Where to Beijing Brunch: The City's Most Loved Sport

Margaux Schreurs | Oct 14, 2016 11:55 am | Add a comment | 1999 reads

Going for brunch in Beijing is probably the most important weekend activity you’ll partake in. Whether you prefer to keep it civilized or highlight your time off with pure gluttonous debauchery, these are the brunch options to hit up in our concrete jungle before winter comes back around to chill us to the point of being housebound.

Arrow Factory Brewing
Arrow Factory Brewing is doing a whole lot of things right; from their rooftop overlooking the Liangma River down to their recently-introduced brunch menu. Our favorite is their elaborate croque monsieur (RMB 55), which includes two layers of vintage English cheddar, ham, two poached eggs, and a gruyere cheese white sauce mornay. Don’t forget to pair your brunch with one of their brews – our favorite for day-time drinking is the Guanxi Pale Ale.
Sat-Sun 11.30am-3pm

The Georg
Upscale contemporary European restaurant The Georg takes Beijing brunching to the next level with carefully selected ingredients compiled in a never-ending stream of deliciousness. The entire set costs RMB 350 per person and can be complemented with a glass of champagne for RMB 148 or free-flow Voss water for RMB 55.
Sundays only 11am-3.30pm

Great Leap Brewing
Apart from the regular brunch items which are popular enough to feature on their regular menu (the breakfast plate (RMB 50), the breakfast sandwich (RMB 40), and the breakfast melt (RMB 55)), brunch here is set apart with a dose of crunchy fried chicken. The country bunker brunch comes in a portion for two (half a chicken, RMB 128) or four (an entire chicken, RMB 208) with sides and sauce.
Sat-Sun 11.30am-4pm

The Local
Homestyle classics with an indulgent twist make up this brunch menu. Expect lemon ricotta pancakes (RMB 68) and smoked salmon with asparagus, poached eggs, and béarnaise sauce (RMB 88), each of which come with a free side. For caffeine fiends, brunch at The Local offers bottomless coffee for the price of one cup and is available until 3pm.
Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

Modernista
Another Beijing dining establishment to have only relatively recently started serving brunch, and being that it’s a bar, Modernista is a good option for both eating and drinking through a lazy weekend. All brunch items are carefully put together sets and standouts include the Norwegian basic (RMB 70), comprised of salmon and poached eggs served alongside a spinach walnut salad. Then there’s the Russian Style (RMB 70) which is a mix of sweet and savory: smoked salmon, pancakes, a cucumber salad, grapefruit, and yogurt topped off with muesli. Don’t forget to try their coconut iced mocha.
Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Mosto
From eggs benedict (RMB 55) to octopus risotto with saffron (RMB 128), Mosto’s brunch really has it all. Add two hours of free-flow (sparkling, white and red wine, bellinis, and mimosas) to your brunch for RMB 158 and grab a spot on the patio on a beautiful autumn day for the ultimate Beijing al fresco brunch experience.
Sat-Sun 10am-3pm

Taco Bar
Taco Bar takes brunch beyond tacos, and while of course breakfast tacos feature on the menu (RMB 50, filled with chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheese, and roasted chilies), if you prefer to go down the sweet route, there’s also Mexican toast (RMB 45), which comes as an egg-battered brioche served alongside a salted dulche de leche, strawberries, banana, and powdered sugar.
Sat-Sun noon-4pm

Toast
Our favorite all-week-long brunch, Toast serves up a range of dishes with influences from all over the world. We especially love the shakshuka: two poached eggs simmered in a thick and generously seasoned tomato sauce, with a local Beijing flatbread to mop it all up, and a side of zhug, a spicy coriander-chili paste.
Daily 10am-2.30pm

This article first appeared in our magazine. To read the entire September/October issue online, please click here.