Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Mercer Island

86 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Carmine's - Bellevue restaurant

1. Carmine's - Bellevue

4.8

Exceptional(2732)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Bellevue

Booked 70 times today

From the owners of Il Terrazzo Carmine, one of Seattle"s most iconic and beloved establishments, comes Carmine's Bellevue. Carmine's Bellevue brings to the east side the same level of quality in service, food, and ambiance that has made its sister restaurant a true institution in Downtown Seattle. Located at 88 102nd Avenue in Bellevue's historic Old Bellevue neighborhood, Carmines is nestled against Bellevue Park. With a rustic, timeless interior, Carmine's provides patrons an escape from the increasingly urbanized way of life. Upscale and elegant, Carmine's feels anything but stiff and pretentious. Good for business meetings, special occasions, or simply dining with loved ones, Carmine's Bellevue is a true destination on the east side.

2. Spinasse

4.8

Exceptional(3783)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 34 times today

We recommend making a reservation however, we have some counter seats available on a first come first serve basis for walk-ins. There could be a waitlist so come early!Cascina Spinasse is offering in-house dining seven days a week. Sunday-Thursday 5pm - 10pm. Friday & Saturday 5pm - 11pm.

A photo of Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar restaurant

3. Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.7

Exceptional(4792)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Bellevue

Booked 29 times today

Seastar Restaurant & Bar is Bellevue’s #1 seafood restaurant! Locally owned and operated for the past 21 years by celebrity chef and Northwest philanthropist John Howie, Seastar is known for its seasonally inspired menus, diverse selection of locally caught seafood and its award-winning wine program. Chef Howie and his team meticulously source the best seafood in the region and create culinary wonders that surprise and delight. Our raw bar features fresh oysters, poke, ceviche, and an array of fresh sushi, sashimi and unique preparations of rolls and nigiri. The dynamic cocktail and bar program features spirits from Chef Howie’s own Wildwood Spirits Co., and the wine program boasts over 750 wines, winning prestigious awards like Food & Wine’s “Best Wine List in America.” Our knowledgeable sommeliers will help find the perfect pairing for every seafood dish or from the land fare, creating a culinary experience unlike any other.

A photo of Earls Kitchen + Bar - Bellevue restaurant

4. Earls Kitchen + Bar - Bellevue

4.5

Awesome(1184)

Price: Expensive

• American • Bellevue

Booked 98 times today

Welcome to Earls Bellevue, our restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Square, where you'll experience a truly captivating atmosphere. With its sun-drenched ambiance and impressive features like 28-foot ceilings, stunning marble and onyx fireplaces, and a meticulously curated glass wine room, our venue promises a one-of-a-kind dining experience. For those with large groups, we offer a private dining area available for bookings year-round. Indulge in our daily features, Happy Hour, late night Happy Hour, and weekend Brunch Happy Hour, as you bask in the elegance and charm of our surroundings. Whether you're seeking a memorable meal or a vibrant social gathering, our location is the perfect one. Your table is ready. We can't wait to see you!

A photo of Duke's Seafood - Bellevue restaurant

5. Duke's Seafood - Bellevue

4.6

Exceptional(1559)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Bellevue

Booked 7 times today

Duke's Seafood Restaurant in downtown Bellevue - located in Lincoln Square South across the street from The Bellevue Square - is an upscale casual Pacific Northwest restaurant & bar offering signature, flavorful, 100% sustainable wild seafood, Award Winning Chowder and grass fed burgers in a gathering place that is friendly, comfortable, unpretentious and filled with personality. We only source all natural, healthful ingredients. Duke's food is free of hormones, antibiotics and free of harmful chemicals. Guests sum up their favorable assessment of what Duke's has to offer with three words: It’s so good!

6. Terra Plata

4.6

Exceptional(4184)

Price: Very Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 24 times today

Terra Plata is James Beard award winning Chef Tamara Murphy's "Earth to Plate" concept. It is the result of her love for creative and delicious plates inspired by the seasons and made possible by our local growers & artisan producers.

7. Nick's on Madison

4.8

Exceptional(509)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Madison Valley

Booked 4 times today

Nick's on Madison is a local gem in Seattle's Madison Valley. As one reviewer put it, it's a 'wonderful neighborhood and beyond GEM.' The restaurant is known for its 'casual sophistication' and 'seasonal dishes.' Many reviewers praised the great service, food, and ambiance, describing it as a 'favorite neighborhood spot' and a 'cozy, homey neighborhood place.' It seems to be a favorite of locals, with some even saying it's their 'only place' to dine out.

