Beijing's best al fresco dining spots

We recommend the best spots for dining outdoors in Beijing

With its abundant roof terraces and courtyards, Beijing is the perfect city for al fresco dining when the warmer weather hits. Lap up the sun with our picks of the best spots to eat outdoors in the city.

Gulou

Café Zarah

Smack in the middle of Gulou, this hip café is freelancer central: laptops, lattes and loads of sunshine thanks to its central courtyard.

46 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district

Toast at the Orchid

Gulou views and hutong cool at The Orchid's rooftop restaurant. You can't go wrong with the brunch menu, which includes hummus, handmade sausages and shakshuka.

65 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng district

Dali Courtyard

An old favourite for Yunnanese dining in the hutongs. Dali's courtyard is so damn pretty they even put it in the name. Be sure to try the grilled Yunnan-style cheese, prawns fried with lime leaves and tea and the spicy beef with mint.

67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district

King's Joy

High-end vegetarian cuisine in a refurbished Lama Temple mansion complex with candelabras and a full-time harpist (seriously). One of the only restaurants in town that can tempt even the most hardened of carnivores with crazy flavourful and toothsome cuisine.

2 Wudaoying Hutong, Yonghegong, Dongcheng district

Sanlitun

Moka Bros

The convergence of youth, beauty and semi-employment; pumping beats, kale salads and open laptops. Gorge yourself on the banana pancakes, avocado breakfast sandwich and the milkshakes.

Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district

Mosto

Funky beats and a popular weekend brunch, with tables outside for when the weather's right. Don't miss the Wagyu beef burger. 

3F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district

Tienstiens

The winding floors at this excellent French patisserie flood out into a gorgeous rooftop, complete with blankets and charming lights for when the sun sets. 

101, Building 10, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district

Element Fresh

Staple Western fare that never lets you down with healthy options and plenty of locations. Check out the terraces at the Lido branch, and try the laffa bread salad, the breakfast burrito and the smoothies.

6 Jiangtai Lu, Lido, Chaoyang district

Sureño

The sunken courtyard at The Opposite House serves up modern riffs on Mediterranean-inspired flavours. For something a little more lowkey, check out Village Café for all-day dining and a breakfast meeting hotspot.

B1, The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Taikoo Li North, Chaoyang district

Liangmaqiao

Green Cow City Café

A hidden café with top-notch organic eats slinging all manner of organic foodstuffs and top-notch chow in Jiuxianqiao. Expect organic pizzas, bagels and ricotta pancakes.

Courtyard south of Building 13, Sanjiefang, Jiuxianqiao, Chaoyang district

Bottega Jinshang

Bottega mark II had its sceptics at first – who'd want to trot to an unremarkable hospital complex for their dinners delizioso when there's so much buzz to be found in Sanlitun? Naysayers were soon quietened however by the Italian dreamscape that the Bottega bosses have crafted in this spacious venue, which, blessedly, now includes an embarrassment of outdoor seating to while away the summer nights in. With a solid lineup of parties and events scheduled for the coming months, there's only one place to disco al fresco this summer in Beijing.

1F, 01, 20 Xinyuanli Xi, Chaoyang district

Bistro 108

The car-park connoisseurs over in Liangmaqiao have been reppin' their concrete terrace for just over a year now, but summer 2018 is surely the season in which the rest of Beijing finally catches up. It may not look like much at first sight, but this secluded embassy spot serving classic French fare is a lowkey spot to enjoy a juicy hunk of meat and much wine under the setting sun.

104, 1F, Caochang Plaza (opposite the northeast entrance of the American Embassy), 19 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang district

Great Leap Brewing #45

New York-style pizzas and craft brews as well as a peaceful, shady terrace to while away a Sunday afternoon eating fried chicken platters from their Country Bunker Chicken Brunch (which is only served during weekends).

45-1 Xinyuan Jie, Chaoyang district

Maison FLO

French eatery with fabulous bakery, live seafood bar and Parisian elegance – the garden is made for springtime sipping. Anything from the bakery is worth its weight in butter (in a good way).

18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang district

CBD

Migas Mercado

The CBD spawn of our dearly departed Sanlitun favourite, Migas Mercado boasts one of the most impressive terraces in Beijing, with stunning urban views to boot. Dinner under the watchful eye of the CCTV building, anyone?

7F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district

Bistrot B

The Rosewood Beijing's French masterpiece is pure brunch bliss, and the terrace elevates it to a whole other level. Order the Dover sole meunière, steak tartare and oysters.

1F, Jing Guang Centre, 1 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Rosewood Beijing, Chaoyang district

Xicheng

Bear Brew

Beijing's best rooftop is officially open and it's officially in Xicheng. This cosy, unassuming café is a sweet hutong spot on the lesser-trodden side of town, but head skywards to discover where the real magic happens: in the shadow of the White Cloud Pagoda, or Baitasi, this slatted rooftop is a perfect spot for a latte in the sun and an increasingly rare hutong skyline.

26 Baitasi Dong Jiedao, Xicheng district

For more al fresco dining options in Beijing, hit 'Read more'.

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