Houhai
Argo Best Authentic Greek
Cuisine: Mediterranean
English-language menu: Yes, with some pictures
Kid-friendly food: Filled with tomato, potato and meat dishes. Kids will love almost everything. The kids’ menu has only four choices; cod fillet with fries is the best choice – otherwise stick to the main menu. Try the spanakopita or the Greek-style meatballs. Word of warning: The main servings are quite large so best to share with the family.
Three healthiest items for kids: Chicken kabob, hummus dip, lentil soup
Kid-friendly staff: Staff are polite, speak great English, and are always happy to help.
Bathroom: Clean with a single sit-down toilet.
Kids’ play area: A clean corner with kid-sized tables and chairs, located close to dining tables so parents can watch on. Good quality IKEA soft toys and a few wooden toys.
Seating: Tables and chairs. They also have highchairs and a private dining room that can seat eight.
Average price: RMB 350
Parking: Not great for parking, and the entrance is a 5-minute walk from the main road.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is nice enough to make you feel like you’re having a proper night out without being pretentious or stuffy. The decor plays on the Greek theme.
Must-order item: Try the hearty moussaka or the sharing platter of baba ghanoush, tzatziki and hummus.
In a nutshell: For lovers of Greek food, Argo is your best choice. There’s a Greek chef in the kitchen, and it shows in the food. The pita is warm, the kabobs are plentiful, and the staff are friendly. Even the tablecloths are white and blue. IK
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 59 Wudaoying Hutong (100m west of Vineyard Café), Dongcheng District (8403 974) 东城区五道营胡同59号
Café Zarah
Cuisine: Cafe
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: The simple breakfast and café fare – waffles, baguettes and pasta – has big kid appeal.
Three healthiest items for kids: The “Good morning Beijing” breakfast, penne bolognaise, baked baguette with cherry tomatoes.
Kid-friendly staff: Friendly staff. Limited English.
Bathroom: Clean bathroom. No other facilities.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Chairs and tables.
Average price: RMB 130
Parking: Street parking, but difficult to find a space.
Credit card: No
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Must-order item: “Good morning Beijing” breakfast and waffles with Nutella
In a nutshell: Light and healthy café food with a casual vibe. Great for breakfasts or a quick bite with the kids. AS
Daily 9.30am-midnight. 42 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (8403 9807) 东城区鼓楼东大街42号
Fish Nation
Cuisine: European (English)
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Lots of kid-friendly menu offerings: pizzas, pastas, bangers and mash
Three healthiest items for kids: Fish and chips, soups and salads.
Kid-friendly staff: Friendly staff. Some English spoken.
Bathroom: Clean sit-down toilets. No other facilities.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Chairs, sofa. Highchairs available
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: No
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Relaxed and cozy.
Must-order item: Fish and chips (try the set meal of fish and chips, Greek salad and apple pie).
In a nutshell: Beijing’s original and best fish and chips. A comfort food pit-stop when you’ve walked down too many hutongs. AS
Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1.30am. 31 Nanluogu Xiang (near Jiaodaokou), Dongcheng District (6401 3249) 东城区交道口南锣鼓巷31号 Sanlitun location not recommended for children.
Fu Ku Sichuan Restaurant
Best Sichuan Food
Cuisine: Chinese (Sichuan)
Non-smoking section: No
English-language menu: No, but there are useful photos on the menu – just point.
Kid-friendly food: Set aside the assumption that Sichuan cuisine will cause burning mouths and red faces – Fu Ku’s dishes are quite tame and are suitable for children.
Three healthiest items for kids: The beef curry with butter pancakes, the eggplant, and the mashed corn with mango are healthy options.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff are friendly, but don’t speak a word of English.
Bathroom: For a hutong restaurant, the toilets are surprisingly clean, but don’t expect a sit-down toilet and changing table.
Kids’ play area: None, but there is a view over Houhai Lake.
Seating: Indoor chairs and tables only.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Limited parking space, but they will save you a space if you make a reservation.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Interestingly, Fu Ku resembles a Mediterranean courtyard with stone walls and wicker chairs – very comfortable, but with an air of sophistication.
Must-order item: Try “The Sun Shines Brighter” – a great name for a great shrimp dish (RMB 55).
In a nutshell: Fu Ku is a fantastic restaurant in impressive surroundings that offers a successful blend of traditional and modern approaches to China’s fiery cooking style. NF
Daily 9.30am-10pm. 4A Binhe Hutong, Deshengmennei Dajie, Xicheng District (6402 4093) 西城区德内 大街滨河胡同甲4号
Hutong Pizza
Best Vibe
Cuisine: Pizza
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Delicious square-cut pizzas, pasta, salads and burgers.
Three healthiest items for kids: Vegetarian pizza, lasagna, jacket potatoes
Kid-friendly staff: Friendly staff, some English spoken.
Bathroom: Clean bathroom but no other facilities.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Chairs. Highchairs for kids.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: No – difficult to access with car.
Credit card: No
Atmosphere: Cozy courtyard.
Must-order item: Pizza
In a nutshell: Legendary pizzas in a charming hutong courtyard. AS
Daily 11am-11pm. 9 Yindingqiao Hutong, Xicheng District (8322 8916) 西城区银锭桥胡同9号
Vineyard Cafe
Cuisine: Cafe
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Lots of kid-friendly menu offerings from pizzas and pastas to bangers and mash.
Three healthiest items for kids: Salmon fishcake, lamb cutlets with veggies on side, spaghetti with meatballs.
Kid-friendly staff: Friendly staff, some English spoken.
Bathroom: Clean sit-down toilet.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Chairs. Highchairs for kids.
Average price: RMB 375
Parking: No
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Relaxed, airy and clean.
Must-order item: Pizzas are excellent!
In a nutshell: Great comfort food for the whole family in a relaxed and cozy hutong setting. AS
Tue-Sun 11.30am-10.30pm. 31 Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius temple), Dongcheng District (6402 7961) 东城区五道营胡同31号