Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Eastside

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Eastside? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Kro Bar

4.9

4.9 (621)

$31 to $50

Dining Bar

Bothell

About the restaurant

The krō bär is an eclectic bar with a speakeasy vibe and a passion for spirits and great food with a nod to another era.

Tucked away on Main Street in Bothell, a walkable neighborhood teaming with local art, culture and food, the artfully handcrafted krō bär has been reclaimed from the bones of Bothell’s historic hardware store in the Mohn building. The 16-foot-high tin ceilings, a hanging catwalk and the original wood floors were uncovered and restored.

Please note we are 21 and older only.

Due to the size of our location, we are unable to seat parties of more than 4 guests.

Top review

Dave

Dined 7 days ago

Great experience, Cameron is the best. Outstanding food.

Cafe Juanita

4.8

4.8 (3430)

$50 and over

Italian

Kirkland

About the restaurant

Cafe Juanita features Executive Chef and Owner Holly Smith's award winning Northern Italian cuisine prepared using the freshest Northwest ingredients and complimented by an award-winning wine list.
Cafe Juanita serves prix-fixe multi-course tasting menus with optional wine pairings, and many other tempting possibilities to embellish your meal. Current menus can be viewed at www.cafejuanita.com. We are happy to modify dishes for dietary restrictions; please advise when making reservations. We offer four tasting menus from which you may choose: omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan, ranging in price per person from $175-$205. We have a supplemental a la carte menu, and tasting menu items can also be ordered a la carte.
Dress code is elegant, formal *no leisure or athletic attire please.

Top review

Cindy

Dined 6 days ago

Fantastic spot! Food is excellent and service is amazing. Was recommended by a resident colleague who loves this place!

Bottle & Bull

4.8

4.8 (493)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Kirkland

About the restaurant

Experience the travels of Ernest Hemingway through your palette; eating and drinking your way through the cities that Hemingway loved to frequent; Havana, Paris, Florence and Pamplona (where he discovered his love for bull fighting!) to name a few.
We focus on locally sourced, farm-to-table menus with hand crafted cocktails, as fluid as the seasons.
Like Ernest Hemingway our hunger knows no borders!
Open to those 21 and older.

Top review

DenisVIPVIP

Dined 4 days ago

As usual awesome place , great service , fantastic food option.

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4.8

4.8 (400)

$50 and over

Sushi

Bellevue

About the restaurant

Takai by Kashiba is a fine dining Edo-Mae style Sushi restaurant that specializes exclusively in nigiri sushi.
Sushi Counter dining is solely Chef's Omakase, with two seatings at 5:30 and 7:30.
Omakase is also available at our dining room tables along with a la carte Sushi options.
We do not have vegan/vegetarian/kids menus. We are able to accommodate most allergies.

Led by Chef Jun Takai, the Omakase consists of local and international seafood accompanied with Kaiseki style dishes. Takai by Kashiba creates an elegant atmosphere whether you're seated at a table or the sushi counter.

Omakase style drink pairings are also available along with a thoughtful selection of Sake, Wine and Japanese Whisky.

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Really enjoyed our dinner last night. We each ordered the nigiri set and shared several Ala Carte selections. Everything was well prepared, sushi was very fresh and rice perfectly seasoned. The sake selection was excellent and reasonably priced. We loved the minimalist decor, which still had a warm vibe. Tables are well appointed in the dining room giving each party some privacy. And if you take a coat, do check it in with the receptionist as you will be pleasantly surprised when you retrieve it at the end of the evening. Nice job Takai by Kashiba!

El Encanto

4.7

4.7 (412)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Kirkland

About the restaurant

El Encanto is the latest restaurant to join Carillon Point, from the group that brought you Cantinetta and COMO. Enjoy Chef Gabriel's elevated Mexican menu featuring recipes passed down through generations. We offer two semi private dining tables that come with their own patio (weather permitting), available to book via email. Expansive outdoor dining and lounges overlook Lake Washington, which will be on a first come, first served basis. Come enjoy the gorgeous PNW with us, a margarita and your new favorite Mexican dishes!

