Exploring Cafes and Dining in Beijing 798 and Wangjing

For a perfect day out in Beijing, the creative energy of the 798 Art District and the bustling, modern neighborhood of Wangjing offer some of the city's most exciting culinary and coffee experiences. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot to study, an authentic Australian-style brunch, or unique regional Chinese dishes, this curated guide highlights the top spots to eat, drink, and relax based on local visitor experiences.

1. The Industrial Coffee & Art Scene in 798 & 751

The former factory spaces of 798 and 751 have been transformed into aesthetic cafes that seamlessly blend industrial history with modern design.

• Voyage Coffee (798 Art District): Located inside a quiet shared courtyard with a local cycling shop, this two-story cafe is a favorite for self-study and relaxing. For indoor work, choose the small square tables with floor outlets or the long table with a power strip, as outdoor seats lack outlets. Be aware that the shop closes early at 18:00, and you may occasionally hear assembly noise from the adjacent bicycle shop.
• Tian Roast / Tianroast Coffee (798 & 751): Well-known for its signature coffee pairings and cozy vibes, particularly its Pistachio Dirty and the Little Red Riding Hood Sandwich (or Wolf's Grandmother Sandwich). Visitors highly recommend sharing the sandwich between two people as it is exceptionally filling.
• ATEN CAFE 十食集: A modern, wabi-sabi aesthetic cafe and exhibition space inside 798. It features giant floor-to-ceiling windows and red brick walls, combining specialty coffee with displays of ceramic art and home decor.

2. Wangjing's Trendiest Brunches & Study Spots

Wangjing is a hub for busy professionals, students, and creative minds, offering highly functional study spaces and world-class brunch options.

• MOJO (Wangjing): A beloved Melbourne-style brunch spot located near the Wangjing Street crossing. It is highly rated for replicating authentic Australian cafe vibes with dishes like its spicy tomato baked eggs (Shakshuka), smoked salmon Benedict, and rich Flat Whites, averaging around 120 RMB per person.
• 8KM COFFEE (Wangjing SOHO): Known for its exceptionally long hours (open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM the next day), this spacious two-story cafe is a dream for students and remote workers. Every table is equipped with power outlets, and the high-speed Wi-Fi makes it highly productive.
• Mind Master Coffee: This newly opened, highly popular spot features a warm "Maillard-style" American retro aesthetic. It is incredibly popular with Brompton folding bike owners, though it can get very crowded with limited seating during peak hours.

3. Artisanal Bakeries and Local Comfort Food

If you are looking for more than just a liquid caffeine fix, 798 and Wangjing host exceptional bakeries and local culinary treasures.

• Molli Bakeshop (798): Famous for its unique rice-based breads (like Pandan Rice and Original Rice for 10 RMB) and explosive popping mochi. Tip: Try freezing the popping mochi before eating to give the inner filling a delightful ice-cream-like texture.
• 一个黄萝卜 (Yellow Carrot - Wangjing/798 area): A cozy, highly welcoming Xinjiang family restaurant themed around "BoBo" and Mayday band elements. Their signature Mutton Hand-Pulled Rice (抓饭) is highly limited to just two pots daily, so arrive early to secure a portion.
• Jiaodong Liu Mama Meat Juice Dumplings (798): Perfect for a casual, hearty meal. They serve giant, freshly wrapped dumplings (such as the popular cucumber, egg, and shrimp dumpling) that are as large as buns, complete with complimentary self-serve corn soup and Laba garlic.
• S.O.E COFFEE (798): A popular ins-style cafe famous for its Pistachio Basque cake, which is light and not overly sweet. However, note that their Chestnut Sweet Potato Basque can feel a bit heavy and rich for light-sweetness dessert eaters.

4. Practical Tips, Caveats, & Shopping Routes

• Unwinding and Shopping in 798: To explore the best lifestyle and vintage shops in 798 (like the American retro home decor shop DULTON or the vintage clothing store TIGER) without doubling back, enter the district through the West 2 Gate and exit via the West 4 Gate.
• Crowd Caveats: Weekend crowds are common. Popular spots like S.O.E COFFEE and Voyage Coffee are heavily trafficked on weekends and holidays, so they may not offer the quietest environment if you plan to read or study.
• Power & Amenities: While 8KM COFFEE has abundant power outlets, other spots like the unnamed 751 Industrial Cafe have very limited outlets and no power banks on site, so charge your devices beforehand.

5. Also Mentioned

• Aurora Coffee (798 adjacent): A quiet, study-friendly spot in a nearby mall with beautiful green window views. They serve only coffee and tea (no food options are available, so eat before you arrive).
• Pinsha Coffee (Lidu/798 area): An artistic retro cafe with an outdoor courtyard capturing gorgeous afternoon shadows, perfect for relaxing.
• belo park · 林海茶酒厂 (Jiuxianqiao): A massive, lush, park-style restaurant and cafe with multi-level indoor zones and outdoor camping-style seating. It is highly pet-friendly.
• ONSITEEE · cafe (Chaoyang Park/South Shiliju): A massive 3,000-square-meter pet-friendly cafe with a large yard, green spaces, and evening outdoor movies.

Locations Guide

All Xiaohongshu Notes