Looking for family-friendly restaurants and fun, non-touristy places around China to visit? Tired of getting cat-fished by stunning faked photos and reviews? Then it’s time for you to follow the jingkids International account on Dianping – China’s version of Yelp/Tripadvisor and a must-have app for getting the most out of your stay in the country. It’s where you’ll find our honest, no-holds-barred English reviews of all the hidden gems around Beijing and beyond.

Over the weekend, my family enjoyed a leisurely Saturday by watching the latest instalment in the Planet of the Apes film franchise – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – at Joy City Chaoyang. After that, we were headed over to our usual haunt for tasty Mexican food at Moji (full review on Dianping) when we came across a relatively new place – Sushi Atatakai. The chance discovery turned into what is probably our favorite Japanese casual in-mall dining experience in our time in Beijing in five years! Read our full review with pictures and videos on Dianping below.

Earlier this year for a rare date night occasion, my husband and I were treated to an incredibly romantic time by the good people who manage Fukumimi and Beyond Yakitori. Unlike the previous two Japanese-themed restaurants, La Copa is – you guessed it – based on Spanish cuisine. We had a wonderful time in the intimate reservations-only restaurant with attentive service, strong drinks and tasty tapas. Read the full review on our Dianping account.

With Mother’s Day just past, I was reminded of one of my favorite “li’l bit fancy” brunches at The Orchard out in the neighbour that’s right on the cusp of Chaoyang/Shunyi. It’s the perfect place for little ones who will enjoy the breezy walk around the pretty orchard after eating their fill at the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. The full review is available here.

If you’re seeking more ways to enjoy the wonderful weather outdoors, look no further than Shenglu Vineyard. This beautiful campground/outdoor playground is possibly my favorite place in all of Beijing to bring my whole family (fur kid included) for a day of lazing around soaking up the sun.

Choose to rent their glamping tents, bring your own to set up at their grounds (RMB 100), or, as I’ve recently discovered, just bring camping chairs to avoid the campground fee altogether! They’ve got food trucks offering all sorts of goodies, from one of the best fresh fruit yogurt bowls I’ve had in the city to BBQ chuan’r and, most recently, Schindler’s sausages and frankfurters! With the warming weather, you might also enjoy a little splash about on the Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP), which cost RMB 240 for an hour and are open to kids and adults alike. Read the full review and watch our video by scanning the QR code below!

KEEP READING: Sweet & Sour Pork, Served Cold on Ice? Yes Please!

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

You probably know of Brotzeit Bier Bar & Restaurant that serves up authentic German cuisine and beer on tap, but did you know that the franchise chain actually started out of Singapore? I grew up seeing Brotzeit around in Singapore, though I never set foot in one until I was in my twenties and my colleagues wanted to drink while watching the Premier League game. That was my introduction to German food.

Imagine my delight when I saw a Brotzeit restaurant right here in Beijing! Located at the Grand Summit in Liangmaqiao, the restaurant offers a spacious outdoor patio to enjoy some sunshine, and loops popular sports channels indoors. Its interior seating uses the franchise’s signature wooden bench and table to offer a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Now when you hear German food, you’ll probably thinking “pork knuckle” straightaway, and of course Brotzeit has a cracking good one. But, personally, I’ve never been a huge fan of pork knuckle. Instead, one of my and my child’s favorite things to eat at Brotzeit is the wiener schnitzel, otherwise known as the original veal escalope. The thinly cut meat is lightly breaded and cooked to golden perfection, and the touch of sweetness from the jam adds a lovely contrast to every bite. The chicken and pork versions are pretty much just as good too!

The classic cheese spätzle dish with fried onions is also another favorite. Think of it as a lighter version of mac and cheese, with the delicious crunch of French fried onions to offset the creamy cheesiness.

And last but not least, the sausages. Brotzeit offers a great variety of sausages, but after trying the platter to sample most of them, my kid’s top choices are the Thüringer and Nürnberger pork sausages.

If you want to try out Brotzeit some time, they offer a good bargain on their weekday lunch specials priced at RMB 88! Our recommendations from the lunch specials menu would be the cordon bleu, oven-baked meatballs, and smoked salmon with rösti.

For more reviews on the go, follow the jingkids International account on must-download local app Dazhong Dianping by simply scanning the QR code below!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

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