A Closer Look at the Restaurant Awards: Which is Beijing’s Best Café?

So, you’ve got the day off, and the sun is out – where is the best place to take a friend (or a book), get a cup of coffee, get a bite to eat, and while the day away? That's exactly what we asked our readers earlier this year in our 2016 Reader Restaurant Awards. Here's where you voted for Beijing’s Best Café.

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In first place, and perhaps as no surprise, was Moka Bros. With a little bit of everything: healthy lunches, refreshing smoothies, a kick-ass Bloody Mary, and even cakes and other sweet baked goods, as well as three locations throughout Beijing, Moka Bros continues to excel in delivering healthy meals and a trendy but relaxed environment to spend the day. Our readers might not agree on much, but they definitely agree on that. If you're looking for somewhere quiet to go, though, you might want to keep reading, as Moka Bros' Sanlitun branch is always buzzing.

Comptoirs de France received an Outstanding nomination in this category, which also doesn't come as much of a surprise as their pastry game is thoroughly on-point: name something sweet and baked and they'll have it. Things are only getting better at Comptoirs, with their new delicious summer smoothies set to keep us hydrated and hangover-free throughout the warmer months. 

Wagas also received an Outstanding award in the Best Café category, on merit of their laidback vibes and strong menu. We're particularly fond of their lunch deal which includes half a salad and half a sandwich or wrap. You get the choice between half a pesto chicken wrap and half a Wagas salad (RMB 60), half a falafel wrap and half a Wagas salad (RMB 62), or half a roast beef sandwich and half a caesar salad (RMB 62). Wagas is a pretty good choice if you're looking for somewhere more low key, as it's quite calm outside of the lunch rush.

As for potential frontrunners in next year's Best Café awards? You might want to check out Fix near Nanluogu Xiang for the coffee, and TiensTiens in Sanlitun for the sweet goods. Both are small but comfortable to get some work done outside of the morning push and TiensTiens even has a rooftop to bask in the summer's rays.

Click here to take a look at all our Reader Restaurant Award coverage.

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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Photos: Sui, Margaux Schreurs