Solana Suppin’: Dining Options by Chaoyang Park’s Northwest Corner

Located on Chaoyang Park’s west side, Solana “Lifestyle Shopping Park” plays host to both Romana Ice Cream and a branch of the Cold Stone Creamery, two of Beijing’s best bets for cooling down during a hot summer shopping spree. Find yourself in the neighborhood with a meal-sized hunger? Solana has you covered with one of Beijing’s most diverse concentration of eateries. The park-side location allows for delightful al-fresco dining to boot.

Todai
This seafood-oriented all-you-can-eat American chain lays out an impressive spread of forty kinds of sushi and sashimi, and a 160ft seafood counter, but there’s much more to love than that. Discover pizzas, dim sum, tandoori, stir-fries, teppanyaki, grilled meats, a nice salad bar and a dessert counter that is not to be missed, featuring fresh fruit, crepe machines and a chocolate fountain among other delights. Lunch goes for RMB 188 per person on weekdays. Weekend lunches and the daily supper buffet is RMB 258 per person. Children under 1.3m tall are half price, while over 65s get 30% off. Wearing your stretchy trousers.
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6888) 都太.朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区

Lantung
For some spicy Thai in a laid-back, lakeside location, Lantung is the choice. The house tipples are all designed to be paired with the tapas dishes on offer. Try combining the pineapple-infused vodka and mint cocktail with barbecued shrimp and pineapple skewers (RMB 55), or a cinnamon-infused vodka and fresh apple juice cocktail with the hot and sour beef spring rolls (RMB 55). Built around a golden tree, which begins at its basement level and emerges on a gorgeous roof deck, Lantung offers sanctuary from the booming Beijing nightlife with its Buddhist-mystical lounge decor and relaxed sounds.
Daily 10.30am-2am. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6213) 兰棠.朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Invito
Stylish Tuscan-style fine dining restaurant boasts a stunning rooftop terrace with lake views, as well as a cozy first floor turning out tasty organic sandwiches and desserts. Weekday set lunch menu is RMB 88.
Daily 10am-10.30pm. 15-2, Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6906) 意吻陶.朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区15-2

Casa Latina
With a delectable menu created by a young Mexican chef, this vivacious Mexican restaurant has a live Cuban band in performing from 9:30pm daily (except Mondays), with serious potential to get diners up dancing. Order from the huge cocktail menu (Latin- inspired, rum-based cocktails warrant their own section) and your drink (RMB 40-60) will come filled with umbrellas, fruit slices and novelty stirrers in all shapes and colors. For something a little different, try the Aztec soup (RMB 68), fideo soup (RMB 38), or sopesitos (RMB 48). Casa Latina’s main courses large enough for two to share, including pollo con mole (RMB 88), chicken in a chocolate sauce and decent enchiladas.
Daily 6pm-2am. Bar Street, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6201) 卡萨拉蒂娜,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区酒吧街

Maxim’s de Paris
The original Maxim’s, owned by Pierre Cardin, was Beijing’s second ever French restaurant when it opened in 1983, and now celebrates nine branches worldwide. Efficient waiters here donning bow ties and tailcoats serve up food that is first-rate in presentation, taste and portion size and reasonably priced to boot. Expect well-executed examples of classic French dishes. Maxim’s din-ner menu, with prix fixe options, also boasts a wine menu offering a reasonable range and a decent house wine, and also offering up relative rarities such as apple beer and Grimbergen Blond (both RMB 50).
Daily 11am-2pm, 6-10pm. C1-20/21 Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6204) 马克西姆餐厅.朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区C1-20/21

All Star Sports Bar & Grill
Menu features a 24-hour breakfast, sirloin steak, pizza, Mexican staples and pastas with draft beers, local and imported bottled beer, cocktails and wine to wash it all down. Offering bar food such as popcorn shrimp (RMB 45), onion rings (RMB 20) deep-fried calamari (RMB 45), fish & chips (RMB 70), baby back ribs (RMB 180), burgers (from RMB 65), chili-cheese dogs (RMB 58) and finishing with, among other good deserts, the “rich chocolate explosion” (RMB55) and blueberry pancakes (RMB 65).
Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am. Bldg 5, 1/F, Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6999) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区5-1

