JIA GROUP’S ANDŌ AND ESTRO FROM HONG KONG SHINE ON ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2025 LIST IN SEOUL

Please click here to download official high resolution images of ANDO & ESTRO

[26^th March 2025 – Hong Kong] It is with great pride that JIA Group announces the exceptional achievement of its restaurants, Andō and Estro, securing coveted spots on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. Andō, led by Chef Owner Agustin Balbi, has been ranked at No. 41, while Estro (NEW ENTRY), under the guidance of Chef Owner Antimo Maria Merone, follows closely at No. 32 (a jump from #71 from 2024) . This marks the 13^th edition of the prestigious list, with the ceremony bringing together esteemed chefs and industry figures under one roof in the vibrant city of Seoul, Korea.

Andō: Innovative Spanish x Japanese cuisine by Agustin Balbi

The name ‘Andō’, derived from Chef Agustin’s Latin surname Ferrando, carries dual meanings – in Japanese, it signifies contentment, while in Spanish, it serves as the equivalent of the suffix ‘-ing’, representing the ongoing act of doing in the present. Growing up in a Spanish and Italian household, Agustin’s culinary journey was sparked at his grandmother’s dining table, where cherished memories of her homemade Latin dishes continue to inspire his creative offerings at Andō today.

“It is a tremendous honour to be recognised once again among Asia’s top restaurants. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at Andō, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. We will continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and strive for the best service to delight our guests,” says Chef Agustin Balbi on Andō’s second consecutive recognition on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Chef Agustin combines his ancestral influences and Japanese inspiration into an opulent 5-course Celebration Menu at HK$1,588 + 10% or the 8-course Experience Menu priced at HK$2,288 +10%. Indulge in signature dishes such as King Crab with aonori seaweed cream and charcoal-kissed Kuruma Ebi. Savour Sashimi Slices with diverse flavor profiles, mains featuring Argentinian Beef, and Abalone with Chorizo Caldoso Rice, and end on a sweet note with Mikan and Kinome Sorbet, and a decadent Chocolate, Raspberry, and Beetroot dessert.

For lunch, guests can choose from the Discovery Menu (HK$688+10% for 3 courses), Presentation Menu (HK$888+10% for 4 courses), and Experience Menu (HK$1,088+10% for 5 courses). To view all menus at Andō, please click HERE. For reservations enquiries, contact the guest relations team via WhatsApp +852 9161 8697, or book online HERE.

Estro: Modern Neapolitan cuisine by Chef Antimo Maria Merone

Proudly representing his Neapolitan heritage, Estro is a culinary gem that showcases the evolution of Italian cuisine through a modern lens. With a commitment to refining Neapolitan flavors using contemporary techniques, Estro’s tasting menus pay homage to Antimo’s roots, history, and childhood memories. By infusing global influences into regional cuisine, Estro epitomises Chef Antimo’s creativity and forward-thinking style, celebrating the essence of Naples while pushing culinary boundaries.

On Estro’s inaugural win, Chef Antimo says, “Being named among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for the first time is a testament to our team’s effort in delivering the best to our customers. Estro is a celebration of my Neapolitan heritage; my passion, and creativity, and I am grateful for this recognition. This acknowledgment motivates us to continue innovating, telling stories through our dishes, and sharing the flavours and traditions of my home with diners from around the world.”

Enjoy a variety of dining experiences at Estro, including the 8-course “Extended” Menu priced at HK$2,280 + 10% per person, the 6-course “Essentials” Menu at HK$1,680 + 10% per person and the newly introduced a la carte menu from October 2024. From delectable appetisers like the Aori-ika with almond, lemon and caviar, to main courses like the Blue Lobster and Roe Deer, each dish is a harmony of flavours and textures that will enchant your palate. For lunch, Estro presents a seasonal set menu starting from 2-courses at HK$580 + 10% per person, offering guests the chance to build their own menu up to five courses, and finally, Estro offers an intimate Chef’s Table experience for up to 5 guests to immerse in a personal culinary journey with Chef Antimo, exploring his Neapolitan heritage through cherished memories and exquisite cuisine.

