Annies Italian Restaurant chain is the oldest and best known Chinese-Italian restaurant chain in Beijing. It was founded anywhere between 27-30 years ago in the embassy district of China’s capital.
Why this area? Well this was one of the first parts of the capital that got to play around with capitalism! This led to some real interesting places, such as Maggies (we shall discuss later), and even the whole of San Li Tun!
Click to see my take on the best Russian food in Beijing.
Table of Contents
The Annies Story
Annies is a Chinese-owned Italian restaurant chain that founded in Beijing between 1996 and 1999 (sources differ). The chain grew during a period when China was opening up and Western restaurants were becoming more common in the capital. Its early restaurants attracted expats, diplomats, businesspeople and Chinese customers who wanted to try something different.
Annies built its name on pizza, pasta, steaks and a relaxed atmosphere, eventually expanding into several parts of Beijing. It is now one of the city’s best-known Italian-themed restaurant chains, with branches in areas that have long been popular with the international community and the cool Chinese kids with cash to burn.
The Annies Menu
Basically Annies is a Chinese owned Italian themed restaurant, this means steak, pizza and of course pasta. They also have a decent amount of booze, including cocktails and wines.
Here are some of the main items you can expect to find on the menu, with prices varying by branch:
- Cream of mushroom soup: ¥35 (US$5)
- Caesar salad: ¥48 (US$7)
- Margherita pizza: ¥65 (US$9)
- Pepperoni pizza: ¥75 (US$11)
- Annie’s Pizza: ¥76 (US$11)
- Spaghetti Bolognese: ¥55 (US$8)
- Lasagne Bolognese: ¥49 (US$7)
- Four-cheese gnocchi: ¥49 (US$7)
- Seafood pasta: ¥75 (US$11)
- Seafood rice: ¥78 (US$11)
- Australian rib-eye steak: ¥168 (US$24)
- New Zealand lamb chops: ¥168 (US$24)
- Tiramisu: ¥38 (US$5)
- Beer: around ¥25 (US$3.50)
- Cocktails: ¥50–80 (US$7–11)
- Wine by the glass: ¥45–80 (US$6–11)
So, not cheap, but hey China has not been cheap for a while.
How’s the Food and Ambience at Annies Beijing
I have been eyeing up this place for the last year, have seen it and indeed heard a lot about it over the years. What drew me here this time is that it is the only “Western restaurant” near the North Korean embassy, from where I had a meeting.
The restaurant here is located in a small entertainment area with other food outlets, with Annies taking pride of place on the second floor. The decor is pretty nice and it is well decked out as a semi-fine-dining-type restaurant.
I was not in the mood for the time or price of a steak, so instead went for a four-cheese gnocchi. Pretty decent without being earth-shattering.
Where the Annies Restaurant?
Annies has had several outlets around Beijing, particularly in Chaoyang District. Branches have operated in areas including Sanlitun, Guomao, Lido, Wangjing and near Ritan Park. As branches and addresses can change, check the individual location before heading out.
Sanlitun
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
China View Plaza
Gongti East Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
Guomao
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Ruisai Business Building
South Dong San Huan Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
The Place
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
The Office Park
Jintong West Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
Lido
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Jiangtai Road commercial area
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
Wangjing
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Wangjing Street
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
Ritan Park
Annie’s Italian Restaurant
Ritan Shangjie
Shenlu Street
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
So, yeah, not earth-shattering at all, but with all the lao wai having now left China, one of the better Western restaurants in the embassy district.
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