Latin Grilhouse
Decked out in green and gold and pulsing with Brazilian music, this all-you-can-eat establishment offers over 13 kinds of roast meat, as well as an extensive buffet and unlimited Yanjing draft, wine and suanmeitang. Lunch is RMB 88/98 per person (weekdays/weekends), while the evening buffet costs RMB 138. Waiters dressed like gauchos serve up good, strong caipirinhas to wash down the feast.
Daily 11am-3pm, 5-11pm. C1-11, Block 1, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6126/8) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区1号楼C1-11

Shota Muni Sushi and Grill
Known for their inventive rolls (i.e. the “Olympic Roll” sprinkled with pop rocks or the “Vancouver Roll,” a tribute to the restaurant’s Canadian roots) as well as fresh sashimi and sushi and a good range of salads and tempura. Lunchtime set meals include generously portioned sushi bento with salad, miso soup and steamed egg custard for RMB 60, as well as a RMB 70 sashimi platter.
Daily 10am-11pm. C1-5A, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6369) 将太无二,朝阳区朝阳公园西路6号蓝色港湾C1-5A

Greek Delicacy
Serving Greek style fast food in modest and unassuming decor, this reliable eatery offers fresh, traditional Greek food at alarmingly affordable prices. You’ll be impressed with the well-seasoned meat, gyros, Greek salads and kebab with yogurt, and make sure you sample the tzatziki, grilled feta cheese and yogurt with honey and walnuts.
Mon-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm. Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6380) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Veg-On
Veg-On is Solana’s staple for organic vegetarian food. Offers great value with set lunches and a RMB 39 dinner buffet served daily from 4.30pm. Try the delectable Taiwanese desserts, like the waffle with honey (RMB 22).
Daily 11am-10pm. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6301/6) 家乡素食,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

1001 Nights
Beijing’s well established restaurant chain offers some of the best Middle Eastern food in town, and has been rewarded in the Beijinger 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards for doing so. 1001 Nights satisfies cravings by serving Beijing traditional Mediterranean-Arabic favorites such as falafel, taboulleh, hummus and kebabs, as well as Mohamara. As well as some of the best hookah in the city and nightly belly dancing, the Solana branch offers a good value daily lunch buffet for RMB 68.
Daily 11am-midnight. North side of Solana Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6316/7/8) 朝阳区朝阳区朝阳公园路6号SOLANA内

La Pizza
A jolly pizzeria with a large wood fired brick oven, a well-rounded Neapolitan chef, and an atmosphere straight from the south of Italy. La Pizza offers a wide choice of delicious toppings, all available in different shapes and sizes, from the good old twelve inch to a large group pizza, as well as draft beer, good salads, antipasti, pasta and appetizers.
Daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-11pm. SA-48, Bldg 3, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6106) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区3号楼SA-48

Fanqian Fanhou
With a name that translates to “Before and After the Meal”, this joint excels with starters and offers complimentary desserts. Giant dabancai (huge bowl of vegetable salad with sesame dressing: RMB 38), adorning nearly every table, but the menu’s array of delicious renditions of authentic Taiwanese home-style dishes, such as the saucy and tender three cup chicken, mean that the main meal itself is not to be overlooked.
Daily 11am-10pm. Bldg 1, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6988) 饭前饭后，朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区1号楼

Jamaica Blue
Australian chain specializes in coffee grown in Jamaica’s Blue Mountain region known for its mild, and sweet finish. They serve it up using Australian-style coffee terminology (prefer a “flat white” or a “long black”?) and also offer healthier food options, from gourmet sandwiches to salads.
Daily 7am-9pm. RS-16, Section 11, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. 牙买加蓝色咖啡馆,朝阳区朝阳区朝阳公园路6号SOLA-NA蓝色港湾国际商区11栋RS-16商铺

J. Lucky
This up market Tianjin-style jiaozi joint in the heart of Solana boasts some interesting design choices, like the faux brushed-steel floors, but don’t let that put you off. J Lucky serves up a good range of tasty, very well cooked dumplings. Try the minced beef and crunchy carrot, or the egg, cucumber and glass noodle combinations and you won’t be disappointed.
Daily 10.30am-2pm, 5-10pm. DS-17, Solana (north side), 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 1708) 饺好运,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区内

Water Bar and Restaurant
Located right on the lakeside of Solana’s bar street, Water boasts strong drinks at a reasonable price, as well as an affordable set menu (RMB 78) of fish or steak that includes salad, vegetable, potato, appetizer and wine, among other of-ferings.
Daily 10am–2am. 15-4, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6008/9, 137 0113 1533) 子水，朝阳区朝阳公园西路6号蓝色港湾国际商区15-4