Beijing al fresco: Casual and formal dining

 

Warm weather is (almost) upon us and that means it’s time for patio season. Some places have already opened up their doors to al fresco dining while many more will be joining the fun in the coming days.

What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than sitting outside and enjoying a cool beer with a meal? Now is the perfect time to check out Beijing al fresco casual and formal dining options.

 
1 Casual dining
 
Arrow Factory Brewing
 
Overlooking the river, this could be the ultimate after-work hangout for those earning their livings in Liangma Qiao and surrounding areas.

The Arrow Factory team plan on serving a rotation of 16 beers, all brewed on the premises.

 

Address: Waijiao Apartment, 1 Xindong Lu(新东路1号外交公寓亮马河南岸)

City Area: Liangmaqiao

Category: Western

Phone: 010 8532 1977

 
The Taco Bar
 
Extended out to the same length as its neighbor Home Plate Bar-B-Q, The Taco Bar’s patio terrace can easily seat another 30+ taco addicts. A necessary addition for Beijing’s warmer months!

 

Address: Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu. Chaoyang (北京市朝阳区工体北路)

Category: Mexican

City Area: Sanlitun

Phone: 010 6501 6026

 
Der Land Graf
 
This famous German restaurant located in Fangzhuang, Fengtai District, serves up authentic German food and boasts a traditional European-style beer garden, too. Beer offered here is largely imported German brews, from lager and pilsner to Cologne kolsch.

 

Address: 2A Pufang Lu, Fangzhuang (丰台区方庄蒲芳路甲2号)

Category: German

City Area: Fengtai District

Phone: 010 6768 2664

 
Café Zarah
 
Café Zarah is located in a beautiful old Beijing style courtyard house. The outside courtyard and the terrace invites for a warm summer evening to sit and enjoy.

 

Address: Gulou Dong Dajie No.46 (东城区鼓楼东大街46号)

Category: European

City Area: Dongcheng

Phone: 010 8403 9807

 
Element Fresh
 
The terrace at the Sanlitun Taikooli branch of Element Fresh is one of Beijing’s best places to grab sandwiches, pastas, Asian sets and smoothies in the summer.

 

Address: S8-33, Bldg 8, 3/F, Taikoo Li Sanlitun 19 (三里屯路19号院三里屯太古里3层)

Category: American

City Area: Sanlitun

Phone: 010 6417 1318

 
Moka Bros
 
You’ll have to be quick to get a seat on Sanlitun Taikooli branch of Moka Bros, the south-facing terrace tends to be full from breakfast to sunset cocktails.

 

Address: 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu (三里屯路81号那里花园1层)

Category: International

City Area: Sanlitun

Phone: 010 5208 6079

 
The Big Smoke
 
Well known for luring in homesick westerners with it’s hearty American grub, The Big Smoke is also home to the ‘Jing A’ micro-brewery, so patrons can now enjoy some of the finest homebrew in town while taking advantage of the outdoor seating area to soak up the summer sun.

 

Address: Lee World Building , 57 Xingfucun Zhonglu (幸福村中路57号楼利世楼)

Category: Southern US

City Area: Sanlitun

Phone: 010 6416 5195

 
Great Leap Brewing
 
The Great Leap’s cosy courtyard is the ideal spot to sit and enjoy a cold beer once more – but remember there’s a maximum capacity, so be sure to reserve a space.

 

Address: 6 Doujiao Hutong (豆角胡同6号院)

Category:  Western

City Area: Dongcheng

Phone: 010 5717 1399

 
Tim’s Texas Bar-B-Q
 
Tim’s Texas Bar-B-Q’s new Central Park location has plenty of outside seating for everyone to enjoy the next months.

Tim’s specializes in hearty portions of meat cooked slowly over fruit woods, a Texas tradition.

 

Address: Unit111, Building 11, Central Park (新城国际11号楼111室)

Category:  American

City Area: CBD

Phone: 010 6591 9161

 
Luga’s Villa
 
Lugas Villa’ terrace is a good place to look over at the Sanlitun craziness in the summer and the many big screens make it a good option for watching live sport. On weekends it’s usually still open after first light.

