First Glance: Voyage Coffee, Beiluogu Xiang

Not far up from Gulou Dongdajie lies yet one more peaceful café, specializing in coffee, coffee, and you guessed it, coffee. Voyage Coffee is joining many similar-looking café's to fulfill our wishes from around 2008: when will Beijing finally serve up a decent cup of coffee?!

The space is tranquil and kind of makes you wish your hutong house was decorated the same: clean wooden square surfaces and green leafy surroundings on the outside. The corner of the café even has a large skylight, and a visit on a beautiful blue-sky day made for a pleasant atmosphere, almost as though you're sitting outdoors (but with the added benefit of air-conditioning).

The iced mocha (RMB 36) was strong and refreshing, perfect if you're caffeinating yourself or your summer-time visitors so as to be able to face the nearby crowds of Nanluogu Xiang. The macchiato (RMB 28) provided a decent kick too, with strong underlying tones of freshly roasted beans and a layer of milky foam on top.

The space itself appears perfect to work from, providing ample sockets and a sea of empty tables. Be warned though that those with lesser attention spans may get easily distracted by the numerous staff, about six on our visit, pottering about looking for things to do. However, once orders had been filled they did stop the mumbling and eager glances, so no qualms there.

Voyage Coffee
Daily 9am-9pm. 80 Beiluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District (186 1132 2067)
东城区北锣鼓巷80号

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Photos: Margaux Schreurs