All this month, we’ll be introducing 50 picks for some of the best family-friendly restaurants in Beijing. These reviews originally appeared in the January/February 2013 issue of beijingkids (see end of post).
Kranzler’s Sweet Escape Sunday Brunch, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
客来思乐餐厅酒吧,凯宾斯基酒店
Type of cuisine: Brunch, European
English menu? Kranzler’s has an English a la carte menu in addition to its Sunday brunch.
General kid-friendliness of menu: Kranzler’s huge selection of Eastern and Western buffet items means that there is something for everyone here, including plenty of vegetarian options.
Best dishes for adults: The various pâtés and terrines, seafood offerings (half-lobsters, mussels, oysters), red meats, cold cuts, bread rolls, and cheeses
Kids’ menu? No
Best dishes for kids: Chocolate fountain with fruits and marshmallows, dim sum items (chashao bao, xiajiao, etc.), Movenpick ice cream, pasta, tortillas, sushi rolls, and more
Kids’ play area? Yes, featuring a clown who moves around the dining area entertaining children and making balloon animals
Play areas nearby: Solana, Chaoyang Park
Kid-friendly staff? Yes, English-speaking and very attentive
Bathroom: A spotless sit-down bathroom is located just outside Kranzler’s within the hotel, but there is no changing table.
Seating: The indoor seating is composed of tables and chairs; in the summer, the brunch spills out onto the patio, which has deck seating and umbrellas. Highchairs are available.
Price: Brunch costs RMB 348 per person without alcohol, RMB 388 per person with free-flow wine and beer, half price for ages 6-12, and is free for kids under 6.
Credit card accepted? Yes, both foreign and local
Parking available? Yes, within the hotel
Must-order item: One of their German specialties, such as sausages and authentic apple strudel
In a nutshell: Set in an airy dining space, Kranzler’s Sweet Escape Sunday Brunch offers a more European alternative to weekend hotel brunches. German cuisine is well-represented here, with substantial loaves of bread, hearty sausages, and decadent apple strudel. It also includes offerings from Japan, China, and Mexico, as well as an extensive dessert section. The latter spills out into the lobby and features pandan flan, Black Forest cake, an ice cream stand with several toppings and sauces, a chocolate fountain, various tartlets, and more.
Additional notes: Every day, Kranzler’s also offers a la carte dining, a breakfast buffet, a lunch buffet, dinner service, and a bar.
Also try: South German Bakery, Schindler’s Tankstelle
Photo by Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center