Where to Eat Italian in Hong Kong: A Deep Dive Into AMA Ristorante Wan Chai
Some restaurants are built on concept. AMA Ristorante is built on love. Created by Chef Paolo Monti, known as The Amatricianist, AMA is his tribute to the Roman cooking he grew up with, dishes shaped by a lifetime of knowing that good Italian food begins with honest ingredients, handled with respect and cooked with intention.
High above Wan Chai on the 25th floor, AMA feels like stepping into Paolo’s memories of Italy. Sunlight floods the room by day; the city glows through the windows by night. There’s a small outdoor terrace, a cold kitchen you can peek into, and a warm hum from the bar where wine and conversation flow easily. It’s elegant in a way that never tries too hard, the kind of room where handmade pasta and a glass of Montepulciano just make sense.
Paolo grew up in a family where food was a way of life. One side grew vegetables, baked bread, and made cheese; the other cultivated grapes. That “ingredient first” philosophy anchors AMA’s menu. Everything that can be imported from Italy is — seasonal produce, pecorino, guanciale, volcanic tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, lobster, wild porcini, Chianina beef. He often says, “You can incorporate new techniques, but you can’t change the ingredients.” And at AMA, that truth comes through in every dish.
The menu opens with Roman comforts that set the tone. Think Carciofini Fritti (Roman-style baby artichokes), AMA la Burrata baked in amatriciana sauce, crisp Frittino Misto, and Paolo’s addictive Supplì al Telefono — molten risotto croquettes with that iconic cheesy pull. Seafood lovers often start with the Southern Italian red shrimps fritti or the marinated Mediterranean anchovies dressed with chilli and garlic.
But the heart of AMA is the pasta. The Maccheroni Amatriciana arrives in a sizzling iron pan, rich with pancetta and pecorino. The Bombolotti alla Real Carbonara is exactly how carbonara should be — silky, savoury, and impossibly satisfying without ever feeling heavy. Then there’s the Linguine all’Astice, loaded with lobster, spicy tomato, and zucchini, and the deeply traditional Pajata for those who want a true taste of Rome.
Beyond pasta, the menu widens into grilled meats, seafood, and Roman pinsa. The Sogliola Arrosto, whole dover sole fish roasted with potatoes, fresh lemon, and wine, is a favourite for sharing. The Fiorentina Chianina T-bone, at over a kilo, is a showstopper for celebrations. And AMA’s pinsa selection brings Roman street food into the dining room with combinations of ricotta, truffle cream, prawns, smoked provola, and roasted vegetables.
What makes AMA special isn’t just the menu, it’s how deeply personal it feels. Paolo’s cooking is rooted in history, shaped by family, and refined through decades in the kitchen. When you eat here, you’re tasting memory, tradition, and a chef’s lifelong devotion to the flavours of home.
To make your AMA experience even better, enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine (minimum spend HK$400 per person) when you redeem and use the offer from our partner creators:
Redeem via @lay.noms
Redeem via @eaternities
Book a Table: Here
Address: 25F, 208 Johnston Road,Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12pm - 12pm
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Note: The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
