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Discover the Best International Restaurants in Beijing
Hello my name is Marisa, and I am almost a junior in high school. My family and I live abroad as diplomats, and we were fortunate to spend a year living in Beijing, immersed in the culture and food. I am a passionate foodie and have a lot of close relatives and friends who deal with severe allergies.
I am writing this blog with the hope that foreigners can travel comfortably to unfamiliar places, even if you deal with food allergies.
So, are you planning on traveling to Beijing? This is food central– it’s affordable and delicious. As my family and I lived there for a year, I took photos of almost everything we ate. I am gonna keep this short, simple, and honest; and show you restaurants that made us keep coming back for more; where the people were friendly and we were able to communicate our needs as foreigners.
1. Black Sesame Kitchen
Address: China, Beijing, Dongcheng, 中老胡同28号 邮政编码: 100050 // Phone: +86 136 9147 4408
Here you are guided by top chefs in a traditional hutong near the Forbidden City to create your own authentic Chinese dishes! This is an amazing experience for foreigners that we got to experience, and one we will always remember.
Not only do you get to eat some of the best Chinese food you will ever taste… but you learn how to make it! If you are looking for a unique experience in Beijing that comes not only with dining, but learning the authentic process behind it with friends and or family; I highly suggest you go here.
You must email reservations ahead of time through email or China’s main phone usage app of WeChat. Email @blacksesamekitchen.com for reservations. You can also book through tripadvisor.com if you search for Black Sesame Kitchen.
* Allergy Note: As you are the one cooking here, ahead of time please let them know of your allergies! This restaurant is targeted at foreigners and it should be easy to communicate your needs because of this!
2. Baoyuan Dumplings
Address: China, Beijing, Chaoyang, Maizidian St, 6号楼 邮政编码: 100026 // Phone: +86 10 6586 4967
Baoyuan Dumplings is located in Chaoyang District, Beijing. It’s a well-known local restaurant that has very authentic Chinese food. It’s very famous for its multi-colored dumplings and local cuisine. The other tasty delicacies offered include ribs, kung-pao chicken, Si Ji Dou (or Sichuan dry fried green beans), and deep-fried Chinese eggplant (my personal favorite).
This restaurant is very traditional and will give you the ultimate Beijing experience. Its affordable, is very used to foreigners, and usually has someone who can speak English so you can communicate your needs.
**Note: Please take the food allergy card with you; as allergies may not be taken as seriously without it. Chinese food is often cooked with peanut oil, seafood, sesame, eggs/dairy, gluten/wheat, and soy.
3. Din Tai Fung
Address: 87 Jianguo Rd, Chaoyang, China, 100026 // Phone: +86 10 6533 1536
Din Tai Fung is a worldwide franchise based in Taiwan. If you’ve never been, you MUST go! In Beijing it’s decently priced, and will give you a run for your money. They are famous for their 小笼包 Xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. They have multiple flavors infused with an aromatic broth with impeccable flavor. Alongside the soup dumplings, they have many other dishes you must try… from the cucumber salad to the special braised beef noodle soup.
This is one of my favorite restaurants and a must-eat if you are travelling in Asia.
*Allergy Note: With it being a worldwide restaurant chain, its easy to get good service where they can accommodate those traveling with allergens. Its important to communicate your needs to your waiter or waitress.
4. Su Thai
Address: ChaoYang District MaiZi Dian Street 38, San Quan Apartment 1 Floor, Beijing China Phone number: +86 10 6507 7326
Su Thai is my favorite Thai restaurant in Beijing. It’s authentic, delicious, and the atmosphere inside is amazing. It has a temple-like ambiance and delicious food to offer. From the massaman curry to the fresh papaya salad.
It’s located in an area with plenty different restaurants everywhere you walk, but this one is definitely one you can’t miss out on if you are a fan of traditional Thai food.
* Allergy Note: Make sure to bring food allergy cards with you to emphasize serious allergies, especially when dealing with peanuts, shellfish, dairy, and other deadly allergens. Make sure to communicate your needs to waiters/waitresses using food allergy cards and/or a translator.
5. Koi boba
Address: 北京市朝陽區朝陽公園路6號院1號樓1層L-SA-01號 // Phone number: 010-59056211
Koi boba is my favorite boba place of all time. The variety of flavors, from the mango boba to the original milk tea and the tapioca pearls are simply amazing~~ its to die for! Its decently priced and will satisfy that boba craving.
The one we would often go to was the KOI PLUS北京藍色港灣店 (Koi Plus located at the front of Solana mall) in Chaoyang district. The address and phone number is located below. Though there are a couple located around Beijing.
Koi boba is a franchise located all around Asia, and is a popular chain. It often deals with foreigners and is very popular.
* Allergy Note: This is a cafe that may deal with allergens including dairy, sesame, nuts, gluten, and mango. Make sure to communicate your needs using food allergy cards (which is safest and most efficient).
6. Slow Boat
Address: China, Beijing, Chaoyang, 麦子店街78号华康商务 邮政编码: 100124// Phone: 01065926362
Slow Boat Brewery in Beijing Maizidian is simply amazing. Your classic American brewery hits the spot. If you have been craving a real-deal burger and that side of crispy fries… you’ve come to the right place.
There are a lot of burger places in Beijing, but this one manages to stand out. They have a couple locations, but the one we often went to is listed below.
* Allergy Note: Food allergy card listed on our website is highly recommended with ANY restaurants in Beijing, especially people w allergies that are very severe and would result in hospitalization.
7. The Daily Bagel
Address: No.39 West Maizidian Street 1/F Fashion Hotel, Beijing China // Phone: +86 135 2093 6328
This place is a little pricey, but its worth it for your taste buds! They have a variety of bagels (NY style!) and drinks.
Situated in Chaoyang district, if you are looking for a delicious and filling breakfast along the beautiful Liangma river; grab a bite here. You can get a to-go meal and have a little picnic by the river with your friends and family.
* Allergy Note: If traveling with food allergies, please communicate using food allergy cards as listed on our website. Usually there is someone who can speak minimal English~~ but if your allergies need to be taken seriously, a card is recommended.
In conclusion…
I hope you have enjoyed reading my insights on these foreigner-friendly eateries in Beijing. Beijing is truly a unique place and such a big component of it is the culture and the food. I also hope you can use this to your advantage if you’re just looking for good foreigner-friendly restaurant recommendation or want to create a safe and comfortable trip for you and your loved ones.
While a lot of these places are not authentic Chinese food, there’s a lot of good international food offered in Beijing — and if you are traveling as a foreigner (especially with food allergies), I recommend all of these places.
再见，谢谢你～！
Hello! My name is Marisa. I'm Pat's niece and Lily's cousin, and guess what? I'm also a big foodie! I live abroad in Asia with my family and am currently navigating high school life in Seoul. Living in different corners of the world with my family over the years has its perks, especially when it comes to tasting all the amazing flavors from around the globe. As a fellow foodie, I like when people can enjoy food as comfortably and joyfully as me. There's an indescribable happiness I get when I travel and explore the world's wonderful delicacies with family and friends.
I've also witnessed the challenges of food allergies, affecting those closest to me like Lily and one of my best friends in Paris. Witnessing the accidental consumption of allergic foods, especially in foreign countries, has been eye-opening. So, here I am, super excited to share my adventures and food insights from my travels. My mission? Offer recommendations for fantastic places to eat and share recipes for those with food restrictions, allergies, or specific diets. Since I'm so lucky to live in international locations, I want to share information that allows you to travel fearlessly to destinations I've enjoyed. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
