Beijing’s Oldest Church Café: 1901Cafe Inside Xishiku Cathedral Complex

If you’ve ever wandered the streets near Beijing’s Xishiku Cathedral and wondered where history and caffeine meet, 1901Cafe offers a surprising answer. Tucked inside a century-old building adjacent to one of Beijing’s oldest churches, this café isn’t just a spot for coffee—it’s a living piece of the city’s layered past, where faith, architecture, and modern leisure overlap in unexpected harmony.

1901Cafe is located in a three-story building constructed in 1901, originally part of the Xishiku Cathedral complex and once home to senior clergy. Today, it serves as a café known for its vintage charm, literary atmosphere, and central location just steps from historical landmarks.

What Is 1901Cafe and Why Is It Special?

1901Cafe occupies a three-story gray building erected in 1901, originally donated to Xishiku Cathedral by a late Qing–early Republican-era Western-style builder named Zhang Wenrong. Though not built in the Gothic or Baroque styles of the main cathedral, the structure uniquely blends elements of both, resulting in a distinctive architectural hybrid. For over a century, the building served as housing for high-ranking clergy until the Cultural Revolution. Today, it has been repurposed into a café that marries its religious and historical roots with a contemporary, artsy vibe.

The café is nestled within the larger Xishiku Cathedral complex, located at 101 Xi’anmennei Street in Beijing’s Xicheng District. Its address places it in a historically rich neighborhood, walking distance from landmarks like Guangji Temple, known for its friendly resident cats, and the iconic Xishiku Cathedral itself—one of Beijing’s largest and oldest Catholic churches, featuring a striking neo-Gothic design with 11 spires that once made it the tallest structure in the inner city.

What to Expect Inside 1901Cafe

Stepping into 1901Cafe is like stepping back in time. The creaky wooden door opens into a space filled with aged timber, soft yellow lighting, and an ambiance that blends old-world reverence with modern-day relaxation. The café spans three floors, each offering a different mood and layout.

The ground floor features a small bar area where a Northeast-accented staffer and a Beijing-style manager take orders. It serves coffee, Western-style light meals, desserts, and drinks, though seating is limited to a few scattered chairs—most visitors head upstairs. Ascending the worn wooden stairs (which groan underfoot), you’ll find the second floor, a more spacious area divided by bookshelves and vintage furniture. Here, deep-toned wooden tables, small sofas, and window-side nooks create an ideal setting for quiet reading or conversation. The third floor holds several private rooms with curtains for intimacy, featuring a large shared table ideal for small gatherings.

Visitors recommend arriving early or late in the afternoon to secure a seat, as the café fills up quickly during peak hours. The overall vibe attracts “pà kè”—a Chinese term for those who linger without ordering much—an atmosphere perfect for people-watching, reading, or simply soaking in the historic surroundings.

Food & Drink: What’s on the Menu?

The menu at 1901Cafe includes a selection of coffee drinks, teas, Western snacks, and desserts. While the focus is on atmosphere, here’s what one visitor tried—and how it stacked up:

• Rose Tea: Available as a large cup (48 RMB) or a pot (78 RMB). Some found the pot size underwhelming.
• Poutine (called “”): Priced at 38 RMB, this Quebec-origin dish features fries topped with mozzarella cheese and beef mushroom sauce. Reviewers noted the portion was generous but the flavor didn’t quite hit the mark.
• Cheese Plate: Listed at 36 RMB, the cheese was described as light in color and flavor, neither thick nor particularly bold. Staff mentioned it was a type of cream rather than traditional cheese, though specifics were unclear.

Other items mentioned include a colorful tiled floor and vintage décor touches that add to the café’s nostalgic appeal. The background music is soft and unobtrusive, contributing to the overall calm environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is 1901Cafe located?

1901Cafe is at 101 Xi’anmennei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. It’s part of the historical Xishiku Cathedral complex, near Guangji Temple and the famous Xishiku Cathedral, one of Beijing’s oldest and largest Catholic churches.

What is the history of the building that houses 1901Cafe?

The café is in a three-story building constructed in 1901. It was originally donated to Xishiku Cathedral by Zhang Wenrong, a prominent Western-style builder of the late Qing and early Republican period. It served as housing for senior clergy until the Cultural Revolution.

What is the atmosphere like at 1901Cafe?

The café has a vintage, literary feel, with creaky wooden floors, aged wood furnishings, soft lighting, and quiet nooks. It’s popular with people who want to relax, read, or enjoy a slow moment in a historic setting. The building has three floors, each with a distinct layout and seating style.

What food and drinks does 1901Cafe serve?

The menu includes coffee, tea, Western-style snacks, and desserts. Popular items mentioned include rose tea (48 RMB for a cup, 78 RMB for a pot), poutine (38 RMB), and a cheese plate (36 RMB). Reviews are mixed on taste, but portions are generally ample.

What are the best times to visit 1901Cafe?

The café can get crowded in the afternoon. Visitors recommend going early in the day or later in the afternoon, especially around meal times, when it’s easier to find seating.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Café Sipping

Pair your time at 1901Cafe with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or the Classic Blend for a balanced medium roast with caramel and nuttiness—both roast profiles complement the vintage ambiance. For something deeper, try the Black Cocoa Blend, which brings chocolatey richness suited to a quiet afternoon among old books and architecture. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.