Beijing's Best Brunches

Nothing says its the weekend in Beijing like lazing over a late morning brunch with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa on the side. Agenda hand-picked some of the best brunches in this article from their December 2 edition. Whether you want a swanky hotel affair or a simple home-style meal, they are all here in our collection of Beijing's brunches.

HOTEL BRUNCHES

Westin Chaoyang
Beijing’s most luxurious brunch, Bubbalicious features multiple interactive cooking stations, including a shellfish bar, the sushi and sashimi station, a selection of Indian curries and the fresh pasta bar, as well as super food corners that help jump start your day. There’s also an entire room filled with desserts, free-flowing champagne, and a children’s station to help free your hands for more plates. Prices start at RMB 328, pay RMB 368 + 15% service charge to add soft beer and wine, or splash out and spend RMB 398 + 15% service charge to include free flow Moet and Chandon Champagne. Readers voted Bubbalicious the co-winner of “Best Hotel Brunch” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Restaurant Awards. Sundays 11:30am-3pm. 7 Donsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (5922 8888) 朝阳区朝阳区东三环北路7号

Westin Financial Street
Gleaming seafood platters, caviar and lobster, sit lined up alongside such culinary delights as succulent roast duck, barbeque-blackened steaks and freshly prepared sushi, making this probably the most extensive buffet of all Beijing’s hotel brunches. Dessert stations boast syrup-covered pancakes and colorful fruit trays that make a healthier option alongside the tarts and pastries. The kids corner is available. RMB368 gets you free-flow Champagne, wine, beer and cocktails, for the non-alcoholic version you’ll pay RMB298, subject to surcharge of course. TIME 9B Jinrong Jie (Financial Street), Xicheng District (6606 8866) 西城区金融街乙9

Hilton - Elements
With a bright buffet made up of separate food stations with different cuisines, from seafood to pan Asian treats topped off with a hog roast, not to forget the crepe station taking its place as cherry on top, it shouldn’t stand to matter that Elements offers free flow sparkling wine as opposed to champagne. From 11.30am-3pm every Saturday and Sunday, it’s RMB300 for the alcoholic brunch, or RMB228 if you’re driving. 1 Dongfang Lu, Dong Sanhuan Bei Lu (586 5240) 希尔顿酒店 朝阳区 东三环北路 东方路1号

Intercontinental Hotel
The Intercontinental offers an extensive food selection while a chocolate fountain, Haagen Daz, hand-made chocolates, cookies and cakes fill next door XChange bar, not to mention the selection of fresh fruits and juices. Choose from Veuve Clicquot, Mumm or Moet&Chandon champagne for RMB368 every Sunday from 11.30 to 15:00, with a desert buffet that lasts until 5pm. 11 Financial Street, Xicheng (6606 8866) 金融街洲际酒店 西城区金融街11号

Kempinski Kranzler’s
Jazzy Brunch plays host to oysters, roast meats, a strong seafood selection, salads and European and Asian hot dishes, including Peking duck. Offering an array of freshly baked breads and cakes, while the neighboring Kempi Deli provides the dessert buffet with an array of rich cakes. For the grown ups, entertainment comes in the form of a live jazz band, while there’s a playroom and clown for the little ones. Wash the feast down with the free flowing bubbly, or beer from the Paulaner Brauhaus microbrewery. RMB 288 includes unlimited fruit juices and soft drinks or RMB 338 includes unlimited bubbly, wine and beer. Sundays from 11:30am to 3pm. Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang (6465 3388) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号

St. Regis - Garden Court
Brasserie-style buffet featuring an extravagant Champagne brunch on Sundays. 11.30am to 3pm. Garden Court St. Regis Hotel, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6460 6688 ext 2340) 朝阳区建国门外大街21号国际俱乐部饭店景苑咖啡厅

