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).
Dini’s Kosher Restaurant 蒂妮犹太餐厅
Type of cuisine: Middle Eastern (Israeli)
English menu? Yes
General kid-friendliness of menu: Standard fare of burgers and hotdogs, as well as half portions available. Special orders can be made for customers with allergies.
Best dishes for adults: Tangy hummus (RMB 25), savory mushroom soup (RMB 25), pan-seared salmon (RMB 120, with a side of diced baked potatoes and bell peppers)
Kids’ menu? Half a dozen kids’ items listed on regular menu
Best dishes for kids: Chicken tenders (RMB 35), all-beef burger (RMB 50, served on a brioche bun), daily dessert specials, (RMB 30, varies from orange cake to cookies and cream puffs)
Kids’ play area? Yes, there’s a well-maintained 25sqm play area. It features a glass wall and door, so that parents and staff can watch to see if the kids are playing safely. Half the play area has toys like plastic rocking horses, while the other half is a ball pit.
Play areas nearby: Si’de Park, Lido Park
Kid-friendly staff? Yes. At least one bilingual staff member is on duty; moderately attentive
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down; has a changing table
Seating: Standard tables with cushy chairs; outside seating in the summer
Price: RMB 400
Credit card accepted? No, cash only
Must-order item: Chicken schnitzel (RMB 100) with a side of French fries and stir-fried veggies
In a nutshell: Straightforward and satisfying, this kosher restaurant offers no-frill dishes that are sure to please fans of American and traditional Jewish cuisine. It is far from the most adventurous menu in Beijing (lacking creative spices or unique sauces), but it’s all meticulously prepared to kosher standards.
Additional notes: The dinner menu (featuring the dishes reviewed above) is served from 5pm onward. During the daytime, takeaway and delivery is available (including the chicken schnitzel, beef burgers and kosher stir-fried noodles).
Also try: Blue Frog, Let’s Burger, The Filling Station
Photo by Judy Zhou and Simon Lim