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juhuacha

A three-story Wudaokou mainstay, the Bridge has fantastic coffee drinks, desserts and Italian food, great design, and lots of student energy. A lovely roof garden is open from noon-8pm.

 

1 year, 3 months ago

atlas

Wudaokou is crammed with cafes, but I’m positive that Bridge is the only one - aside from Starbucks - that’s not wrapped in a miasma of cigarette smoke: It’s all non-smoking.

Coffee is coffee – check the place out for the fresh air and the aforementioned roof garden.

 

1 year, 3 months ago

nellchen

The Bridge Cafe now open 24 hours.

1 year, 3 months ago

wendywellesley

I've never been, but I'm impressed roof gardens have made an appearance. Is there any way to post pictures of the garden?

1 year, 2 months ago

beijinger

isn't this opened by the same owner who owns Sculpting in Time? that's what the store clerks said anway.

1 year, 1 month ago

bj_expat37

from what i hear, there was some type of managerial dispute and the partners went their separate ways...sculpting in time has recently re-opened (right next door) and is definitely making its presence known with a similar but more expansive menu, more attentive customer service and better rooftop terrace.

I used to adore the bridge with its yummy coffee drinks, warm caramel apple pie, delicious french toast and large portions of carbonara pasta, however, during recent trips, i've found the service to be incredibly lacking...i hope it improves soon or else it'll loose many customers to sculting in time!

 

1 year, 1 month ago

bj_expat37

also, the bridge is NOT completely smoke free...only the 2nd floor is non-smoking whereas the rest of it feels like a nicotine fest...

*Tip: get there before 8am for 20% off your entire bill

1 year, 1 month ago

ivorynightfall

pros: free wi-fi. open 24 hours. friendly service (case in point: i went twice in one day - left for a dinner appointment and came back - and they heated my leftover pasta from the afternoon for me at 10PM at night! super nice!). always refill your water (from the bottle, not the tap - of course). lots of expats. 2nd floor smoke free. fairly clean bathrooms. outdoor sink, so can wash hands without having to go into bathroom. and on the third floor, there's this super cute enclave (1 table that only seats 2) that sticks out from the rest of the building that looks v. romantic - to the right of the stairs. the carbonara is very good. the pizza is OK.

cons: bad bad bad gnocchi. please do not try. can get pretty dim, and some of the waitresses are friendlier than others - some are more abrupt and become noticeably annoyed if you stay too long (but isn't that the point of the bridge cafe!?!?!).

overall - great meeting place. one of the few places where you can get free wifi in non-smoking environment. and super convenient, with fairly good food, so you often order too much...

 

1 year ago

rasmus

Bridge cafe can be described with one word: Shallow. This cafe looks very nice, but the food is what I deem extremely overpriced. Let me take pasta an an example. For 32 rmb you get a carbonara which is fair. The problem is that this Carbonara tastes nothing. My frind had another pasta dish and it none at our table liked it. The normal meat-sause thing is nor worth it, and anyone looking for such should head over to Lush, where it is exquisite (beleive it or not).

Cake can be in the 20+ range, a friend had a cappuchino for over 20 and yea...its frickin expensive for no reason.

I hate overpriced stuff, it makes me feel dumb when I eat it. Only pluss is free water and fair environment.

 

11 months, 3 weeks ago

helarno

A very comfortable place, decent drinks, atmosphere and wifi. Great overall to hangout at. Would give five stars, but I've had bad experiences when the place is really busy. When really, really full, I've had the wait staff lose orders, then despite repeated reminders, fail to produce a simple Latte after 40 minutes. I've also had the "pleasure" of overhearing tables next to me complaining very angrily about the same problem.

When not crowded, the service is decent. Pity that at peak hours, you are at serious risk of not getting incomplete service.

Can't say much about the food there though. I've never really tried the food there.

 

8 months, 1 week ago

atm

I can honestly say I love the bridge cafe. Admittedly I have a bit of a bias, living in Wudaokou. They make fantastic coffee, which I do agree is a bit overpriced, but the caramel latte makes it all worth it. You can also get very good black or Americano coffee, 18kuai for two.

The food is up to a high standard, which never varies. I would recommend the soups, Italian and chicken paninis, the chefs salad and most of the dessert menu. Best brownies by far, and excellent cheesecake. For those looking for a cheaper option, they pack quite alot into the 24hour breakfasts for 30kuai, including a free drink. The pastas are alright, great when you are craving a hit of carbs, and the handmade spinach pasta is wonderful. The gnocci is also very good, and comes out really hot and covered in delicious meat sauce and cheese. The only thing lacking is protein based meals, although they are apparently working on that one.

I have never had really bad service. They sometimes are a bit slow during peak hours, but it is a big cafe and a very small kitchen. The staff are friendly and helpful, some will even help you with your chinese homework. Occasionally there are trainee staff on service and your meal will come a bit slower, but if you see a plate wandering around, you can put your hand up and they will quickly and apologetically bring it right over.

They are very good with holidays and events, recently hosting a pumpkin carving competition and a drinks night for halloween, and an excellent thanksgiving dinner, that left me in a very satisfied food coma for the next hour and a half. They also sometimes have live music, including jazz nights and people playing the piano on the 3rd floor.

There is 20% off the entire menu between 4 and 8am, brilliant for early birds and those with the munchies after a hard night of partying at the nearby Lush, Pyro and Propaganda. Also, if you spend 400 or 500kuai in one month, you can get a 10% or 15% off card respectively. (Which makes those overpriced coffees much less of a hole in your pocket.)

The toilets are quite nice, and are cleaned every hour. Occasionally you will have to wait in a queue for an unreasonably long time.. Which isn't so great for those who have taken advantage of all the water refills.

Overall it is a great environment in which to meet with friends (at any time of day), and a wonderful place to study, friendly staff, lots of sofas, a non-smoking option, free wireless and has decent coffee! Well worth a visit, or 10.

 

7 months ago

neabsole

I heard long time their's cheesecake is very nice...so i has high expect .. But when i got there,cheesecake is so so..But the chocolate cake really not good.. and just lemon tea isn't,either..

I think i used to eat more better than this...disappointed..

 

5 months ago

linskies

Smack bang in the middle of Wudaokou and conveniently located right opposite the railway tracks is, this popular 24 hour joint with a homely woody vibe dishes up a range of affordable café food, pizzas and cakes for the sweet toothed.

Free WiFi and water refills by their attentive staff ensures this place remains a popular hangout choice for students. The rooftop garden opened in summer is a great place to enjoy a beer with friends.

3 weeks, 6 days ago