The Best Rooftops & Terraces Along the Liangma River

After taking a look at some of the rooftops and terraces around Sanlitun and Gongti as well as the hutongs, we’re now going to take a look at some situated roughly around the Liangma River area. 

BARA

This fine dining establishment took over the space formerly occupied by WAA Gastropub last year. With a terrace space resembling the front of a ship located right on the Liangma River, BARA definitely has some of the best views in the area. Here they have a special JOSPER Wood Grill imported from Spain on which they cook up a range of steaks, seafood and other meat. They also do a variety of other Western dishes such as afternoon tea, salads, snacks and more plus they have an extensive wine selection.

BARA·西餐牛排·酒廊
1F Middle Tower, Liangma Gangwan 53 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店街53号亮马港湾大厦中楼一层
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm, 5.30pm-2am; Sat-Sun, 11am-2am
Phone: 010 8597 7798; 156 1121 7515

Oasis Lounge

Located directly above BARA, Oasis Lounge’s terrace also boasts stunning views of the Liangma River below. The terrace has some lounge type seating areas but if you’re able to nab a spot, the best seating in the house is definitely the bar style seating at the front which has the best views. Here they specialize in steak and smoked boxes along with other Western dishes. They also do delicious Afternoon Tea Sets (RMB 658 for two) as well as a range of cocktails and other drinks. 

Oasis Lounge
2F Terrace, Tower 2, Liangma Gangwan 53 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店街53号亮马港湾大厦二层露台
Hours: 11am-9pm
Phone: 158 1088 2479

Sumac

Opening up at the end of June, Sumac is one of the Liangma River’s newest residents. They have a chic terrace situated right next to the river which looks particularly gorgeous at night when Sumac’s stunning entrance is all lit up. An offshoot of the Hong Kong based restaurant of the same name, they pride themselves on serving modern interpretations of traditional Lebanese dishes with the finest ingredients. 

On the menu they’ve got a range of hot and cold mezze dishes like Stuffed Vine Leaves (RMB 78); Moutabbal (RMB 68), a grilled eggplant dip; and Fatteh Kafta (RMB 158, pictured above), beef and lamb meatballs in an eggplant and yogurt sauce to name just a few.  

Sumac 苏马克黎巴嫩餐厅
8, 1F South Tower, Liangma Harbour Building, 53 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店街53号亮马港湾大厦南楼1层8号
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 132 6426 2888

Carpaccio

Italian restaurant Carpaccio’s terrace is located right on the riverside, offering scenic views of the “Seine of Beijing”. The terrace covers a large area, however be warned it can get pretty busy and full during peak hours. On the food front, they have a particular focus on pizzas, with an impressive 12 different pizzas on the menu such as the Truffle & Parma Ham Pizza (RMB 148) and Salami Pizza (RMB 128) as well pasta, calzones, gelato and other Italian dishes. 

Carpaccio
(1/F of FX Hotel), 39 West Maizidian Street, Chaoyang District
朝阳区麦子店西街39号 富驿时尚酒店一层
Hours: 10am-11pm
Phone: 010 8588 8847

Arrow Factory

Sitting right by the Liangma River, Arrow Factory has an outdoor seating area out back on the ground floor, a small rooftop terrace, and a relatively big rooftop area that’s a proper sun trap. As Arrow Factory is a British-style brewpub, they offer up a variety of great brews, along with a range of Western food including some traditional pub classics like Fish and Chips (RMB 128), Steak and Ale Pie (RMB 108) and Bangers and Mash (RMB 85). They also do a weekend brunch menu, with the star of the show being The Full English (RMB 95), which is definitely one of the best English breakfasts in town. 

Arrow Factory
Waijiao Apartment, 1 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路1号外交公寓亮马河南岸
Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 010 8532 5335

Fresco

Specializing in steak and seafood, Fresco is hidden away right by where Liangma River ends in the south. This steak and seafood house’s elegant terrace is set with chic, bright turquoise furnishings and is bursting with greenery. 