Top review

AditiVIP

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

An absolute date spot worthy location. Great views of the waterfront. Cute decor, I am sure summer would be a gorgeous time to visit this location. Service was great and delicious food/drinks! 10/10! Would definitely recommend.

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La Mar Cocina Peruana Bellevue

4.7

4.7 (152)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Bellevue

About the restaurant

La Mar Cocina Peruana, led by acclaimed chef Gastón Acurio, brings authentic Peruvian cuisine to downtown Bellevue, Washington. This cebichería celebrates traditional Peruvian flavors in a casual yet upscale setting. The restaurant features a pisco bar, a cebiche bar with a raw fish display, and an open-air kitchen that overlooks both upper and lower dining areas, including a private room for intimate gatherings. Under Executive Chef Kaoru Chang, La Mar emphasizes fresh seafood sourced directly from the sea, showcasing the essence of Peruvian culinary traditions.

Parking available at Bellevue Plaza. Entrance located on 105th Street. Parking validated for all restaurant guests.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The freshest seafood. Flavors that are bright, complex, and awaken the senses. Absolutely spectacular experience-food, ambiance, service!!

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Experience

Executive Lunch Menu

Baron's Sino Kitchen & Bar

4.6

4.6 (493)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Bellevue

About the restaurant

Baron's Sino Kitchen & Bar is the first overseas project of Barony Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Baron Sino Kitchen & Bar offers a modernized version of Classic Chinese Cuisine, we use only the finest ingredients, with highly technical, traditional cooking method to create innovative dishes. We are located on the 2nd floor of Lincoln Square South, downtown Bellevue. Our 8,200 square feet main dining room accommodates up to 290 guests, along with theatrical interior and world-class full bar service, aim to deliver an enchanting dining experience. We have 3 private dining rooms available, seats 10,10, 14 guests individually, and accommodate party of 42 seated in total. Private dining rooms offer even more luxurious decorations, exclusive customizable banquet menus, and dedicated staff at your service. We look forward to hosting you soon!
Lunch menu:
Monday through Friday: standard lunch menu only
Saturday and Sunday: Dim Sum menu only
Dinner Menu: Monday through Sunday

Top review

cathy

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Good food and good service . Great place for family reunion.

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Popular dish

Baron's Signature Peking Duck

Experience

" Yum Cha" Dim Sum lunch at Baron's

Experience

$58 Peking Duck Monday

Itadaki Yakiniku

4.6

4.6 (43)

$50 and over

Japanese Speciality

Bellevue

About the restaurant

We are pleased to offer free 4-hour parking validation for guests parking in the lot within our building. If you choose to stay longer, please note that additional parking fees may apply for any time exceeding 4 hours.

We look forward to welcoming you! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking an unforgettable meal, we promise to take you on a culinary adventure like no other at Itadaki Yakiniku. Experience the perfect blend of indulgence, harmony, and quality that defines our approach to fine dining.

Top review

LindsayVIP

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Great dinner and experience! Highly recommend dinner here.

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Experience

The Ultimate Yakiniku Experience

Fuji Steak House

4.5

4.5 (302)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Redmond

About the restaurant

Experience the excitement of Teppanyaki table-side grilling at Fuji Steak House. Guests dine grill side, experiencing the authentic cooking skills of our talented chefs who juggle hot flames and sharp knives while artistically creating a delicious.

Top review

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Great food, friendly staff and chef. Prices are a little steep, but expected for specialty dining and in a high rent location. Salmon sushi was excellent and the calamari steak was good as well.

Japonessa Sushi Cocina - Bellevue

4.4

4.4 (423)

$30 and under

Sushi

Bellevue

About the restaurant

Japonessa Sushi Bellevue is traditional sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls with a Latin twist. In addition to an extensive happy hour, Japonessa Bellevue offers semi-private and banquet dining, as well as an exclusive omakase section of the sushi bar with Chef Masa Nakashima.

Top review

Serene

Dined 4 days ago

Very thoughtful for food allergies, much appreciated

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