The Beijing Cafés That Actually Sell Coffee Before 9am

Those of us who come from coffee-dependent cultures, where stimulants are essential upon waking and absolutely required before braving a morning commute, finding that many coffee shops don’t even open here until 10am can be a dealbreaker. C'mon, Beijing, are we meant to make the goddamn coffee ourselves? That sounds like a lot of effort, and we don’t do effort before we’ve had our coffee.

Finding an early cuppa is tough, but not impossible. So as to save you any additional morning stress, we've drawn up this handy list of coffee shops around town that are open at 8am or earlier:

Gulou

• Cafe Alba – Be careful when coming in early to this café, as it’s comfy chairs and smooth tunes might lure you to stay well into the afternoon. Rooftop seating is also available in the warmer months. Food options are aplenty and select breakfasts come with a coffee discount. Opens 8am.
  70 Gulou Dongdajie (east of Nanluogu Xiang), Dongcheng District
  东城区鼓楼东大街70号

• Big Small – This café now has four venues across Beijing, with this specific location being tucked into a hutong apartment complex. Mosey around with your coffee in the mini-gallery that is updated with a different artist’s work monthly, or enjoy the outside seating overlooking the building’s communal exercise equipment and ping-pong table. Opens 8am.
  13 Langjia Hutong, Dongcheng District
  东城区郎家胡同13号

Guomao

• Brew Bar – This Pacific Coffee-owned shop is the chain’s attempt at experimenting with the latest coffee trends. Don’t be surprised if you find the experience similar to SOE Coffee (see under "Sanlitun" below), because they use SOE’s beans. Edibles are mostly sweet, ranging from blueberry cheesecake to coconut mousse, but whitebread sandwiches are also served. Opens 8am.
  B1, Door 119, 1 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District
  朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区地下一层3B119号铺

• Jamaica Blue  – As the name suggests, Jamaican beans are the main draw at Jamaica Blue, but they also have a number of mouthwatering and downright Instagrammable food options. Opens 7am.
  Door 107, Bldg 16, Section B, Xincheng International Apartments,  6 Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District
  朝阳门外大街6号新城国际公寓B期16号楼107号商铺

• GREYBOX – Aiming to make specialty coffee more accessible, GREYBOX sets reasonable prices while maintaining both quality and ingenuity. Some examples of the shop's creativity include the Dirty Mocka, which looks a bit like a volcano of cookies and cream, and the Coffee Jelly, which incorporates the popular milk tea add-in into coffee. Opens 8am. 
  4012 Guomao Soho, 1 Jianguomenwai street
  建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区四层NL4012号

Liangmaqiao

• Joy Beans – Keep your eye out for the pandas, because that is the theme of this off-the-beaten-path shop. It’s a cozy little venue with limited seating, but it will do for early commuters looking for their fix. Opens 7.30am.
  F113, Bldg 5, 19 Dongfangdong Lu, Chaoyang District
  朝阳区东方东路19号院5号楼F113

• 关关雎鸠 Guanguan Jujiu – Meaning "The Chirping Ospreys," Guanguan Jujiu is great for early breakfasters looking for a nice croissant breakfast sandwich or a veggie and cheese panini with their coffee. Opens 7am.
  10 Xinyuannan Lu, Chaoyang District
  朝阳区新源南路10号

Sanlitun

• SOE Coffee – Also known as Square of Eight, this shop's light blue colors are easy on the eyes in the early morning. Central American and Ethiopian specialty blends are popular here, and they tend to get creative with some of their coffee serving methods, one of which involves a beaker if that's your kind of thing. Opens 8am.
  23 Yaijianyuan Road (one block north of Hujialou subway station exit B), Chaoyang District
  朝阳区白家庄东里23号联合办公社1楼

• Café Flatwhite – Serving more typical espresso beverages in the Sanlitun Soho, this New Zealander-owned shop is known for roasting their own specially selected beans. They have great food too, including a diverse brunch menu to get you started on the long day ahead. Opens 8am.
  B1, Unit 239, Bldg 2, Sanlitun Soho, 8 Gongtibei Lu, Chaoyang District
  朝阳区工体北路号三里屯SOHO 地下1层B1-239号

Wudaokou 

• Sculpting in Time – Though Sculpting in Time once had a shop in the heart of Wudaokou next to Bridge Café (also defunct), early rising Wudaokou brethren must now trek southward to Beihang University campus for the same nostalgic experience. The coffee is nothing special, but it’s a good place to lounge under nostalgic movie posters for an early morning study sesh. Opens 8am.
  2/F, Campus Tennis Courts' Building 2, Beihang University Campus, 37 Xueyuan Lu, Haidian District
  海淀区学院路37号航空航天大学天行网球馆2楼(篮球场东)

• 1911 – A bit more modern and a bit more pricy, 1911 is fairly standard for a Chinese coffee shop and is known for nice fruit teas as well. Opens 8am.
  1/F, Qinghua University Art Museum, 30 Heqing Lu, Haidian District
  海淀区3荷清路30号清华大学艺术博物馆一层

If none of the above strike your fancy, or if you really can’t be bothered to put on pants before 9am, then you may have to settle for delivery chains like Starbucks or Luckin Coffee. Both companies have shops all over the city that are ready to deliver to your door by 7am.

Happy sipping, coffee fiends!

READ: How (and Where) to Order the Perfect Cup of Coffee in Beijing

Images: awaaznation.com