17 Must-Try Bellevue Restaurants | Best Restaurants in Bellevue WA

Bellevue is one of my favorite Seattle neighborhoods. Although Seattle is home to a wide variety of cool bars and restaurants, I’ve found that there’s something for everyone in this neighborhood.

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back bar with some good food, are hoping to have some killer cocktails, or to impress your date with an upscale dinner, you can find it here in Bellevue restaurants.

Bellevue has a vibe that is uniquely its own. From the dramatic peaks of the Cascade mountain range to the expansive Lake Sammamish waterfront, the city exudes a cool urban atmosphere of a good place with a lot going on.

And when you factor in the abundance of shopping and eating options, along with a population of one million people, it’s bound to be neat.

There are awesome hiking trails and parks, and it seems like a new high-tech company is opening every week. Lately, there have been new buildings and establishments here, so watch out for that too. Plus, the food scene is getting better all the time.

Here are ten of Bellevue’s best restaurants and bars to have a glimpse at and taste everything from pizza to rodizio.

My Top 3 Picks of Bellevue WA Restaurants

Restaurant	Top Pick	Our Rating
Broiler Bay Hamburgers	Bacon Cheeseburger	5/5
Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar	Crab and Artichoke Heart dip	5/5
Fogo De Chão	Roasted Lamb	5/5

The 17 Must-Try Bellevue Restaurants

Señor Taco

14339 NE 20th St. D, Bellevue // +14257474717

This relaxed, open-air Mexican restaurant serves up some of the best Mexican food in Bellevue. Señor Taco, which has been around for over ten years, is where all your classic favorite dishes like quesadillas, burritos, tacos, tortas will be found.

There’s a big bar area for some happy hour margaritas and a Roku TV for some quick sports viewing action.

A delicious burrito or taco, along with a cold beer, makes a pretty perfect lunch. Don’t miss the Baja fish, which comes with almost an entire piece of crispy cod drizzled in chipotle crema, or the al pastor, or spicy barbecue with guacamole on the side.

Broiler Bay Hamburgers

10636 Main St., Bellevue // +14256463474

It’s not the kind of burger joint where you’ll find cloth napkins, gruyere, or even a bit of truffle in the burger. But that’s exactly what you’ll find at Broiler Bay, in the Bellevue food district – a good ol’ classic burger.

The type of burger joint where you show up with your friends and order charbroiled bacon cheeseburgers on sesame seed buns with onion rings and a large Oreo shake.

You are going to enjoy it, especially if you order copious amounts of fry sauce. And yes, it’s definitely the kind of joint that deserves to be in its own category; limited means, somewhat limited menu with great taste, and just enough greasy goodness to keep you coming back.

If you’re looking for a spot in Bellevue that serves up some of the best burgers, Broiler Bay Hamburgers is the place!

Mercato Stellina Pizzeria

10000 Main St., Bellevue // +14257326611

Mercato Stellina was founded by Tony and Kathy De Pinto, both born and raised in the District, and their passion for great food has left an impression on their Bellevue neighborhood.

Their restaurant is located on the main drag of downtown Bellevue, where they are neighbors to some of the best restaurants in Seattle.

If you are looking for a perfect place to dine on a romantic date or with a small group, Mercato Stellina is one of the best restaurants. It serves artisan pies with toppings such as spicy salami and oregano and potatoes and rosemary.

Don’t forget about the pasta specials and salads to round out your meal.

Monsoon East

10245 Main Street, Bellevue // +14256351112

There are some awesome Vietnamese restaurants in the Seattle area, but my favorite is Monsoon. I love their food and the sheer amount of options they provide.

So, if you’re looking for a quality date night spot, look no further. With food that satisfies both the stomach and the heart, an intimate atmosphere, live music to set the tone, and a great happy hour deal, there are plenty of reasons to head down to Monsoon in Bellevue.

Their specialty is Vietnamese cuisine, featuring clay pot catfish, drunken chicken, wokked lamb, and traditional pho noodles. Happy Hour is held daily from 4-7 pm.

They serve 19 different food specials during this time, including wasabi miso salmon, edamame dumplings with spiced salt dip, spicy tuna bites with daikon radish salad dipping sauce, and crispy rice rolls.

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

205 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue // +14254560010

Seastar is probably the most well-known Bellevue restaurant that has been in the news lately. The bistro-style seafood restaurant is so famous they even have an express location at SeaTac airport.

Seastar offers a full bar and tasty appetizers like Baked Macaroni & Cheese and their signature Crab and Artichoke Heart dip. You can even order a sushi roll or two for lunch!

Seastar isn’t just about the food. They take great pride in the drinks they serve. With a full bar, they can take care of all your drink needs.

If you prefer something sweet, try their Wildwood Gimlet! You won’t be disappointed!

