Going out with friends for Sunday brunch is a Beijing tradition for both well-heeled locals and expats alike. Most of the best brunches are served in big hotels, offer dozens standard and exquisite food options, and come with Champagne. Below are a few of the most popular brunch destinations. Be sure to reserve in advance.
The Westin Beijing
This is a true brunch extravaganza. The Westin brunch has endless stations offering just about everything for their Sunday champagne brunch, from foie gras and sashimi to chocolate fondue. It also has one of the best and most creative pastry selections in the city. The brunch is free for kids under 6 and half price for kids 6-12, and offers a bunch of activities to keep them occupied.
10:30am-3pm
7 North DongSanhuan road, Sanlitun Yanshaqiao
(010) 5922 8880
fbreservation@westinbj.com
Capital M
Melbourne-born restaurateur Michelle Garnaut (owner and founder of M on the Fringe in Hong Kong and Shanghai’s M on the Bund) has created another masterpiece in Beijing, with a dining area that offers the one of the best views in Beijing, right behind Tiananmen Square. Capital M serves brunchtime classics like blueberry pancakes, Eggs Benedictine, M’s weekend fry-up, and a kid’s menu.
11:30am-5pm
3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street (southeast of Qianmen)
(010) 6207 2727
www.capital-m-beijing.com
The Orchard
An institution among Shunyi residents, The Orchard comes highly recommended for its affordable menu of western food and emphasis on organic produce, and it provides well for little ones, making it an ideal weekend dining excursion. The restaurant’s remoteness from the city centre lends it added appeal as a retreat and offers a health piece of mind.
12pm-3pm, 6-9pm
Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang Township
(010) 6433 6270
theorchardbj@yahoo.com
Chef Too
If you don’t feeling like splurging on five-star opulence or driving out to the countryside, but rather a simple, classic, brunch experience, Chef Too is your destination. This American-owned restaurant offers great American food all week, but the Sunday Brunch is exceptional and affordable, offering traditional eggs benedict, pancakes, and huevos rancheros.
Tue-Fri 11am-2pm; Tue-Sun 5-10pm; Sat & Sun brunch 9:30am-3:00pm
Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Between the West Gate and Lucky Street
(010) 6591 8676
chefbilly@yahoo.com
St. Regis Garden Court
A light and airy brasserie-style brunch experience that is pleasant and refreshingly not overdone, combined with a superb buffet and a la carte menu are a great way to kick off a Sunday devoted exclusively to doing nothing. This is a great place to enjoy the ambiance of the St. Regis and lets the kids play.
6am-11pm
21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, The St. Regis Beijing
(010) 6460 6688 ext. 2340
www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/
diningstregis.beijing@stregis.com
