Back in the autumn of 2011, Yuan Yuan from Beijing and Omar from Reggio Emilia, Italy, had a wild idea: open a 7-table Italian trattoria tucked away in a quiet hutong—one of the old alleys in Beijing’s historic heart. Friends and neighbors thought they were crazy... and maybe they were. But sometimes, the best ideas are the craziest ones—especially when fueled by love. That’s how Mercante was born, quickly becoming a beloved spot in Beijing’s food scene—and later, recognized beyond China’s borders.

In late 2014, another special location called out to us—this time along the south bank of the Liangma River. That’s where we opened Fiume, the second chapter of MG. Inspired by the rich cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and guided by the same “Always Handmade” philosophy as its older brother, Fiume became an oasis of great food and a down-to-earth atmosphere in the heart of Beijing’s CBD and Embassy area.

In autumn 2017, Omar’s longtime dream came true with the launch of Lievito, the third MG project. With its modern design—think grey stone, brass touches, and a custom-built Moretti Forni pizza oven—Lievito introduced Beijing to its first gourmet pizza experience. We combined premium ingredients, creative spirit, and a different way of thinking about pizza to create something truly unique.

Then came the Covid years, which brought big changes. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Mercante when the landlord reclaimed the space we had poured our hearts into for eight years. Around the same time, we made the decision to merge Lievito into Fiume. This allowed us to expand seating, add two private dining rooms, and host more of our wine-themed events. Meanwhile, the Liangma River underwent a stunning transformation, completing a major renovation project in mid-2020—giving new life to the area we continue to call home.

We never really made peace with saying goodbye to Mercante or to the winding alleys of Old Beijing. And truth is, we never stopped looking for a way back.

In spring 2025, we found not one, but two new homes for Mercante.
Mercante Gulou sits just around the corner from our original spot, steps from the Drum and Bell Towers.
Mercante Fayuansi lives in a beautiful wooden house near the Temple of the Origin of the Dharma, tucked into another charming hutong.

We can’t wait to start this new chapter (we expect to end construction and open by the end of the summer) —back where it all began—with you