Still Waters Run Deep at This Newly Renovated Must-Try Gulou Café

Have you heard the old adage about still waters running deep? Well, it certainly applies to Still Water, a must-try café in Gulou that is low-key and little known but yet boasts depth, subtle touches, and a loyal customer base. All of that is apparent from the moment you see Still Water's traditional Chinese wooden entryway, its aged hutong brick courtyard foyer, and – above all – its second-floor terrace, which boasts panoramic views of the overlapping fish scale-like rooftops that old Beijing is famous for.

Though having quietly plied its trade on Gulou for four years, the café is often overlooked when compared to more marketing-savvy competitors. That’s likely all about to change, however, thanks to recent renovations that render Still Water's decor second to none. Aside from its traditional Chinese trappings, the first floor is flush with natural light thanks to modern picture windows. That, along with the comfy wooden furniture, are reasons enough to keep patrons hanging about throughout their remote workdays or lazy Sunday afternoons.

Still Water is also no slouch when it comes to beans. The specialty menu includes a teeth-grindingly potent cup of bitter Dutch coffee as well as a rich cold brew or pour-over (priced RMB 39-55). Imported bean options can also be selected from rows of samples hidden in clever pop-up cubbies inserted in the counter – simply pop one out, open it, and take a whiff of the beans before making your order (all priced between RMB 45-55 per cup). Of those, we find the Fuglen beans, imported from the same-name store in Tokyo, both rich and subtly fruity. More standard items like Americanos and espressos will set you back around RMB 30.

Still Waters' overhauled interior, excellent range of international beans, a skilled and passionate staff, and its superlative rooftop space easily make it one of the most inviting cafés in town. It's also a refreshing example of how some of the city's gems have not only survived uncertain times but are also thriving enough to evolve.

READ: How (and Where) to Order the Perfect Cup of Coffee in Beijing

Still Water
Daily 9am-8pm. 69 Gulou East Street, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼东大街69东城区

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
Instagram: mullin.kyle

Photos: Kyle Mullin