A photo of Il Terrazzo Carmine restaurant

8. Il Terrazzo Carmine

4.8

Exceptional(4059)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pioneer Square

Booked 60 times today

Il Terrazzo Carmine, owned and operated by Carmine Smeraldo, is one of Seattle's true dining anomalies - a highly successful restaurant with unfailingly high standards and a loyal, sophisticated clientele. The cuisine has been acclaimed as Seattle's best by the media and more importantly, by local diners. Il Terrazzo Carmine is located in historic Pioneer Square - nestled in an urban-renewed alley with entrances through the vintage lobby on First Avenue or through the delightful courtyard in the back. Since 1984, Carmine Smeraldo's classic Italian restaurant has been where the locals have chosen to return over and over again. From the Carpaccio Di Bue and Spaghettini Dell 'Ortolano for lunch to the Suprema Di Pollo Farcita and Zuppa Di Pesce for dinner you will know you have gone to a place where excellence is a way of life. Arguably the best Italian restaurant in Seattle, Il Terrazzo serves classical Italian cuisine with an atmosphere you may want to call home and never leave

A photo of Momiji Capitol Hill restaurant

9. Momiji Capitol Hill

4.7

Exceptional(1798)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 61 times today

Momiji is a hand-crafted Japanese restaurant located in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Our menu features sushi, omakase and other traditional Japanese foods prepared from great Northwest ingredients. Our courtyard will be an oasis in the bustling neighborhood.

A photo of Daniel's Broiler - Leschi restaurant

10. Daniel's Broiler - Leschi

4.4

Awesome(2861)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Leschi / Madrona / Madison Park

Booked 8 times today

Daniel's Broiler in Leschi features USDA Prime Steaks. Spectacular views of Mt. Rainier and Lake Washington are available from every table and outside waterfront dining is available during the warm weather. *A 20% service charge is included. 100% of this service charge is retained by Schwartz Brothers Restaurants. We strive to be an employer of choice and our servers are paid a base wage and a separate commission based on their sales. Additional gratuity is not expected and purely optional. If you have any questions please ask to speak with a member of management.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Breanne
Portland / Oregon •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Such a delicious meal. The servers were friendly and put up with me and my group who were probably a bit loud and a little tipsy. We really enjoyed ourselves. Next time we’ll keep it classy.
More info
SpinassePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Capitol Hill / First Hill
•
4.8
J
Jena
Adelaide •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic service and food. Great dinner, but noise level is high.
More info
Carmine's - BellevuePrice: Expensive• Italian• Bellevue
•
4.8
A
Anna
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We ordered coffee and were pleasantly surprised to receive French press. To start, we opted for the three-tier appetizer, which featured the most delicious crab cakes I’ve ever tasted, and I’m usually not a fan of crab cakes. The scallops were incredibly tender as well. My husband enjoyed a steelhead entrée accompanied by asparagus and mashed potatoes, while I chose a Caesar salad topped with fresh Dungeness crab. We were both delighted with our dishes and even enjoyed sampling each other’s. This was our second visit, and I have no doubt we’ll return for a third. We dined on Black Friday, expecting a bustling scene with Bellevue Square shoppers, but to our delight, arriving at noon meant we were seated promptly with minimal crowds. They also offer parking validation, which is a nice bonus.
More info
Seastar Restaurant & Raw BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Bellevue
•
4.7
C
Colleen
Seattle / Eastern Washington •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
A Welcome glass of champagne as we entered the restaurant was a lovely and surprising treat. Very special! Food was delicious. Service was very good. Highly recommend. We were there quite early, so noise level may change as the restaurant fills up.
More info
Earls Kitchen + Bar - BellevuePrice: Expensive• American• Bellevue
•
4.5
C
Colby
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 22, 2024
What a great dining experience, surpassed only by the quality of the food.
More info
Terra PlataPrice: Very Expensive• Farm-to-table• Capitol Hill / First Hill
•
4.6

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Mercer Island

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Mercer Island

Price

Cuisine

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Neighborhoods

Top Rated

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86 restaurants available nearby

1. Carmine's - Bellevue

2. Spinasse

3. Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4. Earls Kitchen + Bar - Bellevue

5. Duke's Seafood - Bellevue

6. Terra Plata

7. Nick's on Madison

8. Il Terrazzo Carmine

9. Momiji Capitol Hill

10. Daniel's Broiler - Leschi

See what locals rave about

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