In Beijing's historic hutong alleys, coffee is about more than just about drinking a caffeinated beverage; it has evolved into a distinct culture unto itself. These hidden hutong cafés not only offer high-quality brews, but also showcase the charm of traditional Beijing architecture.
With their cozy atmospheres and picturesque surroundings, they provide an escape right in the middle of the city. That's Beijing has selected a few of the best hidden hutong cafés, whether you're a coffee enthusiast or simply looking to immerse yourself in Beijing's local hutong culture.
Urban Green
In the Beixinqiao hutongs nearby Lama Temple lies a cafe that feels like a green oasis.
URBAN GREEN is a coffee shop designed to feel like a rainforest – the entire cafe is decorated in plant decor, complete with a small babbling brook and a tree that climbs up from the first to the second floor.
Escape the bustling city life with a cup of coffee in this tranquil shop.
11 Qianyongkang Hu Tong, Dongcheng District
前永康胡同11号东雍文化园1层11号
Fu San Coffee
While there are a few branches of Fusan, this one is located in a hutong south of the Forbidden City on Xixinglong Street is the one you want to visit.
The entire café decor is themed with the color blue, with long blue beams running vertically up around the café, blue chairs, and even blue cakes.
On the second floor is a rooftop where you can sit and enjoy their speciality dirty latte with a view over the hutong.
130 W Xinglong St, Dongcheng District
Fu3福叁咖啡(西兴隆街店)西兴隆街130号
Ten Migration: Time Thousand Food Migration
In the Nancheng hutong east of the Temple of Heaven lies Ten Migration: Time Thousand Food Migration.
A rather unusual name that comes from one of Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai's poems, it is meant to encourage visitors to come ten thousand times to consume thousands of coffees and desserts.
It's a cozy hutong spot with chairs outside where you can sit and eat those thousands of desserts!
130 Lanman Hu Tong, Xicheng Qu
十千·时迁·食仟(菜市口店) 烂缦胡同130号
Sugar Cafe
After a walk around Houhai Lake, the best place to stop for a rest is Sugar Coffee.
This multi-storey coffee shop offers a fantastic view of the nearby Drum and Bell Tower.
Order a coffee, one of the many desert cakes, or even a cold beer, and take in the view.
22 Qianhaidongyan, Xicheng District
糖房咖啡(什刹海店) 北京市西城区前海东沿22号(庆云楼饭庄3层4层,银锭桥旁)
1901 Café
Built in 1901, the aptly named 1901 Café brings a European charm to the Xicheng District.
The building, which used to be a subsidiary of Xishiku Church, consists of three floors with a central wooden staircase in the center.
Buy a cup of coffee, a slice of cake, and other snacks, and soak in the century-old time-honored history of the area.
101 Xi'anmen Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区西安门大街101号
[Cover image via Fu San Coffee]
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