stage. Expect a restrained, contemporary barroom that privileges tasting and conversation over spectacle.
Best For
This bar suits people who care about cocktails first: enthusiasts, small groups and couples looking for a focused evening in Central. Its placement in the lower ground and the editorial contrast with Lan Kwai Fong imply a venue geared toward late-night drinking, considered conversation and tasting rather than loud nightlife. The venue’s run of regional awards and consistently high guest ratings signal reliable delivery for date nights and casual hangouts that want craft credentials rather than tourist spectacle. It’s a good stop for those who prefer programmatic bars over hotel or high-volume scenes.
Ordering Tips
Tell Camellia foregrounds what’s in the glass, so approach the bar with curiosity and trust the programme. Given the emphasis on technical craft and regional recognition, ask the bartender for signature cocktails or their recommendations rather than defaulting to mainstream staples. Keep groups small and be prepared to focus on a few thoughtfully executed serves rather than rounds of quick drinks. The venue’s strength lies in its cocktail programme and execution, so prioritise crafted cocktails and expert guidance from staff.
Venue details
Ambiance
Darkly lit, intimate space with luxe furnishings, sleek wooden interior, and intricate tea-inspired decor creating a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Speakeasy
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
Signature Pours
- Sri Lanka
- Australia
- Italian Almond & Truffle
- Oolang Old Fashioned
Planning details
Location
H-Code, LG Shop 2, 45 pottinger street, Tung, On Wo Ln, Central · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is full
Try Lockdown if the priority is keeping the night cocktail-led without changing the plan too much. Pick Fu Lu Shou if the group cares more about a relaxed mood than a tightly defined drinks concept.
Bar context
How it compares in Hong Kong
Tell Camellia is the pick when the night needs a focused cocktail concept in Central. Compared with Bar De Luxe, it reads less like a classic luxury-bar decision and more like a specific flavor-led choice. If the group wants polish and a safer formal feel, Bar De Luxe is the cleaner fallback; if the point is tea-led drinks, choose Tell Camellia.
Terroirs by LQV is the stronger cross-shop when wine or provenance-driven drinking matters more than cocktails. Penicillin is the better option for guests who want a more concept-heavy modern bar, while Tell Camellia is better for first-timers who want the drinks theme to be easy to understand without turning the night into a lecture.
If booking pressure is the concern, keep Lockdown and Fu Lu Shou on the backup list. Lockdown is the more practical alternate for a cocktail-focused evening; Fu Lu Shou is the better fit when the group wants a looser atmosphere. Tell Camellia is the sharper booking for a date or two-person drinks plan, not the default for a large group.
Explore Hong Kong
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Tell Camellia guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Tell Camellia
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Tell Camellia | Hong Kong | 2026 Asia's 50 Best Bars 51-100 · #81Top 500 Bars 2026 · #3002024 Asia's 50 Best Bars · #972021 World's 50 Asia's Best Bars · #23 |
| Bar De Luxe | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| Terroirs by LQV | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| Penicillin | Hong Kong | No published awards |
| Lockdown | Hong Kong | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #477Top 500 Bars 2026 · #217 |
| Fu Lu Shou | Hong Kong | No published awards |
How Tell Camellia Hong Kong compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tell Camellia good for groups?
It may work for a group focused on a bar visit. Before planning around it, ask the venue about group size, seating, booking requirements.
Does Tell Camellia have outdoor seating?
Is the food good at Tell Camellia?
Treat Tell Camellia as a bar first, not a dinner reservation. For a food-led outing, compare it with other Hong Kong dining options.
Is Tell Camellia good for a date?
It can be a good candidate if the goal is a recognized Hong Kong bar with a smart casual dress code. For any date-night specifics, such as seating, noise level, or menu, confirm directly before booking.
What's the crowd like at Tell Camellia?
The atmosphere can vary by night. Its recognition includes Asia's Best Bars #23 in 2021 and Top 500 Bars #300 in 2025, but the atmosphere on a given night should be checked directly with the venue.
