Best Brunches Worth Getting Out of Bed For: Spring 2019 Edition
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Is it really a weekend in Beijing if you're not at brunch? We thought we'd make the weekly weekend dilemma of where to meet for brunch that much easier by compiling a list of what are, in our opinion, Beijing's best places to go for brunch as of spring 2019. This should help reduce the painstaking back-and-forth planning once you eventually roll out of bed on any given weekend.
Rejoice, Brits abroad! As of the end of 2018, Arrow Factory is offering a super traditional roast beef lunch every Sunday. The set, which is priced at RMB 128, comes with Australian roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sprouts, parsnips, and gravy (a vegetarian option is available). Add RMB 30 for a beer or wine and RMB 30 for a dessert (try the sticky toffee pudding). Arrow is also the best bet in town for a full English breakfast.
In a nutshell: Set roast lunch with separate a la carte menu available; al fresco seating
Sunday 1-2pm (advance booking required)
Bottega's
Xinyuanli branch has a new brunch packed with both Italian classics and
brunch twists on Italian dishes. Two of our favorite dishes are the
frittata rustica (RMB 78), which packs in spaghetti, cheese, and
potatoes for a truly hangover-busting dish, and the cannelloni (RMB 88),
which is one of the best (and richest) versions we have tried in
Beijing. If you're in the mood for a boozy brunch, there's an option to
add RMB 188 for free-flow Prosseco, wine, and spritzes (Bottega serves
one of our favorite spritzes in Beijing, perfectly classic and
refreshing).
In a nutshell: A la carte Italian menu; free-flow wine, beer, and cocktails; al fresco seating
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Feast's
semi-buffet brunch really lives up to the restaurant's name. For RMB
298, you get both starters and desserts served buffet style, but don't
fill up too quickly – the a la carte main courses are pretty formidable,
including not only standard brunch dishes like eggs benedict but also
substantial main courses like slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled baby
chicken, and wild mushroom risotto. That price also includes free-flow
house wine, beer, and soft drinks, making it one of the best value deals
in town.
In a nutshell: Semi-buffet; free-flow drinks; hearty portions
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-3pm
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Ever
the trailblazers, Great Leap have launched a new brunch at their Lido
location that features three upgraded takes on the humble jianbing. Our
favorite is the Heidi Fleisse (RMB 60), a Beijing-style take on a
classic croque madame with egg, ham, cheese, mornay sauce, apple butter,
and crunchy wonton wrappers. Tamer (but no less tasty) options include a
corned beef hash skillet (RMB 50) and a sausage, egg, and cheese
sandwich (RMB 45). Good long hours also make this a good option for the
terminally hungover.
In a nutshell: A la carte menu; options for kids and special diets
Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm
Jing
Yaa Tang's dim sum remains one of the best deals in town. For just RMB
168 (RMB 188 at weekends) you can order unlimited helpings of dozens of
classic steamed, baked, and fried dim sum dishes, including cheung fun,
siu mai, hargow, Portuguese egg tarts, and many more. If you want to go
all out, add free-flow Chandon sparkling wine for RMB 168 (although make
sure those bubbles don't take up valuable stomach space). Even better,
it is available seven days a week, so you don't have to limit your
indulgence to the weekends.
In a nutshell: All-you-can-order a la carte; free-flow sparkling wine; available seven days a week
Daily 11am-2.30pm
Migas
Mercado has just launched a brand new all-you-can-eat tapas brunch. For
RMB 298 per person, you get to order an unlimited number of dishes,
three at a time, from a menu of more than 30 tapas and sharing dishes.
With dishes like fried eggs with chistorra spicy sausage and french
fries, piquillo peppers stuffed with codfish and bechamel, and fried
cuttlefish hotdogs with lime aioli, there's no way you'll leave hungry.
For an extra RMB 168, make it a properly boozy brunch with two hours of
free-flow cava, sangria, and bloody mary cocktails.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow sparkling wine and brunch cocktails; great views
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Mosto's
relaxed weekend brunch puts the emphasis on quality rather than
quantity. Classic brunch dishes like smoked salmon eggs benedict (RMB
55) are well executed or you can liven things up a bit with dishes like
salmon sashimi (RMB 95), goat's cheese and watercress salad (RMB 78) or
grilled octopus risotto (RMB 168). Add two hours of free-flow red, white
and sparkling wines, mimosas, and Bellinis for just RMB 188. Their
Bloody Marys (RMB 50) are also excellent.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow wine and sparkling cocktails; alfresco seating
Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm
When
you think buffet you don't necessarily think good quality, but the
brunch at N'Joy (RMB 458 per person) most certainly overcome that
negative stereotype. The selection of food on offer is mind-boggling,
including everything from lobster to Indian curry to a whole tuna carved
in front of you, all topped up with a serving of Oscietra caviar for
each table. Add free-flow Champagne from a choice of four different
brands for RMB 308. One of Beijing's best indulgences.
In a nutshell: Buffet; free-flow champagne; plenty of choice
Sunday 11.30am-2pm
Pachapapi
has launched a brand-new weekend brunch featuring delicious Peruvian
comfort foods such as pan con lomo (bread filled with lomo saltado,
stir-fried beef tenderloin with onions, tomatoes, and Peruvian yellow
chili pepper) and pan con tamal de pollo (corn-based dough filled with
chicken, onions, raisins, and Peruvian chili that is steamed and wrapped
in a banana leaf). Add RMB 188 for free-flow wine and simple cocktails
or upgrade to the RMB 288 package that includes free-flow Pisco
cocktails and Chandon sparkling wine.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow wine and cocktails; party atmosphere
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Headed
by Via Roma's (in Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center) new Chef de
Cuisine Andrea Giannini, the "Little Italy" lunch buffet combines
Italian favorites and classics with modern and fun dishes. Food stations
include a wide selection of antipasti, a create-your-own pizza corner,
live pasta cooking stations, and dessert options. As the "little" in the
title suggests, this is definitely a family-friendly affair but don't
let that put you off if you don't have kids (all those carbs are very
much worth it). The brunch is priced at RMB 288 or RMB 388 with
free-flow alcoholic drinks.
In a nutshell: Buffet; free-flow wine and beer; good for families
Sunday 11.30am-3.30pm
*Note: Some prices may be subject to service charge
Photos courtesy of the restaurants
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