Eating Out At Kirkland's 10 Best Restaurants

A community east of Seattle, Kirkland is located on the shores of Lake Washington with many outdoor adventure opportunities. After working up an appetite, visit one of the many delicious dining destinations. From Italian to Indian to cozy teahouses, we discover more about the best restaurants in Kirkland, Washington.
North side of Juanita Beach, Kirkland, WA | © Joe Mabel/WikiCommons

1. Cafe Juanita

Cafe, Restaurant, Italian

Cafe Juanita serves Northern Italian cuisine. Procuring the best ingredients from local purveyors, the menus change frequently to reflect the tastiest seasonal and organic products available. Popular dishes include rabbit braised in arneis served with chickpea gnocchi, mache, porcini and house-made pancetta. The are also offers vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options.

2. Aura Bakery & Coffee Bar

Bakery, Bar, Dessert

Aura Bakery and Coffee Bar is a family-run French-style bakery. There are delicious pastries made with quality ingredients and a flavorful lunch menu filled with sweet and savory options. Enjoy a cup of coffee with an almond croissant, a variety of macarons, or a croque monsieur sandwich with grilled black forest ham and Swiss cheese.

3. Dakshin South Indian Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, Indian

Dakshin South Indian Bistro serves dishes full of rich, exotic spices and uses seasonal produce locally sourced. Primarily a take-out establishment, there are a few tables at which guests can savor flavorful meals, including egg curry or goat curry, dosa served with sambhar and chutney and steamed rice cakes known as idly.

4. DERU Market

Restaurant, American, Vegetarian

DERU Market is an artisan cafe showcasing locally sourced products. Enjoy sandwiches, wood fired pizzas, salads and sweet treats. Past highlights included chicken pesto pizza with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella; roasted carrots and Brie sandwich with arugula, lemon, plus aioli and fig and pistachio meatloaf.

5. Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen

Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen

Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen is a lovely downtown venue featuring home-style Thai regional cuisine. Flavorful dishes to note include lemongrass wings, which are deep-fried wings topped with crunchy lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and stir-fried squid. For dessert, try the sweet young coconut cream served in a whole coconut with tapioca balls and sweet eggs.
Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen, 170 Lake St., Kirkland, WA, USA, +1 425 298 4429

6. Lynn's Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, French

Lynn’s Bistro is a delightful restaurant serving French cuisine with Asian influences. Start with the classic French onion soup topped with a crouton and Gruyère cheese followed by the sauteed chicken breast topped with a red wine-mushroom sauce or duck breast served with a cherry-merlot sauce. An impressive wine list plus several tempting desserts, including crème brûlée made with Grand Marnier and bread pudding with chocolate, cherries, and rum, are also available.

7. Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

Bar, Cafe, Wine Bar, American, Wine

Purple Cafe and Wine Bar serves international wines and American cuisine. The wine list is extensive with over 80 selections available by the glass plus 600+ bottle varieties. The menus feature a wide and delicious array of items from cheese flights to appetizers to pasta. Highlights include the chef’s cheese flight with three specialty cheeses, Marcona almonds, Castelvetrano olives, and Dalmatia fig jam. The dessert menu has many choices, including the autumn-inspired pumpkin mascarpone mousse topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and cinnamon whipped cream.

8. Santa Fe Mexican Grill

Santa Fe Mexican Grill

Santa Fe Mexican Grill specializes in Guadalajara-style food. A lively venue with a rustic and colorful interior, there’s something on the menu for the whole family. Recommended dishes include vegetarian enchiladas made with a variety of sauteed veggies topped with sauce, cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo and shrimp, scallops, and mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter and served with garlic butter plus rice and beans. Be sure to try the deep-fried ice cream for a sweet end to the meal.
Santa Fe Mexican Grill, 12709 NE 124th St., Kirkland, WA, USA, +1 425 821 9405

9. Savrika Tea

Tea Room, Tea

Savrika Tea is a modern tea salon with 200 loose-leaf tea selections. With so many choices from black to green to white to herbal plus many more, everyone is sure to find something. A relaxing oasis away from city life, this is a wonderful place to do some work, read a book, or catch up with friends.

10. Trellis Restaurant

Restaurant, American

Trellis is an award-winning eatery featuring regional American cuisine. Highlights include house-made seasonal ravioli with fried sage and beurre blanc; tagliatelle with sausage and prawns in a pomodoro sauce; and risotto with spring peas and shaved parmesan. The restaurant also offers guests breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, plus afternoon tea service sure to satisfy anyone seeking a delightful array of sweet and savory items.

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