Al fresco dining: Sit in the sun all summer long

By , 2014-06-23 08:00:00

It might be hot, but on those days when you long to be outside with the kids, head to one of these restaurants for a cool drink and light fare, then let the kids go wild at the play area.

The Flying Fox
This English and Irish styled pub serves hearty barbeques and pours generous pints, The Flying Fox is among suburban Pudong’s most popular weekend picks. Aside from the food, the children’s play area on the first floor and outdoor garden with swings and slides makes this the perfect spot for parents and kiddies alike.  
// 225 Hongfeng Road, by Xinjinqiao Road红枫路225号, 近新金桥路
(5030-9807)

Element Fresh (HuaihaiZhong Lu)
This healthy staples chain presents a beautiful rooftop at the KWah Centre that looks onto Dong Hu gardens and beyond.
Patio seats: 50
//4 and 5/F, Kwah House, 1028 HuahaiZhong Lu, by Donghu Lu 淮海中路1028号4-5楼, 近东湖路 Visit www.elementfresh.com for more locations.

Isola
Tuck into a pizza, their Saturday seafood deals or on the weekend with their family-friendly bruch while enjoying a perfect view of the Pearl Tower.
Specials: From 3-5pm, an afternoon tea is on offer with a selection of desserts, sandwiches and more, plus tea or coffee, for RMB98. Weekend brunch RMB208/adult, RMB118/children 10 and under.
Patio seats: 40
// IFC Pudong, 4/F, 8 Shiji Da Dao, byLujiazuiHuan Lu 世纪大道8号, 国金中心IFC商场4楼, 近陆家嘴环路 (5012 1277)

Bella Napoli (Changle Lu)
Authentic Italian fare serving antipasti, homemade pasta and Neapolitan pizza.
Patio seats: 50
// Lane 946 Changle Lu, by Wulumuqi Lu, 长乐路946弄, 近乌鲁木齐路 (6248 8985, www.bellanapoli-sh.com)

Big Bamboo
A sports bar and grill with kids areas at the Hongqiao and Jinqiao locations.
Specials: (All locations) Sunday, chicken wings for cheap starting from 8 wings and a pint for RMB65 and up.
Patio seats: Hongqiao: 240, Jinqiao: 120, Nanyang: 16
1) Hong Mei Entertainment Street, No. 20, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu 虹梅路3338号虹梅路休闲街26号 (6405 8720, www.bigbamboo.cn)
2) 123 Nanyang Lu, by Tongren Lu 南阳路123号, 近铜仁路 (6256 2265, www.bigbamboo.cn)
3)  Jinqiao, 381 Hongfeng Lu, by Biyun Lu 红枫路381号, 近碧云路 (5030 1779, www.bigbamboo.cn)

Boxing Cat (Yongfu)
Down home American-style fixin’s and freshly brewed beer. A kid’s menu with favorites like hot dogs and mac and cheese make this a no-fuss meal.
Patio seats: 40 
// 82 Fuxing Xi Lu by Yongfu Lu 复兴西路82号, 近永福路 (6431 2091)

Bubba’s Cool Docks
BBQ, burgers and more Texas favorites served by the water’s edge. They also run the infamous chili and BBQ cook-offs.
Specials: Mon, half-priced burgers. Tues, RMB200 steaks. Wed, half-priced pizza. Fri, Cajun night.
Patio seats: 60
// Wharf 1846, Section 4, 653 Waima Lu, by Wangjiamatou Lu老码头, 四库, 外码路653号, 近王家码头路 (5302 7588)

Cantina Agave
What kid doesn’t love chips and cheese! Load up on nachos, tacos and margaritas for the parents at this Mexican-style restaurant.
Patio seats: 60
Deals: Sat-Sun, 11am-3pm, RMB125/FF margarita brunch 
// 291 Fumin Lu, by Changle Lu 富民路291号, 近长乐路(6170 1310, WEB:www.cantinaagave.com)

Commune Social
This uniquely designed tapas restaurant boasts a beautiful enclosed courtyard.
Specials: Weekday lunch deals, 12-2.30pm include RMB178/3 course, RMB218/4 course and RMB258/5 course. A Sat-Sun brunch menu is offered from 12-3pm.
Patio seats: 40

// No reservations, 511 Jiangning Lu, by Kangding Lu 江宁路511号,近康定路 (6047 7638, www.communesocial.com)

Ginger by the Park
Just as the name insinuates, this restaurant is set among greenery next to the well-manicured Shuize Park. 
Patio seats: 28

// 91 Xingguo Lu, by Hunan Lu,兴国路91号, 近湖南路 (3406 0599, www.gingerfoods.com)

Mammamia!
Kid-friendly Italian fare served along a quieter corner outside of the big Superbrand Mall. 
Patio seats: 100

// 1/F, Superbrand Mall, 168 LujiazuiHuan Lu, by BinjiangDadao
陆家嘴环路168号正大广场1楼近滨江大道(5081 0966)

Melange Oasis
This eco-friendly café and restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes, curries, salads and hearty, healthy mains. Kids will enjoy the open space to run around while parents enjoy a coffee. Visit on the first or third Saturday of the month to enjoy the Saturday market.
Specials: During lunch, for every main dish add on the daily soup for RMB15 or small mixed salad for RMB20.
Patio seats: 30
// Jiashan Market, No. 37, Lane 550 Shaanxi Nan Lu, by Shaoxing Lu 陕西南路550弄37号, 近绍兴路 (6433 7727)

The Patio (The Kerry Hotel)
Sitting outside The Cook restaurant, the menu offers soups, dim sum, seafood, skewers and Hong Kong-style barbeque.
Patio seats: 88
// The Kerry Hotel, 1388 Huamu Lu, by Fangdian Lu 花木路1388号, 近芳甸路 (6169 8888)

Paulaner
The staple for authentic Bavarian fare if you’re craving a brat for the kids and beer for mom and dad in the sunshine. Fenyang Lu has an outdoor play area that will keep the kids entertained for a while.
Specials: Fenyang - Every last Mon, receive 50% off food and beverage from a select menu from 4-8pm and every Sun, from 11am-3pm, enjoy a bottomless buffet and one .5L Paulaner beer. 
Xintiandi and Binjiang: Mon-Fri, various lunch specials for RMB48 from 11am-5pm. Pudong: Every Sun, enjoy 50% off food and beverage from a select menu from 4-8pm. 
Patios seat: 80/Fenyang, 186/Xintiandi, 160/Binjiang, 223/Expo
// 1) 150 Fenyang Lu, by Fuxing Lu, 汾阳路150路,近复兴路 (6474 5700)
2) Xintiandi, North Block, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, by Madang Lu 太仓路181号, 新天地北里, 近马当路 (6320 3935)
3) Binjiang: 2967 Lujiazui Lu陆家嘴路2967号 (6888 3935)
4) Pudong: 555 ShiboDadao, by Nanmatou Lu 世博大道555号, 近南码头路 (2206 0555)