A Guide to Bellevue’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants

While Bellevue, WA is technically a suburb of Seattle, it’s also a vibrant city in its own right, with a bustling downtown and a restaurant scene that attracts the best professionals in culinary arts. Companies such as T-Mobile, Eddie Bauer, Microsoft, and more have their corporate headquarters here. Because of Bellevue’s proximity to Seattle, people sometimes assume it’s a rainy city, but it has a temperate climate. The average rainfall is 42” compared to the national average of 38,” and they only get an average of five inches of snow per year. So, residents have plenty of good weather days to enjoy boating, swimming, kayaking, and skiing on Lake Washington, and the ocean is just a few hours away. The gorgeous Snoqualmie Pass through the Cascade Mountain Range is just a quick drive down I-90.

Whether you’re looking to make a move to the area or are just visiting, you will want to experience some of Bellevue’s famous restaurants.

 

 

FOOD & WINE, Wine Spectator, and KING 5 Evening Magazine all agree that Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar is the real deal when it comes to delicious dishes and an unbeatable wine menu of more than 750 selections. Seastar has an ever-changing menu based on the seasons, and Chef John Howie prides himself on representing various geographies and culinary styles in his cooking. When you visit Seastar while looking for Seattle condos for sale, not only will you get to indulge in an array of fresh sushi and sashimi, local oysters, roasted Chilean sea bass, and Wagyu steak, you’ll get to enjoy the renowned hospitality and luxury environment that has made Seastar a favorite of residents and visitors alike.

 

If you’re in the area looking at Seattle homes for sale, reward yourself after a long day of house hunting with a relaxing dinner at John Howie Steak. Featuring the same chef as Seastar, John Howie Steak is touted as the premier dining destination in the Pacific Northwest. An award-winning wine list, custom-aged steaks, and innovative sides like Wagyu beef fat truffle fries and lobster mashed potatoes await you at this comfortable yet upscale dining establishment. Locals love coming to John Howie Steak and ordering the prix fixe menu, which offers three courses (starter, entrée with side, and dessert) for just $76. Want to enjoy the menu but aren’t in the mood for a formal dinner? Stop in for happy hour Sunday through Friday, 4-6 PM, for bar snacks, burgers, and cocktails.

Do you want to enjoy breathtaking views of Downtown Bellevue, the Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains while you dine on prime steaks and seafood? Then be sure to make reservations at Daniel’s Broiler while you’re looking for Seattle condos for sale. Located on the 21st floor of the Bank of America building, this fine dining establishment is also the home of Prime 21 Fine Spirits Lounge, a “bar in a bar” that has an elegant, Old World atmosphere and a selection of fine spirits from around the world. Grab a drink in the lounge before taking your seat in the main dining area or stay in the lounge and enjoy bar specialties like Daniel’s steak sandwich or the king salmon sandwich as well as classics like seared ahi tuna and Daniel’s fantastic steaks.

Exceptional quality and impeccable service are touted at El Gaucho, the Eastside’s destination for upscale dining. This steakhouse has five different locations throughout the area and is renowned for its fresh seafood and steaks prepared on a unique charcoal grill in the restaurant’s exhibition-style kitchen. When you find your dream home after shopping for Seattle homes for sale, celebrate at El Gaucho with a starter of Dungeness crab cakes, a Gaucho salad, and filet mignon or Canadian lobster tail. Make sure you save room for the bananas foster, which is flambeed tableside, as well as a dessert cocktail like the Lemon Meringue Martini. Of course, you’ll have to enhance your meal with a glass (or bottle) of wine from the restaurant’s extensive menu. The on-hand sommelier will be happy to assist you with your selection.

 

Inspired by the farmers and growers that make Bellevue what it is, The Lakehouse is a fine dining establishment that focuses on serving locally-sourced ingredients in imaginative and creative ways. Chef Jason Wilson is a James Beard Award winner, and he consistently serves sophisticated yet approachable dishes in the restaurant’s trendy environment. When looking for Seattle condos for sale, visit The Lakehouse for brunch, lunch, social hour, or dinner and dine on fantastic dishes like wild mushroom pappardelle, roasted Pure Country Farms pork chops, and grilled Portuguese octopus. Take your meal to the next level by savoring a craft cocktail like the Seasonal Smash, or choose a glass of wine from the restaurant’s extensive list.

If you want to dine with some of the area's most notable personalities, visit Bis on Main. The atmosphere and their attention to personal service are why they were voted Bellevue’s Most Romantic Restaurant four years in a row. In addition to their main dining room, they have an intimate and cozy lounge where you can grab a quick bite while looking for Seattle homes for sale. Enjoy duck leg confit with an apricot-orange sauce or steamed Manila clams and a glass of wine from their award-winning wine list. Some favorite dinner options include the whiskey-brined double-cut pork chop and the cassoulet, a traditional French white bean stew with duck, lamb, pork, and Italian sausage.

Bellevue has so much to offer that it’s quickly becoming a city in its own right. If you work in Seattle and are looking for more living space, Bellevue is the perfect solution. If you’re looking to move to the metropolitan area, you will definitely want to spend some time exploring Bellevue. Experienced local real estate agents can provide you with knowledge of the neighborhoods and the best pockets for easy access to where you want to go.

Shannon Campbell is the perfect partner if you’re looking for a new home in Bellevue or the Seattle-Tacoma area. Shannon enjoys helping clients find the best home in a neighborhood that fits the needs of their family and is experienced with buying and selling residential homes, luxury real estate, and investment properties. Contact Shannon today.