Boutique hotels
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Hotel G
- Style
- Boutique-bordello luxury
- Setting
- Heart of the high-rises
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The Opposite House
- Style
- Gleaming glass glamour
- Setting
- Sanlitun urban village
Beijing Eating, drinking and dancing
Restaurants
(+86 10 8518 1234)
Made in China
A Beijing classic, Made in China offers some of the best north-eastern dishes in the capital, amid slick, dark lacquered surroundings and a glass-encased open-kitchen. Must-tries include the zhajiang mian (the Chinese equivalent of spaghetti bolognaise), beggar’s chicken, and Peking duck, which you should be sure to preorder (trust us, anything less than a whole bird simply won’t be enough).
1/F Grand Hyatt, 1 Chang An Jie, Dongcheng District
(+86 (0)10 5169 0328)
Da Dong
Renowned throughout Beijing for the unassailable quality of its Peking Duck, Da Dong delivers a perfectly crisp dish with a virtually fat-free skin. Enjoy free-flowing pancakes and sesame-studded shaobing puffs seals the deal. It’s a popular haunt, so be sure to call ahead, although the restaurant often can’t honour reservations made 6.30pm. However, if your table isn’t ready upon arrival, you can get free drinks at the bar.
22 Dongsi Shi Tiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing
(+86 (0)10 6581 3939)
Hatsune
A favourite lunch spot among the expat crowd and Beijing cityboys, this urban-Zen-inspired eatery serves up fabulous and innovative Californian-style sushi and rolls. Also on the menu are Japanese favourites such as teppanyaki, tempura and miso cod.
2/F Heqiao Building C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
(+86 (0)10 8808 8828)
Whampoa Club
Occupying one of the last few remaining siheyuan courtyard houses along Financial Street, one would be hard pressed to find a more lusciously designed restaurant. Specialising in Northern Chinese dishes such as braised pork knuckle, cabbage and spinach rolls flavoured with punchy yellow mustard and wasabi jelly, and Beijing pancakes filled with goose liver and pork. Secret yourself on an intimate draped banquette at the side of the main dining area, then linger for a digestif at the aptly titled Black Bar, replete with glossy, eelskin-upholstered chairs, and pick from a variety of potent Chinese wines and cocktails. Look out for the fabulous birdcage installation as you enter the main dining room.
23A Jinrong Jie, Xidan/Financial Street, Xi Cheng District, Beijing
Bars
(+86 (0)10 8400 1554)
Bed Tapas & Bar
The brainchild of Malaysian foodie Cho Chong Gee, Bed Bar & Tapas is a low-key watering hole hidden within a hutong a short walk from the Drum Tower. Inside you’ll find a well-heeled clientele sup mojitos while lounging on traditional Kang-style beds, amid antique furnishings and lots of smart bare concrete.
17 Zhangwang Hutong, Jiu Gulou Dajie, Gulou, Beijing
(+86 (0)10 6561 8833)
Centro
Settle into one of the plush armchairs in this spacious scarlet hotel bar, and celeb-watch the night away to a soundtrack of jazzy tunes from the nightly live band. Open 24 hours a day.
1/F, Kerry Centre Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijng
(+86 (0)10 6501 9986)
Stone Boat Café
A tranquil tippling spot beside a scenic lake in picturesque Ritan Park that backs up its booze cupboard with a tempting tea selection, this faux Qing dynasty boat bar is run by Newsweek’s China correspondant and runs regular live jazz nights in summer.
Lakeside, Southwest corner of RItan Park, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Cafés
(+86 (0)10 6413 0345)
Sparrow’s Café
Run by a Peruvian chef and her Portuguese husband, this cosy WiFi-equipped café is a lovely place to duck into for a leisurely recharge from frenetic Beijing. Specialties include killer hot chocolate paired with crisp and churros, and silky smooth egg tarts, together with an array of sandwiches, panini, cookies and other mouth-watering pastries. Their signature coffee is made from blend of Arabic beans sourced from four countries – Brazil, Indonesia, Peru and Portugal.
Rm.103, Building 7, Unit 7 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District
1F East Lake Villas, 35 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Comptoirs de France
An authentic French bakery and café that offers some of the best baked goods the city has to offer. Enjoy a quiet afternoon sipping delicious hot chocolate and tucking into the signature chocolate and lemon tarts. The café also offers a variety of sandwiches and delicious freshly-churned gelato, with must-try flavours of lemon and mango.
(+86 (0)10 6461 1525)
(+86 (0)10 6586 9507)
The Bookworm
The spiritual home of Beijing’s expat literati, this cool café, library, bookshop, and general temple to wordsmithery offers a regular programme of interesting talks and events, as well as a full dining menu and a tempting wine and whisky list.
Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100000
