Although the first official day of autumn may have slipped by right under our noses last Sunday, we sure as heck aren’t about to let the upcoming Restaurant Week Autumn 2021 do the same. For the uninitiated, Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to dine at some of Beijing’s best culinary sites for a much lower-than-usual price! So without further ado, we’re pleased to announce that Restaurant Week Autumn 2021 is open for reservations beginning today, Aug 10!

This time around, Restaurant Week brings us 25 days of culinary ecstasy, Aug 12 to Sep 5. This is your chance to experience a three-course meal at top restaurants in the capital, such as Wolfgang’s, JingYaaTang, Rive Gauche, and more! Prices start from just RMB 78 for lunch sets and RMB 298 for dinner set menus, all the way to the Elite offerings for those willing to splurge. You’ve just got to move fast and book your date at the restaurant you desire because those seats get snapped up fast! American Express cardholders enjoyed priority booking beginning Aug 5, and will also enjoy 25 percent off selected house drinks at participating restaurants. Likewise, if you’re a BMW member, you’ll also be thrilled to know that you are eligible for exclusive privileges at select Michelin-starred and Black Pearl restaurants during Restaurant Week.

When booking your seats on the Dining City app, restaurants are conveniently categorized to help whittle down your search for the most suitable restaurant according to your needs. Take a look under the Kid-Friendly section to find restaurants such as Madam Goose (the only Michelin-starred restaurant in China specializing in roast goose), Restaurant Week newcomer April Puffer (which specializes in you, guessed it, pufferfish delicacies), and Meilu Hot Pot. These restaurants are all equipped with high chairs for little ones to join in the dining fun.

2021’s second edition of Restaurant Week is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly, with the inclusion of previous Restaurant Week award winner Vege Wonder and Miao Veggie Space. As a personal recommendation, and in honor of my home nation Singapore celebrating its National Day on Aug 9, I would definitely take the chance to try Jumbo Seafood and taste their famous Singaporean chili crab.

Scan the QR code below and let the feasting begin!

KEEP READING: Feel Good Foods: Beijing Restaurants Serve Dishes that Keep On Giving

Images: Unsplash

Over the past week, our buds at the Beijinger profiled hamburgers that push the limits of what a bun and beef can do, from Japan’s rice burger to the tallest and cheesiest options around town. This, however, only begins to scratch the surface of burger innovation, and specifically, Beijing’s creative affinity for the beloved cuisine. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most unique offerings at this weekend’s Superhero Burger Fest, hosted by the Beijinger and JSS Delivery service, Sep 18-20 at Wangjing Walk.   

Vegetarian Double & Spicy Vegan Burgers by QMex

The Veggie Burger that packs an unbelievable punch!

As a preview of what’s to come for QMex Bar & Grill’s ever-expanding meatless menu, the TexMex staple will be unveiling two new options at Burger Fest, a Vegetarian Double Burger and Spicy Vegan Burger, both of which use China-based faux-meat purveyor Zhenrou for the patties. The vegetarian burger is a guilt-free twist on the classic cheeseburger, featuring two patties, two slices of cheese, mayo, and QMex’s special sauce. Not to be outdone – by their own options no less – they’ll also be slinging a Spicy Vegan Burger, complete with two patties, a vegan paprika cream cheese, jalapeño slices, tomato, lettuce, and vegan mayo.

Unagi Kabayaki Burger by The Music Bar

No, really. You have to try this one.

It’s said that not all heroes have capes, and to be sure, not all burgers have beef. In fact, some, like the Unagi Kabayaki Burger by Shunpachi’s executive chef, David Liu, which is made from tender, mouthwatering eel cooked in a garlic shiso butter mayonnaise and topped with egg between two seaweed buns, rounding out that authentic nori-infused unagi unadon flavor. This is truly unlike any burger you’ll find at the festival, let alone in Beijing, and is a must-try for every seafood lover who’s sick and tired of beef-centric burger options.

Secret Beef Rib Burger by Steam Rhino

It’s prehistorically delicious!

Whereas most restaurants are content with simply grinding up some beef, shaping it into a patty, and throwing it on the grill, Steam Rhino is going a different route: fry up some ribs, douse ‘em in a savory sauce, and throw those suckers on a bun with a little mixed lettuce for good measure. This succulent, finger-licking creation is for the devout carnivore in your group, the one for whom no burger is ever burger-y enough.

Cholo 2.0 & Chicken Manchurian Burgers by Side Street

Side Street will be dropping two Burger Fest exclusives this weekend, both of which are spinoffs of classics from their menu. The first is a Cholo Hamburger redux, the Cholo 2.0, made from a meat patty that clocks in at a whopping 150g, topped with fried chorizo, goat cheese, mozzarella, chilaquiles, and sour cream. The Chicken Manchurian is a reimagined version of their cauliflower Manchurian appetizer, featuring a fried chicken patty coated in spicy Manchurian sauce and served with a bit of blue cheese dressing to counter the heat. And for their plant-based friends, they’ll also be turning out a vegan version of the Squatter, with a zhenrou plant-based patty smothered in decadent BBQ sauce.

Vegan Dessert Burger by Ping Dynasty

You can have your burger and dessert it too!

First, Ping Dynasty looked at Beijing’s craft beer market and seemingly thought, you have fun with that, we’re going to do something a little different, resulting in their delicious, crisp ciders. Now, they’re looking at Burger Fest and seemingly thinking the same thing, because the results are nothing short of mind-blowing. Billed as Beijing’s first dessert burger, this colorful concoction is entirely vegan and packs more than enough fruit to balance out all the grease and booze you consume over the weekend.

The Burger Cup 2020 is less than 5 days away! Take this opportunity to score an amazing deal for the entire family with this Groupon deal! It doesn’t have to be your family alone. Feel free to bring your kids and your kids’ friends for a day of flavor, food, and fun! Just scan the QR code above to score this amazing deal before time runs out! See you all at the Burger Cup 2020!

Photos: Courtesy of restaurants.

This article originally appeared in the Beijinger.