Annie’s
Cuisine: Pizza
English-language menu: Yes, with some pictures.
Kid-friendly food: Packed with cheese, carbs, and pseudo-Italian goodness, Annie’s covers all of the kid-friendly bases. The kid’s menu is limited, so best to stick with the main menu. Try the penne carbonara, Hawaiian pizza or spaghetti Bolognese.
Three healthiest items for kids: Bruschetta; tonno pasta with tomato, tuna and peas; ricotta and spinach pizza. Upgrade to large pizzas if the family wants to share.
Kid-friendly staff: Staff speaks decent English and is always happy to chase your kids around the table when the kids get bored.
Bathroom: Clean bathroom with sit-down toilet.
Kids’ play area: The indoor play area (with a cubby house and lots of toys) is clean and sizeable, with enough room to run around. It’s located away from most of the diners, but still within sight.
Seating: Booth seating as well as the standard table and chairs.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: This is unpretentious family dining at its best. Geared towards tots and the parents who run around after them, there’s no need to worry about grumpy stares if the kids start crying.
Must-order item: A large pizza. Vegetarians will love the cheesy eggplant, and traditionalists must try the pepperoni.
In a nutshell: Voted “Outstanding Family-Friendly Restaurant” and “Best Value” in the Beijinger 2009 Restaurant Awards. This restaurant is the Old Faithful of the expat family scene. With multiple locations, Annie’s is never far away, but if leaving the house seems like too much work, they’ll deliver straight to your door. IK
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 16 Dongsanhuan Lu (next to CD Jazz Club), Chaoyang District (6503 3871)
朝阳区东三环路16号(农展馆正门南侧)
See Directory under Italian for more locations.
Bellagio
Cuisine: Chinese (Taiwanese)
Non-smoking section: No
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: The menu offers photographs of most dishes, making it easy for kids to choose whatever tickles their fancy.
Three healthiest items for kids: Though Chinese cooking is no stranger to oil, Bellagio has a few healthy items on the menu: steamed seasonal vegetables, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, Taiwanese basil omelette.
Kid-friendly staff: Friendly, but not all proficient in English.
Bathroom: The restrooms are clean, with sit-down toilets.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: No highchairs, but spacious booths are perfect for families.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Posh and trendy setting where children can get a glimpse of the grown-up world.
Must-order item: A towering shaved ice dessert with toppings such as red beans, candied pineapples and condensed milk.
In a nutshell: Tasty Taiwanese fare paired with a dessert menu that can’t be missed –the refreshing, towering shaved ice desserts are simply a must-try – but make sure to come during the day to avoid smoky air and Chinese hipsters. Stephanie Gillett
Daily 11am-5am 6 Gongti Xilu, south of the Gongti 100 Bowling Alley, Chaoyang District (6551 3533)
朝阳区工体西路6号(工体100南边)
See Directory under Chinese for more locations.
The Kro’s Nest
Cuisine: Pizza
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Try the cheese-only Plain Jane pizza, the BBQ chicken pizza or the mozzarella cheese sticks. The pizzas are cheesy, the onion rings are old-school, and the servings are huge enough for the whole family to share. If you have fussy eaters, avoid tears by choosing your own pizza toppings.
Three healthiest items for kids: Try the vegetarian pizza, the “Shroomy” pizza packed with mushroom varieties, or the white broccoli pizza.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff speaks decent English but be prepared to repeat yourself on occasion.
Bathroom: The bathroom is small, fairly clean, with a sit-down toilet. Kids’ play area: None, but ask to color in a Kro’s Nest poster (best to bring your own pencils, though). Their fun newspaper-like menu is filled with cute pictures and funny stories to entertain the kids while they wait for their pizza.
Seating: Booths, tables and chairs, and outdoor dining.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes
Credit card: No
Atmosphere: On a quiet night, it has a cozy atmosphere with dimmed lighting, wooden benches and thick booth seating. When it’s crowded, Kro’s takes on a bustling tavern vibe.
Must-order item: Lao Beijing pizza with smoked duck breast, leeks, garlic, and cucumber (small RMB 55).
In a nutshell: This is gigantic American pizza at its finest. The crusts are crunchy and the fillings are many. IK
Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm. Inside Workers’ Stadium North Gate (next to Vics), Chaoyang District (6553 5253)
朝阳区工体北门内
See Directory under Pizza for more locations.
The Orient Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese (Southeast Asian)
English-language menu: Yes, with some pictures
Kid-friendly food: Try the crystal prawns with Hong Kong-style fried noodles, lemongrass chicken wings, or the Japanese gyoza. Dishes are light on grease and have delicate, sweet flavors that kids will love.
Three healthiest items for kids: When summer rolls around, kids will love the Thai seafood salad, but for hot food try the Malaysian laksa or lightly fried boneless cod fillets with asparagus.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff speaks basic English and are generally quite attentive.
Bathroom: The bathroom is very clean and very modern with sit-down toilets – but a little cramped.
Kids’ play area: No kids’ play area at the moment, but we hear there’s one in the works.
