In Beijing, where ancient and modern blend seamlessly, hutongs are not only historical witnesses but also integral to modern life. Hidden within these alleys, cafes offer a unique taste of Beijing's atmosphere.
Beijing's hutong cafes are often found around Nanluoguxiang, the Drum Tower area, Wudaoying Hutong, White Pagoda Temple Hutong, and Dongsi Hutong.
This article recommends the 8 best hutong cafes in Beijing. Enjoy your coffee while experiencing the warmth and stories of the city.
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- 1. Cafe Zarah
- 2. Metal Hands Cafe
- 3. Voyage Coffee
- 4. Still Water Coffee
- 5. Sugar Cafe
- 6. Town House Coffee
- 7. Yao Cafe
- 8. Mood in Rouge Coffee
1. Cafe Zarah - Popular with International Travelers
- Location: No. 46, Drum Tower East Street, Dongcheng District
- Hours: 10:00-24:00
- Average Price: 65 RMB
- English Menu: Available
- Bonus: Private Restroom
If you enjoy spacious, bright spaces with an international vibe, Cafe Zarah is a great choice. Its standout feature is a large tree in the courtyard that extends through the glass roof, giving the indoor area a sunroom feel. The second floor offers a terrace with a wider view.
If you want to find a quiet cafe for work, this cafe is ideal. The tables are large, and the chairs are perfectly sized. Many foreigners also prefer working here.
It's one of the rare "all-day spaces" in the hutongs. During the day, enjoy a coffee with light jazz. In the evening, it transforms into a relaxed bar atmosphere.
We recommend trying their Iced Vietnamese Coffee and Iced Caramel Latte. If you want to eat something, their brunch is popular, featuring dishes like spicy chicken pasta and cheese omelets.
2. Metal Hands Cafe (Head office) - High-Quality Coffee
- Location: No. 6, Nanyang Hutong, Dongcheng District
- Hours: 10:00-19:00
- Average Price: 60 RMB
- English Menu: Available
If you have high standards for coffee and appreciate spaces that blend modernity with history, Metal Hands Cafe (铁手咖啡制造局) is a must-visit in the hutongs. It's the only Asian cafe in the global top 50.
The cafe features a French retro-industrial style with a stainless steel art gallery. Unlike other cafes, the bar has many seats, allowing close interaction with the baristas.
Their signature drink is the Dirty. We recommend trying the Pistachio Dirty and Vienna Coffee. For dessert, the Fig Cheesecake is recommended. They also offer brunch options like salads, sandwiches, and steak.
Next door is Nanyang Theater, featuring plays and stand-up shows, though English performances are less frequent. Nearby, you could also visit the National Art Museum of China and Gui Street.
Learn more about Gui Street on Top 5 Beijing Snack Streets.
3. Voyage Coffee (Nanluoguxiang Branch) - Quadrangle Courtyard with Seasonal Scenery
- Location: No. 49, Dongbuyaxiao Hutong, Dongcheng District
- Hours: 10:00-18:00
- Average Price: 46 RMB
- English Menu: Available
If you want to enjoy coffee in a quadrangle courtyard, check out Voyage Coffee. It's tucked away in a century-old courtyard at the Yuhe Heritage Site, close to Nanluoguxiang but surprisingly quiet. Inside, you'll find two courtyards. The back one is more peaceful, with shady trees, wooden tables, and riverside seating.
Quadrangle courtyardYou would enjoy seasonal charm if you visit in spring and autumn.
In spring, magnolias bloom from late March to mid-April, their pink petals contrasting beautifully with the gray bricks. In autumn, from mid-October to mid-November, the ginkgo leaves turn golden. Sitting by the river with a coffee, watching the leaves fall, is a delightful experience.
If you are interested in Beijing's autumn leaves, see our 6-Day Beijing Autumn Tour.
Autumn Ginkgo in BeijingThe cafe specializes in Espresso, offering only three types of beans: Zero, Red Cherry and Guji. We recommend trying the Red Cherry Iced Americano or Latte. They serve coffee in clear cups instead of traditional mugs, offering a simple and clean presentation.
4. Still Water Coffee - Chinese Garden Atmosphere
- Location: No. 69, Drum Bell East Street, Dongcheng District
- Hours: 9:30-20:00
- Average Price: 55 RMB
- English Menu: Available
If you love the tranquility of a Jiangnan garden, Still Water Coffee (静水咖啡) is the ideal hutong cafe to slow down.
