2024 Year-in-Review: New Restaurants Pt. 1

Back in February African food connoisseurs African Tribe set up their first physical restaurant in Sanlitun SOHO. Dubbed Tribe Garden, the space is decked out with stylish black leather chairs and booths with greenery dotted around and a bar at the back. Here they serve up a range of classic African dishes like different varieties of Jollof, okra, fufu, goat meat and more. They also serve up a range of beers, cocktails, wine and other drinks and have regular weekly drinks deals to enjoy along with live DJ sets come the later hours.

Towards the start of the year, Beijing gained a new sandwich shop in the form of Deli NYC, the Shanghai based brand's first location in the capital. Situated in the T+ MALL in Sanlitun, they serve up classic US style sandwiches with two signatures being Philly Cheesesteaks and Reubens. They've got a range of other sandwiches like turkey, Italian meatball and egg salad, alongside brunch dishes, tacos, hot dogs, and more. Since opening it's already become a firm favorite among sarnie fans in Beijing, especially among the Beijinger editorial team!

In March Shanghai-based Italian restaurant chain Alimantari opened its first Beijing location. Situated in the T+ MALL in Sanlitun, Alimentari Grande isn't only a restaurant but also has a retail area and deli section. On the menu, they've got a range of classic Italian dishes like pizza, pasta and risotto as well as a variety of mains, brunch dishes, nibbles and more. It's certainly proved popular since opening, with patrons normally needing to grab a number and queue to get a table. 

Each year TRB brings fresh concepts to Beijing and this year was no exception with them opening fine dining Italian restaurant Bosco. Located on The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street it offers up an array of classic Italian dishes and, as with any TRB establishment, has already gained a reputation for both excellent food and service. 

This year saw a new Indonesian restaurant open up in Langyuan Station named Warisan, which means "heritage" in Indonesian. The restaurant was established in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy and Bank Indonesia and is not only an eatery but also China's first Indonesian cultural experience center. They serve up an array of classic Indonesian dishes including satay, soups, rice dishes and more. The space itself is beautifully decorated with touches of Indonesian artwork and other knick-knacks. Since opening, they've hosted a number of Indonesian cultural events including a festival. 

At the end of March, after much anticipation, Bollywood Tales officially opened its doors. A sort of second branch of the super popular Indian restaurant Dastaan, its menu comprised of a range of authentic and lesser known Indian dishes has already made it a firm favorite among foodies in Beijing. Located in Shuangjing, the decor, as you might guess from the name, has a Bollywood theme with walls adorned with artwork of famous Bollywood stars, movie posters and other colorful motifs. Along with food, they also have some great daily drink deals.  

Baochao Hutong gained a new resident in the form of the restaurant Puzzles, opened by Max B, formerly of the Peninsula Hotel. Located just down from Modernista, it's a cozy space that's clearly been carefully thought out with small touches like dried plant fronds and rattan baskets giving it a slightly rustic feel. The menu is mostly European with a range of well executed pastas, brunch dishes, cold appetizers and desserts. Along with food they've got a menu of creative cocktails that put a spin on much loved classics as well as coffees, wine and other drinks.  

The folks behind popular hutong fine dining restaurant MULU celebrated 50 years of China-Malaysia relations with the opening of Laksa Queen back at the beginning of June. Modeled after Malaysian kopitiam – a sort of traditional coffee shop – they serve everything from Sarawak Laksa to other Malaysian goodies such as Kolok Mee, Ipoh Chicken Horfun, Curry Chicken Rice Noodles and more.

Rising from the ashes of Joe's Pizza, which closed its doors earlier in the year, came Big Joe, which opened up just across the street from Joe's Pizza's former digs. Here they serve up the same big New York style pies which, in true New York Style fashion, can be purchased by the slice as well as whole. They've got a range of classic toppings like peperoni, cheese, Hawain and meat lovers as well as a variety of snacks, beer, highballs, soft drinks and more.  

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