Joey Bellevue

800 Bellevue Way NE Ste. 118, Bellevue // +14256371177

Joey Bellevue has been a staple in downtown Bellevue for a decade. It was originally an Asian cuisine noodle bar, but now the restaurant offers a contemporary take on classic American dishes and comfort food such as avocado toast and classic burgers.

The menu is focused on providing healthy meals that are also flavorful.

Fresh, unique dishes include the Szechuan tofu lettuce wraps, Korean fried cauliflower, BBQ salmon rice bowl, and more.

Ascend Prime Steak And Sushi

10400 NE 4th St. Ste. 3100, Bellevue // +14256252080

Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi is the best restaurant in Bellevue, Washington. It is situated on the 31st floor of the Lincoln Square South Tower and offers stunning views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline.

Priding itself on exceptional and sophisticated service in a contemporary and elegant luxurious atmosphere, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi in Bellevue is your one-stop shop for fine dining in the Greater Seattle area.

The lavish lounge offers an extensive wine bar, premium liquors, cordials, cigars, and designer coffee drinks. It is perfect for a business dinner.

Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi offers traditional American seafood, prime steaks, chicken, sushi, sashimi, noodle dishes, desserts, and several hot appetizers, including salads to entice all of your taste buds.

Duke’s Seafood

500 Bellevue Way NE Ste. 212, Bellevue // +14255052247

Duke’s has been a Bellevue fixture since 1977, and it’s one of our go-to spots for great seafood. The restaurant serves up local, seasonal seafood that is farmed or hand-picked from within a 250-mile radius of the restaurant.

All of the menu items are fresh excellent choices to please any taste, from the Dungeness Crab “Un” cake to the Oh My Cod! Fish and Chips and steamed clams. My favorite thing about Duke’s is the vibe; there’s always a nice buzz, and the restaurant has an inviting and relaxed feel. So, it’s perfect for a special occasion with friends.

You can wear jeans and still order off the top-notch menu, and there are also beautiful views of Lake Washington.

Duke’s offers everything you need for a great night out or a delicious meal with friends. It is recommended for families with children, groups of friends, and couples looking for a relaxed vibe.

Fogo De Chão

440 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue // +14254504004

Fogo de Chao is an internationally renowned Southern Brazilian steakhouse, known for using churrasco’s centuries-old grilling technique.

Their meats are slow-roasted over charcoal-burning grills, under the direction of gaucho chefs, whose expertise dates back to the early 19th century.

Fogo dishes are served in gaucho style, rodizio-style, offering a feast of skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables plus roasted leg of lamb, all paired with seasonal signature sauces and tasty sides.

Brazilian staples like black beans and complete farofa dishes are also served at Fogo de Chao.

Earls Kitchen And Bar

700 Bellevue Way NE #130, Bellevue // +14254523275

Earls Kitchen and Bar is one of the best places around that has a fun, relaxing atmosphere to enjoy casual dining. At Earls, the cuisine is a relaxed west coast take on classic dishes, with a focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients.

Earls began as a West Coast gastropub opened by Edmonton brothers Bruce and Robert Peterson. Today, their two sons – Greg and Jeff – have grown the brand to include 17 restaurants across Canada.

The full bar features a diverse and extensive wine list and cocktails and a seasonally crafted beer list, including eight rotating taps and over thirty brands available in bottles.

Earls Kitchen And Bar is the perfect place for lunch and dinner. You can choose from the extensive cheese assortment, stuffed grilled prawns, gourmet burgers, hearty salads, and spicy steak tacos, plus an impressive array of desserts.

La Chingona Taqueria

29 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA, United States //+14254425350

The best Mexican food truck ever! At first, I was a little reserved about trying out street food, but as soon as I tried their food, I regretted saying anything wrong.

After eating Carnitas Salad and Al Pastor Quesadilla, I can only say this is the best I’ve ever had! La Chingona Taqueria might even be my new favorite place in Bellevue when the cravings for some Mexican hit!

The salad is served in a shell, and it’s full of ingredients such as pulled pork, spinach, cheese, rice, beans, onions and much more. The quesadilla I tried is a tortilla with grilled pork, onions and pico de gallo. It is all so delicious it makes you want more.

The décor is colorful Mexican style, the staff is friendly, the owners are heartwarming, and the prices are on point.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot

1411 156th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States //+14256531625

Modern Asian restaurants are not so attractive on the outside, but when you get inside, it’s incredible; starting with the style, the hosts, the food and the service, everything is perfect.

They serve hot pot meals using broth with a lot of spices and ingredients, all of them perfectly added together. The food is fresh, superb quality meats. The half-and-half broth are delicious, all the meats we had at the table were clean and fresh, and all the veggies were also fresh and nicely cooked.

Parking spots are reserved for visitors; at the entrance, they serve you chips and complimentary drinks, and the ice cream is also cute in tiny sizes but worth a shot.

Haidilao Hot Pot

188 106th Ave NE STE 210, Bellevue, WA, United States //+14256796408

Original Chinese-style hotpots in a modern luxurious restaurant in Downtown Bellevue. A connection between traditional Chinese cuisine and post-modern restaurant décor is just what you might need for lunch or dinner.

