The word “legend” is thrown around a lot now. A lot of places and people are said to be legends. However, at Morel’s you will meet the real living legend of Beijing, Mr. Morel. Morel’s has been around for over 20 years (the oldest foreign restaurant in Beijing). If you get a chance to meet Mr. Morel and his wife, talk to them. They are by far some of the most interesting people I have ever met in my life. My words can’t accurately describe how interesting they are, you could honestly write a book about their experiences here over the last 30 years.
Over the past 20 years Morel’s has stayed consistent. I have been here for many “old China hands” lunches. The restaurant has not changed, it’s the same every single time. The menu is the same for 20 years, and only adds some seasonal additions. Please tell me restaurant that has the same menu for 1 year, now try 20 years.
The food speaks for itself probably because Mr. Morel‘s previous restaurant in Europe received a Michelin Star before he moved to Beijing. We have a Michelin level chef quietly living under our noses in Beijing for over 30 years, many of us younger people had no idea (myself included). Fun fact: he even personally cooked for Michael Jackson, how many people can say that?
The dinner last night was a true feast. Everything was traditional and delicious. Think about going to Europe and having dinner in a grandma’s home. It doesn’t get anymore real than that. You can taste the food was made with love and the sauces were out of this world.
The oysters were fresh and massive. The farmer’s steak (delicious). It should be called a breakfast steak since it has bacon, eggs, and steak together.
A must must must try is the fish soup. Normally avoid fish soups because they are watered down and bland. This one was perfect. I had something similar to this in Lisbon, Portugal. You want to talk about flavor? Wow!
If you like steak tartare you need to try the one here. It is so finely chopped it’s like butter. Bursting with flavor, paired with some fresh bread, delicious.
Getting into the desserts: I would highly highly recommend the apple pie. It was 90% apples and 10% crust. Normally an apple pie is 10% apple and 90% crust. Again delicious!!
If you like strawberries on the seasonal menu they have a strawberry compote. Holy wow!!!! This dish has some crazy amazing flavors. Think about strawberries with a burnt caramel finish. It just resonates on the tip of your tongue.
Morel’s is one of a few places that could transport you out of Beijing to Europe for a few hours. Let the accordion music lull as you have a phenomenal meal. You don’t stay open for 20 years of you aren’t doing something right. There is a reason why even after 20 years this place is still full of people it’s for the food and the conversation.
Go meet a living legend and try his food. You won’t be disappointed. I highly doubt you will find another chef as talented as Mr. Morel. And prices are extremely affordable, well lower than other restaurants in Sanlitun, so it won’t break your bank account.
BeijingPresident
One of the best European restaurants in Beijing for years and years already. Have a good steak and beer. Don’t miss it.
sevenzeroseven
I visited Morels for almost 20 years, food and service never changed and still the best in Beijing, thanks to Renaat en Susan.
Laowei89
It is pretty amazing to find excellent Belgian food in Beijing. Even more surprising, some of the dishes are of higher quality than today in the majority of Belgian restaurants in Brussels, as my daughter lives there and can't find the same endive dish (gratinated with ham). The atmosphere is cozy as in a Belgian "café". It is famous for its mussels, Belgian beer, steaks and more.
Gilbert V
Morels has been around for over 20 years. I don’t know much about Belgium cuisine all I know is the food at Morels is excellent and always very consistent. The owner is always there. For lunch they have a 98rmb special that gives you several choices and includes a soup or appetizer or soup main course and dessert and beverage. Very generous portions. I had the salad and beef steak. We had a larger group but everyone was served quickly and we were finished within an hour. Lots of parking on the street but a new electronic type of payment and you need a Chinese app, easier to pay cash so tell the attendant first.
davidwP5862EO
Went for the old china hands lunch. I didn’t know morel’s had a 98 RMB business lunch (3 courses and a drink). Great food! An absolute steal! Highly recommended. Great food for lunch or dinner. Pepper steak best in Beijing!
BeijingPresident
It a good place with service and friendly staff. They have good food and an large selection of beer.
Quman86
I had visited this restaurant 10 years ago and started conversing with Renat for a very pleasant dinner. We even joked about his toilet paper being the best in China as one of the comments above.
He recommended the Chateaubriand with 4 different sauces which was beyond exquisite. For starters we ordered the foie gras and the cheese croquette.
The beef comes and the vegetables comes from his own farm in North China.
Everything was served to perfection not to mention the added touch of warmth from our interaction with Monsier Renat Morrel, his wife and his staff.
