Guaranteed to fill your belly without emptying your pockets
Grabbing brunch doesn't have
to be expensive. Despite its reputation, there's much more to this
inbetweeny meal than indulgent splurges
(although they're good too). Our guide to Beijing's best value brunches
is packed with everything from runny poached eggs to finger-lick' fried
chicken. Do brunch right, without breaking the
bank.
Sanlitun
Jing A Brewing Taproom
Hearty fare that hits the spot
Jing A's Brewers' Brunch
has been going strong for a couple of years now, but it recently got a
revamp and the result is more brunchable than ever. The set menu comes
with both hearty and healthy(ish) options and of course, plenty of beer
cocktails to wash down the eggs and the hangover.
Order this The Hungry Man's Mash is limited to 20 servings per day, so get in quick if you want this option. Price Set menu for 108RMB. Time 11am-3pm Sat-Sun. Reservations recommended.
Taco Bar
The one that's always kickin'
Late-night
tequila and taco dispensary Taco Bar is a well-loved stop in Sanlitun,
so it might come as a surprise that the kitchen team that churns out
fish tacos and guacamole into the small hours of the morning is up in
time to put on one of our all time favourite low-key brunch options.
Menu staples like the legendary calamares fritos (50RMB) are joined by brunch-only items like a Taco Bar take on Eggs Benedict, served on sweet rolls with slow-cooked carnitas and
green chilli hollandaise. Save it for a sunny day and take in some
rays, along with way too many Micheladas (20RMB), on the terrace.
Order this Chorizo Hash (50RMB). Price From 45RMB a la carte. Time Midday-4pm Sat-Sun. Reservations essential.
Mosto
The hangover buster
Recharge
at Mosto with a complimentary shooter of Virgin Mary before moving on
to the real deal: the illustrious Bloody Mary (50RMB) – one of our
favourites in Beijing. As your hangover starts to fade, choose a dish
from the a la carte menu of brunch classics and alternatives. Blueberry
pancakes (45RMB) are a delicious sweet-savoury combo with a drizzle of
maple syrup, a dollop of ricotta cheese and a rasher of crispy bacon.
Mix things up with the risotto (85RMB), a fiendishly tasty combo of
black truffle, red wine and parmesan cheese. Go free-flow (188RMB) for
two hours of mimosas, bellinis and sparkling wine.
Order this Marinated Chicken Breast (88RMB). Price 45-135RMB a la carte; 188RMB for two-hours of free-flow sparkling wine, mimosas and bellinis. Time 11am-3pm Sat-Sun. Reservations recommended.
Migas
The rustic recovery
Migas'
brunch is rather bucolic – think the kind of food you might prepare if
you were a sun-weathered, Spanish farmer, living in the mountains.
'Farmer's plates' start at 98RMB and come with options such as roast
chicken with veg and a beery lemon sauce, or roast Iberico pork with
manchego cheese, which is sure to tide you over until the early
evening.
Order this Codfish salad (58RMB). Price From 38RMB a la carte. Time 11.30am-2.30pm Sat-Sun.
Liangmaqiao
Bottega Jinshang
The mediterranean delight
The
pizza and pasta perfectionists at Bottega have recently turned their
fine, dough-wielding hands to brunch, which naturally includes pasta in
the form of an unctuous and weekend-worthy park and beef lasagna
(78RMB). The rest of the menu is limited but faultless, including
sharing platters of charcuterie (98RMB), and an indulgent bruschetta of
grilled steak bites and fried mushrooms (45RMB). Don't miss the bloody
mario, which comes with a balsamic twist (50RMB).
Order this Bruschetta (45RMB). Price From 35RMB a la carte. Time Midday-3pm Sun.
Great Leap Brewing #45 Brewpub
The one with all the chicken and beer
Well
spank our naughty little rumps, we ain’t never seen the dirty bird
looking this fine. Welcome to Great Leap’s Blues Brothers-inspired
Country Bunker Chicken Brunch. The chicken is all kinds of flavoursome:
salty, crunchy, juicy in the right places. Pair it up with a Great Leap
pilsner (25RMB) if you’re feeling fragile.
Order this The Jake. Price 208RMB for The Jake (full bird with sides), 128RMB for The Elwood (half-bird with sides). Time 11.30am-4pm Sat-Sun. Reservations optional.
Gulou
Toast at The Orchid
The cosy hutong hangout
Toast, the restaurant inside charming boutique hotel The Orchid,
serves up dishes inspired by cuisine from all corners of the world. A
wide range of complementary flavours means it’s best to get a few dishes
for the table and share. During the warmer months, the hotel’s two
outdoor terraces offer a peaceful, beautiful spot to eat al fresco.
Order this The Shakshuka (70RMB). Price 25-80RMB a la carte; drinks from 25RMB. Time 10am-2.30pm daily. Reservations only available for groups bigger than eight.
Modernista Restaurant
The all-day hang out
The
brunch selection of European fusion dishes is not long, but let's face
it, food is not the main attraction here. Modernista has always been
popular for its live music programme and laid-back vibe, and that’s why
we keep coming back. A late breakfast at the art-deco Euro-bistro can
easily cede into an early Continental supper.
Order this The homemade pumpkin ravioli is simple, hearty and satisfying. Price From 65RMB a la carte. Time 12pm-5pm Sun. Reservations recommended.
Wudaokou
Ricci Cafe
The student-friendly one
Strategically placed in Wudaokou,
this innovative brunch will cure what ails ya without putting a large
dent in your finances. The weekend brunch menu is heavy on all sorts of
waffles, pancakes and omelettes. Ricci Café prides itself on adding a
twist to its dishes. The Eggs Benedict (58RMB) is drizzled with a
chilli-infused hollandaise sauce; the signature waffles (52RMB) are
served with crispy fried chicken, roasted cashews and a spicy coconut
caramel sauce. The Bloody Mary (50RMB) comes three ways: Classic, Thai
or Sichuan, depending on the kick you’re after.
Order this Surf & Turf Potato Rosti (68RMB). Price 38-132RMB a la carte; drinks from 25RMB. Time 8am-4pm Sat-Sun. Reservations optional.
798
Green Cow City Café
The wholesome one
Hidden
in plain sight on a busy market street in the Jiuxianqiao area, Green
Cow City Café eludes all but the most determined brunchers. The menu is
full of farm-to-fork fare, with organic ingredients sourced from the
owners’ land in Shunyi. The pizzas (from 75RMB) alone are worth the
trip, and that’s before you even get to the fluffy yet rich ricotta
pancakes (45RMB), house-cured salmon (30RMB) and one of our all-time
favourite bagels in town (15RMB). Make sure to check out the freezer for
some pre-made pizza bagels (12RMB) on your way out.
Order this Ricotta pancakes (45RMB). Price A la carte 15-75RMB; drinks from 10RMB. Time 9am-midday Sat-Sun. Reservations optional.