Oldie but Goodie is a monthly column where we feature noteworthy restaurants, cafes or bars that have been open at least six months and are worth a try.
It was way back in 2012 that Juice Baby opened its doors, with ambitions to deliver juice to nearby schools. At least half the fruit went to rot as James Beattie and his partner discovered the Shuiwei community didn’t want healthy sips for kids, but stiff drinks late at night.
Since then, Juice Baby has gone through a sort of evolution – though maintaining its name, and a logo showing an Eiffel Tower filled with fruit – it has become a locus for expat teachers that work at the nearby schools and an easy stop for locals looking for quality alcohol or Western fare.
The Cambrian explosion of Shuiwei’s food scene pushed cafe-cum-bar – which is mostly outdoor seating with a view of a large screen TV – to up its game. Still known for its hot dog and Tiger beer Monday special (RMB45), a renovation saw dishes like smoked salmon salad (RMB50) added to the menu.
Now sporting a laundry list of liquors, and the usual suspects of mixed drinks, Juice Baby still serves up its notoriously strong Long Island iced tea (RMB55).
The atmosphere is friendly, but it’s not the type of place you go to strike up conversation with the table over. Though, it’s a gold mine for people watching, with Saturday night Shuiwei being a particularly earthy experience.
The inside kitchen closes at 10pm, but an outside grill runs until around 1am, serving up hot dogs, burgers and – in an obvious nod to local preferences – RMB5 chicken feet.
Before you ask, they still serve juice, with glasses of apple juice going for RMB28.
See listing for Juice Baby Café.
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