Gulou Area

Coffee, Chinese style
By Gan Tian

Forget about the brouhaha over Starbucks in the Forbidden City! If you really want to enjoy some Chinese atmosphere but also coffee – that Western thing – you can go to the Arts Haven Coffee and Bar located near the Drum Tower.

“Small” is the keyword describing this bar. Small space, small pizzas, small cups of coffee, small desserts … but it doesn’t stop guests from all over the world dropping in to savor the special coffee. They use Illy Coffee beans so the scent can tickle your nose hairs miles away.

The Japanese style desserts here are worth a try. Order the sweet Japanese doufu (bean curd) in a bowl – of course it’s a small bowl – you will see the white doufu with red peanuts buried inside. After you take a bite, the sweet doufu will slide into your stomach almost unnoticed. It’s that smooth!

Due to its special location, you can appreciate its typical Chinese decorations. Read walls, wooden chairs and tables, and Chinese paintings on the wall. Savoring coffee in such an environment makes your troubles melt away. What’s special here are many cats jumping, scratching, and wandering about. They won’t disturb you but they do add a unique aspect to the bar. When there aren’t too many people at Guozijian Jie, relaxing in the Arts Haven And Coffee Bar for a whole afternoon is a perfect way to loosen up your busy work routine.

Arts Haven Coffee and Bar
Where: 25, Guozijian Jie, Dongcheng
Open: 9 am – 11 pm
Tel: 6405 2047