April 2009

Casual Western restaurants are the major social watering holes for expat families, especially on the weekends.  The food quality varies, but at least your kids will have a good time.

A Future Perfect (Downtown)
A bit too chic for most kids during the week, but the outdoor courtyard and imaginative menu make a great family brunch outing, especially in nicer weather.

No. 16, Lane 351 Huashan Lu, 6248 8020.

Famous for its European-style bread, Bastiaan features a newly renovated interior that is light and airy and a small kids’ play area outside. Barbeques on weekend afternoons in better weather.

No. 18, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu, 6465 8022.

Bebemamie Creperie (Hongqiao)
The menu is simple – crepes - everything from savory ham and cheese to delicious dessert crepes with homemade chocolate sauce, fresh fruit jams and more.  French wine and hard cider complete the meal.

2003 Hami Lu, 6269 1701.

Bistrow by Wagas (Xujiahui, Qingpu)
Creative, well-prepared food, including a kids’ menu, all day breakfast on the weekends.  Also will cater birthday parties offsite or at the restaurant. 

Xujiahui: 151-153A Grand Gateway Mall, 1 Hongqiao Lu, 6448 2852;

Qingpu: 368 Baole Lu, 5226 4688.

Blue Frog (Hongqiao & Jinqiao)  
Great for groups of families, Blue Frog pays attention to what families want: solid all-American menu favorites like burgers and steaks plus healthy kids’ menu options and plenty of amusements.

Hongqiao: No. 30, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu, 5422 5119.

Jinqiao: R3-633 Biyun Lu, Green Sports & Leisure Centre, 5030 6426.

Buddy Bear (Lujiazui)

Come for the pirate ship and castle in the separate playroom or combine the outing with a free preview class at Gymboree in the same building. The food is merely passable, but the creatively presented kids’ meals are appealing to tots.

6/F Times Square, 500 Zhangyang Lu, 5836 8661.

California Pizza Kitchen (Downtown)
The American moms say, “It tastes exactly the same as in the U.S.” That’s a good thing when you’re serving up pizza that’s both creative and consistently good. The salad, appetizers, and pasta are less spectacular. The kids’ menu includes kid-size pizzas and pasta dishes. Service can be slow.

Shanghai Centre, Suite 109, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, 6279 8032.

Cantina Agave (Downtown)
Anyplace that names its burritos “Mamita” and “Papito” must be family-friendly.  This is Shanghai’s first casual, Mexican taqueria successfully serving delicious soft tacos and other Mexican plates.  Salsas and other spicy additions served on the side.  As close to a real Mexican taqueria as we’ve found. 

01A-2, 1F, A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu, 6170 1310.

Coffee Tree (Hongqiao, Downtown)   
The whole family can relax in this cheerful café with simple, satisfying food.  The staff will even cover the tables in paper and supply crayons.  Downtown location has an art/reading corner, Hongqiao has a ball pit and outdoor play area.

Honggiao: 3215 Hongmei Lu, Building 201, 6446 0226.

Downtown: Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, 6466 0361; 291 Fumin Lu at Changle Lu, 6170 1315.

Colours (Downtown)
The comfortable confines of the Ruijin Guest House make this a relaxed setting for family meals. Keep an eye on the kids who get too close to the water, though.
Villa 11, Ruijin Guest House, 118 Ruijin Er Lu, 5466 5577.

Da Marco (Downtown, Xujiahui)
Well-prepared, generous portions of hearty pasta, thin-crust pizzas, and other Italian favorites served in a newly renovated boisterous, trattoria atmosphere make Da Marco a family favorite. The over-sized utensils can be unwieldy for kids, though, so consider bringing your own.

1F, 103 Dongzhuanbang Lu, 6210 4495; 62 Yandang Lu, 6385 5998;

Xujiahui: 1/F, Grand Gateway, 1 Hongqiao Lu, 6447 7577.