Up on the fifth floor, you get great views of Dongzhimen and being west-facing, it’s perfect for the evening if you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset as you dine. Along with their fine dining menu, they usually also have seasonal specials available as well as a number of great set menu deals, which you can check out on Dianping.

Fresco
5F, 27 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东直门外大街27号5层
Hours: 11.30am-2pm, 5-10pm
Phone: 010 8532 1799; 155 1013 7888

Great Leap #45 

Great Leap #45’s terrace features artificial grass and is enclosed by walls of shrubs to create a private, almost beer garden-type atmosphere. What's more, the terrace is completely pet-friendly, great if you're a dog owner. Here you can get the usual range of Great Leap’s signature brews along with their menu of burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and more. 

They also have a lunch special menu running Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm, and a weekend brunch menu running 11am-5pm that includes the Great Leap Breakfast (RMB 75) which is sure to be a hit with meat lovers, featuring eggs, sausage patty, bacon, potatoes, roasted Thai sausage, mushrooms, and tomatoes.

Great Leap #45
45-1 Xinyuan Jie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源街45号
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11-2am, Fri-Sat, 11-3am
Phone: 010 5947 6984

SÌPASTA

An Italian restaurant that specializes in fresh homemade pasta, SÌPASTA has a delightful hidden terrace on the basement floor of The Grand Summit shopping mall. Decorated with an entire wall of potted plants, numerous roses, and a bright red, staggered seating arrangement, this terrace is absolutely stunning. 

Equally as good as the decor is the food. It goes without saying that have to try one of their pasta dishes. A personal recommendation would be the Fusilli alle Salmon and Asparagus (RMB 79) or the Spaghetti alle Parmigiano Reggiano with Chopped Baked Proscuitto (RMB 138). The perfect accompaniment to your meal, as well as being a delightful summer drink, has to be either an Aperol or Campari Spritz (RMB 68).

SÌPASTA
B113, 19 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东方东路19号B113
Hours: 11am-9pm
Phone: 186 1095 5570

Goose Island

Located right on the southwest corner of the Solana shopping complex, Goose Island’s large terrace area out front is a lovely place to spend a lazy afternoon. Its wooden decking, a sprinkling of greenery, and views out across Chaoyang Park create a pleasant atmosphere.

While they have ten rotating beers on tap, Goose also has a nice selection of wine, cocktails, and soft drinks for those who aren’t into beer.  Earlier this year they revamped their menu adding some tasty dishes like Goose Island BJ Chicken Wings (RMB 68), Caramel Peanut Butter Burger (RMB 98) and California Beef Meatball Pizza (RMB 108) .

Goose Island Taproom
BS-06-1F-2F, Solana Blue Harbor 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾BS-06-1F-2F
Hours: 11am-11.30pm
Phone: 010 5905 6802

Q MEX Solana

Situated right next to Goose Island, Q MEX’s Solana branch boasts not one but two terraces, with an outside seating area at the front on the ground floor and a balcony terrace off the second floor. With beige and brown pillars and balustrades, a pergola, and plenty of greenery, the balcony terrace gives off strong Latin American vibes. 

Here you can enjoy Q MEX’s usual Mexican and Western offerings along with their weekly half-price deals – Mondays: Burritos, Tuesdays: Pizza, Wednesdays: Nachos, Thursdays: Steak, and Habanero Chicken. They also have a daily happy hour running until 9pm which sees discounts like ROC Craft Cocktails for RMB 45, Draft Beer for RMB 30-45, and Bottled Beer for RMB 25. 

Q MEX Solana
A132, Langangwan L1 Street, Solana Blue Harbor 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾L1大街A132
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight
Phone: 010 8794 5165

READ: Gulou and Andingmen’s Best Rooftops and Terraces

Images: Uni You, courtesy of the venues