by Aude Camus
While I’m not a big January resolutions person — life is stressful enough without piling on unrealistic goals — I am a little superstitious. I tend to believe that the first few weeks of the year quietly set the tone for everything that follows. From a food point of view, if my first media tasting of the year is anything to go by, then 2026 is shaping up to be bold, flavour-packed and anything but boring. Because my first tasting of the year? Nothing short of delicious.
Opened in late 2023, Leela has been sitting on my ever-growing “must-try” list for a while — so discovering the restaurant through its newly launched weekend brunch felt like killing two birds with one very indulgent stone. Starting from HK$558 per person (HK$798 with free-flow Prosecco and house cocktails, or HK$998 with free-flow Bollinger Champagne) and served every weekend and public holiday, Leela’s brunch feels less like a traditional brunch and more like a daytime feast — generous, layered and made for sharing. The kind of meal where the table fills up quickly, conversations linger, and checking the time feels entirely unnecessary.
A menu built for discovery
While I’m not a big January resolutions person — life is stressful enough without piling on unrealistic goals — I am a little superstitious. I tend to believe that the first few weeks of the year quietly set the tone for everything that follows. From a food point of view, if my first media tasting of the year is anything to go by, then 2026 is shaping up to be bold, flavour-packed and anything but boring. Because my first tasting of the year? Nothing short of delicious.
Opened in late 2023, Leela has been sitting on my ever-growing “must-try” list for a while — so discovering the restaurant through its newly launched weekend brunch felt like killing two birds with one very indulgent stone. Starting from HK$558 per person (HK$798 with free-flow Prosecco and house cocktails, or HK$998 with free-flow Bollinger Champagne) and served every weekend and public holiday, Leela’s brunch feels less like a traditional brunch and more like a daytime feast — generous, layered and made for sharing. The kind of meal where the table fills up quickly, conversations linger, and checking the time feels entirely unnecessary.
A menu built for discovery
The format is a curated set menu, but it’s a clever one. You choose multiple starters and tandoor & grill dishes per person, followed by shared mains, grains (aka indulgent naans — and on that front I’ll always be a garlic girly) and a dessert platter — which means you get a broad overview of Leela’s repertoire without decision fatigue.
We started with the Fish Cheek Rasam Soup, and honestly, it set the tone for everything that followed. Deeply aromatic, sharp, warming and complex, it was one of the most flavourful sips I’ve had in a long time. What made it even more memorable was the way it was introduced to us by James Sandberg, Leela’s General Manager, who shared the legend behind the dish — rasam meaning “essence”, and said to have been created as a restorative cure for a young prince. Superfood status aside, it’s the kind of dish that immediately grounds you in Indian culinary tradition.
The mini Raj Kachori followed (along with many other starters as you get to choose # per person) — a perfect one-bite explosion of texture and flavour. Crisp, tangy, creamy, spicy — everything happening at once, in the best possible way.
Standouts from the tandoor
From the tandoor & grill section, the Mawa Paneer Tikka truly stood out. Leela is one of only two restaurants in Hong Kong making paneer in-house, and the difference is immediate. The texture is softer, fresher, almost bouncy — nothing like the dense versions many of us are used to. It’s gently spiced, beautifully charred, and surprisingly delicate.
The Lamb Seekh Kebab was another highlight — deeply savoury, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just right. Comforting, but with finesse.
Add-ons worth ordering
We couldn’t resist a couple of add-ons, and I’m glad we did. The Tandoori Squid (+HK$98) was exceptional — tender, not rubbery in the slightest, and full of flavour. No surprise there: the squid is delivered fresh every morning and sourced locally. The Honey Sesame Pork Ribs (+HK$188) were equally impressive. Made with local pork from a New Territories farm, they had that elusive melt-in-your-mouth texture, with a sweetness and depth that felt indulgent without being heavy.
Service that elevates the experience
We started with the Fish Cheek Rasam Soup, and honestly, it set the tone for everything that followed. Deeply aromatic, sharp, warming and complex, it was one of the most flavourful sips I’ve had in a long time. What made it even more memorable was the way it was introduced to us by James Sandberg, Leela’s General Manager, who shared the legend behind the dish — rasam meaning “essence”, and said to have been created as a restorative cure for a young prince. Superfood status aside, it’s the kind of dish that immediately grounds you in Indian culinary tradition.
The mini Raj Kachori followed (along with many other starters as you get to choose # per person) — a perfect one-bite explosion of texture and flavour. Crisp, tangy, creamy, spicy — everything happening at once, in the best possible way.
Standouts from the tandoor
From the tandoor & grill section, the Mawa Paneer Tikka truly stood out. Leela is one of only two restaurants in Hong Kong making paneer in-house, and the difference is immediate. The texture is softer, fresher, almost bouncy — nothing like the dense versions many of us are used to. It’s gently spiced, beautifully charred, and surprisingly delicate.
The Lamb Seekh Kebab was another highlight — deeply savoury, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just right. Comforting, but with finesse.
Add-ons worth ordering
We couldn’t resist a couple of add-ons, and I’m glad we did. The Tandoori Squid (+HK$98) was exceptional — tender, not rubbery in the slightest, and full of flavour. No surprise there: the squid is delivered fresh every morning and sourced locally. The Honey Sesame Pork Ribs (+HK$188) were equally impressive. Made with local pork from a New Territories farm, they had that elusive melt-in-your-mouth texture, with a sweetness and depth that felt indulgent without being heavy.
Service that elevates the experience
What really ties the whole brunch together, though, is the service. Warm, knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic, the team makes you feel looked after without hovering. A special mention again for James, whose storytelling and deep understanding of the menu added an extra layer to the experience — the kind that turns a good meal into a memorable one.
An insider tip: request a table by the window. The natural light floods the space during the day, giving Leela a bright and calm energy perfect for a lingering lunch.
A brunch you’ll want to stretch out
Leela’s weekend brunch isn’t about excess for the sake of it. It’s about balance — bold flavours without heaviness, generosity without chaos, and a pace that encourages you to stay a little longer than planned.
If you’re looking for a brunch that feels thoughtful, flavour-driven and quietly celebratory — this one deserves a spot on your list.
Shop 301-310, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
https://www.leela.hk/home/#menu
This article is based on a weekend brunch hosted by Leela. No money has been paid to publish this review, which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
An insider tip: request a table by the window. The natural light floods the space during the day, giving Leela a bright and calm energy perfect for a lingering lunch.
A brunch you’ll want to stretch out
Leela’s weekend brunch isn’t about excess for the sake of it. It’s about balance — bold flavours without heaviness, generosity without chaos, and a pace that encourages you to stay a little longer than planned.
If you’re looking for a brunch that feels thoughtful, flavour-driven and quietly celebratory — this one deserves a spot on your list.
Shop 301-310, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
https://www.leela.hk/home/#menu
This article is based on a weekend brunch hosted by Leela. No money has been paid to publish this review, which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.