JW Marriot
Voted “Outstanding Hotel Brunch” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, the Asia Bistro has not only an outdoor patio but also a real fire. RMB388/288 (with flowing champagne and wine/with beer) 11.30am-3pm on Sundays. JW Marriott Hotel, 83 Jianguo Lu, China Central Place, Chaoyang (590 88511) 朝阳区建国 路83号JW万豪酒店

Sofitel
Sofitel’s VIC has a satisfying variety on offer, with everything from Cantonese, Japanese and sushi, French cheese and Italian cold cuts to an Indian curry station. Kids get games, toys, a bouncy castle, a ball pool, Wii games, a DVD corner and the supervision of an in-house nanny. For RMB308 with free flow of fresh juices, French wine, international beer and soft drinks, RMB408 with a free flow of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang (8599 6666) 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座

Hilton Wangfujing
For Macanese cuisine with a Portuguese twist, head to Vasco’s to sample signature dishes like charcoal-grilled African-spiced chicken with truffled mashed potato. Every Sunday from noon until 3pm, the Tiny Bubbles champagne brunch boasts meat carving stations, dim sum, seafood, a kids playstation, Tattinger champagne and live jazz. RMB 368 for free flow fizz, RMB 288 for wine, cocktails and soft drinks, or RMB 258 for soft drinks and juice only, with a 15% service charge. The Fizztastic Sunday Brunch was winner of “Outstanding Hotel Brunch” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng (5812 8888) 东城区王府井东街8号希尔顿北京王府井酒店5层

Hilton (One East)
Offer a traditional lazy Sunday roast serving up your favorite starters and soups and giving you unlimited servings of prime beef rib and other meats. With a delicious selection of traditional puddings, pies and other temptations, and of course the impressive selection of Bourbon Whiskies and premium wines on offer. A three course set lunch is RMB178 per person, add RMB98 each for the wine buffet. Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang (5865 5000) 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店2层

Hilton (Doubletree)
Enjoy 30 different kinds of Dim Sum, a cold appetizer buffet, desserts and tea for just RMB 88 every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10:30 - 14:30. 168 Guang An Men Wai Avenue, Xi Cheng District (6338 1888 ext: 1726) 西城区广安门外大街168号

Tangla
With free flow Moet & Chandon champagne as well as vodka martinis, and over 100 dishes to choose from comprising everything from crocodile to Peking duck, including the ability pick and choose your own lobsters and how they’re cooked, the Tangla offers Beijing’s cheapest champagne brunch at just RMB299 per person including service charge, Sundays from 11am-2pm. 19 Fuxing-menwai Dajie, Xi Chang’an Jie (5857 6688) 复兴门大街19号西长安街

Ritz-Carlton
Fresh seafood, prime quality meats, freshly made omelets & eggs, as well as a choice of individual plated entrées such as foie gras, beef medallion, lobster or sea bass. Every Sunday from 11:30 through to 3pm, for RMB348 or the non-alcoholic option for RMB268. 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Financial Street, Xicheng (6601 6666) 西城区 金融街金城坊东街1号

NON- HOTEL BRUNCHES

Sureno
For fresh Mediterranean cuisine on your Sunday, visit Sureno at the Oppositee House Hotel. For RMB298 with free-flow champagne, set lunch is a selection of antipasti to start followed by a soup, a choice of 4 main courses (grilled meats, seafood and more) and a cheese or dessert platter. The Opposite House, Sanlitun Village, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang (6410 5240) 三里屯路 11号三里屯Village瑜舍地

Invito
For relaxed al fresco brunching head to Invito this weekend to enjoy the selection of breakfast items, cold buffet, seafood, carving and pasta stations, and all important selection of desserts the Italian eatery has to offer for RMB368 with prosecco and house red wine. Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu (5905 6906) 朝阳公园 路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Terra
With three ways to enjoy their five course brunch whose menu will make your mouth water, the new Sanlitun offering invites you to ‘indulge’ with its RMB598 option with free flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Mojitos & Caipirinhas, ‘enjoy’ the RMB398 option that gives you free flow sparkling, red & white wine, local beer, Mojitos & Caipirinhas, or simply to ‘eat’ with the food only option for RMB258. 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang (6591 9148) 朝阳区三里屯南路1

