Asian and European culinary traditions meet in what tends to be the most experimental and cutting edge of Beijing cuisine.
A+A Club
Serving a wide variety of cuisine from Asia and Europe. Daily 11.30 am-11pm. 27/F, Days Hotel & Suites, 27 Huaweili, Chaoyang District. (6773 1234) 秦乐宫中餐厅, 朝阳区华威里27号长安戴斯大饭店27层
Buffalo Stone
This China-chic bar serves up wine, mixed drinks and fusion cuisine. Daily 9.30am-2am. 6 Lotus Lane (north gate of Beihai), Xicheng District. (6617 2146) 水牛石餐吧, 西城区北海北门荷花市场6号
Cafe Cha
A sumptuous buffet featuring a sushi and sashimi station, pastas, pizzas, Thai laksas and Tandoori specialities. Their dessert section is a show-stopper. Daily lunch buffet 11.30am-2.30pm, dinner buffet 5.30-9.30pm. Shangri-La Hotel, 29 Zizhuyuan Lu, Haidian District. (6841 2211 ext 2715) 咖啡Cha, 海淀区紫竹院路29号香格里拉饭店
China Lounge
China Lounge serves a selection of the greatest hits of Chinese cuisine prepared by chefs from Guangdong. The dining room’s luxurious Chinoiserie decor is generously spaced, buffering the din commonly tolerated at Chinese restaurants, allowing you ample quiet to savor the thoughtfully prepared dishes. Daily 11am-11pm. Inside Workers’ Stadium South Gate, Chaoyang District. (6501 1166) 唐廊, 朝阳区朝阳区工人体育场南门内
Ching Pavilion
An ambitious three floors of lounge and dining room with a highly designed interior. The menu features Asian flavors and Western presentation. Daily 11.30am-midnight. 76 Donghuamen Dajie (at the intersection of Donghuamen Dajie and Nanchizi), Dongcheng District. (6523 8775/76) 青阁, 东城区东华门大街76号(东华门大街和南池子的路口)
The CourtYard
Voted “Best for a Date” in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Dine on carefully prepared fusion food in a modern and romantic interior. Views of the Forbidden City and surrounding hutongs create a unique atmosphere. Daily 6-9.30pm. 95 Donghuamen Dajie (north of Donghuamen parking lot at the Forbidden City), Dongcheng District. (6526 8883) 四合院, 东城区东华门大街95号, 故宫东华门停车场北面
Drum and Gong Fusion Restaurant
Asian fusion cuisine with an emphasis on Sichuan flavor. Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. 102 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District. (8402 4729) 锣鼓, 东城区南锣鼓巷102号
East 33
Oriental mystic and Western chic meet both in cuisine and design in this restaurant which offers brick oven pizzas and crisp Peking Duck on the same menu. A lively open-plan kitchen anchors the main dining room. Daily 6am-10am, noon-2.30pm, 6-10pm. Raffles Beijing Hotel, 33 Dongchangan Jie, Dongcheng District. (6526 3388 ext 5171) 东三十三, 东城区东长安街33号北京饭店莱佛士
Essence
A casual chic all-day eatery offers market-fresh daily menus and international buffets with Asian & Western delights. Daily 24 Hours. Lobby Level of Crowne Plaza Beijing, 48 Wangfujing Avenue, Dongcheng District. (6513 3388 ext 3) 西餐厅, 东城区际艺苑皇冠假日酒店内王府井大街48号
Garden Court
Brasserie-style buffet featuring an extravagant Champagne brunch on Sundays. Daily 6am-11pm. St. Regis Hotel, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6460 6688 ext 2340) 景苑咖啡厅, 朝阳区建国门外大街21号国际俱乐部饭店
Green Fish
Boasts a “flexiterian” cuisine, fresh and tasty food, with a focus on vegetable and seafood dishes. Daily 6.30am-10.30am, 11.30am-3pm and 6pm-midnight. Ritz-Carlton Beijing, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. (6601 6666) 四季汇, 西城区金城坊东街1号称北京金融街丽思卡顿酒店大堂
Green T. House
Like Alice stepping into the Mad Hatter’s Chinoiserie tea party. Voted “Best to Impress Visitors” and “Best Decor” in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Tea-infused fusion cuisine served in an impressively fanciful atmosphere. Daily 10.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight. 1) 318 Hegezhuang Cun, Cuigezhuang Xiang, Chaoyang District. (136 0113 7132, 136 0113 7232); 2) 6 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6552 8310, 6552 8311) 紫云轩, 1) 朝阳区崔各庄乡合各庄村318号; 2) 朝阳区工体西路6号
House by the Park
Sister restaurant to My Humble House, House by the Park is guided by its “food-as-art” philosophy and serves up a fine-dining experience in modern Chinese cuisine with petite portions and artistic presentation. There’s also a sophisticated bar and lounge area with an exotic selection of martinis if you’re in the mood to party. Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Clubhouse (level 2), Block 19, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (6530 7770) 别院, 朝阳区建国路89号， 华贸中心19 号楼会所二层
Jing
A funky, minimalist, open-plan restaurant with top-notch cuisine. Watch the chefs in action. Daily 5.30am-11.30pm. Basement of Peninsula Palace Hotel, 8 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District. (6559 2888 ext 6714) 京, 东城区王府井街金鱼胡同8号王府饭店地下1层
Le Quai
Housed in a grand 250-year-old wooden house, relocated from Jiangsu province, the menu offers Chinese food with a French flair. Daily 11.30am-10pm. Gate 12 of the Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District. (6551 1636) 朝阳区工人体育场内12号看台对面
The Loft
Born again as an upscale buffet-style dining room, this joint serves beautifully presented Asian-inspired fusion cuisine with sushi, shark fin soup and many Chinese favorites. Private rooms for large parties, a glass wine cellar and live pianist add to the hotel-restaurant-like atmosphere. Daily 11am-2am. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6501 7501) 藏酷, 朝阳区工体北路4号
