Top Ten: Beijing Brunches

Brunching seems to be somewhat of a sport in Beijing so we thought we'd make your weekly Sunday morning dilemma that much easier by compiling a list of what are, in our opinion, the top ten places to go for brunch in Beijing. This should help reduce the painstaking back-and-forth planning once you eventually roll out of bed on any given weekend.

Classy a la carte at Mosto
Mosto's relaxed weekend brunch puts the emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Brunch favorites like smoked salmon eggs Benedict (RMB 68) are well executed, or you can liven things up a bit with dishes like salmon sashimi with ginger-wasabi ponzu (RMB 68) or Cazuela (seafood stew, RMB 128). Add two hours of free-flow red, white and sparkling wines, Mimosas and Bellinis for just RMB 158. 

Agua's Infinity Brunch
Another favorite Nali Patio venue, Agua caused quite a stir last year when they introduced their Infinity Brunch. For RMB 298, you order to your heart's content from a menu of Spanish-inspired, tapas-sized dishes. All the dishes are cooked fresh and brought to your table. The brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays from noon-2.30pm and you can add free-flow Cava, wine, Spanish Mimosa, Bloody Mary and Sangria for RMB 198. 

Value and Refinement at TRB*
TRB's brunch is a great value way to sample the restaurant's fine dining cuisine. Whether you choose five courses for RMB 298 or eight courses for RMB 368, you'll sample updated takes on dishes like steak tartare and (duck) eggs en cocotte. I would highly suggest shelling out for the accompanying wine pairing (RMB 195 or RMB 295, respectively) – TRB's wine selection is fantastic and they don't skimp on pours, either. Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am-3.30pm.

All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum at Jing Yaa Tang*
Jing Yaa Tang's dim sum must be one of the best deals in town. For just RMB 118 you can order unlimited helpings of 34 classic steamed, baked and fried dim sum dishes, including cheung fun, siu mai, hargow, Portuguese egg tarts and many more. Even better, it is available seven days a week from noon-3pm, so you don't have to limit your indulgence to the weekends. 

Brunch with a View at Capital M*
The terrace at Capital M is my personal favorite place to eat in Beijing come the Spring. Regardless of the weather though, you can still sample their brunch every Saturday and Sunday (11.30am-3pm). RMB 248 gets you two courses from a selection of appetizers, mains and desserts, plus a welcome cocktail and limitless tea and coffee. We love M's Big Weekend Fry-Up (steak and bacon!) and the rotating selection of Danish-style smørrebrød.

Slow Boat's Sausagefest
Get down to Slow Boat on Sundays between 11.30am and 2pm and taste the fruits of a fine partnership between the Taproom and local producers Andy's Craft Sausages and Miss Muesli, offering a short but sweet brunch menu. The Classic Big Brunch, featuring three sausages, two eggs, fresh baked bread, beer battered hash browns, tomatoes and mushrooms, clocks in at a very reasonable RMB 60. You can also add all-you-can-drink beer for RMB 120 during their brunch period. We cannot be held responsible for anything that happens after that. 

Semi-Buffet Brunching at Feast
Feast's brunch really lives up to the restaurant's name. For RMB 238, you get both starters and desserts served buffet style, but don't fill up too quickly - the a la carte main courses are pretty formidable, including not only standard brunch dishes but also true main courses like deep fried crispy chicken, lamb shank and pan-fried sea bass (the latter being a favorite of our table last time we went). Whatever you do though, don't leave without grabbing a slice of their signature pavlova. Feast to your heart's content on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.30am to 3pm. 

Champagne and Excess at Kranzler's 
Brunch reaches its apotheosis at the all-you-can-drink Champagne hotel buffet. Every hotel around town has a Champagne brunch option, but most recently we have been rather taken with Kranzler's in the Kempinski. Their new Champagne package (RMB 498) includes free-flow G.H. Mumm Champagne, as well as Paulaner beer and other wines. Hearty German dishes are the highlight food-wise. Available Sundays from 11.30am-3pm. 

Brunch Classics and Beer at Great Leap
Great Leap hardly needs much introduction, but their new brunch dishes just might. They've gone for a simple selection of dishes, featuring high quality products like house-made sausage and bacon from Kitchen Collective. The breakfast plate, with two eggs, two sausages, bacon, hashbrowns and toast, is just RMB 50. If beers aren't your thing, wash it down with coffee from Rickshaw Roasters. Served weekends, 11.30am-4pm.

Spanish Style at Migas
Award-winning Spanish restaurant Migas could have sat back on its laurels and watched the accolades roll in, but instead they are always coming up with fun new ideas. The latest is their Sunday brunch, which launched with aplomb back in December. For just RMB 210 take your fill of a spread of Spanish classics like home-cured charcuterie, paella, warming stews and egg dishes from the Josper grill. Add two hours of free-flow Cordorniu cava for just RMB 138. 

*Subject to service charge

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Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
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Photo: Mulia (Flickr)