1 Yuan Coffee and 1.2-Pound Ribs at Guangzhou’s First British Café

Looking for an excuse to visit Guangzhou’s CBD beyond work? Hidden in the heart of the Pearl River New Town business district, a fully realized British village has just popped up. On January 8, GretnaGreen—China’s first authentic British tea restaurant—opened its doors inside the urban jungle, offering not just a taste of the UK, but also jaw-dropping deals on coffee and massive slabs of ribs.

The big news? For the first three days, you can get a proper cappuccino to go for just 1 yuan (about 14 cents). Yes, one. Yuan. And that’s not all—a full 1.2-pound (0.54kg) cut of slow-cooked Camden thyme-glazed beef ribs is yours at 30% off for the opening weekend, then 40% and 50% off for the following six days.

Stepping into GretnaGreen feels like wandering into a British forest town. The décor is polished yet cozy: antique British royal dining tables, forest-inspired lighting, and every piece of cutlery etched with the GretnaGreen crest. Even the napkins carry the restaurant’s insignia. The dessert counter alone, visible as you enter, is filled with intricately designed treats that look too pretty to eat.

Why You Should Try the 1-Yuan Coffee

GretnaGreen isn’t skimping on coffee quality despite the promotional price. The coffee is brewed by professional baristas using freshly ground beans, with careful attention to detail in every pour. While the exact beans aren’t specified, the process—selecting, grinding, and slowly extracting—is all there, just like you’d expect from a specialty shop. Best of all, an actual cappuccino costs just 1 yuan if you take it away. That’s unheard of in the city’s central business district, where a basic latte often goes for over 25 yuan. For CBD office workers, this is more than a deal—it’s a daily miracle.

The 1.2-Pound Camden Thyme-Glazed Beef Ribs: What Makes Them Special

GretnaGreen’s signature dish is a 1.2-pound (600g) cut of Australian imported beef ribs, glazed with thyme and slow-cooked using a traditional “village recipe” for 12 hours. Yes, 12 hours. The kitchen only makes a limited number each day due to the complexity. The ribs are then finished on a professional grill until fully cooked, locking in juices without drying the meat out. The result? A rib that’s crispy on the outside, tender and juicy within—with rich beef flavor throughout. The meat fibers turn velvety while still holding shape, and when you bite in, the fat melts and the savory-sweet glaze bursts in your mouth. Most diners don’t bother with utensils by the end, simply picking the bones clean.

More Than Just Meat and Coffee: The Full Menu Breakdown

GretnaGreen serves a full British tea experience, including a decadent afternoon tea menu offered at 50% off through January 31. The afternoon tea sets range from Set A (8 desserts, 38 yuan after discount) to Set B (12 desserts, 58 yuan), featuring treats like macarons, tarts, brownies, and mousse cakes. There are also lighter fare options:

• Set C (33 yuan): choose between a tuna melt sandwich, fruit toast with fries, or ham and pasta soup, served with hot lemon tea or coffee.
• Set D (39 yuan): opt for smoked bacon mushroom pasta, Hungarian beef pasta, or Italian meat sauce baked rice, also with hot lemon tea or coffee.

For breakfast (10:00–14:00), try:

• A meal (29 yuan): salad, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and baked beans.
• B meal (49 yuan): add a steak and a pastry to the above. All breakfast options come with a choice of hot lemon tea, fresh milk, or coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is GretnaGreen located in Guangzhou?

GretnaGreen is at Shop 122, Fuli Yingfeng Building, 2 Huaqiang Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (right across from Bonjour Global Plaza). The address is 2122.

How long are the 1-yuan coffee promotions running?

The 1-yuan cappuccino deal is available only on the opening weekend: January 8, 9, and 10. After that, other food deals continue.

What are the rib discounts and how long do they last?

The 1.2-pound Camden thyme-glazed beef ribs are 30% off on January 8–10, 40% off on January 11–13, and 50% off on January 14–16. That’s a full nine days of discounted ribs.

Does the afternoon tea discount apply to all sets?

Yes, all afternoon tea sets (A, B, C, and D) are 50% off until January 31. Set A is 38 yuan, Set B is 58 yuan, Set C is 33 yuan, and Set D is 39 yuan after discount.

What are the restaurant’s opening hours?

GretnaGreen is open daily from 10:00 to 22:30.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for British-Style Café Pairings

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, juicy profile that matches well with British pastries, or their Yirgacheffe for floral and citrus notes that enhance light desserts. For a richer pairing with the beef ribs or sausage sandwiches, their PWN Golden Mandheling offers deep chocolate and spice tones. All three beans are expertly roasted to highlight their unique profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.