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7 Best Cafes in Beijing with Stunning Views

When traveling to Beijing, exploring historical landmarks like the Forbidden City, the Drum Tower, or ancient hutongs is usually at the top of your itinerary. Local cafes on historical rooftops and within ancient courtyards now offer front-row views of these famous sights.

Here is a guide to 7 cafes in Beijing, including their locations and opening hours.


1. Tangfang Coffee (糖房咖啡) – Shichahai

The View: Ancient rooftop tiles and Houhai Lake.

Located in the Shichahai area, Tangfang Coffee features a 4th-floor rooftop terrace with views of the historic hutongs and Houhai Lake. The left side of the terrace overlooks traditional boats moving along the canals.

  • Address: No. 11, Dongyan, Shichahai, Xicheng District (西城区什刹海东沿11号)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM

2. Polonio – Near Baita Temple

The View: The white Tibetan Pagoda against hutong roofs.

Situated near the White Pagoda Temple (Baitasi), Polonio has a 2nd-floor balcony that frames the white pagoda over traditional grey hutong roofs. It includes an outdoor terrace suitable for a coffee break.

  • Address: No. 185, Fuchengmennei Street, Xicheng District (西城区阜成门内大街185号)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 09:00 AM – 7:00 PM

3. Xianshu Coffee (闲塾咖啡) – Near the Forbidden City

The View: Tiananmen, the Forbidden City Turret, and Jingshan Park.

The rooftop terrace at Xianshu Coffee directly faces Tiananmen, the Forbidden City Turret, and the pavilions of Jingshan Park. Because seating is limited, booking or arriving early is recommended.

  • Address: 4th Floor, No. 35, Dongchang'an Avenue, Dongcheng District (东城区东长安街35号4层)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM

4. Half Coffee – Near Nanluoguxiang

The View: A 700-year-old Taoist temple courtyard.

Half Coffee is located inside Fuxiang Temple, a 700-year-old Taoist temple near Nanluoguxiang. It features a spacious open courtyard out front with outdoor seating surrounded by historic architecture.

  • Address: Inside Fuxiang Temple, No. 3, Fuxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District (东城区福祥胡同3号福祥观内)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

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5. Fuding Coffee (福鼎咖啡) – Wudaoying Hutong

The View: The roofs of the Lama Temple from the hutongs.

Located in Wudaoying Hutong, Fuding Coffee features a rooftop terrace. On clear days, visitors can see the rooftops of the nearby Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) rising above the residential neighborhood.

  • Address: No. 32, Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (东城区五道营胡同32号)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM

6. Muji Coffee – Heart of Beijing

The View: Tiananmen and Zhengyangmen Gates.

Located in Beijing’s central commercial area, Muji Coffee provides an elevated vantage point on its second floor. The cafe offers panoramic views of Tiananmen Square and the Zhengyangmen Gate.

  • Address: 2nd Floor, Building 3, No. 21, Langfang Toutiao, Dashilan, Xicheng District (西城区大栅栏廊房头条21号院3号楼2层)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

7. Yuyan Coffee (雨燕咖啡) – Drum Tower

The View: The Beijing Drum Tower from a courtyard.

Yuyan Coffee is set inside a traditional Chinese courtyard with classic red pillars and wooden doors. From the seating in the center of the courtyard, guests have a direct view of the Drum Tower rising above the walls.

  • Address: No. 40, Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng District (东城区钟楼湾胡同40号)

  • Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 09:30 AM – 7:30 PM


 
 
 

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