My monthly recaps give you a slice of expat life in Beijing, covering everything from historical hutong cafes, traditional Beijing sites, and delicious Chinese cuisines, to downtown rooftop bars, international restaurants, expat activities, and more.

Beijing is an ever-growing and changing city, a fusion of ancient traditions and international cultures – which means expat life here is never boring! This is of course not a comprehensive list of everything in the city, but a fun way to look back and share what I’ve done in the month.

1. 1. Fu San Coffee Shop
2. 2. Yinshan Pagoda Forest
3. 3. oh! By FINE cafe
4. 4. Casa Damian Lounge / Wild Kats Beijing Parties
5. 5. QMEX Summer Menu
6. 6. China’s Internet Famous Bamboo Milk Tea
7. 7. BARBIE The Movie in China
8. 8. Beijing Live Comedy Game Show: “Would I Lie To You?”
9. Business Collaboration Requests

As always, make sure to follow me on Instagram and WeChat channels for more videos and updates on life in China.

So without further ado, here are 8 Beijing eat, drinks, and activities I tried in July 2023!

1. Fu San Coffee Shop

I can’t believe I’ve been living in Beijing for 5 years and didn’t know about Fu San. There are actually three branches of this coffee shop, but their Hutong location south of the Forbidden City Xixinglong Street is the one I really wanted to see. Blue is my favorite color and this cafe had no shortage of it! They also had a selection of really unique cakes shaped like rabbits, apricots, and mountains. Sticking with the blue theme, I wanted to try the blue mountain cake (It tasted like oranges inside!)  It was a hot summer day and I had the roof to myself!

Address: fu3福叁咖啡(西兴隆街店) 西兴隆街130号

2. Yinshan Pagoda Forest

An incredible scenic area in Beijing’s Changping District with ancient pagodas and a beautiful mountain hike! Perfect for a day trip outside Beijing. Read more about it here: Beijing Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area | Unique Beijing Day Trip.

3. oh! By FINE cafe

Two words: Souffle. Pancakes. That’s it.

This is a cute little cafe by the Drum Tower. It’s great for a chill brunch if you’re around the hutongs and Houhai Lake. It does get quite busy on the weekends though, so you might have to get a number and wait for a table.

4. Casa Damian Lounge / Wild Kats Beijing Parties

Beijing’s music scene is POPPING this summer, and a new rooftop party group is on the scene. Wild Kats is founded by two foreign DJs who have each lived in China 14+ years. They reached out to me on IG and invited me to their HOUSE ON THE ROOF party held at Casa Damian. It was INCREDIBLE. The rooftop, the atmosphere, the music, the people…it’s the rooftop party that Beijing needs (especially with Nali Patio closing this month).

5. QMEX Summer Menu

This Mexican Fondue burger on Q Mex’s new summer menu was INCREDIBLE. Is it a heart attack waiting to happen? Maybe. But is it worth it? Absolutely.

If you aren’t familiar with it, Q MEX is a expat favorite Mexican restaurant in Beijing, with many locations around the city. With lots of taco, burrito, and other options, it’s good when you’re craving Mexican food and tasty cocktails.

6. China’s Internet Famous Bamboo Milk Tea

Earlier this year in 2023, a trendy new milk tea came onto the scene at tourist spots all over China: the Bamboo Milk Tea, or Zhu Tong Nai Cha 竹筒奶茶. Scenic sites all over China began offering it, and it exploded online. It became trendy because of its bamboo cup that is customized for the city you buy it in.

7. BARBIE The Movie in China

While of course this is not a unique China movie, it’s been fun to see how the movie has been getting a lot of buzz on social media in China!.

8. Beijing Live Comedy Game Show: “Would I Lie To You?”

On July 29th, Date Night China and The Comedy Citadel joined forces to present a Beijing edition of the live comedy game show “Would I Lie to You?” at Li-Pi Records in Beijing’s 798 Art District. It was an epic night of lies and truths. and so much fun!

As some of you may know, Nathan and I founded Date Night China in 2019, and have been hosting events in Beijing since 2020. We’ve had fun collaborating with The Comedy Citadel recently, and will plan some other fun live event shows together in the future.

Follow both Date Night China and Comedy Citadel. on Instagram and WeChat for more information on future events.

Business Collaboration Requests

Are you a business in Beijing or China wanting to collaborate? I’ve worked with many restaurants, hotels, bars, event groups, and more to create Instagram reels, WeChat channel videos, WeChat moment posts, and more! I have an extensive international Beijing & China network that is eager to learn about new and interesting events, foods, and drinks happening in the city. Add my WeChat: rachelweiss22

These cafes, bars, and brunch spots perfectly complement the city’s rich cultural heritage, making Beijing a fascinating destination for travelers looking for a blend of old and new.

