Oh! is a new little brunch spot in Gulou from the people behind Fine Café & Canteen, whose Shanghai locations are so popular they reportedly often boast lines out the door. When we visit during their soft opening, we don’t have any trouble snagging a spot on the street-facing window bar, though we’re told it’s a different story at night as they tend to sell out by the end of day.
Even from the outside of this cafe-style restaurant, it’s difficult to describe it as anything but aggressively cute. A darling wooden facade beckons you in with the promise of ice cream, while inside, cute mint green walls brighten the already sky-lit space. Even soft covers of The Beatles, Björk, and Bing Crosby, play sweetly in the background. The servers are simply wonderful: attentive, competent, and above all, as friendly as the decor.
Start off with one of their many drink options, from espresso to tea, or even their homemade sangria (the only alcoholic beverage on offer, sadly – not for boozy brunches). We particularly recommend their berry soda (RMB38), a refreshing blend of soda water and sugary syrup, topped with strawberries, blueberries and mint. It’s so delicious, we opt for a shameless second sampling, although the peach and lemon variation proves more disappointing thanks to questionable garnishes that tarnish the flavor.
The food is impressive. We recommend one of their egg offerings, such as the fried eggs with spinach topped with cheese and Italian ham (RMB68), which is a particular highlight. All of their main brunch plates come with a side salad that features a wonderfully light vinaigrette.
It’s their soufflé pancakes that Fine Café is really known for. While the matcha option is highlighted on the menu, we go for the more dessert-inclined chocolate variant (RMB62). The pancakes came smothered in hot fudge and chocolate powder, with a meager sprinkling of crunchy crushed hazelnuts. Though with a generous side of thick whipped cream and various chocolate candies and cookies, this carb-heavy treat is a chocolate lover’s dream.
While surely not everyone’s cup of tea, this cheerful new spot does serve as a lovely rendezvous point for a Sunday afternoon. We’ll certainly be back to enjoy the shaded roof terrace on a less blistering hot summer day
See a listing for Oh! by Fine Café and read more Beijing Restaurant Reviews
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