2023 Year-in-Review: Places That Opened New Branches

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.

It has been one stellar year for new openings in the ‘Jing! We’ve already taken a look at new restaurants, eateries and more in part one, part two, and new bar openings, and now we’ll be covering places that opened up new branches in the capital

Great Leap Opens Four Taproom Franchises

This year was a big year for Great Leap following CEO Allen Lueth’s announcement back in March that they would be starting a new concept called Great Leap Taprooms, which would function like franchises of the brand. In Beijing thus far they’ve opened up four taprooms in Houhai (pictured above), Gulou, Xingguang and Sanlitun, the latter of which is brand spanking new, having only opened at the end of November. At this branch, you can pair your Great Leap beer with hotpot, chuanr and other Chinese snacks. 

Great Leap Taproom Houhai 

6 Houhai Nanyan, Xicheng District
西城区后海南沿6号
Hours: 4pm-1.30am
Phone: [phone]

Great Leap Taproom Gulou

19 Dianmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区地安门外大街19号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: [phone]

Great Leap Taproom Sanlitun

6 Dongdaqiao Xiejie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东大桥斜街6号
Hours: 10.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-2am
Phone: [phone]

Great Leap Taproom Xingguang

1-116, Bldg 12, Huayuan Xihongshi, Daxing District
大兴区华远西红世12号楼院内1-116
Hours: 10am-10pm
Phone: [phone]

postpost Open Their Second Branch

A new addition to the Xingfucun area came in the form of a second Beijing branch of trendy café-cum-shop postpost in June. This spacious second branch offers the same excellent coffees along with an assortment of art books, vinyl, clothing and other bits and bobs. They host regular exhibitions, talks, pop-ups, DJ nights and more. 

postpost (Xingfucun branch)

Xingfu Sancun Wuxiang (Near Xiaomi Supermarket)
幸福三村五项巷(近小米综合超市)
Hours: Wed-Mon 11-1am, Tue 11am-7pm
Phone: [phone]

Wild Kite Opens a Second Branch in the CBD

Hutong burger spot and brew pub Wild Kite flew farther afield this year opening up its second branch in the bustling CBD area. Here you can get their top-notch burgers, which saw them earn third place in this year’s Juicy Burger Cup, like the Wild Kite Classic Wagyu Burger (RMB 68), as well as barbecued meats, Fish and Chips (RMB 58) and other dishes. They also have 31 beers on tap to choose from, plus a great selection of canned and bottled beers in their beer fridge.

Wild Kite 野风筝 (CBD branch)

1/F, Fortune Mall Zhaofeng Street, Hujialou Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区呼家楼街道兆丰街 财富购物中⼼F1
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: [phone]

Iberico by TRB

Nothing could stop TRB this year that saw them not only open the first Iberico by TRB at their former Hulu digs by WAB at the start of the year, but also open a second branch right on the Liangma River back in September. This second branch sees them offer a menu of their delicious Spanish classics like Iberico Ham Mushroom Croquette (RMB 78), Mussels with Spanish Chorizo (RMB 128) and Spanish Seafood Paella (RMB 488,  along with a select number of dishes from Fork by TRB. We for one can’t wait to see what’s in store from TRB for 2024. 

Iberico by TRB (Liangmahe branch)

53 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店街53号
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm 5.30-10pm
Phone: [phone]

Turkish Feast Opens Second Branch by Dawanglu

We have long been big fans of Turkish Feast and were delighted to see them open a second branch this year by Dawanglu. This sleek new location features an outdoor terrace area and a beautifully decorated interior full of Turkish tiles, plants and wooden lattice. You can get signature dishes like Mixed Pide (RMB 98), Kebab Platter (RMB 118) or Lamb Bulgar Pilaf (RMB 138). 

Turkish Feast (China Central Place branch)

1/F, Bldg 15, North Area of China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心北区15号楼1层101
Hours: 11am-10pm
Phone: [phone]

The Roots Opens a Branch in Haidian

Popular European restaurant The Roots branched westwards this year, opening up a new location in Haidian in October. Located in old factory-turned-lifestyle area, Weixing Zhizaochang Science Park, they’ve got all their homemade favorites, such as Peri Peri Chicken (RMB 48), Turkish Chicken Kebab Wrap (RMB 58) or Cheesy Garlic Bread (RMB 36). 

The Roots (Weixingchang branch)

1/F, Inside Weixing Zhizaochang Science Park, Zhongguancun Nansanjie, Haidian District
海淀区中关村南三街卫星制造厂科技园1层店铺
Hours: 10am-9pm
Phone: [phone]

El Nido Opens Two New Branches in Xingfucun and Baitasi

Brew pub El Nido had a successful year opening up not one but two new branches in the capital. Opening one in the Xingfucun area in the first half of the year has seen them serving up a range of signature and guest brews on tap from a cozy spot next door to the French Butcher. The other branch (pictured above) was opened up in collaboration with long time partners and cocktail aficionados Fang Bar a stone’s throw from Baitasi. This one is a great spot for the warmer months and features a rooftop with spectacular views of Baitasi. Here you either grab a beer from a selection of 20 taps or one of Fang Bar’s carefully crafted cocktails. 

El Nido (Xingfucun Branch)

55-4 Xingfu Zhonglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区辛福中路55-4号
Hours: Sun-Thu, 2pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 2pm-3am
Phone: [phone]

El Nido x Fang Bar (Baitasi branch)

001, Bldg 1, 4 Gongmenkou Dongcha, Xicheng District
西城区宫门口东岔4号1幢001室
Hours: Sun-Thu, 2pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 2pm-3am
Phone: [phone]

Take A Bite Opens a Second Branch in Guomao

Another burger joint to open a second branch this year was Take A Bite, aka TAB. Taking a plunge south, the Guomao location has a chic leather and wood interior for a rather different vibe than their 798 digs. One thing that remains the same, though, is their burgers, with the menu featuring favorites like Burning in Hell (RMB 49) and Pineapple House (RMB 52), along with a new burger, called the US Laido (RMB 49), that keeps things simple with an Angus beef patty, cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce and TAB's special sauce. 

Take A Bite (Guomao Branch)

1/F, Bldg 6, Jianwai SOHO, Jingheng Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区景恒街建外SOHO6号楼1楼
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: [phone]

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Images: Uni You, courtesy of the venues, Dianping

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