Date Night China: 12 Years, 12 of Our Favorite Date Spots in BJ
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This article comes from Date Night China (WeChat ID: datenightchina), your guide to dating in China, from love to lust, first dates to worst dates, hilarious stories, and top tips to avoid (or steer into) disaster. Single in the city? Season 2 of their podcast is out now: anchor.fm/datenightchina. To connect with others in the DNC community, add co-host Rachel to join their WeChat group: rachelweiss22.
Shagi and Ully Defoe are a couple who met 12 years ago in Beijing and have been together here ever since.
This couple takes dating in Beijing to the next level: they love finding new restaurants and cafes, revisiting old favorites, and planning staycations to connect, reset, and enjoy quality time together.
Whether you're newly dating someone or also in a long-term relationship, searching for a romantic date night location or looking for a fun and fresh day date, take these recommendations from this expert Beijing couple: you'll thank them later!
Here are 12 of their favorite date spots in Beijing.
(The Orchid Hotel/Toast, Fook Wing Gei restaurants, The Bake Shop Bakery & Cafe, and their sexy lil speakeasy bar Baojian)
We love to do baecations at The Orchid Hotel to just reconnect with each other and talk about the big and small in life. A hotel cuddle is a great libido boost. At the other spaces, we hang, eat and chat with their staff about all sorts of stuff. It’s kind of our reset space. Date weekend approved!
Address: 65 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区宝钞胡同65号
We live about 20 minutes away from 798, so we love to just take a stroll up and through this amazing space in Beijing. There is always something new in there and we love it. Two of my (Shagi) favorite boutiques are Sauce Zhan and Tiger Vintage. Our new favorite dessert spot to satisfy our sweet tooth is Choc-A-Lot, which is a must-try! Date day approved!
We just absolutely love Mosto. Great team, great food, great vibe. Brunch, dinner or drinks, they all rock. One of our favorite date night spots!
Though we miss their old Sanlitun rooftop location, their sophisticated space in CBD is even more beautiful. Oh, and that balcony is beyond amazing! Migas is a great spot for a date day or night with a fantastic view overlooking the majestic CBD. The team is also legendary.
Address: 7/F China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城7层
Three great spaces by Jeff. Solid food at Mai Fresh and Mai Steak - Ully’s all-time favorite is their Wellington for dinner, and their brunch is amazing!
It makes us feel like we are at a quaint European bistro every time we’re there. After eating, walk up a couple hundred meters to the bar and get faded on delicious cocktails.
We like the hidden Qi Mian Ting Izakaya (七麺町) in Zaoying for a casual bite; get the volcano noodles (火山拌面 huǒshān bàn miàn) & chicken wings (炸鸡翅 zhá jīchì), plus a cold Asahi or any Highball. Thank me later.
That ginger latte at this coffee shop is amazing. It’s just a short stroll from The Orchid or Mai. A quiet cool design cafe to work from and have a good deep conversation.
Address: 78 Xiang'er Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区香饵胡同78号
During the warmer months we love to frequent markets around our fair city: Beijing Flea Market, Hutong Art Market, Jianbing festival, and the festivals from the Beijinger to name a few. We usually try to take the bicycle out and enjoy the city from that vantage point.
Southeast Asia has a serious grip on our hearts, so all the goodies served at this casual restaurant slaps the tongue in an intoxicating way. We can enjoy all our favorite Southeast Asian street food in this kopitiam (coffeehouse). A hot cup of teh tarik would be great right about now.
Address: 15-40, 15 Xiaoyun Lu (back street), Chaoyang District 朝阳区霄云路15号15-40
Tacos in BeijingThe best food form. We couldn’t pick a favorite so we went with our top two: The Taco Bar (where Shagi proposed to Ully) and Las Musas (next to Slowboat in Sanlitun).
You just can’t go wrong with good tacos and good booze around good people (and we are not afraid to eat sloppily even on dates).
Taco Bar: 1/F, Unit 10, Courtyard 4, Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区朝阳区北京机电院南三里屯路10号
Las Musas: 6 South Sanlitun Road (next to Slow Boat Brewery) Chaoyang District 朝阳区南三里屯路6号（悠航鲜啤旁）
The moment when Ully planned a surprise party for Shagi at Taco Bar, but he in turn surprised her by proposing! Hear all about their proposal story on Episode 10 of Date Night China Podcast.
Bottega
Hands down the best Neapolitan pizza in town. Beautiful restaurant design with a mix of modern and classic Italian aesthetic. It's just delicious.
Address: 1/F, 01-20 Xinyuanli Xi, Chaoyang District 朝阳区新源里西20号1层01
TRB Forbidden CityTRB Forbidden City is just stunning. The ultimate flex of decadence, exquisite food, unmatched wine list and the service is absolutely regal. Date night Mount Everest. Recommended for very special occasions.
Address: 23 Songzhusi Temple, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District 东城区沙滩北街嵩祝寺23号
More from Shagi and Ully DefoeThanks to guest writers Shagi and Ully! Follow them on Instagram (Shagi: @ownlyshagi, Ully: @ullycious) to see more of their adventures in Beijing.
Check out their episode on Date Night China Podcast Episode 10! They share their secrets on keeping the spark alive, lessons from their dating journey, and advice for maintaining a long-term relationship. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other major podcast apps.
READ: Date Night China: Get Connected With the Female Expats in Beijing Group
Images courtesy of the authors
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