Enoterra
The signature brunch is served on a tray with salmon tartar, salad, meat, cheese, eggs, bread croissants and quiche, while their American plate offers a classic way to fuel your weekend with sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and hash browns. D405, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园D405室

The Vineyard Cafe
A solid English breakfast and a great selection of eggs Benedict, as well as cereal, yoghurt and fruit, not to mention the Mediterranean platter. 31 Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius temple) (6402 7961)东城区五道营胡同31号

SALT
For two or three courses without alcohol you’ll pay RMB148 and RMB168 respectively, or indulge with the addition of free-flowing bubbly and beer for RMB278 for two courses and RMB298 for three. Don’t forget to try the delicious Bloody Marys and champagne cocktails on offer for RMB48. 9 Jiangtai Xilu (opposite the Japanese School, west of Rosedale Hotel), Chaoyang (6437 8457)朝阳区将台西路9号2层（珀丽酒店西边）

Steak and Eggs
One of the first places offering a western breakfast in Beijing, steak and eggs is well known for its hearty meals. Visit for brunch and you’ll get generous portions of classic North American style carb-heavy breakfasts, with classics such as omelettes, eggs, waffles and, best of all, bottomless cups of coffee. Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai (6592 8088) 建国门外秀水南街(友谊商店北面, 秀水西边第一个红绿灯)

Chef Too
Voted “Outstanding American,” “Outstanding Brunch,” “Outstanding Steak,” “Outstanding Burger” and “Outstanding Chef” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, this popular American owned restaurant offers an authentic, Manhattan-style Sunday brunch featuring New York classics such as eggs benedict, pancakes, french toast, huevos rancheros, crab oscar omelette, and lobster crab sandwiches and more. RMB 68-98, served until 3pm. Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu (north of Block 8) (6591 8676) 朝阳公园西路(八号公馆北)

Element Fresh
Originally a Shanghai native, the restaurant showcasing the healthier side of American food is a Beijing institution. Voted “Best American,” "Best Non-Hotel Brunch," "Outstanding Family-Friendly" and “Best Sandwiches” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Restaurant Awards, Element Fresh has a popular weekend brunch menu.
S8-33, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu 三里屯路 19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S8-33 64171318
6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区将太路6号 64335058

South German Bakery
Cafe Konstanz makes a fantastic alternative to a hotel brunch. With freshly baked bread baskets and with honey and homemade jam accompanying fantastic breakfast options such as the Big Breakfast, RMB72, with ham, cold cuts, salami & cheese with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon rashers, the Vital Breakfast, RMB80, which gives you museli with milk, fresh fruits and yogurt with glass of orange juice or the Luxury Breakfast, RMB 108, which gets you smoked salmon, ham, cold cuts, salami & cheese served with scrambled eggs & crispy bacon rashers and a glass of orange juice. Served from 8.30am to 3pm. 27 Haoyun Jie (Lucky Street), 29 Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区枣营路29号好运街27号 58670201

Ristorante Sadler
The latest brunch to hit the town offers a variety of Italian delicacies ranging from salads to pizzas,foccacia to cured meats, and best of all, desserts! The sophisticated décor makes the perfect backdrop for a classy yet leisurely lunch. RMB 248 and up,plus RMB 85 for free-flowing Prosecco. Sundays from 11.30am to 3pm. “ Ch’ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (6559 9200, reserve@chienmen23.com) 东城区前门东大街23号

The Den
Offering British, American and Australian style breakfasts, The Den has something for everyone. From the eggs Benedict to the zesty Bloody Marys, via the freshly brewed coffee and Gravalax salmon served on a fresh bagel, the generous portions on offer at the popular expat eatery have plenty to please. 4 Gongti Donglu 朝阳区工体东路4 号城市宾馆正门旁 65926290