Five New Eateries and Bars to Try Around Beijing
The spring openings continue, chief among them the opening of TRB's latest concept Iberico (lead image), the expansion of Vespa Coffee into Gags Beer Bar, and more.
Iberico by TRB
The newest venture from the minds behind the TRB brand, which finds itself situated in the same space as the former Hulu near WAB, Iberico by TRB is a new Spanish tapas concept that takes classics – think everything from paella to Iberico ham of course – and gives them the TRB twist. They’ve just debuted a sweet weekday lunch menu worth trying* featuring an appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink plus coffee or tea all for RMB 158/person.
Iberico by TRB 伊比利西班牙餐厅
2F, 8 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区来广营东路8号2层
Hours: Tues-Sun, 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-9.30pm
Phone: 18612879305
*The weekly lunch menu is available Tuesday through Friday, 11.30-2pm
Gags Craft Beer Bar
Opening up shop right next to one of our favorite coffee spots in the Liulitun area, Vespa, the oddly named Gags seems to be an extension of the shop, which was pretty small to begin with. Vespa’s coffee menu is still there but the menu has expanded to include everything from steak to salads, pasta to white chocolate doughnuts, and of course, beer.
Gags Craft Beer Bar GAGS精酿餐吧
81 Liulitun South Street, Chaoyang District
朝阳区六里屯南街81号
Hours: Daily, 11am-9.30pm
Phone: 17600020352
Tonic Bar
This latest addition to the Sanlitun SOHO complex is a strikingly casual walk-up cocktail bar of sorts, slinging everything from variations on the gin and tonic – hence the name – plus oddball flavor pairings like the Tonic Blue, featuring gin, elderberry flower and vanilla, and the Tu Su (屠苏) made with white wine, green tea, guava liqueur Dita, and lemon juice. All of this to go!
Tonic Bar
B1, Bldg 3, Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO地下一层3号楼
Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Phone: 18210285573
The Diner
Another odd pairing and odd name on the list, The Diner isn’t necessarily a place to go for bacon, eggs, and pancakes with piping hot black coffee served by an aging waitress named Linda who seems gruff on first appearances but is actually quite accommodating. Instead, The Diner seems to be a mix of bakery, and restaurant with an eclectic menu of Western fare like steak, pasta, tapas, bagels, and what have you, albeit with fancy additions like tallow fries, chicken parm, and, in what’s perhaps a nod to the name, a nice selection of breakfast options.
The Diner 笑餐厅
159 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区安定门内大街159号
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-11.30pm
Phone: 16506666618
Hazy Port
Referred to as “IN FOOD WE TRUST” – possibly because the motto takes up the front signage of this spot – Hazy Port (Haihou 海后 in Chinese) is a new concept from the owner of 798 burger joint Take A Bite. Hazy Port is the brunch spot dreams are made of – with everything from pulled pork eggs benedict to their take on a “Grand Slam” breakfast to craft beer, cocktails, and of course burgers. There are plenty of references to TV and film to be found throughout the restaurant, making for a fun visit.
Hazy Port aka IN FOOD WE TRUST 海后
Ground Floor, Bldg 9, Dashanzi Nanli, Chaoyang District
朝阳区大山子南里9号楼前底商
Hours: Daily, 11am-1am
Phone: 13120333966
READ: New Bistros, Bars & Eateries to Try in Sanlitun
Images: Dianping, courtesy of TRB
