Where To Get a Classic British Pie in the Capital

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Aug 2, 2022 3:01 pm | Add a comment | 432 reads

Having already brought rundowns of British classics like Fish and Chips and English Breakfasts, I am continuing on my quest to find British food in Beijing. This time, I will be having a look at British Pies. From steak and ale to chicken and mushroom (and plenty of gravy and a side of mashed potato), for me nothing quite brings the comfort of home than a pie.

Jing-A Sanyuanqiao Branch

With a British menu at their InStreet location, it should come as no surprise that this Jing-A is serving up some classic British pies. They have two pies on their menu: Beef and Ale Pie (RMB 180) which sees Angus steak, oxtail, onion and mushroom in an ale gravy, and Chicken and Leek Pie (RMB 145) which has pulled chicken, leek, carrot and parsley in a creamy lemon and chicken gravy. These pies are pretty massive and can easily serve two people, especially if you add a side of chips.

Jing-A Sanyuanqiao Branch
S05 Instreet Phoenix Galleria Mall Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三元桥凤凰汇里巷S05 InStreet

Paddy O’Shea's

You wouldn't expect an Irish restaurant to have anything less than an Irish take on the classic steak and ale, and Paddy’s definitely delivers, offering a Guinness Beef Pie (RMB 88) which has beef flank and mushrooms marinated in Guinness with a crusty puff top. If you’re just after a little snack or starter they also do miniature Guinness Meat Pies for RMB 30. Paddy’s also does a Shepherd’s Pie (RMB 88) with minced lamb, carrots, beans and their signature stock topped with mashed potato – I’ll leave it up to you readers to decide if you classify shepherd or cottage pies as real pies or not (let us know).

Paddy O’Shea's
28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东直门外大街28号

Arrow Factory

Another brewpub serving up British fare, Arrow Factory has two pies on their menu. The first is the classic Steak and Ale Pie (RMB 90) which has beef and vegetables slow-cooked in Arrow’s country ale and beef stock, and which is baked in a homemade pie crust and served with peas, carrots, mashed potato and their in-house gravy. Their other pie is the Chicken and Mushroom Pie (RMB 90) which combines button mushrooms and chunks of chicken breast cooked in white wine, chicken stock and cream, and topped with a flaky pie crust served with peas, carrots and mashed potato.

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

Carlin’s

Now technically these are Australian pies, rather than British, but they’re not too dissimilar and they have become an Australian icon in their own right, even being called Australia’s “national dish” in 2003 by New South Wales premier Bob Carr. Australian restaurant Carlin’s has two pies on offer: Aussie Meat Pie (RMB 28) and Chunky Beef and Cheese Pie (RMB 35). To get the full experience, why not pair one of them with a side of Creamy Mashed Potato (RMB 38)?

Carlin's
L10702-802, Level 1, Zhonghai Huanyuhui Shopping Center, Chaoyang District
朝阳区中海环宇荟购物中心一层L10702-802

Cafe Flatwhite

This café keeps thing simple with just one pie on their menu: Homemade New Zealand Beef Pie (RMB 118) which sees steak and mushrooms in a red wine sauce and salad and fries on the side.