Experience a traditional teahouse along with a show at the Lao She's Teahouse. With a troupe of actors and scrumptious eats, this enormous teahouse and theater performs daily. Named after the famous Chinese playwright, Lao She, the atmosphere reflects a bygone era. Snack on traditional baozi (steamed buns), dried plums or pastries while enjoying a show.

This tea shop, which dates back to the final years of the Qing Dynasty, is located on one of Beijing's most historical and interesting shopping streets, Da Zha Lan Alley. It deals in over 200 types of tea, with prices ranging between tens and hundreds of renminbi for a few grams. They have green tea, black tea, chrysanthemum tea, herbal tea, and Oolong tea. You will find a tea for every occasion and a few more types to spare. It is worth visiting just for the sights and smells.

Tang Ren Tea House is a lovely place to enjoy an evening out in Beijing. It looks like one of those old wooden houses that China is famous for, with lots of tea cups and bowls decorating the interior. The walls are nicely decorated with paintings depicting old times, Chinese characters and mountains. A wide variety of teas are served, though some of them are really expensive (CNY200 or more). The tea house is a friendly and relaxing spot where couples and families can spend some quality time together. Located in front of the Qian Hang Lake and near the Qian Hai Hutong (a small, ancient Chinese neighborhood), the scenery is quite charming. -Marina Burana

Not just a restaurant, this venue is a cultural hub acting as a restaurant, tea house, and gallery. Considered by That's Beijing to be the "Best Place to Impress Visitors", this hip space features an extremely decorative and contemporary atmosphere with products and a concept that are unapologetically Chinese. The owner's dedication to promoting and establishing the 'new China' is also evident in his unique menu, which features cutting edge renditions of traditional Chinese fare. With its avant-garde agenda and its plethora of teas fit to serve any mood, it is definitely a place worth talking about.

This jovial coffee house moonlights as a bar come nightfall. Ocean Grounds is a hip and modern venue with two steel topped bars, pendant lighting and unfinished wood tables and counter tops. The chalkboard menus belies its hidden contents of premium alcohol that slides back to for the ultimate reveal. However, during the day time the board is marked with their daily specials of pour-over coffee or specialty espresso drinks. Light fare like artisan rosemary bagels, pastries and chopped salads are the perfect accompaniment to either the coffee or cocktails!

Those who want to brush up on their Chinese reading or learn how to play the ancient Chinese strategy game 'Go' can do so here while enjoying a very European cup of coffee or Mexican beer. Cross-cultural mixing is welcome at this friendly place: The servers are courteous to the point that they even remind customers their porch is slippery when it snows! A small room of books highlights this cafe. More books sit on a shelf in the middle of this festive, but not excessively decorated dining room. Balloons, dragons, striking chandeliers and a beer poster or two line the walls. Glasses of grass sit on the green-and-white-checked tablecloths. Coffee, espresso, cappuccino, orange juice, milk, Heineken, Corona, Tsing Tao, black tea and flower tea available.

Minglanxuan tea house is one of many oases of tranquility in Beijing.The log furniture, the lamps and lanterns, the superficial tea set and glass windows accentuate the relaxed sprightly atmosphere here. The teahouse can accommodate upto 30 person in its halls and rooms.Musicians from the China conservatory's student association plays traditional music which enjoys great popularity.

North Woods Cafe is a nice and quiet place to spend an afternoon. You can find it on a small, modern street in the Shuangjing area. The cafe offers great snacks and very good coffee. As the owners say, it's an excellent joint where good friends can share some good coffee. The space definitely boasts a cozy and friendly atmosphere, and they also have delicious bread and sandwiches. -Marina Burana

The Rug Cafe offers one of the best brunch menus in Beijing. Although there are lunch and dinner options available, the brunch - in particular, the banana walnut pizza, all savory with a deliciously fluffy crust and drenched in maple syrup - is the real must-try. Located in the Chaoyang District, this organic cafe features contemporary decor, wooden walls and comfy sofas for an intimate and welcoming feel.