The season we have been dreaming about is finally here: It’s time to grab your friends, and head to one of these rooftops, patios, and courtyards for a day of unfettered eating, drinking, and relaxation.
READ: Basking in the Sun Part 1: Where to Appreciate Beijing Summer
Key
$ = under RMB 100 per person
$$ = RMB 100-200 per person
$$$ = over RMB 200 per person
Lido dwellers feeling bored by the neighborhood’s sleepy vibes will perk up when passing by this newly opened bar and restaurant, thanks to the big screen projector that plays rugby, football, and a range of other sports for those sitting on its spacious patio. The menu isn’t groundbreaking but has plenty of pasta, burger, and pizza options to satisfy the sports bar set. The bar, meanwhile, is stocked with a range of Japanese whiskeys, wines, and spirits that Buddy’s fun-loving owner brings back from his extensive travels.
Best for: Lido locals and sports fans
Address: 38 Jiuxianqiao Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District (5607 5507)
朝阳区酒仙桥芳园西路38号
Price range: $$
Blue Frog has managed to bag one of the best seats in the house on the sixth floor of Guomao’s new, glitzy China World Mall. As the newest restaurant in their canon, the wooden interior and hearty, balanced menu stay true to Blue Frog’s preceding outlets, but here it is the spacious terrace and superlative views of the CCTV Headquarters and surrounding CBD that will have diners lingering outside well past dusk.
Best for: American comfort food and CBD views
Address: NL6005, 6/F, China World Mall (North Zone), Bldg 17, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (8535 1186)
朝阳区建国门外大街1号院17号楼国贸商城北区6层NL6005
Price range: $$
You don’t have to be a craft beer aficionado or part of the hutong mafia to enjoy a night on Fangjia Hutong. Having recently entered its seventh year operating from this spot in the hutongs, the outdoor wooden tables at El Nido have really seen it all. Grab a beer from the fridges or select one from the many taps serving imports, and enjoy a breezy weekend afternoon people watching. Other spots with outdoor seating on this stretch of hutong are cocktail bar Fang next door, bottle bar Cellar Door a little further down the road (where you might have to jump up to let cars pass depending on how far you’re spreading onto the road), and popular Western restaurant Ramo.
Best for: Imported craft beer
Address: 59 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District (8402 9495)
东城区方家胡同59号
Price range: $
Dali Courtyard offers diners the chance to explore flavors most often commonly found in Yunnan from a rotating seven-course set menu (RMB 155) constructed from whatever ingredients are freshest that week. However, not only is the food delicious but the restaurant is located in a beautifully renovated hutong courtyard, equally suitable for a romantic date or the perfect spot to impress your parents with a distinctive siheyuan dining experience when they’re in town.
Best for: Traditional courtyard setting
Address: 67 Xiaojingchang Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (8404 1430)
东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号
Price range: $$
Element Fresh (Parkview Green)
Shanghai’s greenest import, Element Fresh, brings healthy American food to Beijing at its many locations. Our favorite branch for this season’s lounging is their Parkview Green terrace, far away from CBD traffic. Their menu boasts salads, pastas, wraps, and a smattering of Asian standards.
Best for: Vegetarian options and light American fare
Address: LG2-01, Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (8561 0378)
朝阳区东大桥路9号方草地LG2-01
Price range: $$
Already one of our favorite watering holes, even in winter, the addition of Arrow Factory’s rooftop only makes it that much more tempting. The Liangma River-facing deck consists of a fully-stocked bar, wooden benches, and a panoramic view of the embassy area. The menu is also worth salivating over, with its upgraded take on British pub food; think ale pies, sausages, a pita stuffed with pulled pork, salads, and a bunch of snacks for sharing. They also make a mean brunch if you prefer your food paired with craft beer.
Best for: Craft sausages and some of the best beer in town
Address: Tayuan DRC, 1 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District (8532 1977)
朝阳区新东路1号塔园外交公寓亮马河南岸
Price range: $$
The courtyard of Nali Patio might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think “Sanlitun” and “al fresco,” but the shaded space at the back makes for great weekday lunching if you’re working nearby, or grab a seat on the sunny patio out the front for elongated lounging at the weekend. Why should Moka Bros be your first pick of the list? Because there’s always something healthy to be found if you’re trying to absolve your weekend sins, or conversely, order one of their devilishly strong Bloody Marys and prolongue your debauchery.
Best for: Healthy dining
Address: 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5208 6061)
朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园1层
Price range: $$
If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy football, German food, and beer all at the same time, look no further than Hacker-Pschorr Bräuhaus. With over 100 outdoor seats, Bavarian-style beer garden is always packed in the summer, especially during big football fixtures. Choose from three draft beers brewed on site: a pale lager, a schwarzbier, and a wheat beer, and food consisting of traditional German fare, including our favorites the breadbasket and the juicy pork knuckle.
Best for: German cuisine, sports, and beer
Address: Bldg 3, 12 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District (8424 3827)
朝阳区新东路12号3楼
Price range: $$
Having opened its second location last September, Slow Boat’s Sanlitun Brewpub celebrates its first spring and summer with a smattering of seating out front on the ground floor. Perch at the bar or at the shorter tables made from kegs, with the added bonus that the bushes provide plenty of privacy from those passing on Nan Sanlitun Lu. Line your stomach with a burger from their extensive selection, including the Beijinger award-winning Fryburger, or try one of the salads, snacks, and desserts.
Best for: Beer and burgers
Address: 6 Nan Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6592 5388)
朝阳区南三里屯路6号
Price range: $$
Having been around for nearly a decade, Le Little Saigon can be easy to overlook, tucked away just west of the Drum Tower and surrounding hutongs. But the fact is that it still lays claim to one of nicest rooftops in the area. Perched high up amidst the trees and vines, this Vietnamese-French bistro serves a unique range of dishes from pho to beef bourguignon, guaranteeing to satisfy all tastes, and solidifying its place as a favorite among tourists and locals alike. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, head inside and enjoy the warm and homely Parisian fittings downstairs.
Best for: Dining with a Vietnamese-French twist
Address: 141 Jiugulou Dajie, Dongcheng District (6401 8465)
东城区旧鼓楼大街141号
Price range: $$
Read part two of our ultimate Beijing summer hangouts here.
Photos: Uni You, Joey Guo
