Brunchin' Beijing: Luneurs – Brunch at The Box

In Brunchin' Beijing we explore some of the capital's best brunch spots. From high-end to bargains or hidden gems, there's a brunch spot in Beijing for everyone.

Last weekend's excursion to The Box revealed a new brunch spot: Luneurs. It's an open concept restaurant mostly known for its excellent coffee and ice cream, but in passing, we noticed a sharable brunch set and had to give it a try. The vibe is hipster chic, extremely casual and relaxed, with deli-style tables and chairs nestled close together. It’s no frills but very cool with an eclectic clientele that is perfect for people watching. Exactly what we were in the mood for.

We started with drinks: Vietnamese Coffee for me, Salted Caramel Latte and Hot Cocoa for my friends. All were excellent, and the Vietnamese coffee tasted exactly like the brew I came to love on my last visit to Hanoi. There were even options for the coffee strength and the amount of condensed milk added.

Then we moved on to the brunch set. The idea is genius: Instead of everyone hemming and hawing about which entree to get and then inevitably having FOMO about your order, the table can opt to order a set of three or five mains for everyone to share. We opted for the Five Dish Set (RMB 168) and tried the Beef Parmenter, which is similar to a shepherds pie with braised beef covered in a creamy polenta; the Thai Style Grilled Pork, which was just the right balance between sweet and spicy; the Salmon Marbre, which was a raw salmon roll filled with mushrooms and fresh herbs; the Truffle Croquet Monsieur, which was a little bread heavy but delicious; and the Shakshuka, which is a North African and Middle Eastern dish of baked eggs in a rich tomatoey sauce. 

It was the perfect amount of food and the diversity of flavors left everyone feeling satisfied and FOMO-free. My personal favorites were the Beef Parmenter and the Shakshuka, but the Salmon got a hearty endorsement from other members of the group, as did the Thai Pork. 

We did not have room for the famous Salted Caramel Ice Cream, but I will definitely be back to give it a try soon! The best part is The Box offers a perfect excuse to walk off your meal as you explore its many entertainments.

Luneurs
Rm 7, 1/F, THE BOX, 12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳门外大街12号THEBOX朝外年轻力中心1层07室
Hours: 11am-10.30pm
Phone: 189 1706 9286

READ: Exploring The Box: Beijing's Un-Mall

Images: Julie Wolf