Seating: Outdoor seating when the weather’s good; inside, they have booth seating along with standard tables and chairs. A few highchairs are available.
Average price: RMB 250
Parking: Parking underground in The Village parking lot.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Without being pretentious, the Asian-themed loft-style interior is very modern and chic. The handpainted pillars feature Chinese-style birds and flowers, and the open kitchen is sparklingly clean.
Must-order item: Hainan (boneless) chicken rice set. Or try the giant iced coconut smoothie with red and green beans.
In a nutshell: Parents will love the sophisticated surrounds; kids will love the flavors of Southeast Asia. IK
Daily 11am-11pm. S4-31, 3/F, Bldg 4, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (6417 4070)
朝阳区里屯北路19号三里屯Village南区 4号楼3-4层
Panino Teca
Cuisine: Cafe
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Toasted sandwiches with fillings that include speck; ham, tomato and cheese; chicken with Thousand Island dressing.
Three healthiest items for kids: Vegetarian ciabatta filled with yummy grilled veggies and melted cheese, bruschetta, or soup of the day served with crunchy bread.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff speaks basic English.
Bathroom: The bathroom is clean and modern with a sit down-toilet.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Outdoor seating when the weather’s good and inside they have standard tables and chairs. A few highchairs are available.
Average price: RMB 150
Parking: Parking underground in The Village parking lot.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Panino Teca is a chic café filled with sunlight and a friendly vibe.
Must-order item: Any one of their delicious ciabatta sandwiches and a San Pellegrino limonata drink. Parents can enjoy a decent coffee, too. In a nutshell: Some of the best sandwiches in Beijing. The bread is always fresh, the fillings are flavorful, and the environment is clean and cheerful. IK
Daily 8.30am-midnight. S2-11, Bldg 2, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu (across from Aperitivo and Nali Patio), Chaoyang District (6416 1416)
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village2号楼S2-11
See Directory under Cafes & Sandwiches for more locations.
Rumi
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: There are many options that picky eaters will like.
Three healthiest items for kids: Chicken shish kabob, beef koobideh, Rumi cheeseburger
Kid-friendly staff: Very kid-friendly and most speak English.
Bathroom: Clean sit-down toilets but no change table.
Kids’ play area: Yes – it has small stools and tables, blocks, puzzles and a few other toys.
Seating: Outdoor seating, booths, and comfortable high-back chairs.
Average price: RMB 300
Parking: Some street parking, in a busy area
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Modern, classy and comfortable.
Must-order item: One of the kabobs (try the Kebab Soltani) or the combination of jsujeh kabob and lamb shish kabob. Stews such as the Gheimeh and Bhormeh Sabzi are also surprisingly delicious.
In a nutshell: Delicious food in a modern and minimalist setting. Rumi consistently delivers an enjoyable Persian dining experience every time. MR
Daily 11.30am-midnight. 1A Gongti Beilu (opposite Zhaolong Hotel), Chaoyang District (8454 3838)
朝阳区工体北路甲1号兆龙饭店对面
Village Cafe
Cuisine: Contemporary
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Yes – pancakes with palm sugar syrup, fried rice, fruit salad, mini-grilled cheese sandwich and cinnamon sugar churros.
Three healthiest items for kids: Vietnamese summer rolls, butternut pumpkin soup, ham, cheese and tomato melts
Kid-friendly staff: Staff is friendly and speaks good English
Bathroom: Clean bathrooms with sit-down toilets. No changing tables.
Kids’ play area: None, but they have kids’ plastic cutlery/crockery.
Seating: Chairs. Highchairs available
Average price: RMB 400
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Contemporary and relaxed
Must-order item: Cinnamon sugar churros with chocolate dipping sauce
In a nutshell: Lots of light, healthy food (and a delicious brunch menu) in a bright, contemporary setting. AS
Daily 24hrs. 1/F, The Opposite House, Bldg 1, The Village at Sanlitun, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6410 5210)
朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village1号楼瑜舍1层
Union Bar & Grille
Cuisine: American
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Kids will definitely be happy with these comfort food staples – you can’t go wrong with spaghetti, bread, hamburgers and wings.
Kid-friendly staff: Staff is extremely friendly.
Bathroom: Clean with sit-down toilets.
Kids’ play area: No, but the restaurant provides a paper placemat and crayons for children to color on. The placemat can also convert into a 3-D animal house (tear the paper along the line and fold as instructed).
Seating: Booths and couches. Outdoors seating as well.
Average price: RMB 300
Parking: The Village parking lot
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Friendly tavern vibe
Must-order item: The mini burgers – three different type of burgers in one dish.
In a nutshell: Adult sophistication, but kid-friendly too. Don’t be fooled by the bar-like atmosphere when you first walk in – sit in the back in the booths and enjoy delicious American fare. Kitty Ho
Mon-Fri 11am-11pm,Sat-Sun 11am-12pm. S6-31, 3/F, Bldg 6, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6415 9117)
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village6号楼3层S6-31
*Prices listed are the average cost of a meal for a family of three (including drinks). All restaurants have non-smoking sections unless other indicated
