Top Al Fresco Dining Spots in Beijing

Top Al Fresco Dining Spots in Beijing
By Mark Turner , eChinacities.com

With air conditioning units now finding themselves switched on, the gents in shorts and ladies in those gravity defying skirts, and people taking to the streets in the evening again, it is safe to say that summer is finally here in Beijing. What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than a spot of al fresco dining?

Cafe AlbaView In Map
Cafe Alba is one of the jewels of the Gulou Dajie area. With a view of the famous Drum and Bell Towers and the ramshackle hutong rooftop sprawl, the charming deck on top of Cafe Alba is a summer sure shot. A secluded corner of the raised, cushioned deck is a great place to take a summer date to enjoy some healthy Mediterranean cuisine. With a cool, shady and elegantly decorated and equipped downstairs, it has a place to retire from the summer heat when the blaring sun cannot be tamed by cocktails alone.

Add: 70 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng Disrict, Beijing
地址: 北京市东城区鼓楼东大街70号
Tel: 010 6709 1383
Opening hours: 10:00-02:00

Eudora Station亿多瑞站 View In Map
With beautiful, and extremely popular, front and rear patios, and roof top, visitors to Lido’s Eudora Station have more than ample opportunity to soak up sun or loll in a comfy seat under a canopy and enjoy Beijing’s recently found golden blue skies. With traditional American fare on offer, Eudora is a firm favourite of the Lido expat package family crowd. A number of screens also draw the presence of sports fans when large scale international games are televised. Although it is nothing out of this world in terms of novelty or exceptional quality, Eudora is as reliable as its good old fashioned American food, and Mediterranean dish varieties never fail to satisfy.

Add: 6 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址: 北京朝阳区北京市芳园西路6号
Tel: 010 6437 8331
Opening hours: 11:00-02:00

The Saddle CantinaView In Map
Nestled within the Sanlitun hide-away that is the inner sanctum of Nali Patio, is perhaps one of Beijing’s finer Tex-Mex eateries, and definitely one of the city’s best locations for some dining al fresco. Portions are delicate, and maybr not the largest, but you will find however the food at The Saddle Cantina is most certainly not to be sneezed at – being both flavoursome and very attractively presented. The Saddle’s biggest draw is its location at the very centre of Nali Patio, which is a fantastically lush, tiled Mediterranean plaza adorned with exotic plants, running water and white-walled arches that make it a true oasis and destination for those in search of some jalapeno-injected outdoor eats.

Add: No. 81 Sanlitun North Rd, Nali Studios, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址: 朝阳区三里屯北路81号北京那里花园内
Tel: 010 5208 6005
Website: www.beijingsaddle.com
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11:30-02:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-04:00

BocataView In Map
When the problem of finding a sandwich in the sun rears its head for many a Beijing resident, their immediate solution comes to mind in one word: Bocata. Located at the quieter, more sedate end of Sanlitun, just far enough away from the ‘helloladybar!’ men and the student debauchery of Tongli studio, Bocata offers up a small front garden perfect for some tranquil eating. Just a stones throw away from the trenches, it’s easy to come up for air here, before heading back to the heart of Sanlitun for drinking or dancing. Understated and refined is the order of the day in terms of both the Moorish décor and the Spanish inspired menu, making Bocata a one stop spot for sunny sandwich heaven.

Add: 3 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址: 北京市朝阳区三里屯北街3号
Tel: 010 6417 5291
Opening hours: 11:00-00:00

The PavillionView In Map
One of Gongti’s most classy of hangouts, the Pavilion has it all when it comes to al fresco dining. The location near the Workers Stadium is sumptuous and tasteful, and exudes a kind of classiness which sets it apart from a great deal of other Beijing spots. Although not known for being easy on the wallet – or purse, and being a purveyor of nothing more special than standard pub style food, the Pavillion offers great atmosphere – it’s a great place for swilling a few icy cold beers and soaking up the opulence. Go ahead and splurge, summer only happens once – every year.

Add: Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang District, (opposite the Workers Stadium West Gate), Beijing
地址: 北京市朝阳区工体西路 (工体西门对面)
Tel: 010 6507 2617
Website: www.pavillionbeijing.com
Opening hours: 11:00-23:00

Element Fresh新元素 View In Map
What better way is there to enjoy some al fresco eating than to enjoy a healthy pasta, salad or fruit smoothie on a stylish, hip patio in the heart of Sanlitun’s home of the beautiful people, the Village? If that sounds appealing, then trendy Element Fresh has exactly the summer dining experience that you are seeking. As often is the case, quality does not come cheaply at Element Fresh. However, the healthy and – as the restaurant’s name suggests – fresh (sprinkled in olive oil as opposed to heavy animal fat) dishes, the restaurant makes sure that their fare is worth that little extra. Light, but not miserly portions at Element Fresh may be just what is required on a scorching sunny day or balmy summer evening.

Add: S8-31, Sanlitun Village, 19 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
地址: 三里屯19号, 三里屯Village南区8号楼8-3-3单元 :
Tel: 010 6417 1318
Website: www.elementfresh.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri from 10:00, Sat-Sun from 08:00

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Keywords: eating outside beijing Al fresco dining beijing outdoor restaurants beijing outdoor dining beijing eating outdoors beijing

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