There are so many new bars and restaurants opening up in Beijing every month that sometimes even we find it difficult to keep up. Need a refresher? Here's a roundup of all the new restaurant and bar openings we featured in our August 2017 issue (out now).
April and Café
Why is there an ‘and’ in the middle of April and Café’s name? Shouldn’t it just be ‘April Café’? You may never know the answers to these questions, but you can, if you wish, August-and-cafe this month at April and Café on Andingmen Nei Dajie. The space is kitted out like a Parisian coffee shop, minus the booze. Choose your beans (single origin, obvs) from their selection of Beijing and international roasters.
See a listing for April and Café
Bird on a Wire
A Kiwi friend of ours describes Bird on a Wire as ‘fancy KFC.’ Now, Beijingers can enjoy their very own fancy KFC at Hatchery, which is hosting the Auckland-based chicken chain in its Dongsi location. The pop-up serves rotisserie free-range chicken in many forms – chicken burgers, chicken wraps and, our favorite, chicken roasts. Chicken this good is rare in China, so come hungry.
See a listing for Hatchery
Cocoro
If you're wandering around Jianwai SOHO looking for a quick caffeine and sugar fix, no look further than Cocoro. The takeaway spot keeps things simple with menu items including coffee and... cookies. The cookies are more like cookie bites - though delicious nonetheless. And the coffee is decent too.
See a listing for Cocoro
Bun and Noodle
Lanzhou noodle shops are typically fluorescent-lighting and laminated-menu affairs. Not this one. At Bun and Noodle, affordably priced home-style noodle dishes are paired with pleasant, minimalist design and plenty of natural light. But there’s more to this spot than la mian: we love the wuhua rou (RMB20) – especially the part when we sop up its juices with a bun afterwards.
See a listing for Bun and Noodle
The Southern Fish
The Southern Fish isn’t technically new. They opened a boutique in Dashilar two years ago. But their new location – a streamlined, ultra-modern reinterpretation of a hutong courtyard, is not only worthy of a mention in our New Restaurants section because The Southern Fish is the sh*t. The Southern Fish serves a variety of fiery Hunanese dishes in its slick new Baitasi location – but the best, hands down, is the Egg Thing (RMB39). It is spicy peppers and fermented egg and it is mind-blowingly, transformative. The Southern Fish’s menu is just as inspiring and satisfying and mind-boggling and soul-affirmingly good.
See a listing for The Southern Fish and read our full review
Bottega's New Location
Bottega's second location recently opened in Beijing's hottest new complex, Shang. The slick compound can be found just north of the Liangma River, and Q Mex’s new Taqueria can be found on the first floor. The new Bottega serves all your favorites from the original – wood-fired pizzas (‘La Bottega,’ RMB120), pastas and our favorite, ravioli vegitariana, which is tasty even to non-vegetarianas. There's a great patio for eating and drinking. For drinks we suggest an Aperol Spritz or an Italian craft beer (or both if you're feeling wild).
See a listing for Bottega and read our full review
Q Mex Taqueria
Q Mex Taqueria is another welcome addition to Shang. They serve up generous portions of all your Mexican fave. Think big-ass plates of taco fixin’s, alongside warm tortillas, ceviche and massive frozen margs. The vibes at this ‘taqueria’ are bright and colorful, and will come as a pleasant surprise to anyone who’s knocked back tequila shots while watching a game at Q Mex Sanlitun.
See a listing for Q Mex Taqueria
Rootpop
Rootpop is a welcome addition to Beijing's vegetarian dining scene. Located in the artsy Baiziwan area, Rootpop serves up meatless diner fare - burgers, hot dogs, wraps and fries - in a trendy space. The Australian-style burger with "cheese" (RMB45), Greek salad (RMB40), tempura hot dog and durian and mushroom sandwich (it tastes nothing like durian) are all standouts. Rootpop is for anyone, vegan or meat lover, who wants to be pleasantly surprised.
See a listing for Rootpop and read our full review
Shique Xiao Wu Café
“Have you ever had soda water in your coffee?” asks one of the owners of Shique Xiao when we ask for a recommendation. No, no we have not. The recipe is simple (and at first glance, stomach-turning): a freshly-made americano, with soda water to top it off. It’s delightful. The added fizz generates a Guinness-like head atop the coffee, and the taste is surprisingly flavorful. We feel like we’re being hydrated and caffeinated at the same time. If experimental coffee isn’t your thing, though – no worries. Shique Xiao Wu provides the third-wave coffee Beijingers have come to love (RMB25-37).
See a listing for Shique Xiao Wu Café and read our full review
Restaurant Y
At Restaurant Y, there are couches, not chairs. Dishes come on shiny cooking pans, not plates. The space feels like a Martha Stewart-approved kitchen and lounge – bronze fixtures, simple white tiling. Restaurant Y is the new brunch set for the jet set, and its gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows allow patrons to gaze approvingly over their kingdom (Taikoo Li) from high up in a building (in Taikoo Li) – all while sipping coffee and eating Mediterranean-leaning ‘home style’ sharing plates. Restaurant Y serves up shareable dishes like the chicken plate and Icelandic squid (RMB109). There is also a bevy of wine options. We’d recommend treating Restaurant Y like a lounge (Lounge Y?) – drinking wine with friends and picking a couple plates to share.
See a listing for Restaurant Y and read our full review
0 User Comments