This culinary tradition prizes portion size almost as much as it does ketchup, particularly when it comes to hamburgers, steaks and egg-based breakfasts. Creole/Cajun, America’s finest culinary strain, is well represented in Beijing.
The American Cafe
No-nonsense American-style diner serves up hearty burgers, pizza, sizeable salads and breakfast plates in a cozy environment next door to Evolution Fitness at Blue Castle Apartments. Features Wi-Fi and ESPN on overhead screens. Beijing’s best-kept brunch secret. 7.30am-10.30pm. Blue Castle International Apartments (Lan Bao), Xi Dawang Lu, Chaoyang District. (8599 7428/29) 博平咖啡, 朝阳区西大望路3号蓝堡国际公寓所一层
The Astor Grill
Succulent steaks and beautifully presented dishes in a swish atmosphere. Dinner daily, 6-10pm, lunch Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm. 3/F St Regis Hotel Apartments, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6460 6688 ext 2637) 艾斯特扒房, 朝阳区建国门外大街21号, 国际俱乐部饭店公寓三层
Eudora Station Bar and Restaurant
Restaurant downstairs, bar and wine tasting upstairs - Eudora is a very serviceable (if oddly named) food and drink establishment. No great risks were taken in design or decor, but there is a solid feeling of quality about the place that may make it a standby for locals just looking for a spot to spend the evening. Daily 11-2am. 6 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6437 8331) 朝阳区芳园西路6号
Grandma’s Kitchen
Sandwiches, gravy-based dinners and high-powered desserts from middle America. Stencilled walls and grandma’s hospitality. Daily 7.30am-11.30pm. 1) B/0103 Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5869 3055/3056); 2) 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District. (6503 2893) 祖母的厨房, 1) 朝阳区东三环路39号建外Soho B/0103; 2) 朝阳区建国门外秀水南街甲11号(友谊商店下面)
The Grill
Steaks and seafoods grilled on an open flame. The stylish atmosphere is suitable for power lunches and sealing the deal. Daily 6pm-10.30pm. Radisson SAS Hotel Beijing, 6A Beisanhuan Donglu, Chaoyang District. (5922 3388) 北京皇家大饭店, 朝阳区北三环东路甲6号
Hard Rock Cafe
Burgers, pastas, desserts, cover bands and those ubiquitous T-shirts. Daily 11.30am-2am. 1/F Landmark Towers, 8 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6590 6688 ext 2571) 硬石餐厅, 朝阳区东三环北路8号亮马河大厦西大堂
Kala’s Hot Dog and Salad
Opened by a group of 22 women from the US and Taiwan, this American-style fast food joint plans to invest its profits in a charitable foundation that aims to help needy Chinese kids go to school. Come for a hotdog topped with onions, relish or sauerkraut, then placed in a freshly toasted bun and accompanied by a tasty potato salad. Daily 10.30am-8pm. 102, 1/F, Bldg A, Tsinghua Science Park (100m south of Tsinghua University East Gate), 1 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District. (8215 0679)卡拉餐厅, 海淀区中关村东路1号院清华科技园科技大厦A座1层102
Lee’s Cafe USA
Rare American fast food beyond the realm of the clown or the colonel. Lee’s is a rancher’s oasis with cowboy photos on the wall and Houston “New Country” radio taped and flown in fresh every two weeks. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm. 47 Dongdaqiao Lu (500m from Xiushui Jie Bldg), Chaoyang District. (6591 8392) 理斯餐厅, 朝阳区东大桥路47号楼平房（秀水街往500米）
Lynx
A popular afterschool hangout near ISB in Shunyi, this comfortable and cozy cafe offers favorites such as nachos (RMB 16), hamburgers (RMB 24), shepherd’s pie (RMB 28) and lots of pizza. Grownups may be lured by the drink list featuring true Italian coffee as well as fresh juice cocktails. Curl up by the fireplace and browse from a selection of imported English language magazines. Daily 10am-9pm. ISB east gate, Anhua Lu, Shunyi District. (8046 4755) 灵思餐厅, 顺义区北京国际学校东门旁边