Below are 40 bars, coffee shops, and breweries in Beijing that you should try in 2024.

If you’re a first time visitor to Beijing, it’s fun to sprinkle some of these in with the Traditional Things To Do In Beijing. If you’re a long time Beijing lover, frequent visitor, or looking for more international experiences, try to cross off even more of these!

I’ve linked to some of their WeChat accounts below, and you can find more details about these places on Dianping or their Websites.

1. Hutong Cafes in Beijing
2. Beijing Hutong Bars
3. Beijing Brunch Spots
4. Local Beijing Breweries
5. Cocktail Bars in Beijing
6. Beijing Rooftops

This is by no means a complete list of all Beijing has to offer though! Let me know what your other favorite Beijing bars and cafes are.

Hutong Cafes in Beijing

• Zarah Cafe
• Cafe by Alba (南锣店)
• Old World Coffee
• Sugar House Coffee 糖房咖啡
• Big Small Coffee
• Metal Hands
• 静水StillWater(南锣鼓巷店)
• ZSPACE自如
• 1901 Cafe(西四店)
• 白塔书房by白塔书房熊煮咖啡BEAR BREW
• Polonio

Beijing Hutong Bars

• Nina
• Mai Bar
• Chill Bar
• Modernista
• Side Street
• Uh-Huh Wine Bar
• The Factory
• MOONEE

Beijing Brunch Spots

• Zarah Cafe
• The Rug (Chaoyang and Sanlitun locations)
• Side Street
• The Bake Shop
• Feast by East (东隅酒店FEAST·颐堤港)
• NUO Hotel
• Toast by The Orchid
• Nola
• Panorama
• oh! by FINE cafe
• Barblu Hutong
• Baker & Spice
• Jamaica Blue
• The Local
• Beersmith

Local Beijing Breweries

• Great Leap 大跃啤酒GreatLeapBrewing
• Jing A: 京A精酿啤酒  
• Slow Boat
• Beersmith
• 北平机器Peiping Machine(方家店)
• Arrow Factory
• NBeer

Cocktail Bars in Beijing

• Atmosphere
• Confidential
• ·Tokyo Lounge
• Gatsby’s
• Herbal Bar
• CD LOUNGE
• Catail前苑(前门大街店)
• INSIDE Bar
• CLUB ME

Beijing Rooftops

• Migas Mercado
• MOONEE
• Aotu Space 凹凸空间 
• Yin on 12 at the New World Beijing Hotel
• NUO hotel
• Regain Element in Wudaoying Hutong
• BACCARAT Cafe
• V PARK Whisky Cocktail Lounge
• Sugar House Coffee 糖房咖啡

Where ever you end up, happy summer 2024 in Beijing!

Whether you’re looking for a boozy brunch in the sunshine or the perfect sundown spot, I’ve got you covered with this mix of popular and lesser-known rooftops in Beijing.

1. Migas Mercado

Of course it’s important to mention one of Beijing’s most Instagrammed rooftops: Migas Mercado in the Guomao district of Beijing. Combines modern art, design with great food and drinks for a special experience with a great view of downtown Beijing. Perfect for a classy dinner with friends or a romantic date!

• Location: China World Mall Guomao (China World Trade Center) 7/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District, 建国门外大街1号国贸商城7层
• Hours: Daily 10am-late (kitchen 11:30am-midnight except Sundays until 10pm)
• Menu+Price : 300 RMB per person, $$$

2. Yin on 12 Rooftop Bar

Located in the heart of Beijing inside the New World Beijing Hotel, Yin Bar has a unique view of the Forbbiden City and Jingshan Park. While pricier than other rooftops, it’s worth it for the elegant and fun ambience and views. With music by in-house DJs and special salsa and bachata dancing nights, it’s a unique bar for cocktails before or after dinner or late night drinks.

• Location: Tian’anmen / Dongjiaominxiang 天安门东交民巷 33 Qihelou Jie (on the roof of the Emperor Hotel) Dongcheng District 东城区 骑河楼街33号（皇家驿栈顶层）
• Menu: Cocktails, beers, some light bar nibbles
• Hours: 5pm – 1 or 2am  

3. The Bell x Terrazza Martini Bar

Located on the 6^th floor of Nali Patio in Sanlitun, Martini Bar has both indoor and outdoor bars perfect for nighttime vibes and a 360 view around Beijing. It’s one of the best rooftop bars in Beijing and is a great place for after dinner drinks or a lively party scene with live music.