Monsoon
A cafe-style restaurant offering an innovative selection of Asian and Western cuisines. The outgoing staff and animated food preparation in the open kitchen create a fun and casual dining experience. Daily 6am-10.30am, 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-10pm. Intercontinental Hotel, 11 Financial Street, Xicheng District. (5852 5888 ext 5916/5917) 季候风, 西城区金融街11号, 金融街洲际酒店
My Humble House
A fusion of Chinese cuisines served in an impressively chic setting. Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. W307 Oriental Plaza, 1/F, West 3 Building, Dongcheng District. (8518 8811) 寒舍, 东城区东方广场， 平台层，西三办公楼W307
The Noble Restaurant/Bar
Imported sliced goose liver and thick beef consomme. RMB 150 set meals by reservation only. Daily 11am-midnight. Bajiao Ting (inside Houhai park), Shiqiao Dong, Deshengmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. (6616 0725/6343) 芾淋, 西城区德胜门内大街石桥东后海公园内八角亭
Novotel Xinqiao Coffee Shop
An amazing buffet of creative dishes served in an airy space designed by Philippe Ollendorff. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. 2 Dongjiaominxiang (in the lobby of the Novotel Xinqiao Hotel), Dongcheng District. (6513 3366 ext 2001) 咖啡厅, 东城区东交民巷2号(北京新侨诺富特饭店)
Piazza Cafe
If only we had an “everything” category … satisfies all cravings with a menu of pizza, western foods, Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese. Cozy cushions and jazz tunes enhance a laid back atmosphere. Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9.30pm. South gate of Capital Paradise, Shunyi District. (8046 7788/2020) 翰风, 顺义区名都园南门
Qi
Enjoy a culinary journey through China that highlights seven regional cuisines including Sichuan, Cantonese and Beijing fare with a modern twist. Daily 11.30am-3pm and 5.30pm-11pm. 1/F, The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. (6601 6666) 气, 西城区金城坊东街1号称北京金融街丽思卡顿酒店二层
Rain Club
Despite the decor the food is hearty and healthy with an open pantry displaying organic vegetables that the kitchen is willing to custom-cook for you. Daily 10am-2am. Nanxincang, Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District. (6409 6922) 尚润奢品, 东城区东四十条南新仓
RBL
Upscale eatery in Wangfujing that serves Asian fusion cuisine with a predominantly Japanese flavor, including sushi, steak and lobster. Set meals also available. Daily 5.30pm-2am. Xipei Lou, 53 Dong’anmen Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6522 1389) 东城区东安门大街53号西配楼
Senses
A contemporary buffet and a la carte restaurant offering a unique combination of Asian and international cuisine. Also features buffet displays, an open plan kitchen and live cooking stations. Daily 6am-12pm. 1/F, The Westin Beijing, 9B Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. (6606 8866) 味, 西城区金融大街乙9号北京金融街威斯汀大酒店1层
The Signature
Pan-Asian fare, including Vietnamese and Thai favorites, in a stylish setting. Daily 11am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. 2/F Yujing Huayuan, Baixing Zhuang, Houxiayu, Shunyi District. (6586 3818) 金涛湾, 顺义区白幸庄后峡峪 裕京花园2层
The Square
Multi-ethnic buffet. Dishes made to order on the spot at individual stations. Sunday brunch has a kids’ corner buffet. Daily 6am-10am, noon-2.30pm, 6-10pm. Novotel Peace, 3 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District. (6512 8833 ext 7609) 食坊, 东城区王府井金鱼胡同3号和平宾馆
Wenfu Master Chef
The luxurious decor matches the slick showmanship of the knife and spatula wielding chefs who flip tiny portions from a steel plate grill before dazzled diners. A nod, too, to the personable and attentive service. Daily 10am-10pm. 5/F, A Tower, Winterless Business Center, 1 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District. (6538 8800/6538 8811) 朝阳区西大望路1号温特莱中心A座5层
Xiang Jiang Shui Xiang
Enjoy a unique fusion of China’s regional cuisines. Daily 10am-10pm. 5 Tiao (heading east from Changhong Qiao, turn south at the second set of traffic lights), North Tuanjiehu, Chaoyang District. (8597 8069) 香江水乡, 朝阳区团结湖5条甲1号(东三环长虹桥出口往东第二个红绿灯右转)
XX Area
This venue facilitates a One Way Street Bookstore outlet, an Illy coffee bar cum Absolut Vodka bar and a gallery where owner Yang Yang displays her collection of art, which is also up for sale. The menu features fusion food, which is served in keeping with XX Area’s minimalist style. Daily 11am-midnight. 47 Xihai Nanyan, Xicheng District. (6613 1618) 某地, 西城区西海南沿47号
Zone de Confort
Opened in a new location in early September. They continue to serve French-Asian fusion cuisine and have also maintained their popular weekend Kid’s Kitchen.RMB 70 (kids), RMB 110 (accompanying adults). Sat-Sun noon-2.30pm (weekend brunh; Kids’ Kitchen activities usually begin around 12.40pm), Sun-Thu 11am-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-11pm (general restaurant hours). 15 Sanlitun Beilu (to the north west of 3.3 shopping center), Chaoyang District. (6500 8070) www.zonedeconfort.com 逸生活, 朝阳区三里屯北路15号(新三里屯办公室旁边)