Everybody loves Sunday brunch. Not only is the food delicious, but brunches are also a great way to spend quality time with your family and kick start the day. Here’s a selection of family-friendly brunches around town, both old and new. All estimated prices are for two adults and one child (unless otherwise indicated). First, the tried-and-tested brunches:
1. In the city:
Chef Too
Chef Too is a wonderful place to go and eat with your children. The staff is super-friendly and speaks English, the restaurant is right next to Chaoyang Park, and the menu includes everything from poached eggs to blueberry pancakes. Tip: Reserve a table ahead of time, as Chef Too’s Sunday brunch is wildly popular. Around RMB 350.
Chef Too is a wonderful place to go and eat with your children. The staff is super-friendly and speaks English, the restaurant is right next to Chaoyang Park, and the menu includes everything from poached eggs to blueberry pancakes. Tip: Reserve a table ahead of time, as Chef Too’s Sunday brunch is wildly popular. Around RMB 350.
This Shanghai transplant has a packed Western-style brunch and allows diners to enjoy the morning air from the terrace. They serve healthy American-style food and the portions are all very generous. For a big and filling breakfast, try the Big American with eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, potatoes and fresh fruit. RMB 300.
As the name may suggest, this is the right place to go if you are craving a traditional full English breakfast. There’s a smaller version for the kids, and if you want something sweet, the restaurant also offers thin English pancakes with lemon. RMB 200.
Rug Bagel and Cafe
It’s hard to find good bagels in Beijing – let alone good bagels with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Rug Bagel and Café has all of the above, along with a space for kids to play in. If the weather is good, you can even sit outside and enjoy the sun. RMB 350. (Pssst: If you simply crave bagels and don’t want to brunch, pick up a dozen from the new Tavalin Bagels next to Yashow Market.)
It’s hard to find good bagels in Beijing – let alone good bagels with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Rug Bagel and Café has all of the above, along with a space for kids to play in. If the weather is good, you can even sit outside and enjoy the sun. RMB 350. (Pssst: If you simply crave bagels and don’t want to brunch, pick up a dozen from the new Tavalin Bagels next to Yashow Market.)
A very comfortable cafe located in Wudaoying Hutong, Vineyard has a popular weekend brunch that includes a full English fry-up and mix-n-match eggs Benedict plates. RMB 300.
2. In Shunyi:
This English restaurant offers scones, British cakess, and of course a large selection of English teas. The kids will have fun in the children’s playroom, complete with a pretend kitchen set to serve their own teas and cakes from. RMB 200.
The Orchard
It may be not easy to find, but it is certainly worth the trip. Escape from the chaos of the city for a few hours and enjoy a relaxing brunch while your children play in the kids’ room or around the nearby lake. The Orchard has a fixed-price, Western-style brunch made from many organic products. RMB 210 per person.
It may be not easy to find, but it is certainly worth the trip. Escape from the chaos of the city for a few hours and enjoy a relaxing brunch while your children play in the kids’ room or around the nearby lake. The Orchard has a fixed-price, Western-style brunch made from many organic products. RMB 210 per person.
For a green and healthy choice, go to Mrs. Shanen’s. The restaurant sources its food from its very own organic Green Cow Farm. Plus, there’s a kid’s playroom. RMB 250.
And now, some of the newer brunches in town:
This weekend, The Big Smoke Bistro’s new brunch is in soft opening. Take a break from your weekend shopping in Sanlitun and head over to Xingfucun for an American-style brunch in this cozy restaurant. Don’t miss out on the Big Smoke buffalo or soy and ginger wings with blue cheese; you can only get them on Sunday. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time! RMB 300.
The Hutong premieres its new Sunday brunch next weekend, on March 31. The menu for the first day will include cabbage and tomato omelet, herbed potato wedges, bacon, cheese, bread, pastries, homemade jam, salad, and fresh fruit. RMB 200 per person, 170 for members.
Don’t have time for brunch on Sunday? The Westin Beijing Financial Street is starting Memorable Moments, a new Saturday brunch with all the usual favorites. RMB 328 per person, free for kids under age 12 (for every two paying adults).
Photo by The Bloom Family Photography
