Top Specialty Coffee Shops in Beijing

Have you ever walked past a café in a mall and assumed it was just another chain serving espresso and muffins—only to later discover it’s actually a serious specialty coffee hub with a roastery and tasting room inside? That’s exactly what happened to one coffee enthusiast in Beijing who initially overlooked a mall café, only to realize it was something far more unique.

In Beijing, there are at least three specialty coffee venues worth knowing: one combines a café, tasting room, and roastery under one roof; another is part of a San Francisco-based SCAA member brand with in-house roasting; and a third is famed for its custom micro-roasts of rare coffee varieties. Each offers a different angle on high-end coffee culture.

A Farm-to-Cup Coffee Experience Inside a Mall

What looks like a typical mall café from the outside hides a much larger space inside, complete with a dedicated tasting room and an on-site roasting area. The café is filled with the rich aroma of freshly roasted beans. Media outlets like TimeOut have described it as offering "a zero-distance experience from farm to cup." The owner, Jim, is the main barista, known for his skilled hands and carefully selected beans—many from El Salvador have earned high praise. Customers can ask Jim anything about coffee, and he’s happy to share his expertise. The café also regularly hosts cuppings and lectures, all centered around Jim’s knowledge and passion. Address: 3rd Floor, U-Town Lifestyle Plaza, Chaoyangmen.

An SCAA Member with In-House Roasting

DouYan Coffee is part of a well-known San Francisco specialty coffee brand and a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). It roasts its own beans and follows the principles of the third wave coffee movement. The café has a minimalist yet distinctive design. Recently, it has expanded into tech company campuses like Tencent and Amazon, much to the delight of employees. Regular courses and events are held on-site, making it a favorite spot for coffee enthusiasts. The brand behind DouYan is recognized for its commitment to quality and community engagement within the specialty coffee scene.

Micro-Roasting Rare Coffee Varieties

Another well-known name in Beijing’s specialty coffee scene is DouShu Coffee. While less formally tied to international bodies, DouShu has built a strong reputation through active participation in professional coffee events and a unique approach to roasting. The roaster uses a micro-lot model, roasting small batches—especially suited to rare and precious coffee varieties. DouShu is also an excellent green bean supplier, with access to high-quality lots that even other Beijing café owners come to learn from. His approach emphasizes customization and precision in roasting, catering to the nuanced profiles of specialty-grade beans.

What Makes These Cafés Stand Out?

These three Beijing coffee spots each offer something distinct. The first combines a retail café experience with a roastery and tasting room, bringing the farm-to-cup journey directly to customers—even in a mall setting. The second brings SCAA-backed professionalism and in-house roasting to corporate spaces. The third focuses on small-batch, high-precision roasting tailored to rare beans, and serves as a knowledge hub for other coffee professionals. All three highlight different aspects of the specialty coffee movement in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Beijing café with a roastery and tasting room located?

The café is located on the 3rd floor of U-Town Lifestyle Plaza in Chaoyangmen. It features a café counter, tasting room, and on-site roasting area, offering a complete farm-to-cup experience.

Is DouYan Coffee part of an international coffee organization?

Yes, DouYan Coffee is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and is part of a San Francisco-based specialty coffee brand known for its third wave approach and in-house roasting.

What is special about DouShu Coffee’s roasting style?

DouShu Coffee uses a micro-lot roasting model, producing small batches especially suited to rare coffee varieties. This custom approach is ideal for highlighting the unique profiles of specialty beans.

Does the café in U-Town Lifestyle Plaza host events?

Yes, the café regularly holds coffee cuppings and lectures, often led by the owner, Jim, who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing coffee insights.

Which of these cafés is best for learning about specialty coffee?

All three offer educational opportunities, but the U-Town café and DouShu Coffee are particularly hands-on, with cuppings, lectures, and direct access to roasting processes and rare beans.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Tasting Experiences

For those exploring specialty coffee inspired by Beijing’s top shops, try FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon—offering intense sweetness and a thick body from meticulous natural processing. The Ethiopia Huakui highlights bright berry and citrus notes typical of Ethiopian heirloom varieties, ideal for pour-over. For balance, FrontStreet’s PWN Golden Mandheling delivers bold, clean body with low acidity, perfect for appreciating roast finesse. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.