I love any excuse to head into Downtown Kirkland—it’s such a fun vibe, there’s tons to do and see, and perhaps most importantly, there are so many absolutely fantastic dining options here! I’ve put together a list of the restaurants that I go back to again and again, plus I’m sharing what I love to order at each one.
One of the things I’m most excited about right now is the fact that my latest home listing is in the Moss Bay area of Kirkland, which is just a few blocks from top Downtown Kirkland amenities and attractions. You can live here and enjoy having a world of eclectic dining choices right at your fingertips.
Let’s get into where I love to dine in Downtown Kirkland!
1. Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen
Ok, I really cannot rave about Isarn enough. Isarn in Downtown Kirkland serves up authentic Thai dishes, but they add their own flair to everything and it is absolutely delish! And of course everything is super fresh. A few of my fave things to order include Isarn Fried Rice, Phad See Eiw, and the Minced Lamb with Thai Basil just might be my favorite thing. I also highly recommend the Crab Stir-Fried with Yellow Curry—if you like seafood, you’ll definitely be happy here as there are lots of seafood options. Also—one of the fun things you can do here is order a whole fresh cracked young coconut. Yummmmm!
Get more info & recommendations on Yelp + Instagram, and check out the menu here.
2. Bottle & Bull
You can expect all-around delicious food here and excellent cocktails, all inspired by the travels of Ernest Hemingway. I love a theme! My very favorite things to order are the Braised Lamb Shank and the Crispy Skin Black Cod. And since Bottle & Bull is also a cocktail bar, you’ll find an extensive list of especially creative cocktails as well.
Take a look at the Bottle & Bull menu in advance if you’d like.
3. Rimini Restaurant
Come hungry and bring all of your friends—Rimini in Kirkland’s historic downtown is known for their generous portions of authentic Italian food! I always love Cacio e Pepe and White Panna Bolognese, and you can’t go wrong with either. And how fun: You can order a pasta cone to go for a fun Italian food on-the-go option.
Check out the Rimini menu before you head over!
4. Moss Bay Hall
This is one of those spots where everyone is heading to on a Sunday to catch the Seahawks game! I would dub Moss Bay Hall as an “elevated” sports bar / beer hall. There are huge tables perfect for larger gatherings, and they have a bazillion beers on tap. Moss Bay Hall is particularly known for their smash burgers, and I also love the housemade pretzels, charcuterie, garlic friends, and the fancy hot dogs.
Stay up to speed on events (mainly game days) here because there are often special menu items and offers.
5. Hearth at The Heathman Hotel
The Heathman Hotel is home to Hearth and I strongly recommend heading here for weekend brunch! Order the Deep-Fried French Toast, Lynda’s Beignets, and Shakshuka. You won’t be disappointed. Hearth also serves up lunch, dinner, drinks, and desserts, so you can really pop by anytime for stellar eats.
6. Cafe Juanita
Birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions—this is the place to go when you’ve got something to celebrate (or just want to enjoy the classic flavors of Northern Italy)! Cafe Juanita is a curated dining experience, so you can expect a prix-fixe menu that never disappoints. You can see a sample prix-fixe menu here and find a hint of what to expect here.
7. El Encanto
Located right on the waterfront at Carillon Point, El Encanto is about to become your go-to Mexican restaurant in Downtown Kirkland! After cruising around Lake Washington on a sunny day, pull up your boat to the Carillon Point Dock while you enjoy a fantastic dinner. First: I strongly recommend the El Encanto Margarita. It’s a classic for a reason and El Encanto knows their way around tequila! Second: I am a huge fan of the taco menu, particularly the Camarones (shrimp) tacos and Deshebrada (braised short rib) tacos.
8. BeachHouse Bar + Grill Restaurant
In the new magazine Society Edit that Amber and I created, one of the articles is called “Seattle by Boat: Ian’s Favorite Ways to Float.” In this article I share some of my favorite places in the Seattle area to boat around, and one of my top outings is to head to Hunts Point and Yarrow Point and pick up food from BeachHouse. Then we can just chill on the water while enjoying some of the best cuisine around. BeachHouse is all about classic Americana eats like gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads, and seafood dishes with Northwest flair.
Sidenote: If you’d like a copy of the magazine so you can check out the entire article, email me and I’ll get you one!
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Listed in Downtown Kirkland for $1,995,000
Our latest listing is this 2,713-square-foot home with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths just blocks to Downtown Kirkland. All of these primo restaurants are literally just a stroll away from this move-in ready beauty that’s located at 327 4th Avenue S, Kirkland, WA 98033.
Click here to check out all of the details.
