Move Over Sanlitun, There's a Hot New Hood in Town

Even though many of our old favorites have been shut down as part of the capital’s recent urban beautification plan, not all of the changes have been bad. Actually, optimists could argue that Beijing's drinking and dining scene is finally undergoing a much-needed shakeup. The biggest change? The emergence of Xinyuanli, which is finally offering some competition to the once dominant and business-saturated neighborhood of Sanlitun.

Indeed some of the biggest names from Sanlitun, including former Gongti cocktail haven Ichikaru and restaurants like Q Mex and Bottega have opened locations at the Shang complex on Xinyuanxili to smashing success, following the lead of popular brewpubs like Arrow Factory on Liangmahe and Great Leap closer to Sanyuanli market. A couple of older stalwarts in that area, along with major recent arrival from Shanghai, have all reinforced the “Xinyuanli is the place to be” narrative.

Below we’ve rounded up the neighborhood’s hot offerings to lure you out of your Sanlitun weekend bubble.

Boxing Cat

Of all the places that Shanghai craft beer heavyweight Boxing Cat could choose to open its first permanent branch in the capital, they chose Xinyuanxili. Occupying the back corner of the Shang complex, further from the roadside entryway, this Pearl City import made an already hot location positively sizzling when it opened in August, thanks in no small part to its tempting flatbreads, tostadas and other piping hot treats courtesy of Simon Sunwoo (of Michelin Starred chefs fame, who honed his craft at Liquid Laundry).  And let’s not forget the biggest draw of all, of course: the craft beers on offer, some of our favorites being the El Presidente (a Mexican style lager with zesty lemon-lime notes) and the Thrilla in Manila (a refreshing sour beer with hints of pomegranate, honey, and ginger).
 

Ichikura 

Boxing Cat may have been the most buzzed opening in the Xinayuanli area as of late, but it’s not the only hot newcomer in the area. In fact, the type of barflies that opt for cocktails over craft beer were arguably more excited to see esteemed lounge Ichikura resurface at the Shang complex. That’s because the long-running Japanese style lounge made a very solid name for itself in Sanlitun in the mid-00s with a 500-strong spirits menu, before being shut down. This new location is tight and cozy with a row of seats at the bar and a few small tables on the opposite side. Aside from having an astute eye for whiskey to stack his shelves with, owner Kuroki also makes a mean cocktail, mixing up double-take worthy, smokey billowing concoctions during our recent visit that made the experience fun and memorable.

Zhiwu

Before getting your fill of Japanese style booze at Ichikura, we recommend making your whole evening Land of the Rising Sun themed by stopping by the neighboring Zhiwu yakitori joint. Owner Takayuki Hattori, who hails from Fukuoka, Japan, impressed plenty of Beijing foodies last year with Sun Japanese Cuisine, which had a fantastic range of sushi. More casual meat sticks are the name of the game at this new venture, which he zeroes in on after Sun succumbed to the Great Brickening. That being said, the plump and fatty sashimi at Zhiwu makes for a more upscale flourish that’s more than worth its RMB 128 price tag, showing Hattori can do fine and casual dining with equal aplomb.

Fu Man Yuan

If you’re craving something closer to home (for northern Chinese patrons at least, or us who claim to be Beifeng ren at heart), then the hearty down-home Fu Man Yuan will do the trick. Its RMB 42 plate of spare ribs with emerald green lentils (pictured above) will remind you of your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant that was bricked up last year, while their RMB 45 plate of braised tofu with caviar makes for a more elegant choice that suits the stylish, modern decor.

Q Mex Taqueria

You can’t really mention dining in Xinyuanli without putting Q Mex Taqueria high up on your list. Yes, Q Mex was among the restaurants to break ground and get this neighborhood buzzing (we’ll get to the other eatery that was an early bird in that regard momentarily). The tacos on offer at this restaurant elevated Q Mex from low down Tex Mex destination in Sanlitun to a more authentic and innovative Mexican haunt. Don't forget the cocktails, especially the tequila laden coconut sour, guava margarita, and michelada.  

Bottega

Bottega made a name for itself with its irresistible Napoli style pizzas, and its original Sanlitun location serves up those pies with aplomb along with slinging drinks and even playing host to DJ in the evenings. Their newer Xinyuanli location, which was opened in 2017 around the same time as Q Mex, makes them among the more forward-thinking brands around town to see the promise in this area. Aside from the excellent pizzas and affordable, on point cocktails, the pastas (like the ravioli ai porcini e tartufo, pictured above) and brunch at this location set it apart from its impressive original location.

Zhao Dai

If you think this thriving neighborhood is all about boozing and nibbling, don’t fret: you can work off those added calories at the offbeat but burgeoning nightclub Zhao Dai. Though it hit some hiccups shortly after opening and went on a hiatus, its reopening has been far more promising, especially because top-notch DJs like Francis Inferno Orchestra (Sep 15) and “chill out” pioneer Galcher Lustwerk will both be making their way there soon.

Great Leap #45

Even though its hugely popular Sanlitun adjacent burger and beer brewpub bit the dust earlier this year, the GLB team thankfully had enough foresight to open Great Leap #45 a few years back in a more stable part of town. The embassy district crowd delighted in having this location handy when it opened a bit north of where the Shang complex is currently thriving. Craft beer and pizza fans from all around flocked to try their beers and then newly launched pies, their Green Machine proving to be an especially big hit during the ensuing Pizza Cups.

Arrow Factory

Earned a loyal following near Wudaoying Hutong with their drool-worthy craft beer and gut-busting sausages, Arrow Factory cranked their output to the next level with this bigger, flashier location. It was one of the forebears in the neighborhood, well before Bottega and Q Mex got Shang on and popping last year. Chalk that foresight up to co-owner Will Yorke, who had longrunning Vineyard Cafe in the area, before revamping it with this trendier craft beer motif. Since then the craft suds and pub grub destination has steadily drawn crowds to its charming rooftop, maintaining a strong following despite the recent increased competition in the area.

Bar Roost 

We were struck by the combination of tequila and Negroni splashed into our glass after dropping by long-running cocktail lounge Bar Roost. What's more, the owners of Bar Roost are true originals in this 'hood, slinging cocktails here for years to Japanese embassy employees hankering for a taste of home. That means they stock their shelves with the finest Japanese whisky, like  (including 12-year-old Hakushu single malt for RMB 130 per glass, ten-year-old Yamazaki single malt for RMB 200 per glass, and 17-year-old Hibiki for RMB 260 per glass, and balance such Land of the Rising Sun traditionalism with some boldly creative mixes, like the aforementioned tequila Negroni.

Keep up to date with Beijing's vibrant food and beverage scene with our Openings and Closings page, here.
 

Photos: Uni You, courtesy of Ichikura, Kyle Mullin, courtesy of Bottega, Margaux Schreurs, Steven Schwankert,