It turns out, when I told my little brother we were going to Hong Kong this summer, he did his research. While roaming the crowded, and muggy streets of Hong Kong, my little brother turns to me and says, “Did you know the fanciest McDonalds in the world is here in Hong Kong?” He pulls out his phone and starts looking for it. After several minutes he says “Never mind, I can’t find it.” So, I’m left wondering where is this McDonald’s Next Hong Kong location and does it really exist? I guess we found out!
Is It in Wan Chai?
We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Wan Chai. It’s next to the convention center. I know there’s a McDonald’s on the pedestrian walkway by our hotel. I’ve seen it many times. It’s 3 floors or something like that. If there’s a fancy McDonalds in Hong Kong it has to be that location. The fancy McDonalds is called McDonalds Next.
Although the McDonalds in Wan Chai didn’t say “McDonalds Next” on it, I don’t think it mattered.
As we arrived we noticed that the fanciest thing about this McDonalds is their touch-screens where you order. These giant iPad-like screens are a little confusing. It took me a while to get the hang of them. I annoyed several Hong Kongers because I was too slow for them.
We purchased our order on the screen, using a debit card, grabbed our receipt and waited for our food. It’s super quick. This location is so busy there are no seats anywhere. We looked at the levels below us. What I didn’t know is other levels have other restaurants and well, basically you can’t sit there.
We were thrown out. After everything, we ate outside.
It was actually a good thing. We ate, sipped on our drinks and watched the masses of Wan Chai head to and fro on the pedestrian bridges. It was very nice.
McDonald’s Next Hong Kong Location is FOUND!
I later told my partner about this mysterious fancy McDonalds and he was skeptical. He searched the entire “interwebs” until he found the McDonald’s Next Hong Kong location. It’s in Admiralty! In other words, the McDonald’s Next Hong Kong location is one stopover on the MTR from our hotel. The actual address is 1-14, 18 Harcourt Rd, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
McDonald’s & Some Background Info
I did some research on McDonald’s Next. It turns out in 2015 McDonalds reported a dramatic drop in sales. In order to stay afloat and compete with other restaurants and new fast-food chains, they’re trying to mix it up and test a fancy Mcdonald’s here in Hong Kong.
This fancy McDonalds is actually pretty cool. They have an open kitchen. You can see the chefs cooking. They bring your food to the table on a wooden slab. It’s trés chic.
The downside of a fancier McDonalds is that even though you can customize your order and add as many patties to your hamburger as you want –or if you’re like me and miss that part, you can get NO PATTIES, it’s expensive.
You can choose your bun, truffle oils, sauces, cheeses, and many other things. Although, for each item you pick, the more it will cost.
At this point buying a hamburger at the McDonald’s Next in Hong Kong is just as expensive as going to a regular restaurant. But I guess that’s the point.
So We Went
My poor mother confused by the giant touchscreens needed help. I found them confusing too. I couldn’t help her because I was trying to figure it out myself.
Upon completing my order, I pay and it gets sent to the kitchen where an employee comes to greet me. She says “Sir. You ordered your hamburger without a patty. Would you like to add a meat patty?” Embarrassed, I say yes. I’m officially old and can’t comprehend new technology.
Our meals descend one by one. It was quick and tasty. My little brother added everything he could to create a gourmet monster hamburger experience. It was worth it.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
It’s a fun new McDonalds experience. I’m not a big fan of fast food but it’s novel and different, so why not?
Check out the McDonald’s Next Hong Kong location, I think you’ll love it.
I hate the touch screen interface. I don’t find it intuitive. That’s the only negative about this experience.
The McDonald’s Next Hong Kong location is 1-14, 18 Harcourt Rd, Admiralty, Hong Kong. It’s in a mall on the first floor.
Have you been to McDonald’s Next Hong Kong? What do you think of the concept?