New Beijing Bars & Restaurants: September 2016
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 September 2016 issue.
Restaurants
Ji Kun Cafe
There is frankly very little to say about Ji Kun Cafe. This small restaurant primarily serves one thing. There is a lot to say, however, about restaurants that only do one thing, and excel at that one thing. At Ji Kun, that thing is Hainan chicken rice.
Read our full review here.
Daily, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; 4 Sanlitun Dongsanjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯东三街4号（85321991）
Pitt Burger
Pitt Burger is a welcome new opening in Maizidian, and its burgers are rather good. In fact, you will struggle to find a better burger in this city for under RMB40. The classic beef variety (RMB39) comes with caramelized onions and a signature sauce. Its patty is thick, juicy and Australian; its bun a sturdy frame for the goodness. Add a few kuai and you can enjoy something more decorated, like the mushroom or arugula burgers (both RMB46). The salads are also surprisingly delicious.
Read our full review here.
Daily, 10am-11pm; Door 105, Haiyue Mingmen Apartments, 38 Maizidian Zaoyingbeili Community, Chaoyang 朝阳区麦子店枣营北里38号海悦名门公寓105底商（65013525）
Pachakutiq
Pachakutiq is the brainchild of one of Buena Onda’s original partners. This means that its Peruvian-inspired menu is authentic, pisco sours and all. We particularly enjoy the beef avocado roll (RMB60), with its tender meat on the inside and flaky crust on the outside.
Read our full review here.
Daily 5pm-late; China Central Mall, between T1 and T2, 81 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路81号（85887955）
Coucou
While Sanlitun’s newest hot pot restaurant Coucou is certainly swankier than its casual sister chain Xiabu Xiabu, it’s imperative that you wear a bib. But ignore this minor informality, and you’ll find an upscale restaurant that is just about worth the higher price tag. Pick the meat and vegetables you’re partial to and get dipping. (It’s hot pot – our menu recommendations are hardly necessary.)
Read our full review here.
Daily, 10am-10pm; 3/F Topwin Center, 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南路1号通盈中心3层（56268311）
Mimi e Coco
New bar Mimi e Coco, the latest project from the crew at popular pizza spot Ramo, is a haven of slick design and even slicker beats tucked just off Fangjia and fully soundproofed for your partying pleasure.
Read our full review here.
Open from Mon-Fri: 6pm-1am, Sat: 3pm-late, Sun: 3-10pm (kitchen closes at 11pm)；64 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同64号（84016288）
The Daily Bak
Although the server tells us that Daily Bak means ‘daily meat’ (he is as confused as we are), the cafe-bakery in fact sells freshly baked European-style breads, pastries, donuts and coffee. The made-to-order sandwiches are a solid lunch option. Add a RMB6 donut and you’re looking at a pretty sweet deal.
Read our full review here.
Open from 10am-10pm; Beijing Shimao Department Store, Beijing Shimao Department Store China, 13 Gongti BeiLu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路13号1层世茂百货（84549331）
Bars
Bar 4 Nine
Bar 4 Nine is like a gentlemen’s club (hidden location, plush couches, doting service) without all the downsides of a gentlemen’s club (classism, misogyny). The lounge is the classiest thing to hit the Jiaodaokou area for some time, and bartenders mix both classic cocktails and – for the more adventurous – baijiu creations.
Open from Tue-Sun 7pm-2am; 2/F, 308 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng 东城区安定门内大街308号2层
Lighthaus
Still not sure what Sanlitun’s ‘Mercedes me’ actually does? Well, in addition to luxury car merch and Sichuanese food, there’s also an upmarket bar on the second floor. Cocktails are the order of the day at Lighthaus, though the Mercedes own-brand wine is – believe it or not – pretty decent. Views over Taikoo Li make this a good people-watching spot.
Open from Mon-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun 11am-2am; 2/F, Mercedes me, 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南路一号2/F （858807150）
Legend Beer
Once upon a time, Beijing’s craft taprooms only came in one size: tiny. Now, every new opening brings us another colossal beer house. There are plenty of empty tables at Legend, but there’s certainly some potential here. The brews aren’t bad, and (by virtue of not being a shitty club), it’s already our favorite venue in the Gongti complex.
Daily, 11am-3am; Worker's Stadium West Gate, Chaoyang（65519026)
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