2023 Year-in-Review: Restaurants, Eateries and More Pt.1

After three years of Covid uncertainty, 2023 was a nice dose of normality in Beijing, and what a year it’s been! In our 2023 Year-in-Review we’re taking a look back at the happenings in the capital from this year that was.

We already got the sad news out of the way with our list of places we bid goodbye to and now it's on to a happier topic: new openings! It has been a big year for openings in Beijing, so big in fact we’re going to have split up the openings into multiple posts! For this first post, we’re going to take a look at our top picks of places that opened up in the first half of the year.

Triple B 3B 

This new brunch and burger spot opened up in April a stone's throw from the China Zun building in the CBD. They’ve got a mix of brunch dishes like Nevermind (RMB 98), their take on an English breakfast which includes bacon, sausage, mushroom, two fried eggs, beans and asparagus; French Toast (RMB 88); and Breakfast Burritos stuffed with bacon, egg and cheese. Their burgers are also pretty banging. The one to try has to be the Triple B Singature Burger (RMB 118) which features two Angus beef patties loaded with three kinds of cheese.

Triple B 3B

North of 3rd Floor, Xinjie Courtyard, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新街大院3楼北面
Hours: Daily, 7am-midnight
Phone: [phone]

La Seine Bistro

Situated next to the Liangma River, which has been dubbed the Seine of Beijing in recent years, which might explain the name, La Seine opened up this spring. They serve up a range of Mediterranean food like pasta, tapas, steak and more. Something to watch out for is their great weekday lunch deal which runs 11am-2.30pm where you can nab three courses for the low price of RMB 98.  

Le Seine Bistro 塞纳河西餐厅

1, 1F, 2 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯北小街2号1层-1室
Hours: 11am-3pm; 5pm-midnight
Phone: [phone]

BigEats Sandwiches & 

Double O’s Bagels

Opening up in May this year inside 798, as you might guess from the name, BigEats Sandwiches & Double O’s Bagels do two things: sandwiches and bagels! For both the thing to try is their Corned Beef (Sandwich RMB 69/medium, RMB 128/large, RMB 246 extra large, Bagel RMB 69/medium, RMB 128/large) which all come absolutely stuffed full of their homemade corned beef. 

BigEats & Double O’s

6 Zhong'er Jie, 798 Arts District (Leftside courtyard south of Wanxiaoguan Sichuan Food)
798艺术区中二街6号面对万小馆川菜左手边小院
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-8pm
Phone: [phone]

Poke Donuts

Poke Donuts is run by the same people behind BigEats Sandwiches & Double O’s Bagels and located within the same courtyard. Operating from behind a literal hole in the wall, they sell everything from classics like Plain Glazed (RMB 19) or Raspberry (RMB 28) to more unusual flavors like Matcha Chocolate (RMB 26) or Caramel Latte (RMB 27).  Plus they have a great deal where if you buy four donuts you get one for free!

Poke Donuts

6 Zhong'er Jie, 798 Arts District (Left side courtyard south of Wanxiaoguan Sichuan Food)
798艺术区中二街6号面对万小馆川菜左手边小院
Hours: Daily, noon-7.30pm
Phone: [phone]

Persian Palace

Middle Eastern restaurant Persian Palace opened in Sanlitun SOHO in May. Serving a range of Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, falafel, kebabs and more a big selling point of this place is the ability to customize food for certain diets e.g. keto. They also have shisha available for those who partake. 

Persian Palace BBQ & Bar

5323, 3/F, Bldg 5, Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育馆北路8号院三里屯SOHO商场5号楼3层5323室
Hours: noon-9pm (closed Tuesdays)
Phone: [phone]

Iberico by TRB

This year saw a big change for TRB who discontinued their Hulu franchise and instead created a new Spanish restaurant concept in the form of Iberico by TRB. They transformed the former Hulu location next to WAB into the first branch back in May, then opened a second branch right by the Liangma River in September. The restaurants serve up a selection of classic Spanish dishes like Spanish Chorizo Croquettes (RMB 68), Paella (RMB 488) or the renowned delicacy Iberico Ham (RMB 298-1,388). They also do a great weekday lunch menu (that runs Tue-Fri, 11.30am-2pm) for RMB 158 that gets you an appetizer, main course, dessert, drink and tea or coffee.

Iberico by TRB 伊比利西班牙餐厅 (WAB branch)

2F, 8 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区来广营东路8号2层
Hours: Tues-Sun, 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-9.30pm
Phone: [phone]

Dolce & Amaro

Coming from the team behind Da Giuliano in Sanlitun’s embassy area, Dolce & Amaro offers up the same delicious Italian dishes, sandwiches and baked treats. Located on Xinjin Lu just outside the Orchid Garden compound it’s a great spot for a casual bite to eat or a sweet treat and coffee. Some must tries are the Lasagna (RMB 68), Crudo Panini (RMB 58) that’s stuffed with parma ham, mozzarella and tomatoes the London Pride Burger (RMB 88) which sees a handmade beef patty topped with bacon, crispy onion, cheese and BBQ sauce.

Dolce & Amaro

18 Xinjin Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新锦路18号
Hours: Daily, 8am-9pm
Phone: [phone]

Berlin Bites 

Opened by longtime Beijing residents El-Mar and Sascha Sommerschuh, who hail from Hamburg and Berlin, respectively, Berlin Bites do authentic Berlin street food. Their menu keeps things simple with a range of Döners (RMB 60/beef or chicken, RMB 50/veggie), Currywurst (RMB 45) and sides like French Fries (RMB 30) or Potato Salad (RMB 35). 

Berlin Bites 柏林百特

A12, 3/F, Shijiuju Food Court, 35 Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区霄云路35号口福居旁三楼美食城A12档口
Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Phone: [phone]

Hazy Port aka 

IN FOOD WE TRUST 海后

A sister restaurant of burger joint Take A Bite, here you’ll find some tasty brunch dishes along with a mix of other Western dishes. Fans of eggs Benedict will be impressed as their all day breakfast menu features four different varieties: Pulled Pork (RMB 68), Truffle Bacon (RMB 59), FoieGras Beef (RMB 88) and Avo Salmon (RMB 68). Non-brunch items include various pastas, salads, Fish and Chips (RMB 78) Barbecue Porked Ribs & Fries (RMB 168) Confit Duck Leg (RMB 68) and more.

Hazy Port aka IN FOOD WE TRUST 海后

Ground Floor, Bldg 9, Dashanzi Nanli, Chaoyang District
朝阳区大山子南里9号楼前底商
Hours: Daily, 11am-1am
Phone: [phone]

READ MORE

Images: Uni You, Dianping, courtesy of the venues, Vincent R. Vinci

Top Stories This Week

Beijingers Are Buzzing About