Beijing's Top 10 Brunches: Spring 2017 Edition
Brunching seems to be somewhat of a sport in Beijing so we thought we'd make your weekly Sunday morning dilemma that much easier by compiling a list of what are, in our opinion, the top 10 places to go for brunch in Beijing. This should help reduce the painstaking back-and-forth planning once you eventually roll out of bed on any given weekend. This article is an update of a list we put together in early 2015.
Hatchery, Sat and Sun 11am-5pm
Hatchery’s six-hour-long brunch is perfect for those who struggle to make it to regular brunch hours. The antipodean-inspired menu includes a tasty fry-up, eggs royale, and a decadent Canadian donut with chocolate ice cream and Jing-A stout syrup (you can also order from the Common Burger menu). Add two hours of free-flow sparkling, beer, house wine, coffee, and soft drinks for RMB 158.
Capital M*, Sat and Sun 11.30am-3pm
The terrace at Capital M is, without a doubt, one of Beijing’s premier al fresco dining locations. Regardless of the weather though, you can still sample their brunch every Saturday and Sunday (11.30am-3pm). RMB 268 gets you two courses from a selection of appetizers, mains, and desserts, plus a welcome cocktail and limitless tea and coffee. We love M's "Big Weekend Fry-Up" (featuring steak, ribs, sausage, and bacon!) and the Middle Eastern-inspired dishes like pumpkin and olive tagine.
TRB*, Sat and Sun, 11.30am-3pm
TRB's brunch is a great value way to sample the restaurant's fine dining cuisine. The five-course menu allows you to pick from a selection of seafood dishes, eggs (don’t miss the duck egg with potato mousse), pasta, meat, and fish main courses, and desserts. Shelling out for the accompanying wine pairing (RMB 198) is highly recommended – TRB's wine selection is fantastic and they don't skimp on pours, either. Same menu available at both TRB Hutong and TRB Forbidden City.
Mosto, Sat and Sun 10am-3pm
Mosto's relaxed weekend brunch puts the emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Classic brunch dishes like smoked salmon eggs benedict (RMB 68) are well executed or you can liven things up a bit with dishes like albacore sashimi with mango tartare (RMB 88) or seared duck breast with orzo, pumpkin, and parmesan (RMB 128). Add two hours of free-flow red, white and sparkling wines, mimosas, and Bellinis for just RMB 158.
Migas, Sat and Sun 11.30am-2.30pm
For the latest iteration of their seasonally changing brunch, Migas has been inspired by “Le Feria de Abril,” a festival held in the Spanish city of Seville every April. The festive brunch (RMB 268 per person) includes a salad station, a montaditos bar (tiny sandwiches, delicious), tapas brought to your table, a fried fish platter, and paella. Add two hours of free-flow cocktails, wine, and Cava for RMB 148.
Feast*, Sat and Sun 11am-3pm
Feast’s semi-buffet brunch really lives up to the restaurant's name. For RMB 300, you get both starters and desserts served buffet style, but don't fill up too quickly – the a la carte main courses are pretty formidable, including not only standard brunch dishes like eggs Benedict but also substantial main courses like slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled baby chicken, and wild mushroom risotto.
Jing-A Taproom, Sat and Sun 11am-3pm
One of the best value brunch options in Beijing at RMB 108 per person for three courses, Jing-A’s Brewer’s Brunch menu has recently had a revamp from Hatchery chef Simone Thompson. Start your brunch with a sharing platter, choose from a selection of main courses including corned beef hash and smoked salmon bagel, and finish with a pineapple granola dessert. Wash it all down with a Beer Belly-ni, a mix of peach purée and Jing-A’s Mandarin Wheat beer.
Toast at The Orchid, Daily 10am-2.30pm
Located within The Orchid hotel on Baochao Hutong, Toast serves an a la carte menu of brunch-classics-with-a-twist that use local Beijing ingredients wherever possible (try the shakshuka). Even better is the lovely terrace with views over the surrounding hutongs and the fact that brunch is available seven days a week. Be sure to call in advance to reserve a spot on the terrace.
Jing Yaa Tang*, Daily 11am-2.30pm
Jing Yaa Tang's dim sum must be one of the best deals in town. For just RMB 148 you can order unlimited helpings of 34 classic steamed, baked and fried dim sum dishes, including cheung fun, siu mai, hargow, Portuguese egg tarts, and many more. Even better, it is available seven days a week, so you don't have to limit your indulgence to the weekends.
N'Joy at Nuo Hotel*, Sundays 11.30am-2pm
When you think buffet, you don't necessarily think 'good quality,' but N'Joy's (located in Nuo Hotel) buffet hotel brunch (RMB 398 pr person) most certainly overcomes that negative stereotype. We first went to check out N'Joy when it first opened almost a year and a half ago, and we're happy to report that the quality, especially in the seafood and curry sections, remains excellent and that it's a brunch most certainly worth saving your pennies for.
*Indicates prices subject to service charge
Photos: Capital M, Hatchery, Migas, Jing-A
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