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“Seriously? Where are Michelin stars? ”
Review of TRB Forbidden City

TRB Forbidden City
Ranked #13 of 12 688 Restaurants in Beijing
Price range: US$9 - US$18
Description: Described as one of Beijing's most iconic locations with stunning views of the Forbidden City,the venue has long captivated to emotions of its guests. Located in a building alongside the former Imperial palace's eastern moat, the place has been transformed to create a two-storey experience that is unmistakably Beijing. While the menu has French cuisine in its DNA, the Modern European approach with inventive and harmonious adaptations to local ingredients is what we aim to deliver and hope to be remembered for Lunch and Dinner served from Monday till Sunday, with Brunch on week-end.
Restaurant details
Description: Described as one of Beijing's most iconic locations with stunning views of the Forbidden City,the venue has long captivated to emotions of its guests. Located in a building alongside the former Imperial palace's eastern moat, the place has been transformed to create a two-storey experience that is unmistakably Beijing. While the menu has French cuisine in its DNA, the Modern European approach with inventive and harmonious adaptations to local ingredients is what we aim to deliver and hope to be remembered for Lunch and Dinner served from Monday till Sunday, with Brunch on week-end.
Beijing, China
Level 6 Contributor
465 reviews
208 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 352 helpful votes
“Seriously? Where are Michelin stars? ”
Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

This was my first time back to TRB Forbidden City since they changed the concept and name from TRB Bites. I was pleasantly surprised by the new renovations. It certainly accentuated and capitalized on the stunning view of the Forbidden City more so than Bites did. I think mainly because they softened the outside entrance with growing bamboo, and the lobby is more open than previously.

Ignace truly a genius of his craft also cranked up the romance factor, it's not as casual as before and for me that was superb, it is most certainly "the place" for date night.

The staff are what really bring out the true colors of the restaurant. Having not been for several months and still having the staff remember you from the previous time you were there speaks to the high level of attention to detail this restaurant so perfectly masters. (Thank you Tina!)

Since when we went there a guest Belgium Michelin star chef was cooking the menu different than normal, but still wonderful and the wine pairing were perfect.

As a resident of Beijing for 7 years I have see a lot of places come and go, thankfully TRB only has continued to strive for perfection at either location and become an icon of what Beijing truly is.

It will be interesting to see how the sibling rivalry between TRB Forbidden City and TRB Hutong play out. I feel that both are vying for the crown of number one in Beijing. It's hard to choose which one is better but for me the clear winner is Forbidden City (you can't replicate this view anywhere else.)

I guess the real judge will be which sibling gets more Michelin star(s). That time is coming I can assure you of that. In the meantime check either location out, you cannot find a better restaurant in Beijing! Simply the best! I tip my hat to you Ignace, bravo!



Visited July 2017
Helpful?
Thank PresPJ
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Temple Restaura... B, Evan Horsman, Director of Business Development at TRB Forbidden City, responded to this review, 6 days ago
Dear PresPJ,

Greetings from TRB Forbidden City, and thank you for sharing your recent experience with us here with the TripAdvisor community, your valuable time has been much appreciated.

Thank you for you kind words about the new venue and the design and we are delighted to learn you like the new style of TRB Forbidden City.

Your continuous support is great to hear and we are with much joy to read that your dinner with our guest chef Koen Verjans resulted in a memorable one.

Tina, Ignace and the entire team are grateful for the raving words and the entire team is looking forward to see you again.

Best Regards,
Evan Horsman
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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243 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date | Rating
  • Chinese (Traditional) first
  • Chinese (Simplified) first
  • Danish first
  • Dutch first
  • English first
  • Finnish first
  • French first
  • German first
  • Hebrew first
  • Italian first
  • Japanese first
  • Korean first
  • Norwegian first
  • Portuguese first
  • Russian first
  • Spanish first
  • Swedish first
  • Thai first
  • Any
English first
Selongey, France
Level 2 Contributor
5 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
“great evening with a view”
Reviewed 1 week ago

Great food and location near Forbidden city.
Service was perfect with italian touch.
A place to remember for a special moment.