Mercy mon amie.
felipemX569SB
Morels is one of those old fashioned western restaurants in Beijing with a comfortable atmosphere and delicious food. As a Belgian restaurant, it has a large menu including steak, seafood, rabbit, poultry and other European dishes. In my opinion, it is so much better than many of the more trendy/popular restaurants that only seem to last a couple of years (particularly in the Sanlitun area). It is also very affordable.
My family and I have dined here twice in the last month, but last night was a particular celebration for us (Australian Father’s Day).
We shared dishes, my wife and I having the Chateaubriand, served medium rare, which was unbelievably good, and the kids sharing a smaller steak. The atmosphere was great and the food was really good. My wife and I shared the beer tasting platter and enjoyed the variety of good quality beers that were included. On a previous occasion, the rabbit stew was also excellent.
For desert the kids enjoyed waffles and I enjoyed the apple pie.
I really enjoy going to these older style western restaurants every now and then (all around the world), and Morel’s is no exception. I would highly recommend Morels for people seeking this style of dining in Beijing.
OzML
We ate a pepper steak here and it was delicious. There are also a good variety of Belgian beers here: blond, double an triple beers. Really wonderful to have this kind of restaurant in Beijing!
CoisDeZweed
The staff was really nice all the time plus the food was very delicious. I totally recommend it to everyone. It's a great place to have dinner.
AgusT29
I know, it's weird to comment on the toilet paper of a restaurant but I was most impressed by the quality of choice of them coz I've never seen better quality of toilet paper anywhere else in China, including Hong Kong! I've been to top hotels in Beijing and nowhere else use the same quality of toilet paper! The owners of the restaurant (One Western one Chinese) are always there, every night of the week and they're so nice! Which explains the quality of service and food of the restaurant, thumbs up!
aquahles
I choose a steak and was agréable surprised to get it perfectly cooked and top quality. And as in any Belgium restaurant, you get an amazing selection of beers.
Loved it. It is on my list of restaurant to go every time I come to Beijing.
On the walls, traditional Belgium decorations. In the background some Belgium music.
697fabianp
Having been in Beijing almost 7 years this was the first time I went to Morel's. It was pleasantly surprised by how delightful it was. It reminded me of an old diner in the US, or a European cafe. You know one of those places that have been around forever and still serve great food! The staff was very friendly and helpful. It was overall a very enjoyable time!
Everything was excellent, from the pepper steak to the apple pie (an absolute MUST)
You won't leave here hungry!
A true Beijing staple that hasn't changed in this ever changing city!
BeijingPresident
Is this the best restaurant in Beijing - no. Was this a fabulous meal after days of Peking duck and noodles - absolutely. Steak and chips, followed by a huge waffle and washed down with some fruit beer - hit the spot. Service was fine. Perhaps would not stand out so much in Brussels, but really made my evening!
Tim C
Annoyingly, I only discovered this restaurant the day before I left Beijing; otherwise I would have visited frequently. After a fortnight of delicious but exclusively Chinese meals, finding Morel's was a relief and a delight. I had Steak/Frites and my companion had sole with potato cones; both were superb. The only drawback was that we had to work in the evening and couldn't sample the beers and wine on offer.
The restaurant is hard to find at the moment as it is hidden under scaffolding but generally it is in a good position for the Poly Theatre, the Workers' Stadium and the joys of Sanlitun. It is also an oasis of English speaking in a desert of Chinese, which for short term visitors is welcome relief!
Bannatynescott
In 12.5 years of time in Beijing, Morel's has the distinction of being a place where despite untold number of visits I have never had a disappointing meal.
Their steaks are always cooked to perfection as ordered and their bucket of mussels in Beijing is legendary.
There may be places with fancier decor, or presentation, but I'm hard-pressed to name another location that matches the quality of their food, and when you factor in their very reasonable price, they simply have no competition.
Reservations are a good idea on weekends and a must on holidays, and the restaurant is closed on Mondays.
I'm soon relocation back to Canada and this is one place I will definitely miss!
Glenn A
Had the 98¥ 3 course lunch. Also included 1 glass of house wine, draft beer, or soft drink. To finish, coffee or tea. This represents very good value in my opinion. The food was a bit of a throw back in time as is the decor. I started with ham stuffed with Russian salad that was plated with an abundance of dressed salad leaves. All in all, a quite tasty dish. I opted for the beef for main course, the name of which, I don't recall. It came sliced like meat loaf, with canned cherries and what tasted like instant mashed potatoes. The dessert, which is not named on the menu, I think was cheesecake, but can't verify.
upstairsforthinking