Christmas in Beijing: Where to eat, drink and be merry this year

Where to eat, drink and be merry this festive season

Forget all the gifts and presents, the best part of Christmas is gorging on vast quantities of food followed by that oh-so-necessary mid-afternoon nap. Can't be bothered doing the work yourself? We don't blame you. Check out our round-up of all the places to dine in Beijing so that you can have a merry Christmas this year.

Beersmith

Photo: Beersmith

What is it: On Dec 24, join for a Christmas Eve party featuring Beersmith’s in-house band soul shake, who will be playing classic holiday hits all night long, alongside drinking games, a lucky draw, and Santas and his Santarinas. On Christmas Day, tuck into their roasted turkey dinner which runs until Dec 31, with a complimentary free-flow beer from 5-9pm for ladies, courtesy of Beersmith’s weekly ladies’ night.

How much? Free entry. 988RMB (roasted turkey dinner)

When: Until Dec 31.

Where: First Floor, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district.

Bottega

Photo: Bottega/WeChat

What is it? Italian Christmas specials served at both Nali Patio and Jinshang locations, including grilled meat and veggie platter, puff pastry with vanilla cream and hot chocolate sauce, spaghetti with clams. Enjoy 50 percent off on selected sparkling wines from Dec 24-25.

When? Dec 24-Dec 25, 12-11pm.

How much? By dish.

Where? (1) Second floor, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Bei Lu, Chaoyang district (2) First floor, 20 Xinyuanli Xi, Chaoyang district. 

Boxing Cat Brewery

What is it? An extensive takeaway menu featuring roasted turkey with all the trimmings, desserts like brioche bread pudding with spicy eggnog sauce and Boxing Cat's Christmas beer. Dine-in dinners are available on Dec 24 and Dec 25, featuring ham, potato gratin, green beans, and a variety of desserts. Plus, get 50 percent off on the second mulled wine or pint of their southpaw winter warmer ale. 

When? Until Dec 31, 11am-10pm.

How much? By dish.

Where? First floor, 20 Xinyuanli Xi, Chaoyang district.

Feast (Food by East)

What is it? A Christmas Eve dinner buffet featuring traditional roasted turkey, roasted lamb leg, baked salmon, oysters, lobster, as well as an extensive selection of Christmas-themed sweet treats. Diners will also enjoy free-flow soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, red, white wine and sparkling wine, while kids will also be able to visit Santa's Grotto, meet Santa himself and receive a special gift.

When? Dec 24. 6-10.30pm.

How much? 688RMB per person.

Where? East Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district.

Modernista

Photo: Modernista/WeChat

What is it? A five-course dinner menu featuring homemade foie gras, lamb shank and pomegranate sauce, raspberry caramel and chocolate pie,  and more. Served on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Click here to RSVP. 

How much? 398RMB per person; 588RMB per person (with free-flow prosecco).

When? Dec 24-Dec 25, Dec 31, 7-11pm.

Where? 44 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district.

Mosto

Photo: Mosto/WeChat

What is it?  A three-course Christmas Eve dinner featuring appetisers to share, your choice of main and a duo of desserts. Call 13811325451 to RSVP.

How much? 450RMB per person, add an additional 188RMB for free-flow beer, house wine and bubbles.

When? Dec 24, 5.30-10pm. 

Where? Third floor, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district. 

New World Hotel

What is it? A gluttonous roast dinner serving everything from roasted turkey with all the fixings, pan-fried salmon with champagne sauce, to braised venison with root vegetables, and desserts from Chocolate yule logs, rum babas with whiskey cream to Panettone. Enjoy a free-flow of glühwein, hot rum chocolate, house wine, beer, and soft drinks, as well as lucky draw prizes, and even a visit from Santa. 

When? Dec 24, 5.30-9.30pm. 

How much? 688RMB per person.

Where? 8 Qinan Dajie, Dongcheng district.

Paulaner Bräuhaus

What is it? A German-style Christmas Eve dinner featuring a three-course set menu and free-flow dessert, Paulaner beers, wine or soft drinks. Enjoy live entertainment and a chance to win a special prize in a lucky draw. 

How much? 668RMB per person (includes free-flow beer and wine).

Where? Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district. 

Q Mex

What is it? A choice of either a set Christmas menu or sharing platter featuring chipotle-glazed ham and grilled turkey breast served with mashed potatoes, walnut and cumin stuffing, roasted vegetables and Mexican mole gravy. 

How much? 188RMB per person (set menu); 258RMB (sharing platter). 

When? Dec 24-Dec 26, 5pm-closing. 

Where? Served at all four Q Mex locations (Q Mex Sanlitun, Q Mex Shuangjing, Q Mex Taqueria, Q Mex World City).

Signature Restaurant

What is it? A Christmas Eve buffet featuring staples including golden goose with cranberries and Wagyu beef tomahawk steak, as well as a variety of Christmas treats. Diners will also enjoy a free-flow of Paulaner beer, wine or soft drinks, with live jazz entertainment and a chance to win a special prize in a lucky draw. 

How much? 668RMB

When? Dec 24, 6-10.30pm

Where? Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

Side Street

What is it: An Indian-style Christmas buffet featuring roasted turkey tikka masala, pulled BBQ turkey sliders with cranberry coleslaw, curry mac and cheese, turmeric mashed potatoes, cardamom-spiced egg nog and more. 

How much? 198RMB per person. Add 190RMB for four-hour free-flow of beer, wine, house mixers, mulled wine and soft drinks. Add Karmafier on WeChat to book.

When: Tue 24, 7pm-late.

Where: 113-2 Jiaodaokou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district.

Jing Yaa Tang

What is it: Christmas feast with a Chinese twist by chef Li Dong. Enjoy a festive Peking duck set as well as other holiday favourites on their a la carte menu, from stewed pork belly to quail egg with brown sauce, and black truffle roasted chicken.

How much? 888RMB per set 

When: Until Jan 5 2020. Mon-Fri Noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm

Where: The Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district

Via Roma 

What is it? A family-style Christmas Eve dinner featuring a classic four-course Italian dinner with handmade pasta, beef tenderloin, or oven-baked cod and a slice of apple pie. 

How much? 388RMb per person.

When: Tue 24. 6-10pm. 

Where: Kempinski Hotel Lufthansa Centre, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district 

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