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).
Switch! Cafe
Type of cuisine: American
English menu? English with Chinese
General kid-friendliness of menu: The kitchen is happy to accommodate any specific dietary needs; lots of flavors to please many palates
Best dishes for adults: Grilled chicken sandwich with fresh vegetables and herb mayonnaise served on ciabatta (RMB 65); chopped lettuce salad with avocado, watermelon, pecan, spicy corn vinaigrette (RMB 55); a variety of evening blackboard entrée specials changes regularly
Kids’ menu? Yes
Best dishes for kids: Chicken and beef satay served with peanut sauce and cucumber (RMB 55); mini burger with sweet potato fries and homemade vuzu pickles (RMB 45); mac-n-cheese (RMB 55)
Kids’ play area? Yes, Kids Zone is a sectioned-off area within the restaurant with tables and chairs, toys, coloring materials, a chalk board – all for kids
Play areas nearby: Cathay View Plaza shopping center
Kid-friendly staff? Yes, English-speaking and attentive
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down. No changing table
Seating: Tables, chairs and booths inside; outdoor patio seating in warm weather
Price: RMB 300-350
Credit card accepted? Yes, both Chinese and foreign
Parking? Yes, free within the shopping plaza
Must-order item: Switch! grilled hamburger with homemade pickles and Russian dressing, served with fries or field greens salad (RMB 80)
In a nutshell: A bright, airy restaurant with a variety of healthy foods on the menu, this is a great place to come for lunch or dinner out. A weekend brunch menu is also available on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm. The oversized warm chocolate brownie served a la mode (RMB 65) is a great treat to end the meal with – big enough for sharing!
Also try: The Filling Station, Hungry Horse, Paul’s Steak & Egg
Photo Courtesy of Lova and Small World Photo Studio