Cyclists Craving Coffee Should Pedal Over to This New Bike-Themed CBD Café

Gone are the days when the CBD was a generic wasteland of nondescript chains, when feeling hungry or groggy in that neighborhood pined for the far-off artisan F&B oasis of Sanlitun and Gulou. Now, the neighborhood is rife with trendy little cafés, be it the year-old Basic Coffee, the recently opened cookie and coffee bean joint Cocoroo, and hutong favorite Big Small's brand-spanking-new kiosk near Hatchery's soon-to-be-opened Guomao location, not to mention the high-quality spots abounding in the glitzy China World Mall that serve above-average cups of joe. 

That means yet another quality coffee newbie, ReHome, fits in snugly with those fresh peers with higher standards. Much of its coffee is imported from a Japanese company, Lima, famed for sourcing top-notch beans from all over the world. Their Toraja Indonesian coffee, available for RMB 48 per glass, is far milder than many of the imports that have become trendy across Beijing, featuring a sweet aftertaste that makes it feel like a mini-indulgence as its caffeine kick slowly and steadily perks you up. The more common, but nevertheless satisfying Mandheling coffee (also from the Lima brand) is richer and more full-bodied, yet smooth enough to tempt you to order another cup. 

ReHome's assortment of desserts is all the more alluring – from bite-sized dark chocolates that cost RMB 28 for six pieces, richly cushy brownies for RMB 35, chocolate cake for RMB 35 per slice, and moist and subtly sweet banana cake for RMB 18. You can also burn off all your energy and calories (from ReHome's coffee and sweets, respectively) by buying up the shop's array of high-end cycling paraphernalia. Much of those bike accessories are imported from shops in Japan, and some of it is also used as decor in café's spacious second-floor area, which also boasts huge windows that let in plenty of light, giving it an upscale studio vibe that's comfortable and fun for anyone looking to bring along their laptops and catch up on some work in an environment that's quieter and more offbeat than your average coffee shop.

It all amounts to a classy space that'll tempt exercise freaks, coffee aficionados, and patrons with sweet teeth in equal measure. The unique combination and high quality of ReHome's offerings will also make CDB dwellers happy that their neighborhood is on the up-and-up, and finally home to some of the most interesting cafés in town, instead of its prior position dwindling behind the hutongs and Sanlitun.

ReHome
Daily, 9am-7pm. 1501 Jianwai Soho West. Chaoyang District (5900 3719)
北京市朝阳区建外soho西区15号1501

Photos: Kyle Mullin