It’s been another big year for familiar names and also a great year for newcomers in the Beijinger’s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards. After 9,000 ballots were counted, the Beijinger team sifted through the results and found your favorite spots for dining in Beijing in 2015. In the category of “Best Shunyi” restaurant, The Orchard secured the number one spot this year. The accolades for “outstanding” went to Mrs. Shanen’s and The English Tearoom. Here’s a closer look at why readers voted these top restaurants as the best in Shunyi.
Best: The Orchard 果园西餐厅
This institution among residents of Shunyi, is located on Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezehuang Township. Set in beautiful grounds that are lined with fruit tree orchards, trellises, and a pond filled with lotus flowers. You feel as if you’ve left Beijing entirely. With no shortage of charm, you’ll need more than just an hour of dining to enjoy all that The Orchard has to offer. The restaurant comes highly recommended for its affordable menu of western food and emphasis on organic produce. With ample provision for little ones, it makes an ideal spot for family dining. Their well-known Sunday Brunch is incredibly popular, and was voted "Outstanding Brunch (Affordable)" in the Beijinger’s 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards. Many of the ingredients used in their dishes are grown right here, and the homemade breads are a real treat. With consistently good food, efficient service, and it’s rather unique setting it’s no wonder The Orchard secured top spot in this year’s awards.
Outstanding: Mrs. Shanen’s 单太太贝谷面包房
Great tasting food relies on fresh raw ingredients, and that is what you get at Mrs. Shanen’s. Right near their cafe and bakery is their very own organic Green Cow Farm. This is where their fresh milk, cream, cheese, butter, vegetables, and meats come from. This Shunyi staple offers Beijing’s best bagels in a variety of flavors, including cheddar, sesame, and cinnamon raisin. They also serve up great sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza, cheeses, cakes, and ice cream, alongside an extensive breakfast menu. Produce from Green Cow, and other organic products, are sold in the café. With children’s toys, and a menu that caters for kids of all ages, it’s no wonder Mrs. Shanen’s was voted “outstanding”.
Outstanding: The English Tearoom 英国茶房
Located behind Shunyi’s Beidong Flower Market, The English Tearoom is a quintessentially British, family-friendly tearoom. The café prides itself on serving real tea in traditional English-style teapots, including black teas, green tea, herbal, and fruit teas, all of which are imported. With traditional fresh-baked English scones, and a wide selection of cakes and biscuits, you can enjoy an authentic afternoon tea. The English breakfast is generous, and the lunch and dinner menu includes a number of favorites, from sausage rolls and Scotch eggs, to traditional fish and chips. The space is divided into the main tearoom and the children’s tearoom. There’s a large play area, child-friendly restrooms, and an extensive kids menu, which prides itself in using healthy organic ingredients. A little slice of England, and why reader’s voted it “outstanding”.
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of The Orchard, Mrs. Shanen’s, The English Tearooms
