We loaf you, bread- from the fresh slices we nibble every morning, to the bagfuls we snag everytime we go to the grocery store. There's nothing like the warm, wholesome aroma that wafts from bakeries on cold winter days, as blustering winds beckon us in. On that note, here’s a roundup of the new Beijing bakeries that kept us full, warm and happy throughout 2017 (in chronological order).

There Will Be Bread

You gotta have guts to open a bakery next to Comptoirs de France, opposite April Gourmet at Xingfucun. But despite the neighboring competition, the variations of breads here hold their own. They do so, surprisingly enough, by being relatively simple. Take your pick from daily toasted baguettes as well as five different kinds of bagels, cinnamon rolls and croissants, walnut rye, and country bread. The wares are baked onsite daily and are then placed out on upright metal trays on the shop floor for people to choose.

Read our first impressions here.

Alesia

We have to say merci to Cordon Bleu alumni Shuang Chai and co-founder Andy Chu, who brought high-quality, affordable French-style bread to hungry Beijigners at this humble but cozy bakery on Shizipo Jie. Their prices are quite reasonable, considering the imported ingredients they use. Their wares are freshly baked every day, and include croissants (RMB 18), pain au chocolate, pain aux olives and pain aux tomates, and you can book for the special ones like mille-feuille in advance.

Read our first impressions here.

Bad Farmers and Our Bakery

This Taikooli North bakery was an instant hit upon opening in June. Forget about their Zangzangbao (脏脏包) if you don’t want to spare at least two hours waiting. Instead, try the croissant (RMB 18), and potato ciabatta (RMB 19), or the salad. Oh, you should also take hundreds of selfies at this instagramable and spacious place.

Read our first impressions here.

Taipei Story

Taipei Story is located on the first floor of World City Place. There are over 20 varieties of bread in their display case, along with a fridge full of desserts near their counter. It’s hard not to fill up while nibbling on their samples as you browse and try to decide what to order. We especially liked the whole grain bread (RMB 27) and “German pudding” (RMB 20) which might be the largest in Beijing.

Read our first impressions here.

Nestgram

Relocated from Sanlitun Beijing to Ritan Shangjie, Nestgram has upgraded their décor with a more minimalist style – simple white lamps, grey walls, and delicate knickknacks. A large bar where the staff makes drinks is surrounded by high stools, with several marble tables throughout the space. Highlights include their rainbow-colored bagel-like bread (RMB 27), cholegg (baozi-like bread with salted egg and different fillings), and the Swiss rolls (RMB 107 for seven flavors).

Read our first impressions here.

Love Grains

Similar to its Taiwanese siblings popping up all over Beijing, Love Grains offers two dozen varities of breads on the first floor of Topwin Center. They make delicious European-style bread – whole wheat bread with low sugar, salt, and oil – that also features a Japanese and Korean twist. We were also impressed when the staff described how they add purple and brown rice to make the bread more fluffy and nourishing. We tried their "Power Cheese" loaf (力量芝士 lìliàng zhīshì, RMB 22) and, for the more adventurous, try Love Grain's salted duck egg pastries, or their pork floss varieties. You never know, they might open up a new world of Asian tastes for you.

Read our first impressions here.

Vimworth Bakery

Opened barely three months ago, Vimworth Bakery is nestled at the tranquil Shoukaixingfu Plaza. They offer a selection of bread, pastries, cookies, and cakes in a humble price range (RMB 10-30). All those wares are baked onsite. We quite enjoyed their Yunduo bread (云朵RMB 10), which is soft and has a sweet cream filling. The cookies are also worth a try (RMB 12 for a small box, and RMB 28 a large box). Their spacious second floor, meanwhile, houses baking classes.

Of course we still love Comptoirs de France, Zeroll, Croissant Village...but we deleted Daly Bak, since it's closed. Ok, bread-addicts, may 2018 be even more bready!

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com

Twitter: @flyingfigure

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Photos: Tracy Wang, Dianping