Green Tianshi Vegetarian Restaurant, Beijing

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"No smoking, no alcohol, no eggs, no meat" they say in their business cards. The restaurant is conveniantly located north of of the Dong Tang, the Eastern Cathedral, and not far from Wanfujing. The room is very clean and full of light. Staff is extremely friendly.

You enter this vegetarian restaurant and then the surprise: you'll find many meat dishes on the menu. And you can even order a beer! Well, the meat is imitated (Dofu) and the beer is alcoholfree! And everything tastes delicious!

I have just read, that the restaurant has been closed in September 2005. I'll try to find out more.

Favorite Dish: The speciality of dishes is the imitation of real meat not only in appearance but also in taste. They use only very fresh vegetables, soyabeans, mushrooms and bean curd (tofu).

We went to visit this restaurant (also known as the Green Angel), in April 06 and a sign on the door said it had been closed since September 05! It was right next to our hotel (the Crowne Plaza) and the doorman confirmed it was the right place and it had indeed closed! It did look rather derelict as well.
It was a shame as I am a vegetarian and it would have been nice to have had a meal without fish or stock hidden in it!

Alas, I was outside the Green Tianshi on 30 October 2006 and it has closed down. I also looked for the other vegetarain restaurant mentioned in the Lonely Planet on Quianmen Daje and found , I think, that the whole area has been bulldozered for the Olympics

Green Tianshi (or Green Angel on the street window sign, confusingly): Lovely sparkling clean restaurant, with light wood furnishings and crystal lighting surroundings. Friendly and welcoming staff. Menu is presented in the form of photograph album with descriptions and English translations. Downside is the emphasis on replica meat and fish tasting dishes. For vegetarians, unless you actually like the taste of meat or fish, I would recommend sticking to the basic side vegetable dishes tucked away on the menu as ‘staples‘. However, my meat eating companions had a dish of meatballs that that was said to be very good. Nice presentation of food and good selection of teas and juices (no alcohol), with tea constantly topped up throughout your meal. Restaurant is first floor via stairs, with an interesting looking crystal shop downstairs.

Favorite Dish: Dishes of meatballs and crab went down particularly well with meat eating members of the party.