Capital Caff: The Street Full of Cafés That is Beiluoguxiang
Don't talk to me until I've read Capital Caff – your guide to the latest in coffee happenings around Beijing.
This hutong lane, which lies directly north of Nanluoguxiang after it’s intersected by Gulou Dongdajie, is pretty much like Nanluo’s more reserved, yet way more cool older brother. While the southern street has over the years slowly turned into a crowded tourist trap without much to differentiate it from Shichahai or Qianmen, the northern section has kept its specialty shops, eateries and charm intact.
With this in mind, Beiluo has a whole few nice cafés to pick from as you traverse northward, a few of which you can find below.
Voyage Coffee
Our 2008 prayers for better coffee in Beijing were answered, even if it was a few years’ later, thanks in part to the opening of shops like Voyage in 2015. Since opening their first shop on Beiluo, Voyage has since opened branches along Yangmeizhu Byway, in 798, and even along Nanluo. One thing they all specialize in: good coffee, especially when it comes to the humble espresso shot (RMB 28) with the option to choose between a sweeter Black Forest, and the more fruity Mansa espresso (an extra RMB 10).
Voyage Coffee (Beiluo Branch)
80 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
东城区北锣鼓巷80号
Wake Up & Coffee
This self-roaster of single origin coffee, as they proclaim on their menu, asks that you first choose from a selection of four single origin beans – two from Ethiopia and others from Kenya, Colombia and Honduras – before placing your order. You can also opt for trying the coffee plain to experience the full flavor.
Wake Up & Coffee
93 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
东城区北锣鼓巷93号
V7 Coffee
Along with a few cakes and classic coffee options, V7 also boasts an impressive 12 options for pour-over drip coffee, ranging from our personal favorite Yunnan (RMB 68) all the way to Colombia (RMB 88) and more. They also sell beans to go (RMB 188 and up) for those who want to make coffee at home.
V7 Coffee
51 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
东城区北锣鼓巷51号
JM Café
JM finds itself in the same space as the Boucherie Francaise shop – aka French Supermarket – thus allowing you to grab your caffeine fix while grabbing a few imported beers to go while you’re at it. Much like Wake Up & Coffee, JM asks customers to choose the kind of bean they want before choosing how it’s brewed. They’ve also got a rotating list of pour-over options as well as beans for sale (RMB 98 and up).
JM Cafe
45 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng District
东城区北锣鼓巷45号
READ: Capital Caff: A Handful of Coffee Shops to Try in Beixinqiao
Images: Dianping (credit listed in photos)