Mike’s Grill
Although South-of-the-border classics are served the menu leans more toward American staples such as burgers and steaks. The size of the servings make up for what they lack in authenticity. Mon-Sat 11.30am-10.30pm. 0106, 2/F, Jianwai Soho Bldg 5, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 8192) 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho 5号楼2层0106室
Mrs Shanen’s Bagels 2
Beijing’s best bagels. Also offers Brooklyn-style thin-crust pizza, as well as sandwiches and delivery. Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8.30pm. 5 Kaifa Jie, Baixinzhuang Cun, Shunyi District. (8046 4301) 单太太贝谷面包房, 顺义区白辛庄村开发街5号
One East on Third
Modern American cuisine with the largest selection of US wines in Beijing. Daily 6pm-10.30pm. 2/F, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang District. (5865 5000 ext 5030) 东方路一号, 朝阳区东方路1号希尔顿酒店二层
Outback Steakhouse
Not Australian, but made up to feel like it. Yankee-sized portions with prices to match. Their signature appetizer is a massive onion thrown in the deep fryer. Daily 11am-11pm. 1) Inside north gate of Workers’ Stadium, on the left, Chaoyang District. (6506 5166); 2) 1/F, Beijing Hotel, east side of Tower A, Dongcheng District. (6528 2858) 澳拜客, 1) 朝阳区工人体育场北门内东侧地上首层; 2) 东城区北京饭店一层
Paul’s Steak and Eggs
Affordable meals from classic American diner breakfasts to fancier dinner specials. Bottomless cups of coffee and North American style give it a distinctly authentic feel. Voted “Best Family Meal” and “Best Value” in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Daily 7am-Late. 1) 8 Laiguangying Donglu (50m west of the Western Academy of Beijing, south of airport), Chaoyang District. (8470 1550/1559); 2) 5 Xiushui Nanjie (Bar street behind Friendship Store, near US Embassy), Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District. (6592 8088/8788) 喜来中, 1) 朝阳区来广营东路8号; 2) 朝阳区建国门外秀水南街5号
Peter’s Tex-Mex Grill
The mighty Lone Star state rises again! With a menu offering burritos, fajitas and enchiladas, this eatery pays tribute to Texas’ enduring popularity. Daily 7.30am-11.30pm. 88A International Club, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (8532 2449) 彼德西餐, 朝阳区建国门外大街21号国际俱乐部88A
Sizzler
Enjoy unlimited trips to the salad bar along with steaks, ribs and other barbecued treats at this American chain. Daily 11am-10.30pm. 1) Anzhen Hualian Department store, 2nd floor, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District. (6441 9996); 2) International Club, 21 Jianguomenwai Daijie (next to the St Regis Hotel), Chaoyang District. (6532 0475); 3) 2-5 Fangzhuang Xinshidai, 9 Pufang Lu, Fengtai District. (5807 0389); 4) 102 Beilishi Lu (west of Fuchengmen Hua Lian Department store), Xicheng District. (6835 0610) 时时乐, 1) 朝阳区安贞西里华联商厦二层; 2) 朝阳区建国门外大街21号(国际俱乐部旁边); 3) 丰台区蒲芳路9号方庄新时代2-5; 4) 西城区北礼士路102号阜成门华联商场西侧
The Texan Bar and Grill
Good ol’ Tex-Mex food and steaks in a saloon-type setting in the Lido mini-mall. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. 1/F Holiday Inn Lido, Jichang Lu, Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (6437 6688 ext 1849) 德克萨斯扒房, 朝阳区机场路将台路丽都大酒店1层
TGI Friday’s
White collar hangout exports American-style burgers, salads, “Mexican” food and desserts. Daily 11.30am-midnight. 1) 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie Citic Building, Bldg C, Chaoyang District. (8526 3388); 2) Beijing Friendship Hotel, 1 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District. (6849 8738) 星期五餐厅, 1) 朝阳区建国门外大街19号国际大厦C座; 2) 海淀区中关村南大街1号友谊宾馆