Beijing’s Best Brunches Worth Getting Out of Bed For: Spring 2019 Edition
Is it really a weekend in Beijing if you're not at brunch? We thought we'd make the weekly weekend dilemma of where to meet for brunch that much easier by compiling a list of what are, in our opinion, Beijing's best places to go for brunch as of spring 2019. This should help reduce the painstaking back-and-forth planning once you eventually roll out of bed on any given weekend.
Arrow Factory Brewing Liangmahe roast beef lunch
Sunday 1-2pm (advance booking required)
Rejoice, Brits abroad! As of the end of 2018, Arrow Factory is offering a super traditional roast beef lunch every Sunday. The set, which is priced at RMB 128, comes with Australian roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sprouts, parsnips, and gravy (a vegetarian option is available). Add RMB 30 for a beer or wine and RMB 30 for a dessert (try the sticky toffee pudding). Arrow is also the best bet in town for a full English breakfast.
In a nutshell: Set roast lunch with separate a la carte menu available; al fresco seating
Bottega Xinyuanli
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Bottega's Xinyuanli branch has a new brunch packed with both Italian classics and brunch twists on Italian dishes. Two of our favorite dishes are the frittata rustica (RMB 78), which packs in spaghetti, cheese, and potatoes for a truly hangover-busting dish, and the cannelloni (RMB 88), which is one of the best (and richest) versions we have tried in Beijing. If you're in the mood for a boozy brunch, there's an option to add RMB 188 for free-flow Prosseco, wine, and spritzes (Bottega serves one of our favorite spritzes in Beijing, perfectly classic and refreshing).
In a nutshell: A la carte Italian menu; free-flow wine, beer, and cocktails; al fresco seating
Feast
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-3pm
Feast’s semi-buffet brunch really lives up to the restaurant's name. For RMB 298, you get both starters and desserts served buffet style, but don't fill up too quickly – the a la carte main courses are pretty formidable, including not only standard brunch dishes like eggs benedict but also substantial main courses like slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled baby chicken, and wild mushroom risotto. That price also includes free-flow house wine, beer, and soft drinks, making it one of the best value deals in town.
In a nutshell: Semi-buffet; free-flow drinks; hearty portions
Great Leap Brewing Lido Brewpub
Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm
Ever the trailblazers, Great Leap have launched a new brunch at their Lido location that features three upgraded takes on the humble jianbing. Our favorite is the Heidi Fleisse (RMB 60), a Beijing-style take on a classic croque madame with egg, ham, cheese, mornay sauce, apple butter, and crunchy wonton wrappers. Tamer (but no less tasty) options include a corned beef hash skillet (RMB 50) and a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich (RMB 45). Good long hours also make this a good option for the terminally hungover.
In a nutshell: A la carte menu; options for kids and special diets
Jing Yaa Tang
Daily 11am-2.30pm
Jing Yaa Tang's dim sum remains one of the best deals in town. For just RMB 168 (RMB 188 at weekends) you can order unlimited helpings of dozens of classic steamed, baked, and fried dim sum dishes, including cheung fun, siu mai, hargow, Portuguese egg tarts, and many more. If you want to go all out, add free-flow Chandon sparkling wine for RMB 168 (although make sure those bubbles don't take up valuable stomach space). Even better, it is available seven days a week, so you don't have to limit your indulgence to the weekends.
In a nutshell: All-you-can-order a la carte; free-flow sparkling wine; available seven days a week
Migas Mercado
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Migas Mercado has just launched a brand new all-you-can-eat tapas brunch. For RMB 298 per person, you get to order an unlimited number of dishes, three at a time, from a menu of more than 30 tapas and sharing dishes. With dishes like fried eggs with chistorra spicy sausage and french fries, piquillo peppers stuffed with codfish and bechamel, and fried cuttlefish hotdogs with lime aioli, there's no way you'll leave hungry. For an extra RMB 168, make it a properly boozy brunch with two hours of free-flow cava, sangria, and bloody mary cocktails.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow sparkling wine and brunch cocktails; great views
Mosto
Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm
Mosto's relaxed weekend brunch puts the emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Classic brunch dishes like smoked salmon eggs benedict (RMB 55) are well executed or you can liven things up a bit with dishes like salmon sashimi (RMB 95), goat's cheese and watercress salad (RMB 78) or grilled octopus risotto (RMB 168). Add two hours of free-flow red, white and sparkling wines, mimosas, and Bellinis for just RMB 188. Their Bloody Marys (RMB 50) are also excellent.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow wine and sparkling cocktails; alfresco seating
N'Joy at Nuo Hotel
Sunday 11.30am-2pm
When you think buffet you don't necessarily think good quality, but the brunch at N'Joy (RMB 458 per person) most certainly overcome that negative stereotype. The selection of food on offer is mind-boggling, including everything from lobster to Indian curry to a whole tuna carved in front of you, all topped up with a serving of Oscietra caviar for each table. Add free-flow Champagne from a choice of four different brands for RMB 308. One of Beijing's best indulgences.
In a nutshell: Buffet; free-flow champagne; plenty of choice
Pachapapi
Saturday and Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm
Pachapapi has launched a brand-new weekend brunch featuring delicious Peruvian comfort foods such as pan con lomo (bread filled with lomo saltado, stir-fried beef tenderloin with onions, tomatoes, and Peruvian yellow chili pepper) and pan con tamal de pollo (corn-based dough filled with chicken, onions, raisins, and Peruvian chili that is steamed and wrapped in a banana leaf). Add RMB 188 for free-flow wine and simple cocktails or upgrade to the RMB 288 package that includes free-flow Pisco cocktails and Chandon sparkling wine.
In a nutshell: A la carte; free-flow wine and cocktails; party atmosphere
Via Roma "Little Italy" brunch
Sunday 11.30am-3.30pm
Headed by Via Roma's (in Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center) new Chef de Cuisine Andrea Giannini, the "Little Italy" lunch buffet combines Italian favorites and classics with modern and fun dishes. Food stations include a wide selection of antipasti, a create-your-own pizza corner, live pasta cooking stations, and dessert options. As the "little" in the title suggests, this is definitely a family-friendly affair but don't let that put you off if you don't have kids (all those carbs are very much worth it). The brunch is priced at RMB 288 or RMB 388 with free-flow alcoholic drinks.
In a nutshell: Buffet; free-flow wine and beer; good for families
*Note: Some prices may be subject to service charge
Looking for the city's newest restaurant and bar openings? We have those too.
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Photos courtesy of the restaurants
