Capital Caff: Two Coffee Shops and a Museum
Don't talk to me until I've read Capital Caff – your guide to the latest in coffee happenings around Beijing.
We’re always on the hunt for a good cup of coffee, no matter how far we have to travel to get one. Thus, this edition of Capital Caff looks into three coffee shops across the city worth checking out – one in a sort of industrial yard in Haidian, one newly opened on Wudaoying, and another a self-proclaimed Coffee Museum.
Sipsip Coffee
For those living out in Haidian or who will be in the area for a while, Sipsip is a nice little shop worth checking out. A bit of a ways from Tiancun Station on Line 6, the shop was opened by a group of friends with a love of motorcycles and coffee, both of which shine through here.
For starters, the shop itself is right next to a motorcycle club and shop of sorts, with bikes of all kinds – from old café racers to new Indians – rumbling in and out during our visit. As for coffees, there’s a love for the pour-over here. We went with some Yunnan Pu’er (RMB 32, lead image) over ice with a Chocolate Croissant (RMB 34) on the side, not too shabby for breakfast.
They’ve also got beans from Guatemala and Brazil, specialty coffees, drip coffee to go and more, with their beans roasted in house with care.
Sipsip Coffee Roasters
86 Tiancun Lu, Haidian District
海淀区田村路86号
Hours: Daily, 10am-6.30pm
Contact: 156 1171 6217; 198 0020 5620
Galakee Coffee
Having just opened up in the same space as Mona Bar and Pebbles Courtyard in Wudaoying, Galakee might have some stiff competition on the street – what with two Metal Hands branches and a slew of other caffeine options along the hutong – however, they’re set to stand their own.
Much like Sipsip, Galakee also roasts their own beans in Beijing for sale in the shop, with coffee options from Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala available to try, along with Italian espresso. These can be sampled pour-over (prices range from RMB 40-56) or as a few classic coffee variations. What’s more, you can enjoy the coffee with food from Pebbles, which is a nice deal if you ask us.
Galakee Coffee
74 Wudaoying Hutong, Inside Pebbles Courtyard, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同74号
Hours: Tues-Sun, 10.30am-5.30pm
Contact: 156 1171 6217
Wolfing Coffee Coffee Museum
Not so much a proper museum as it is a massive store that doubles as a shrine to coffee itself, Wolfing Coffee’s latest foray near 798 has a big menu to choose from. You’d be smart to go for pour-over once again, except prices for these can exceed RMB 100, so if you’re not willing to fork out that much it's best to go with the classics.
Along with a big sitting area, they’ve got “station” sitting areas themed by region – think Asia, Africa and America – worth checking out as well.
Wolfing Coffee Coffee Museum
Inside Lantao Center, Wanhong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区万红路蓝涛中心里面
Hours: Daily, 9am-9pm
Contact: 139 1030 8227
READ: Drinks That'll Warm You Up for Beijing's Winter
Images: Vincent R. Vinci, Wang Tian, Galakee Coffee