  • Visited June 2017
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
Helpful?
Thank constant159
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Temple Restaura... B, Evan Horsman, Director of Business Development at TRB Forbidden City, responded to this review, 1 week ago
Dear constant159,

Warm greetings from TRB Forbidden City and thank you for allowing us to express our hospitality towards you and your guest.

I am delighted to read you had a great experience with us and the entire team is looking forward to see you during a next visit.

Best Regards,
Evan Horsman
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
1 review
“what a nice restaurant!”
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

everything is prefect, lucky to be here! food is good, place is comfortable, and services is sweet, it's the restaurant that you should come every time in Beijing.

Visited June 2017
Helpful?
Thank Syyu C
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Temple Restaura... B, Evan Horsman, Director of Business Development at TRB Forbidden City, responded to this review, 3 weeks ago
Dear Syyu C,

Thank you for recent visit to TRB Forbidden City, it was certainly a pleasure to had you with us, and I am delighted to learn you enjoyed the experience with us.

Thank you for leaving us your valuable kind words here on TripAdvisor and we are all looking forward to see you again in a not to far future.

Warm Regards,
Evan Horsman
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Sao Leopoldo, RS
Level 6 Contributor
234 reviews
169 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 143 helpful votes
“Very good but fair too expensive for what they serve”
Reviewed 5 weeks ago

Like the other restaurant of the same owners (TRB Hutong, where I had dinner one day before) It is a very good restaurant. Service is superb. Food is very good. Location is good. Unfortunately the Wine pairing was exactly the same I had the previous day at Hutong. This sound to me like just one of those chain restaurants, and not a supposed fine restaurant. What a pity. Like Hutong, Taking all in to consideration, definitively, does not worth what they charge.

  • Visited June 2017
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
Helpful?
Thank Vladimir de Sou... V
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Temple Restaura... B, Evan Horsman, Director of Business Development at TRB Forbidden City, responded to this review, 4 weeks ago
Dear Vladimir de Sou... V,

Thank you for visiting TRB Forbidden City after you had your dinner in TRB Hutong, it has been much appreciated your support towards us.

Thank you for letting us know that the service and food is great and the location is good, these comments are much appreciated.

Its with regret to learn you did not enjoyed the wine pairing, there it is the same as in Hutong, My sincere apologies for this, we could had done this better>

I do hope we can see you during a next visit to show we have learned of these small errors and to create a wonderful experience for you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly for making any arrangements.
You can reach me on : evanhorsman@trb-cn.com

Sincerely yours,
Evan Horsman
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Level 3 Contributor
16 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
common_n_restaurant_reviews_1bd8 8 helpful votes
“Fine dining in Beijing”
Reviewed 9 June 2017 via mobile

We just had a wonderful evening at TRB Forbidden City. There is not much to say apart from that the overall experience from start to finish was excellent. The attention to detail and service was a relief after an exhausting and very hot day in Beijing. In particular I would like to mention Tina&Ricardo who looked after us in a very personal and attentive way. The restaurant is tucked away in a little sidestreet near the canal surrounding the forbidden city. The interior is quite modern and plain but still cozy and comfortable with the right amount of tables spaced nicely apart. Food quality was excellent. We will go there again next time we are in Beijing.

Visited June 2017
Helpful?
Thank Firestarter69
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Temple Restaura... B, Evan Horsman, Director of Business Development at TRB Forbidden City, responded to this review, 4 weeks ago
Dear Firestarter69,

Let us express our sincere thank you for leaving us such a great review and to receive your 5 star awards here on TripAdvisor.

Tina and Ricardo are with much joy to read and hear that they made it a great experience for you and your guests and are thankful for your kind words!

Thank you for visiting us and looking much forward to see you again in the future here with us in TRB Forbidden City.

Warmest Regards,
Evan Horsman
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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