The first floor has large windows that let the sunlight lazily pour in. As you go further in, you'll find wooden doors, a pond, flowing water, and bamboo, creating a serene atmosphere. Even on rainy days, it has a special charm. Upstairs, there's a terrace where you could overlook the gray rooftops and hutong scenery.
We recommend trying the Orange Iced Americano and Pour-over Coffee. After ordering, you'll receive a horse-shaped buzzer. This little surprise adds to the experience and is great for photos.
5. Sugar Cafe (Shichahai Branch) - Best for Photos
- Location: No. 22, Qianhai East, Xicheng District
- Hours: 10:00-22:00
- Average Price: 55 RMB
- English Menu: Available
If you love taking photos, head to Sugar Cafe (糖房咖啡). It's in the famous Shichahai area, surrounded by ancient hutongs and historic buildings, offering plenty of photo opportunities.
The third floor has an outdoor balcony, and the fourth floor features a terrace. You could sip your coffee while enjoying views of the Drum Tower, Yandai Xiejie, and Shichahai, soaking in Beijing's unique urban vibe.
ShichahaiWe recommend trying the Naughty Molecule and Sunset. They may not taste as great as other places, but they look fantastic for photos. The best time for pictures is between 4-6 PM, with plenty of light and a chance to catch the sunset.
Due to its prime location, it can get crowded. Sometimes you might need to wait around ten minutes for a seat.
6. Town House Coffee (Guozijian Branch) - Hutong Life
- Location: No. 76, Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District
- Hours: 9:30-19:30
- Average Price: 60 RMB
- English Menu: Available
If you want to feel the real rhythm of hutong life with a cozy, refined vibe, Nordic-style Town House Coffee is excellent.
We suggest sitting outside the shop for the best experience. You'll see local life unfold: clothes drying, tree shadows, delivery scooters, and cyclists passing by. This simple, relaxed hutong atmosphere gives you a glimpse into everyday old Beijing. Enjoy a coffee while watching the flow of life. It's relaxing and picturesque.
HutongsThe owner lived in Sweden, so the coffee and pastries have a strong Nordic touch. They use light roast beans to highlight the coffee's natural aroma. We recommend trying the Strong Flat White, Nordic Dirty, and Budapest Roll.
The cafe is close to Lama Temple, the Confucius Temple, and Wudaoying Hutong. It's perfect for a city walk. See our Top 5 Beijing City Walks.
7. Yao Cafe (White Pagoda Temple Branch) - Integration of Chinese Medicine
- Location: No. 165, Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District
- Hours: 10:00-19:00
- Average Price: 45 RMB
- English Menu: Not available
If you're interested in traditional Chinese medicine or want to try something new, Yao Cafe (耀咖啡) is the place to be.
As soon as you enter, you'll notice a light herbal aroma that fills the space with a unique vibe. They blend Chinese medicine elements into their coffee, such as the Persimmon Iced Latte, Loquat Pear Latte, or Roselle Plum Drink. Each sip offers a fresh taste experience.
You could pair coffee with their White Pagoda Cake, inspired by the nearby pagoda, for a touch of beauty. The third-floor terrace lets you overlook the White Pagoda, great for snapping a memorable hutong photo with your coffee and cake.
White Pagoda Temple HutongThe cafe is right next to the White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy. After enjoying your drink, you could explore Chinese medicine culture. Watch the masters weigh herbs or try a pulse diagnosis.
White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy8. Mood in Rouge Coffee (Drum Bell Branch) - Peking Opera Theme
- Location: No. 60, Zhuzhong Hutong, Xicheng District
- Hours: 10:00-19:00
- Average Price: 50 RMB
- English Menu: Not available
- Bonus: Private restroom
If you're into traditional Chinese culture, check out Mood in Rouge Coffee (点绛唇咖啡) with its Peking Opera theme.
Peking OperaIt is filled with opera elements like hats, costumes, masks, and photos, creating a truly unique atmosphere. The abundance of plants beautifully complements the Chinese-style decor. Some parts of the roof are glass, allowing sunlight to stream in, which is great for daydreaming. It's usually quiet, offering a great spot to relax.
We recommend trying the Osmanthus Rice Wine Latte and SOE Americano.
Insider tip:
The costumes here cannot be tried on, but if you're interested, head to the Opera Museum branch on Hufang Road. You could try on costumes there, though it's not a hutong cafe.
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