Words by Aude Camus
Bridge Street — once a quiet little pocket of Sheung Wan — suddenly feels like Hong Kong’s buzziest address. With Bar Leone crowned Number 1 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and spots like the ever-festive Jean-Pierre just around the corner, this little slope is quickly becoming a must-stop for anyone who eats, drinks, or simply enjoys being in the know.
And now, adding even more flavour to the street’s growing personality: Twist Pasta Bar — the newest opening from the team behind some of my favourite neighbourhood joints, including Bourke’s (my go-to Melbourne-inspired wine bar — full review on Hong Kong Madame ), Terracotta Lamma, and Mendel’s, home of what I still consider Hong Kong’s best turkey-and-Swiss sandwich. Yes, I stand by that.
So of course, I grabbed my mini-foodie (five years old and already more curious about pasta shapes than most adults I know) and booked us a mid-week pasta date. She was thrilled to sit front-row at the bar, watching the kitchen team toss noodles and send out plate after plate of carb-fuelled goodness. But a quick disclaimer:
Despite serving pasta, Twist is not a family-friendly restaurant — it’s small, buzzy, crowded, and almost entirely bar seating. Great for grown-ups, less ideal for strollers or toddlers. My little dining companion loved the show, but this is definitely a spot geared toward adults who appreciate good cocktails, good sauce, and good vibes.
Hong Kong on a plate — literally
Bridge Street — once a quiet little pocket of Sheung Wan — suddenly feels like Hong Kong’s buzziest address. With Bar Leone crowned Number 1 on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and spots like the ever-festive Jean-Pierre just around the corner, this little slope is quickly becoming a must-stop for anyone who eats, drinks, or simply enjoys being in the know.
And now, adding even more flavour to the street’s growing personality: Twist Pasta Bar — the newest opening from the team behind some of my favourite neighbourhood joints, including Bourke’s (my go-to Melbourne-inspired wine bar — full review on Hong Kong Madame ), Terracotta Lamma, and Mendel’s, home of what I still consider Hong Kong’s best turkey-and-Swiss sandwich. Yes, I stand by that.
So of course, I grabbed my mini-foodie (five years old and already more curious about pasta shapes than most adults I know) and booked us a mid-week pasta date. She was thrilled to sit front-row at the bar, watching the kitchen team toss noodles and send out plate after plate of carb-fuelled goodness. But a quick disclaimer:
Despite serving pasta, Twist is not a family-friendly restaurant — it’s small, buzzy, crowded, and almost entirely bar seating. Great for grown-ups, less ideal for strollers or toddlers. My little dining companion loved the show, but this is definitely a spot geared toward adults who appreciate good cocktails, good sauce, and good vibes.
Hong Kong on a plate — literally
What sets Twist apart is its personality: it’s Italian at heart, but its flavours run unmistakably through Hong Kong. Head Chef Ben Sears blends Italian technique with memories of cha chaan teng breakfasts, childhood snacks, corner-shop ingredients and the nostalgia that only local Hong Kong flavours can trigger.
So you get dishes like the tired and tested Bone Marrow Macaroni (HKD 180) — a bold, comforting homage to Kau Kee’s curry brisket noodles, cooked the Italian way but tasting unmistakably like home. Squid Ink Spaghetti (HKD 170) with dried shrimp roe from Yau Kee — a perfectly judged East-meets-West twist. We also loved the Soy Milk Panna Cotta (HKD 80) — a doufuhua-inspired beauty topped with Sicilian Averna caramel and mandarin.
It’s fun, clever, nostalgic without being gimmicky — and technically spot on.
And if you love fresh pasta, Twist is a treat: every dough is made in-house, from Northern Italian egg pasta to squid ink linguine and whole-wheat bigoli made with duck eggs. Classics like the Baked Rigatoni with ’nduja and ricotta and the Stuffed Pumpkin Pappardelle (vegetarian and exquisite) are the kind of dishes you want to revisit on a slightly rough day.
Small plates are equally addictive — don’t miss the Nacho Italiano Steak Tartare (HKD 120) on polenta chips or the Cacio e Pepe Croquettes (HKD 60), which I would happily snack on by the dozen.
Cocktails that taste like… the kitchen?
The bar programme is just as playful, borrowing directly from what’s happening in the kitchen — truffle, saffron, preserved lemon, parmesan, even tomato shrub.
Standouts include the Caprese Martini — complete with a mozzarella sidecar — and a Truffle Sour — weirdly refreshing and very crushable.
If you’re a wine lover, Bourke’s fingerprints are here too — a fun, globally curated selection designed for sipping between forkfuls of pasta.
A space with mid-century heart
So you get dishes like the tired and tested Bone Marrow Macaroni (HKD 180) — a bold, comforting homage to Kau Kee’s curry brisket noodles, cooked the Italian way but tasting unmistakably like home. Squid Ink Spaghetti (HKD 170) with dried shrimp roe from Yau Kee — a perfectly judged East-meets-West twist. We also loved the Soy Milk Panna Cotta (HKD 80) — a doufuhua-inspired beauty topped with Sicilian Averna caramel and mandarin.
It’s fun, clever, nostalgic without being gimmicky — and technically spot on.
And if you love fresh pasta, Twist is a treat: every dough is made in-house, from Northern Italian egg pasta to squid ink linguine and whole-wheat bigoli made with duck eggs. Classics like the Baked Rigatoni with ’nduja and ricotta and the Stuffed Pumpkin Pappardelle (vegetarian and exquisite) are the kind of dishes you want to revisit on a slightly rough day.
Small plates are equally addictive — don’t miss the Nacho Italiano Steak Tartare (HKD 120) on polenta chips or the Cacio e Pepe Croquettes (HKD 60), which I would happily snack on by the dozen.
Cocktails that taste like… the kitchen?
The bar programme is just as playful, borrowing directly from what’s happening in the kitchen — truffle, saffron, preserved lemon, parmesan, even tomato shrub.
Standouts include the Caprese Martini — complete with a mozzarella sidecar — and a Truffle Sour — weirdly refreshing and very crushable.
If you’re a wine lover, Bourke’s fingerprints are here too — a fun, globally curated selection designed for sipping between forkfuls of pasta.
A space with mid-century heart
Designed by Brash Atelier, the interiors feel joyful, modern, and slightly retro — the kind of place where you instantly want to order a negroni and stay longer than planned. Think curvy lines, warm woods, playful mirrors and a soft glow that makes everyone look good. It's compact, convivial, and full of energy — and now you get the ‘bar’ in the name.
Final thoughts
Twist Pasta Bar is already one of those restaurants — tiny, buzzy, and predictably hard to book. It delivers heart, nostalgia, creativity, and just the right amount of chaos. It’s a love letter to pasta, and to Hong Kong, and to everyone who believes dinner should be fun.
Twist Pasta Bar
17 Bridge Street, Central
https://www.twistpastabar.com
Final thoughts
Twist Pasta Bar is already one of those restaurants — tiny, buzzy, and predictably hard to book. It delivers heart, nostalgia, creativity, and just the right amount of chaos. It’s a love letter to pasta, and to Hong Kong, and to everyone who believes dinner should be fun.
Twist Pasta Bar
17 Bridge Street, Central
https://www.twistpastabar.com
This article is based on a complimentary dinner offered by Twist Pasta Bar. No money has been paid to publish this review, which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