 

Address: Second Floor 7 Taikoo Li Sanlitun Houjie (三里屯太古里后街7号2层)

Category:  Mexican, Italian

City Area: Sanlitun

Phone: 010 6416 2575

 
2 Formal dining
 
Xiao Wang Fu
 
A favorite among local expats, Xiao Wang’s serves homestyle fare in a bustling, family-friendly environment. The fancier Ritan Park branch offers an attractive rooftop area overlooking the park’s greenery.

 

Address: Inside the North Gate of Ritan Park, Ritan Lu(朝阳区日坛路日坛公园北门内)

Category: Home style Chinese

City Area: CBD

Phone: 010 8561 5985

 
Capital M
 
Located on Beijing’s historic Qianmen Street, Capital M’s terrace affords one of the most impressive views in the city, while the ornate dining room, with its signature parquet flooring and elegant lighting, is a suitably opulent setting for European culinary indulgence.

 

Address: 3/F, 2 Qianmen Pedestrian Street (前门步行街2号3层)

Category: European

City Area: Chongwen

Phone: 010 6702 2727

 
Café Noir
 
For those who love being surrounded by greenery, head to Cafe Noir at Traders Upper East Hotel. The outdoor dining space is just across from the quiet, well-maintained garden behind the hotel.

 

Address: 2 Dongsihuan Beilu (北京朝阳区东四环北路2号)

Category: International

City Area: Lido

Phone: 010 5907 8416

 
Susu
 
Susu is a Vietnamese restaurant situated in a renovated old courtyard home and named for a squash. In summer and fall, be sure to snag a table outside under the shade of Susu’s huge tree.

 

Address: Qiangliang Hutong Xixiang No.10 (北京市东城区钱粮西巷10号)

Category: Vietnamese

City Area: Dongcheng

Phone: 10 8400 2699

 
Park Square
 
Park Square is a restaurant/lounge during the day and a upscale, dimly lit lounge bar by night. Featuring a very cozy outdoor space with ample seating and a European menu that includes salads, sandwiches, steaks and more, Park Square is en route to becoming one of the hottest new locations in the Lido area.

 

Address: 9-3 Jiangtai Xilu(将台西路9-3号)

Category: European

City Area: Lido

Phone: 010 8417 6566

 
Dali Courtyard
 
Trendy Beijing artists and expats flock to this charming courtyard-style Yunnanese restaurant with alfresco seating; pomegranate trees, a small pond and rustic wooden furniture make for a warm, laid-back vibe.

 

Address: 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie (南锣鼓巷鼓楼东大街)

Category: Yunnanese

City Area: Dongcheng

Phone: 010 8404 1430

 
Nuage
 
This long running Houhai restaurant opened by the owner of the adjacent No Name Bar is housed in a historic building and boasts one of the nicest rooftop dining spots in town.

 

Address: Qianhai Lake East bank 22 (西城区什刹海前海东沿22号)

Category: Vietnamese

City Area: Xicheng

Phone: 010 6401 9581

 
Lost Heaven
 
Offering an upscale folkloric dining experience, Lost Heaven is an adventure in alternative flavors. With a menu of modern-creative food inspired by the legendary Ancient Tea Horse Trail that runs through Yunnan, Burma and Tibet, the focus is on regional dining and minority cuisines.

On sunny days, the outside terrace offers the ultimate al fresco dining experience, befitting the fresh and authentic food.

 

Address: Unit G, 23 Qianmen Dong Dajie (前门东大街23号G单位)

Category: Yunnanese

City Area: Dongcheng

Phone: 010 8516 2698

 
Feast
 
Their international menu of Asian and western dishes is cooked in a lively open kitchen, while the airy restaurant looks out onto an alfresco terrace with views of the nearby Indigo Park.

 

Address: 2/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu (酒仙桥路22号东隅北京酒店2层)

Category: Asian-Western

City Area: Lido

Phone: 010 8414 9820

 
Enjoy!