Element Fresh (8 locations including Downtown, Lujiazui, Jinqiao)
While they don’t offer a kids’ menu, they have high chairs and offer crayons, and every location boasts outdoor seating, good for the restless ones. 

Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, 6279 8682;

KWah  Centre, 4/F, 1028 Huaihai Zhong Lu, 5403 8865;

Super Brand Mall, Ground Floor, Northwest Corner, 5047 2060;

Jinqiao: 331Hongfeng Lu. www.elementfresh.com.

Flying Fox (Jinqiao)  
With solid pub fare and a good kids’ menu, this is a nice place for families to come in rain or shine. There is a playground and seating in the yard and a well-stocked playroom inside. Ideal on a weekend. Now offering Sunday brunch with a kids’ buffet.

255 Hongfeng Lu, 5030 9807.

Greek Taverna O. Milos (Pudong)
When in China, eat Greek. The mainstay of the menu is the Gyros, lamb, beef, chicken or pork, served with rice, pita and homemade fries. Also offers a wide selection of snacks, salads and typical Greek dishes, made all the more Greek by the traditional music in the background.

Thumb Plaza: 199 Fangdian Lu (ground level), 5033 7500

Haya's Mediterranean Sandwich and Coffee Bar (Downtown)
Authentic falafel, hummus and other Middle Eastern specialties. Staff provides toys for little ones.

415 Dagu Lu, 6327 0897.

Haya's Mediterranean Café (Hongqiao)  
Haya’s new, spacious restaurant next to City Shop on Hong Mei Lu. Same Middle Eastern fare and a large kids’ play area near enough to the tables that it’s easy to watch the kids while you eat.

1-2/F, 3219 Hong Mei Lu, 6465 1166

Jimix Seve (Downtown)
Even our Italian guests were impressed with the authentic wood-fired pizzas. Highchairs, outdoor courtyard (and a kitchen shop for the adults).
607 Beijing Xi Lu, 6253 3399.

Johnny Moo (Hongqiao, Jinqiao, Qingpu)
Ratings: New Listing, Outdoor seating, Kids’ Play Areas
An American-style diner that serves anything from salads to hotdogs to ribs and pasta. Great milkshakes in frosty, stainless steel cups. No kids’ menu but children will like any number of items. All day breakfast. Kids’ play area at the Pudong location.

Jinqiao: 228 Hongfeng Lu, 3382 1618

Hongqiao: Block D, 3219 Hongmei Lu, 5175 9189

Qingpu: 442 Jinfeng Lu, 3350 9377

Las Tapas (Hongqiao, Downtown, Jinqiao)
This friendly, cozy restaurant has a great selection of tapas, served quickly. Kids will love the Deep Fried Mozzarella Sticks and Chicken Lollypops. Mom and Dads, go for the delicious Calamares Fritos or homemade chorizo. Tapas style is great for kids-order a few for them to try. Then order another plate when the dish is a hit all around. The restaurant also has pasta and mains if you’re still hungry.
Hongqiao: 2228 Hong Mei Lu Entertainment, House 33, 6465 8345; Downtown, No 207-4 MaoMing Lu, 6415 9567.
Jinqiao: 259 Hongfeng Lu (near Biyun Lu), 3382 1686.

Malone’s (Downtown, Pudong)
A seemingly endless menu and what some have called the best burger in town. The Jinqiao location has outdoor seating and weekend barbeques in warmer weather.

Downtown: 255 Tongren Lu, 6247 2400; Pudong: #17, 199 Fangdian Lu, 5033 6717.

Mesa (Downtown)   
Sophisticated yet casual (what grownup could refuse Champagne scrambled eggs?), Mesa offers a fabulous weekend brunch, complete with an upstairs patio, classy kids’ menu and a supervised play area for babies and toddlers.

