The Best Restaurants In Renton, Washington
Renton, Washington, is a lovely city located not far from Seattle. Situated on the south end of Lake Washington, the area is surrounded by scenic beauty, while the city itself is home to a vibrant art scene, many shops and delicious eateries. We’ve put together a list of some of the culinary gems found throughout Renton.
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Afghan Cuisine
A family owned and operated restaurant, Afghan Cuisine proudly serves its flavorful dishes representing Afghanistan and the surrounding regions. Between the delicious food and the gracious hospitality, it is no surprise that this restaurant is loved and attracts repeat customers. Speciality, must-try dishes to note are the mantoo, handmade dumplings stuffed with ground beef, onions, and special spices topped with garlic yogurt, lentils, dry mint, plus paprika, and the qabali pallow, which is a fall-off-the-bone, marinated lamb shank accompanied by basmati rice and topped with raisins and julienned carrots. To complement the meal, order an Afghani chai and finish with the ferni, a milk pudding with hints of rosewater, cardamom, and pistachio.
Berliner Pub
Berliner Pub is a downtown, German gastropub enticing customers with its great selection of brews and food along with its lively atmosphere. Open every day and family friendly until 10pm, the pub offers guests a spacious interior with communal seating plus an outdoor beer garden, where patrons can sample a variety of German beers, including Zunft Kölsch and Hofbrau Lager, plus many tasty eats from small plates to entrées. Enticing options include jäger schnitzel, which is a traditional Austrian pork schnitzel topped with mushroom sauce and served with spätzle plus red cabbage, and the currywurst or bratwurst covered with Henning’s recipe curry sauce.
Blossom Vegetarian
Located in downtown Renton, Blossom Vegetarian is a delightful restaurant specializing in authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Prepared by Chef Hue Phan, the dishes offered are packed full of delicious, fresh flavors, and while it is a meat-free establishment, this spot will even impress those diners who like meat. Within a serene environment, guests can enjoy options such as the spicy lemongrass tofu rice noodle salad bowl with rice vermicelli, lettuce, cucumber, pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, mint, plus lime vinaigrette and Mongolian ‘beef’ with crispy noodles, lettuce, sesame, spicy sauce, and chilli flakes.
Malakor
The Thai word for ‘papaya,’ Malakor attracts guests with its aromatic Thai cuisine every day for lunch and dinner. Also presenting diners with outstanding service, the café’s beautiful, inviting interior is also an enticement for those seeking a relaxing space in which to feast upon a variety of dishes that will suit any taste. Share a plate of crispy tofu with roasted peanuts and plum dipping sauce before trying the cashew nut plate with choice of protein along with garlic, roasted cashews, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots, and chile sauce or the mama phad with a protein, egg noodles, carrots, baby corn, broccoli, snow peas, and bell peppers. Fried rice dishes plus salads are also found on the menu.
Melrose Grill
Melrose Grill is a lovely, neighborhood steakhouse serving mouthwatering steaks along with dishes for poultry and seafood lovers. Tucked inside a charming 1902 building, the interior, complete with lofty ceilings, rich woods, and the original mirror-backed bar is complimented by the friendly staff to provide a welcoming atmosphere that will impress as much as the food. Great choices include the filet mignon served with a choice of potato, which includes garlic mashed, baked, or crispy parmesan, basmati rice pilaf plus fresh vegetables and the Northwest king salmon filet pan-seared, topped with vodka-dill crème fraîche, and served with rice pilaf and veggies. Open daily for dinner, the restaurant also offers various wines and cocktails.
Peyrassol Café at Southport
Peyrassol Café is a warm, inviting neighborhood café serving European-inspired cuisine for lunch, dinner, plus weekend brunch. Using fresh ingredients from local purveyors, the culinary team creates a variety of delicious, rustic meals that change often in order to reflect the best seasonal offerings. Highlights include boeuf bourguignon, which features Washington beef chuck simmered in red wine and homemade stock accompanied by a polenta cake, and pappardelle con ragu paese, which is hand-made pasta in a flavorful sauce of tomato, ground pork ragu and finished with sage butter and Parmesan.
The Red House
Inside a 1920’s building that once housed railroad workers and coal miners, The Red House is a charming restaurant. The menu is strong on European flavors, and the restaurant provides a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy tapas and entrées along with seasonal varieties. Highlights include the artisan cheese plate with three cheeses, apple-plum chutney, fresh fruit, plus artisan crackers; the grilled wild salmon with hazelnut butter, red pepper sauce, sautéed greens, and garlic-turnip mashed potatoes; and mac ‘n’ cheese with smoked Gouda, white Cheddar, Gruyere, parmesan, mozzarella, and breadcrumbs.
Smoking Monkey Pizza
Smoking Monkey Pizza specializes in artisanal pizza, and its pies were voted the best pizza in Renton. Using the best ingredients available from local sources, along with quality imports and house-made mozzarella and ricotta, the pizza team makes a tasty selection of hand-tossed pizzas in traditional and creative varieties, all cooked in a brick oven. Try the eponymous Smoking Monkey topped with marinara, coppa, sautéed greens, cherry tomatoes, smoked mozzarella, plus provolone and the Goatsmary with chili-infused olive oil, cashews, rosemary, provolone, and goat cheese.
Spice King
Located inside DK Market, a warehouse-style Asian market, Spice King tantalizes the taste buds of diners with its authentic Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The large menu offers a host of vegetarian dishes along with recipes featuring chicken, goat, lamb, and fish. Within a casual, cozy environment, diners can enjoy flavorful options such as matar paneer, peas and Indian cheese cubes in tomato curry with onions, punjabi bakra or diced goat meat in a special gravy with spices, and seafood curry with prawns and scallops in a gravy of onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, and spices.
Sushi Cafe
Sushi Cafe is a family owned restaurant serving a wide selection of sushi and other Asian delights every day. Try lumpia, egg rolls filled with fried pork and vegetables, makes a great beginning to any meal while main dish highlights include the Bloody Mary roll with spicy ahi tuna, seared white tuna, cucumber, avocado, scallions, and Korean poké sauce and the phoenix with tempura shrimp, crab, cucumber, avocado, ahi tuna, sriracha, and house sauce. The menu also features must-trys such as beef and broccoli, curry fried rice, and vegetable stir-fry.