There’s a certain kind of exhaustion that comes from a day spent exploring Beijing’s 798 Art District. It’s a fulfilling tiredness, born from hours of walking through industrial-chic galleries, taking in the installations and soaking in the art, creativity and heat. But as the summer sun beats down on the repurposed factory roofs, one thing becomes crystal clear: You need a haven. You need a place to sit, to recharge and to debrief on the art you’ve just seen.
For my group, that haven was Commune Reserve. By the time we made our way over, I could feel my brain melting and my skin burning. We were getting heatstroke. Forget the food; we were starting with icy cold desserts first! 
Made by Vai Gelato, their pistachio (RMB 68) and mixed berries sorbet (RMB 68) were the perfect combination of thick and refreshing to cool us back down to being functional again. But since we were already starting the meal with desserts first, why not throw in a piece of their famous cheesecake as well RMB 68)?
Stepping into this Commune Reserve in 798 feels like a seamless transition from artistic spectacle to culinary comfort. The airy, industrial design pays homage to 798’s roots while offering a clean, modern and welcoming space. If you take the time to admire their interior artwork, there’s even some stuff that’ll give you a good giggle, like it did with our group.
We slid into a spacious booth, our feet grateful for the rest. The menu still has all our all-time favorites, like their Oxtail Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RMB 88), but it also now has a section that features an array of new stuff.
What struck me first, even as we perused the menu, was the atmosphere. Commune Reserve isn’t just one type of place; it’s a chameleon that perfectly adapts to its occupants. In front of us, a couple leaned in for a quiet date. On our other side, a group of friends clinked glasses and laughed as they shared plates of appetizers. And beside us, a multi-generational family happily coexisted, with grandparents sipping coffee while parents managed the joyful chaos of their little ones. And of course, there was us, a group of various ages from almost 5 to almost 50.
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Here’s a major bonus for parents: Commune Reserve gets it. Before we could even dig into our bags for distractions, a server arrived with a huge coloring page and a brand new pack of crayons. It was an instant game-changer, transforming fidgety impatience into focused, quiet creativity.
And the perks don’t stop there. We learned that if you sign up for their free membership, you get a bunch of cool perks like three hours of free-flow drinks for RMB 98, discount vouchers, BOGO deals and free kids’ meals!
Pretty soon, our table was filled with the new dishes and our classic favorites. Their Smoked Brisket Burger (RMB 98), made with Australian Angus M3+ brisket and smoked for 16 hours, was a perfect combination of sweet and savory; the Sous-Vide Beef Focaccia sandwich (RMB 78) came with unbelievable bread that shouldn’t go under-appreciated; and the Crisp Fried Pig Ears (RMB 68) with roasted potatoes, which changed textures as it cools down, made for a great drinking snack. The pig ears may sound odd, but they’re definitely a must-try. We also had a hearty portion of four giant Fried Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Balls (RMB 78). And instead of regular fries, we ordered a big portion of Lotus Root Fries (RMB 45). Although they look exactly like fries, they’ve got a crunchier texture, and we absolutely loved it. But my personal favorite has got to be the new Roasted Pumpkin & Quinoa Salad (RMB 68) with baby potatoes, buffalo mozzarella, dried cranberries and toasted pine nuts.
Then the debate began almost immediately. Was the new sandwich the undisputed champion? Or does their Oxtail Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RMB 88) still hold its title for being the family favorite? We spent a good chunk of our meal passing plates around, sampling and passionately defending our chosen dish.
We all thought we ordered the tastiest one, and it was a delicious argument with no real loser – only very happy, very full winners. All, except for one…
My daughter has an exceptionally bland palate and almost zero tolerance for spices and seasoning. To her, ground pepper is too much. So as I was picking out the jalapeños from the oxtail grilled cheese (that was originally ordered for her), I remembered the member perk: a free kids’ meal!
All you need to do is pull out the digital voucher from the mini program (once you become a member) and voilà! RMB 0! You get an option of either pizza, a burger or Fried Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Balls, and your kid gets their free meal in a matter of minutes.
The small Margherita pizza was perfect for my daughter, and the table let out a unanimous sigh of relief as we watched her devour her pizza and do her happy food dance. Whew! Now we could go back to enjoying our incredible meal guilt-free.
As we finally settled the bill, we left feeling utterly refreshed. The mental fatigue from hours of visual stimulation had been replaced by the warm contentment of a great meal and shared laughter.
Commune Reserve is more than just a restaurant in 798; it’s the final, essential exhibit. It’s where the day’s experiences are processed, where connections are strengthened, and where you refuel both body and soul, whether you’re on a romantic date, catching up with old friends or managing a family expedition.
Find it:
朝阳区酒仙桥街道万红路5号万红路慢生活园区内（近正门）
5 Wanhong Lu, Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (near the main entrance)
Tel: 185 1324 3857
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Images: Mina Yan