748 Julu Lu, 6289 9108.

NAR (Qingpu)
This café lounge and yoga studio is a great place to enjoy a cup of tea with a girlfriend on a weekday or relax with the kids on a weekend or school holiday. The menu is clean and healthy with foods made from the freshest ingredients. Top off a yoga class in the studio upstairs with a bowl of homemade granola (or take home a few of the granola bars for appetite emergencies). Nar includes a reading corner for children inside and a small children’s play area outside.
Xijiao Jing Yuan 6-108, 999 Gaojing Lu, 5988 9814.

O’Malley’s (Downtown)       
It’s easy to see why O’Malley’s, with its outdoor play structure and familiar, decent bar fare is popular with football fans and mommy groups alike.  It’s teeming with families on weekends drawn by the community feel, but there always seems to be room for more. 

42 Taojiang Lu, 6474 6166.

Paulaner Brauhaus (Downtown, Lujiazui)  

Solid German fare and baked goods with comfortable settings that invite you to linger: downtown boasts a lovely garden and new play structure, or enjoy the riverfront promenade in Lujiazui.

Downtown: 150 Fenyang Lu, 6474 5700

Lujiazui: Binjiang Da Dao, Fu Du Duan, 6888 3935

Peter's TexMex Grill (Hongqiao)   
Cravings for fajitas and quesadillas will be satisfied (finally) with the reasonably honest TexMex offerings here.  The atmosphere is casual and spacious, even including a small play area for toddlers.

Unit 7, 3911 HongMei Lu, 6261 2505.

Pizza Marzano (Downtown)
Also known as Pizza Express, this is great pizza with everything from anchovies to peking duck at reasonable prices. The kids’ menu includes a personal pizza or pasta, soda, and dessert for 58 RMB. Kids can busy themselves making paper pies with sticker kits while they wait for the real thing to arrive. And for adults, free refills on the iced tea.

380 Huangpi Nan Lu, Xintiandi South Block, 5383 3999.

Red Rooster’s BBQ House (Jinqiao)
Great place for kids. No fuss, no thrills, just good ol’ BBQ. Good starters and barbequed meats that include a side of baked beans and ‘slaw. Pool table and country music add to the fun. Kids’ menu that includes basics. No play area but room for a game of tag outside.

357 Hangfeng Lu, 3382 1880

Sydney Restaurant and Lounge (Xujiahui)

NEW LISTING, SUPERVISED KIDS AREAS
Australian fare with South East Asian flare. Clean, crisp flavors and an extensive menu, including a kids’ menu. The wait staff warmly welcomes children, and most compelling, a huge sand pit for kids occupies the middle of the restaurant, right in full view of parents. (The sandpit doubles as a dance floor for adults in the evening.)

Room 101, 2701 Xietu Lu, 6110 7600. www.syd-ney.cn

Syzygy (Pudong)  
Fusion food and stylish décor for the adults. Weekend brunch (10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes a kids-only buffet and a kids’ area with arts & crafts supervised by teachers from the nearby preschool.

1/F, German Centre, 88 Keyuan Lu, Zhangjiang, 2898 6115.

Wagas (Downtown, Lujiazui, Century Park)
Long a favorite business lunch spot, Wagas also has a great, inexpensive brunch menu, nice environment and consistent quality of food.

Downtown: 300 Huaihai Zhong Lu, 6335 3739. 

Pudong: 999 Pudong Nan Lu, 5134 1075.Zendai Thumb Plaza, 199 Fandian Lu, 5033 6277. Other locations in town.

ZaZa (Hongqiao)
This is the best of both worlds, an immaculate, sophisticated restaurant and spa – the kind you’ll enjoy with your girlfriends all afternoon – but also kid-friendly. A kids’ menu includes the usual favorites while the adult menu features clean, light food with fresh flavors. Best of all, after your meal head upstairs to get your nails done while your children watch a movie next to you on a large flat-screen television in the spa.

Rm 107, #6 Lane 3717 Hong Mei Lu. 6406 2100.