Capital Caff: Coffee and Donuts in Beixinqiao

Don't talk to me until I've read Capital Caff – your guide to the latest in coffee happenings around Beijing.

Beixinqiao – and the majority of the hutongs around Dongcheng, for that matter – are an area replete with coffee shops, some of them right next to one another. But there’s one shop hidden down a hutong alley that’s next to something special; a combination that means you can have your coffee with a sweet donut or two on the side.

Such is the relationship between donut shop Chill Pill and coffee shop ISSUE.01. While Chill Pill is relatively new, ISSUE.01 has been around for a year or two, with this being one of its many branches. Despite the age gap, the two play off one another quite well in the design department.

Both keep their walls concrete and bare, embracing an industrial feel, with concrete countertops and metal here and there, plus ample outdoor seating (not sure what'll become of this come winter). The main difference between the two is while one has coffee, the other has a display filled with donuts. And what a great variety of donuts there are.

Choices include takes on the classics, like Chocolate Pearl and Pecan Milk Chocolate, plus a few interesting flavors like Raspberry Marble and Strawberry Matcha – the latter of which is studded with pieces of dried strawberries.

As for ISSUE.01, while espresso is in the name, that’s not the only coffee drinks they serve. They’ve recently put corn on the menu as part of a partnership with the aptly named CornHub. They’ve got coffee spiked with corn, topped with corn, corn chips, served with a side of popcorn… 

If corn isn’t your thing, we’d suggest just sticking to the classic espresso drinks like Americano, latte, and others. Perhaps with a Chill Pill donut on the side.

Chill Pill Donuts 生甜甜圈
62 Dongsi Beidajie, Above Kaifang Lou restaurant, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街62号（開飯楼上）
Hours: Daily, 11.30am-7pm
Contact: 131 2688 8024

ISSUE.01 Coffee (Dongsi branch)
68 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东四北大街68号
Hours: Daily, 10am-7pm
Contact: 186 0101 1024

READ: Capital Caff: Sampling a Trio of Espressos at Lavazza

Images: Vincent R. Vinci