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).
Crêpanini 可百尼尼
Type of cuisine: French
English menu? Yes, with pictures and descriptions
General kid-friendliness of menu: Crêpanini has a wide range of kid-friendly sweet and savory crepes, waffles, and sandwiches, as well as juices, soft drinks, and hot drinks
Best dishes for adults: Crêpe Complète (RMB 32), Crêpe Celtic (RMB 46), Crêpe Suzette (RMB
40)
Kids’ menu? No
Best dishes for kids: Strawberry jam crepe (RMB 20), banana chocolate waffle (RMB 29), Riviera panini (RMB 29)
Kids’ play area? No
Play areas nearby: Sanlitun Village South Kid-friendly staff? Yes, English-speaking and attentive
Bathroom: The nearest bathroom is on the second floor of Nali Patio. There are sit-down toilets, but facilities aren’t the cleanest. In addition, the bathroom is quite cold in the winter and doesn’t have a changing table.
Seating: Indoor and outdoor seating with tables and chairs; no highchairs available
Price: RMB 200
Credit card accepted? Yes, but only Chinese cards
Parking? Available underneath both Sanlitun Village North and South at RMB 6 per hour for a maximum of two hours
Must-order item: True to its name, Crêpanini specializes in Breton-style crepes. Any of the savory or sweet options will do, but the crepe Suzette should not be passed up.
In a nutshell: This casual and friendly eatery is a popular summer hangout, where families and younger expats can be spotted enjoying crepes on Crêpanini’s sidewalk patio. The savory crepes make for a light meal, while the sweet ones are suitable as dessert or as an afternoon treat. Alternatively, the restaurant also offers a variety of panini sandwiches (RMB 29-48). In addition, Crêpanini sells cupcakes from Lollipop Bakery for RMB 10-20. Try the decadent red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
Additional notes: Crêpanini offers free Wi-Fi, delivers, and can organize kids’ parties. In the future, the restaurant will also have catering.
Also try: Bocata, Maan Coffee, Wild Honey, Le Petit Gourmand
Photo Courtesy of Sui