New Beijing Bars & Restaurants: November 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 November 2016 issue.

Restaurants

Hatchery (New Dongsi Location)

Hatch is back. The once-Sanlitun-based incubator (get it? the lexical theme is ‘EGGS’) has reopened with a spot that’s even hipper and sleeker than the last. This is thanks to 5LMeet, the new co-working-and-lifestyle-and-other-buzzwordy-things space. During our daytime visit, we see laptop warriors and power outlets galore. At 5pm, Hatchery’s metaphorical sun sets, and Soul Bowls transforms into its Peruvian-inspired sister, Buena Onda. (See our review of the concept from its last iteration here.)

88 Dongsi Jiutiao, Dongcheng 东城区东城区东四九条88号 (6594 0188)

Rollbox

Rollbox doles out dope rolls. The Xingfucun Zhonglu spot makes some of the best Vietnamese sandwiches in Beijing. And for under RMB30 each, they just might be the best Vietnamese sandwiches in Beijing.

Daily, 9.30am-8pm. Building 1, Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村中路1号 (177 1091 8725)

MoxiMoxi's New Hummus

A year and a half since opening, MoxiMoxi has proven itself to be the tiny Middle Eastern hutong snack shop that can punch above its weight. But the new hummus – heaping and bursting with flavor – marks a new stage in the pair’s quest to bring real Israeli street food to the hutongs.

5pm-12am/1am. 55 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District Dongcheng District 东城区方家胡同55号 (158 0168 0406)

Jomi

French chef Antoine Bunel has made a name for himself appearing as a chef and self described “foodie” on Chinese TV – and now he's opened a bistro in Lido. Rather than upscale cuisine, however, Bunel focuses on casual French with the occasional Asian flourish. Stop by for reasonably priced Western comfort food.

Daily, 10am-10pm. A-101 Lido Plaza, Lido Square, Chaoyang 朝阳区丽都环岛丽都广场A-101 (6431 9812)

Tony’s Fish and Chips

“Hi mate, have a beer in the afternoon, the world will belong to you” reads the bold Arial font on a Xiang’er Hutong sign. Tony’s fish and chips were frankly kind of weird and sad. And they were definitely too weird and sad for their RMB58 asking price. Tony seems nice though.

Daily, 10am-9pm or whenever Tony's around. East end of Xiang'er Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区香饵胡同东口

Living Room

Sanlitun’s new, mega-impressive Chao hotel boasts a library, outdoor pool, salon, private theater and, of course, food. Its restaurant-cafe Living Room slings the sort of hip international dishes a hip international clientele would demand. We love the pork carnitas taco (RMB38) and the tenderly wrapped Peking duck rolls garnished with apple slices (RMB58). But best of all is the lounge-like atmosphere (think New York jazz club with the coolest damn toilets we’ve ever seen).

Daily, 11am-2.30pm (lunch), 5.30-9.30pm (dinner). Chao, 1/F, 4 Gongtiyuchang Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场东路4号1层

Lucky Lopez

Popular CBD joint Lucky Lopez brings its filling, no-frills Tex-Mex to Sanlitun with a new branch near Xindong Lu. The burritos, tacos and quesadillas are generously sized and taste even better when you realize just how cheap they are (almost every dish costs under RMB30). One downside: the food wasn’t quite as warm as we’d have liked – on both of our visits. Still, definitely worth a try.

Daily 11am-10pm. 34 Sanlitun Nan Jia, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南甲34号 (6466-0302)

Pizza Buona

Longtime Gongti pizza purveyor Pizza Buona may have recently relocated to a much quieter area – the hutongs – but apart from the scenery, little else has changed. Expect the same hearty pizza, pasta, salads and… the owners’ ridiculously affable Labrador. The team loves dogs (the restaurant’s logo is a dog) and encourages diners to bring their own to its courtyard for a pizza-puppy playdate.

Daily, 10.30am-midnight. 1 Shiqiao Hutong (near 43 Dongsibatiao), Dongcheng 东城区石桥胡同1号红门 (离东四八条43号不远) (6551 3518)

Bars

JBM Cocktail Bar

Juice by Melissa has turned to the dark side with the introduction of a cocktail bar. It seems like a counterintuitive move for a place that promotes detoxing. Then again, the cocktails are made with delicious cold-pressed juices and the wine is organic. Affordable prices – RMB40 per cocktail – and dim lighting ensure it’s a cozy spot to enjoy a post-work drink.

Thu-Sat, 8pm-late (from 7pm on Sat). Shop 101, Dongwai Gongguan, 3 Xinzhong Dongjie, Dongcheng 东城区新中东街3号东外公馆101室 (130 4112 1556)

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