From Western brunches to Chinese morning dim sum, no matter if you work in Zhongguancun or study in Wudaokou, here are the best spots to spend a pleasant morning in west Beijing.
Sun Valley
Cafe, Restaurant, Healthy, $$$
There’s probably no better way to wake yourself up than with a fresh and healthy meal. Luckily, the Sun Valley restaurant and café in Zhongguancun is an ideal place for such light meals. It features mainly Western dishes, and you can feel free to choose coffee, fresh juices, or Chinese teas to go with your meal.
The Wudaokou in Haidian District is one of the biggest concentrations of overseas students in Beijing, and LUSH is the base camp of the Wudaokou overseas students. Thus, it basically goes without saying how good the food and drinks at LUSH are.
The Taiwanese snack bar features classic breakfast dishes from Taiwan, such as richly flavored soy milk with original, jujube, and black tea flavors to choose from; sweet or savory bean jelly; and rice and peanut milk. It also has innovative snacks that combine the characteristics of Taiwanese food and overseas cuisine, such as the bacon sesame bun and Youtiao rice roll.
Lan Fong Yuen is one of the oldest Cantonese restaurants in Beijing. It is the go-to place for west Beijingers who are craving dim sum. Don’t expect exceedingly warm service, though, as the restaurant abides by the clichéd rule that local restaurants with good food usually lack very thoughtful service.
If you feel like beginning your day with a brunch out in nature, then Breath Yard, a restaurant hidden in a village in the northwestern outskirts of Beijing is your perfect destination. The fresh air, the greenery in the garden, and even the fact that the chef tailors the menu for all its guests, send out a magical soothing atmosphere that makes you want to stay a big longer.
This bar that features Mexican food is one of the most popular brunch spots among residents in Wudaokou. Its salads, sandwiches, and pancakes are all served to be shared, all at very affordable prices. If it’s a weekend and you’ve got no plans afterwards, you can even order a mojito to enjoy along with your brunch.
Are you curious about the taste of durian pancakes? If so, here’s your chance to find out. The Playking Pancake is known across town for its signature durian pancake, which is said to be created by a Michelin three-star chef. Its pancakes have other flavors, too, like the seafood pancake and chicken pancake, so don’t worry if you are not a durian fan.
The restaurant is a base camp for cat lovers in west Beijing. It’s heart-melting enough just the thought of spending a Sunday morning at a place full of these cute felines. The only thing you need to worry about is the cats sneaking a taste of your food.
Jin Ding Xuan is a famous Cantonese budget chain restaurant in Beijing. It’s slightly different depending on which location you visit. This one in the Jinyuan Shopping Center is called South and North Snack Bar, which features signature snacks from across the nation. The restaurant is open 24/7.
