The Place
In Shenzhen’s packed High-Tech Park area, most of the dining options can be found inside large, decadent malls and shopping plazas. Convenient, sure, but also a little monotonous. Luckily, this isn’t the case with Bricks, a cozy stand-alone pub and restaurant tucked onto a street corner near the MixC Shopping Mall. With plenty of outside seating in a surprisingly quiet area, it’s a nice change of pace.
Image via Bricks
The Food
While Bricks calls itself an English pub, the British influence is limited to the actual venue (with a classic warm wooden interior) and a single fish and chips special (RMB188) on the menu. The rest of the menu is filled with burgers, pasta dishes and a very enticing all-day breakfast. For drinks, there are several obligatory beers on tap along with simple cocktails, wine and spirits.
Image via Bricks
After much deliberation, we choose the eponymous Bricks burger (RMB78), featuring all the usual cheeseburger toppings plus a homemade cheese sauce from the Bricks kitchen. The homemade sauce is served on the side, along with a healthy portion of Cajun-seasoned fries (or chips, as they say) and a blend of ketchup and mayo. Tragically, we don’t realize that we’re meant to pour the cheese sauce over the burger until we’re almost done eating.
Image via Bricks
Even so, it’s a satisfying meal. According to our server, the burger is cooked to “70 percent,” which means it retains plenty of juice and the tiniest hint of pink. The homemade cheese sauce reminds us more of a creamy alfredo, but is nevertheless a welcome addition to the mix. While it’s not the most exciting burger we’ve had in Shenzhen, it’s a solid choice for the price – especially when accompanied with a pint of Carlsberg (RMB35).
The Vibe
Despite being located near a busy street, Bricks is shielded from the chaos of High-Tech Park by some low buildings along the road. The result is a quaint, cozy vibe that is only enhanced by the classic English pub decor and al fresco seating. While we wouldn’t advise bringing a huge party, for those who live or work in the area it’s the perfect place to catch up with a couple of mates over a cheeky pint. We’re certainly looking forward to visiting again when the weather warms up.
Image via Bricks
Price: RMB100
Who’s going: tech yuppies, nostalgic Brits
Good for: standard pub fare, English breakfast, a cheeky pint
Nearest metro: Hi-Tech Park (Exit B), 5 minutes’ walk
Open daily, 9.30am-2am. See listing for Bricks.
[Cover image via Bricks]
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