Like reading restaurant reviews in That's Beijing? We realize there are a lot of them. So to help you keep track, here's a list of the ones from 2017 we liked the best. If you're interested in our top picks for the best new Beijing bars, click here.
1. Antlers
Opening a restaurant on Fangjia Hutong right now is really unfortunate timing. But Antlers is pushing on, despite changes to its hip concrete facade. The casual hangout spot serves Taiwan-style gua bao in four varieties – lamb, beef, pork and curried tofu (RMB58 for three) – plus cocktails and a fridge full of ciders and beers, conveniently arranged by price.
See a listing for Antlers and read more Mifan/Mafan restaurant reviews
2. F Bistronome
Found on the China World Mall's seventh floor, this is an impressive new offering from the team behind Maison Flo and Café Flo. On the casual-to-fine-dining scale, F Bistronome sits somewhere between its predecessors – sophisticated enough to dress up for, laidback enough to forgive you if you don’t. The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook one of Beijing’s most intensely urban scenes, but it does so in a distinctly Parisian manner. The cuisine strikes a similarly pleasing balance. You can, of course, indulge in the oysters (from RMB118 for three). But this place is more about hearty, unpretentious, home-style cooking, from the divine gratin dauphinois (RMB38) to the perfectly puffed soufflé (RMB78). From under RMB300 a head, the lunch and dinner sets sum up what F Bistronome does best – small plates to share followed by fish, steak and classic desserts.
See a listing for F Bistronome and read our full review
3. Wolfgang's Steakhouse
Owner Wolfgang Zwiener is known as New York’s mustachioed meat master, a man who rose from migrant waiter to proprietor of one of Park Avenue’s hottest restaurants. The Beijing branch of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse brings American-style cuts to the capital. These cuts aren’t for the light-hearted. There are no thin slivers of boeuf with a red wine jus. Wolfgang’s specializes in great hunks of American-style steak, dry-aged on site and grilled to leave its exterior in crispy contrast to its marbled center. The signature porterhouse (RMB600 per person) is a beast of a cut that arrives juice-laden and sizzling.
See a listing for Wolfgang's Steakhouse and read our full review
4. Home Grounds
Home Grounds is simply Australian in the best of ways: It is chill, healthy and fun. It may be just below new gym/cult BaseFit, but we detect no holier-than-thou adherence to kale and quinoa. There are salads and smoothies here, sure – but there are also Tsingtao-battered fish and chips. And pancakes. And cocktails.
See a listing for Home Grounds and read our full review
5. Bistro 108
Located just a few meters from the French Embassy, Bistro 108 is as French as it gets. Bistro 108 plays upon the noble and distinctly French notion that multi-course meals ought not be a luxury, but rather a way of life. And they do this by serving quality French fare at agreeable price points. A relaxed, two-hour lunch break with a main, appetizer and, hell, let’s throw in a dessert – will run you less than RMB200. Bottles of wine are even more of a bargain (a bottle of rosé goes for just RMB98.) Other dishes include pan-fried seafood (RMB58), foie gras (RMB198), pork terrine (RMB58), roast chicken (RMB68) and sesame-encrusted salmon (RMB148). And definitely order the chocolate lava cake (RMB38).
See a listing for Bistro 108 and read our full review
6. Cinker Pictures
Here’s the reason Cinker is cool: It doubles as a movie theater. By the entrance, a vintage movie sign advertises the titles playing in classic stick-on letters. But this is no grubby neighborhood cinema. It’s a sleek space screening critically acclaimed pictures in picture-perfect surrounds. All dishes are tasty and hearty – but they lack the complexity you’d expect to accompany their price tag. This is why we like the movie theater portion of this venture best. Sip on craft cocktails or order a bottle of wine, and you can booze your way through the film.
See a listing for Cinker Pictures and read our full review
7. Man Yo
Man Yo may be Sushi Yotsuba’s down-market experiment, but still exudes good taste. Sure, it offers budget-friendly ‘lunch sets,’ but said lunch sets include seven courses. In sum, Man Yo is Yotsuba’s attempt to hit a lower income bracket – just not that much lower. The star of our meal is a whole roasted whitefish (RMB380), tender and practically glistening in its own gentle juices. We’re also enamored with the barbecue skewers and the gazillion-course lunch sets are unbelievably good value, at RMB80-150.
See a listing for Man Yo and read our full review
8. The Beijing Kitchen
The Beijing Kitchen is the epitome of moneyed fast-casual on SKP’s nearly windowless sixth floor. Here you'll find quality dim sum at surprisingly good value. The black truffle streamed buns (RMB33) provide all the joy of truffle plus all the joy of steamed buns. The honey roasted cha shao pork (RMB76) is light and sweet. The best of the small dishes is the soup-stuffed dumpling (RMB39), aka the largest xiaolongbao we’ve ever seen. Dinner mains – also available at lunchtime – impress equally.
See a listing for The Beijing Kitchen and read our full review
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