To view all menus at Estro, please click HERE. For reservations, book online HERE.

<<ENDS>>

ABOUT ANDŌ

One MICHELIN-starred Andō is Argentine Chef Agustin Ferrando Balbi’s first restaurant, launched in partnership with JIA group. Defying labels and bending genres, Andō’s modern tasting menus are a translation of Agustin’s own unorthodox journey onto the plate, one that nods at his ancestral roots in Italy and Spain, while gazing at the lands that shaped his craft – the USA and Japan.

Address: 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington St, Central, Hong Kong
Website – www.andohk.com

Instagram: @ando.hkg @agux1988

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES – ANDŌ

One MICHELIN Star – MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

#37 – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024

#41 – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024

#35 – OAD 2023 Top Asian Restaurants

#28 – OAD 2024 Top Asian Restaurants

Top 20 Restaurants of Hong Kong – Tatler Dining Asia 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Restaurant of the Year – Tatler Dining 2024

Best Sommelier – Tatler Dining 2024

#46 – Best Chef Awards 2023

One Diamond Award – Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2023 + 2024 + 2025

Marca Pais Cultural Ambassador Award by Government of Argentina Ambassador of More Good Charity

Bazaar Taste Elite – Harper’s Bazaar 2024 + 2025

Two Knives Award – Best Chef Awards 2024

Travel & Leisure Asia 2024 – Top 30 Restaurants of Hong Kong

Tatler Asia – Top 100 Restaurants of Asia

Best Sommelier Award – MICHELIN Guide 2025

ABOUT ESTRO

A proud Naples native, Chef Antimo Maria Merone is among the vanguard of chefs rewriting the rules of Italian cuisine. Dedicated to elevating Neapolitan cuisine through modern cooking techniques, Estro’s refined tasting menus draw inspiration from Antimo’s homeland, with each dish evoking rich memories of his ancestors, history and childhood. Bringing a global perspective to regional cuisine, Estro acknowledges Antimo’s Neapolitan roots while showcasing his innate creativity and progressive style.

ESTRO CONTACT

Address: Level 2, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong

Lunch: 12:00pm-13:30 (last order)

Dinner: 18:30-20:30 (last order)
Email: reservations@estro.hk
Website: www.estro.hk

Social Media (Facebook + Instagram): @estro.hk @antimo_maria_merone

ESTRO – RESTAURANT ACCOLADES

MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau 2023 + 2024 + 2025 – One MICHELIN Star

Gambero Rosso – Two Forks Award

#71 on 51-100 Extended List – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024

#32 – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

50 Best Discovery List

SCMP 100 Top Tables – 2022 – 2025

SCMP 100 Top Tables – Best Ambiance Award in 2022

#143 – OAD 2023 Top Asia Restaurants

Top 20 Restaurants of Hong Kong 2022 and 2023 – Hong Kong Tatler Dining

Best Interior Design 2022 – Hong Kong Tatler Dining

Harpers Bazaar Hong Kong – BAZAAR Taste Elite 2024 + 2025

Black Pearl Restaurant Award – One DIAMOND Award

Travel & Leisure Asia 2023 + 2024 – Top Restaurants of Hong Kong

Tatler Asia Best of Asia 2024 – Top 100 Restaurants of Asia

ABOUT JIA GROUP

JIA Group is a Hong Kong based hospitality firm that is internationally praised and recognized for executing spaces and experiences rooted in style and substance. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Yenn Wong, JIA Group has established a reputation internationally as an award- winning trendsetter in the hospitality industry. The current portfolio includes 11 venues in Hong Kong, full list of the restaurants and bars could be found on JIA’s website here. JIA Group is listed on the GEM board on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

www.jiagroup.co