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).
Type of cuisine: Middle Eastern (Persian)
English menu? Yes, with pictures and descriptions
General kid-friendliness of menu: Rumi’s large portions make sharing a pinch, but there’s also a kid’s menu with smaller versions of popular dishes. Spice is generally not an issue at Rumi, and there are vegetarian kebab options available.
Best dishes for adults: Chicken koobideh (RMB 59), kebab soltani (RMB 139), lamb or vegetarian Gheimeh Bademjan (eggplant stew, RMB 74)
Kids’ menu? Yes
Best dishes for kids: Chicken shish kebab wrap (RMB 30), beef or lamb koobideh kebab wrap (RMB 30), Rumi cheeseburger (RMB 85)
Kids’ play area? Yes, Rumi has a small playroom with toys.
Play areas nearby? Tuanjiehu Park (further southeast), Sanlitun Village
Kid-friendly staff? Yes, English-speaking and moderately attentive
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down; no changing table
Seating: Indoor and outdoor seating with tables and chairs and a few booths, highchairs available
Price: RMB 350-400
Credit card accepted? Yes, both foreign and local
Parking? Street side only
Must-order item: Any of Rumi’s huge kebab or koobideh platters, such as the chicken kebab soltani (RMB 99) or lamb shish kebab (RMB 95).
In a nutshell: Don’t be fooled by Rumi’s upscale setting; the restaurant is surprisingly kid-friendly, with an adjacent playroom and a kids’ menu. Grownups will have more than enough to eat with the koobideh (seasoned minced meat kebab) and shish kebab platters, which come with a grilled tomato, an onion, and a choice of basmati rice, house salad, or half rice/half salad. Vegetarians can choose from hearty stews (RMB 69-74), a selection of salads (RMB 38-49), and healthy appetizers like hummus (RMB 30).
Additional notes: Rumi offers a popular lunch buffet for RMB 88 per person from Monday to Friday, 11.30am to 2.30pm. No alcohol is served at the restaurant, but diners can bring their own.
Also try: Turkish Mum, 1,001 Nights, Biteapitta
Photo Courtesy of Judy Zhou