First Glance: Al Bar Italia, Xindong Lu

Al Bar Italia is the newest café on Xindong Lu, opening on the south side of the Italian Center. The café eyes clean and calm, and although somewhat confused by its Italian surroundings, it offers the perfect refuge from the hustle bustle of the streets of Sanlitun.

This might be the best place to pick up a take-away version of the caffeine of your choice in the Xindong Lu or even Sanlitun area as the prices are decent and the coffee is solid. The menu offers a wide range of options including flavored coffees, priced RMB 12-25. We had a mocha (RMB 25) which was presented beautifully in a tall glass, topped off with dreamy foam and chocolate powder.

For those who are not into coffee, there is also a choice of teas (jasmine, red, black, and lemon at RMB 15), and a few soft drinks and fresh juices (RMB 30, choice between orange, grapefruit, watermelon, and apple). And for the sweet toothed among you (this is where the Italian Center comes in) there is gelato (RMB 18 for one scoop, RMB 32 for two, and RMB 46 for three). There are also some muffins if you want to turn your coffee date into a breakfast or snack adventure.

Al Bar Italia
Italian Center, 13 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8418 5417)
意大利中心朝阳区工体北路13号院

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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Photos: Margaux Schreurs

This blog was edited because the name of this cafe was misunderstood to be CruItaly, which is actually the wine venture located in the same building.