Dancing noodle is a natural attraction. We ordered two flavors of the broth, alongside bamboo fungus, beef, and vegetables, all cooked to perfection, and all the flavors moderately added.

The prices might be a little expensive for a hot pot restaurant, but the experience is worth it.

You get offered some snacks on your way in. Vegetarian-friendly restaurants have a few vegetarian broths and a lot of vegetarian ingredients one can choose from.

Araya’s place vegan Thai

10246 Main St STE C, Bellevue, WA, United States //+14254542440

This place looks astonishing, from the décor to the prices, the friendliness, and the way they serve your meal.

I think many places like this should exist. I also like to try foreign dishes. So when I heard about this place, all I could think about was getting a reservation and going there. So we called and went to try out the food.

We had the Fried Brussels Sprouts, Pineapple Curry and Sweet and sour tofu. It’s nice when you go into a restaurant; the food you get looks amazing and tastes even better. Along with the dinner, we had signature cocktails, which tasted magical.

The prices are on point for this restaurant, you pay a lot less for a great quality meal. They also offer so many gluten-free options it will spin your head.

El Gaucho

450 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, United States //+14254552715

Luxurious and elegant restaurant, vegetarian friendly with a great atmosphere, live piano and high-end classic meals.

We ordered the classic Caesar Salad, Steak El Gaucho, Fillet Mignon, and French Onion Soup, and for dessert, we had Chocolate Ganache.

From salty to sweet, everything tastes like heaven when you eat here!

The meals are cooked nicely, with a lot of attention, everything is fresh, and the service is exceptional; not bad for this place.

The prices are a little higher than expected but definitely worth it.

The service is fantastic, and the manager’s one-on-one experience is a whole new dimension. We love this restaurant!

Daniel’s Broiler

10500 Northeast 8th St Unit BP2101, Bellevue, United States //+14254624662

The 21st floor steakhouse, in the middle of Bellevue, at the Square, overlooking the mountains and the city, with a live piano is just a fantastic experience. The food is also exquisite.

Daniel’s Broiler is one of America’s most excellent steakhouses, known worldwide for its food.

One day we decided to see what makes this place so unique, so we made dinner reservations.

I ordered the Piedmontese Filet Mignon and Lobster Bisque. Both taste so delicious I still feel the taste. Filet Mignon is a dish with exceptionally lean and tender meat, it melts in your mouth. Lobster Bisque is also amazing.

There’s parking under the building, and the people are all dressed up. Prices and meals are high-end. This might be the most expensive place I’ve visited in my life, but all of the food is worth it.

Mercato Stellina

10000 Main St Ste 104, Bellevue, WA, United States //+14257326611

This is the place to go if you’re looking for a great pizza! And it’s located in Old Town Bellevue.

The most delicious, perfectly baked pizza I tried. Signature Italian pizzas with a proper amount of toppings.

We tried the Salame Piccante, a pizza with fresh mozzarella and spicy salami. It is yet the most delicious pizza I have tried in a long, long time. The crust is crunchy and still soft, and tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami and oregano are in the right amount you wish you eat this pizza for life.

The ambiance is so pleasant, making you feel like you’re in a little cliffside town in Italy. The Gelato is a must-try. You also experience five-star service, friendly staff, and an outstanding wine selection.

Foodies Also Ask:

What are the best restaurants in and around Bellevue, WA?

Mercato Stellina, El Gaucho, La Chingona Taqueria, Araya’s place vegan Thai.

What are the most popular restaurants in Bellevue?

Daniel’s Broiler, Haidilao Hot Pot, Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Araya’s place vegan Thai.

What are the best restaurants in Bellevue that provide takeout?

Happy Lamb Hot pot, Haidilao Hot pot, La Chingona Taqueria, El Gaucho

Summary Of The 17 Must-Try Bellevue Restaurants

There’s a lot to like about Bellevue. The hiking trails are great, the parks are gorgeous, and there are tons of great companies to work for. There’s also a mall that’s way better than Southcenter. The restaurants and bars are also excellent.

You’d be surprised just how many restaurants there are in Bellevue. Numerous restaurants can be found throughout the rest of the city, and a few excellent restaurants are coming to Bellevue Eastside soon.

I’ve been to these places several times over the years, so I definitely have some favorites. Besides, eating is my favorite hobby, so it would be crazy if I didn’t write about my favorite restaurants.

There are plenty of dining options in Bellevue, so whether you’re with coworkers or on a date, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

And if you liked this article and found it helpful or interesting, and you are looking for some more recommendations in regards to restaurants where you can get some delicious food and good vibes, make sure to check out our articles:

Visiting other destinations in Washington State? Check out our other guide:

Which one of these Bellevue restaurants do you want to try first? Let us know in the comments section below!

Igor Jovanovsky

Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever