Motorino Hong Kong

Motorino Hong Kong: The Verdict

Most people assume pizza in Hong Kong is a concession; something you eat when you're tired of Cantonese food, not something you actively seek out. Motorino corrects that assumption. Ranked #85, #92, #128 consecutively on Opinionated About Dining's Casual Asia list between 2023 and 2025, it has earned a place on the itinerary of food-focused visitors, not just homesick expats. If you're spending time in Central and want a meal that delivers real craft without a tasting menu price tag or a reservation war, this is a strong call.

The Space and the Setup

Motorino sits on Shelley Street in Central, a short walk up the Mid-Levels escalator corridor. The room is compact; this is not a sprawling dining hall. Seating is tight in the way that good neighbourhood pizzerias tend to be: close tables, a focused atmosphere, a layout that works better for pairs or small groups than for larger parties. The spatial intimacy means the room fills quickly, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings when closing time extends to 10:45 pm. On weeknights, the 9:45 pm close keeps service rhythms tighter. If you want space to breathe, arriving at lunch or early in the evening will give you a noticeably different experience than arriving at 8 pm on a Friday.

This is not a venue built for occasion dining. There is no theatrical progression of courses, no sommelier tableside, no drawn-out pacing. What it offers instead is a clearly defined format: Neapolitan-style pizza executed with the kind of consistency that earns repeated OAD recognition over multiple years. Under Luca Marinelli and Roberta De Sario, the kitchen holds a clear point of view, the menu reflects that without apology.

What to Expect From the Food

Motorino's reputation rests on its pizza, specifically its adherence to Neapolitan form, char, chew, quality toppings, rather than any attempt to reinvent the category. Three consecutive years on OAD's Casual Asia ranking is a meaningful signal: that list is voted by serious diners and industry professionals, not casual reviewers, sustained presence on it indicates a kitchen that isn't riding a novelty wave.

For visitors already moving through Hong Kong's higher-end Italian options, Motorino functions as a useful counterpoint to 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana or Caprice, a meal where the ambition is craft, not ceremony. It also slots usefully into a broader exploration of the city's food range alongside Forum for Cantonese or Amber for French contemporary. Motorino covers a different register entirely.

For travellers who track the global Neapolitan pizza circuit, Motorino's Hong Kong outpost sits in good company alongside peers like Pizza Strada in Tokyo, Surt in Copenhagen, and Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland, pizzerias outside Italy that have built genuine reputations on technical merit rather than marketing.

Practical Details

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 12:00 pm–9:45 pm; Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm–10:45 pm. Location: 14 Shelley St, Central, Hong Kong. Booking: Easy, walk-ins are possible, particularly at lunch, but booking ahead is advisable for Friday and Saturday evenings. Budget: Price range is not confirmed in available data, but Motorino's positioning as a casual pizzeria on OAD's Casual Asia list places it firmly below the city's fine-dining tier. Expect a meal that costs a fraction of what you'd spend at Ta Vie or Amber. Dress: Casual. Group size: Leading for 2–4; the compact room makes larger groups awkward. Nearby: The Shelley Street location puts you close to Central's bar and restaurant corridor, useful for pairing with a stop from our full Hong Kong bars guide.

Who Should Book

Book Motorino if you want a reliably good pizza in a format that takes the category seriously, you're in Central, you don't need a three-hour meal. Skip it if you're looking for an occasion restaurant or a long table for a group. For a broader view of what's worth your time in the city, see our full Hong Kong restaurants guide, hotels guide, and experiences guide.