• Location: Sanlitun 7/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu Chaoyang District Chaoyang District
• Menu: Delicious cocktails and hookah, as well as food options like pizza, charcuterie plates, and oysters.

4. Toast by Orchid

Toast is a restaurant inside the Orchid hotel in the Guluo hutongs close to Houhai lake. There is indoor seating, but the best place to sit is the rooftop with a view of the drum tower and surrounding hutongs. It offers a great brunch menu and mezze cuisine as well as other food and drinks like coffee and cocktails,

• Location: Baochao Hutong Guloudong road Dongcheng District Beijing 北京市东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同65号
• Menu: 200 RMB per person
• Recommended Time: Morning-lunch

5. Hulu

Hulu brings the warmth and comfort of home-cooked food to casual fine dining. There are three locations in Beijing, but the one in Sanlitun offers a classy outdoor lounge feel on a fantastic rooftop. Grab a date or a few friends and come chill in style with some drinks and delicious food!

• Location: Sanlitun 三里屯 3/F, Taikoo Li South, Sanlitun Chaoyang District 朝阳区 三里屯太古里南区三楼
• Menu/Price: 120 RMB per person on average
• Features: Salads, pasta, burgers, beef tartare, soufflés and more

6. Blue Frog

There are many Blue Frog locations in Beijing, but the one in Guomao has the best rooftop with a view of the CCTV building! It’s perfect for a work lunch or dinner out with friends in Beijing’s uban downtown area.

• Location: Guomao (China World Trade Center) 国贸 15-16, 1/F, Bldg AB, Ocean International Center, 10 Jingtong Xilu Chaoyang District 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际中心AB座1层15-16单元
• Menu/Price: 150 RMB per person on average
• Features: Classic western food menu with burgers, pasta, beer and cocktails, and a great happy hour 4-8 everyday.

7. Cafe Alba

A sunny café in the Gulou hutongs, Alba is perfect for a low-key weekend brunch and is a popular place to grab your laptop and work remotely from. After you finish working you can head up to the rooftop for a chill sunset vibe.

• Location: Nanluoguxiang / Gulou Dongdajie 南锣鼓巷鼓楼东大街 70 Gulou Dongdajie (east of Nanluogu Xiang) Dongcheng District 东城区 鼓楼东大街70号
• Menu/Price: 70 RMB/person. Nice selection of homemade breads, pizza, and brunch food. Also coffee and other alcoholic drinks. 35 RMB for coffee

8. Regain Element

Regain Element is two story brew pub located in Wudaoying hutong. It has a great selection of IPAs, stouts, and other beers, and a surprisingly expansive menu of Western food. Head up to the rooftop for a view of the Lama Temple and surrounding hutong area. It’s a great place to start the night or stop through on a pub crawl. Open 2pm – late.

• Location: Gulou / Beiluoguxiang / Jiugulou Dajie 鼓楼北锣鼓巷旧鼓楼大街 East Gate of 10 Wudaoying Hutong Dongcheng District 东城区 五道营胡同10号院东侧口内(菀-越南粉)
• Menu: Pints between 35-60 RMB

9. Mai Fresh

A lovely courtyard in the Andingmen Hutongs, Mai Fresh is affiliated with the beloved Mai Bar and Mai Steak.

• Location: Andingmen Beiluogu Xiang Dongcheng District 北锣鼓巷44号
• Menu: Mai fresh offers a delicious brunch menu featuring avocado steak wraps, bagel brunches, French oysters, and more.

10. El Barrio

A Mexican establishment serving up Mexican classics like tacos, fajitas, and nachos and tasty cocktails and beers. There are two outdoor terraces, both perfect for outdoor dinner and drinks that can quickly turn into a night out.

• Location: Sanlitun 三里屯 2/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Bei Lu Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园2楼
• Menu: 150/per person
• 10:30am – 11pm

Other Best Rooftops in Beijing To Visit:

There are so many great rooftops in Beijing besides these! It all depends on the vibe you are looking for. I chose this selection based on personal experience and preference when considering sunshine, views, and best experience. If you wander around Beijing you’ll find plenty of other places to soak up the sun, like these as well:

• Pebbles Mexican Restaurant in Wudaoying Hutongs
• NUO Hotel Rooftop Terrace
• Forno by Bottega in Sanlitun
• Cafe Zarah in Gulou
• Aotu Space in Beixinqiao
• Camera Stylo
• Mosto in Nali Patio

What other rooftops in Beijing do you love? Let me know in the comments below!