Al Fresco Dining in Kirkland
As the Summer sunshine returns, our thoughts turn toward beaches, barbeques and dining outdoors. Sunsets just don’t feel the same from behind a pane of glass so make plans for lunch or dinner at one of Kirkland’s many outdoor dining venues.
Be it dining in the shade of a tree-lined lane, on a warm deck overlooking a marina or along the water’s edge at the beach, Kirkland has plenty of options from which to choose. We sometimes forget about places with outdoor dining during the winter months, so this is just a reminder to get out of your old routine, support our local businesses and enjoy al fresco dinning in Kirkland.
Having been a patron of Kirkland’s restaurants my whole life, I have a real fondness for the unique variety of dining choices we have here, and I want to support them. With the help of my wife, Kate, we have put together a list of some of Kirkland’s favorite outdoor dining spots. We hope this list will help you decide where to eat tonight! If we forgot your favorite, please let us know.
UPDATE: A new restaurant review site called, Coffee.net has done an excellent job of reviewing Kirkland’s restaurants in detail. Coffee.net is based on the Eastside and their business model is refreshingly altruistic. They offer full reviews accompanied by photos, maps and more. Check them out!
Anthony’s Homeport • 135 Lake Street South • 425-822-0225
Well established seafood restaurant with a hidden deck overlooking the marina below.
Rob’s Pick: Grilled Salmon plain and simple • Kate’s Pick: Seafood Cobb Salad
Beach Cafe at the Point (formerly Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe) • 1270 Carillon Point • 425-889-0303
A new name for an after work crowd favorite. The deck here is always packed.
BluWater • 2220 Carillon Point • 425-822-4000
Extensive menu offering something for everyone. Overlooking the marina at Carillon Point, the view is one of the best in town.
Rob’s pick: Bistro Chop Chop Salad • Kate’s Pick: Wake and Bake Brownie Buzz (a dessert)
Bin Vivant (opening Summer 2008 in what was formerly Waters Bistro) • 1200 Carillon Point • 425-822-3700
We look forward to trying this one out.
Cactus! • 121 Park Lane • 425-893-9799
Fun, fresh and lively. That describes the restaurant, the food and the bar patrons. Dining under the tree-lined Park Lane is a treat. Overhead heaters help too!
Rob’s Pick: Casa Margarita! • Kate’s Pick: Casa Margarita! (the food is yummy too)
The Grape Choice • 7 Lakeshore Plaza • 425-827-7551
Not just a wine shop, but a local gathering place serving both wine and beer. On Friday and Saturday nights you’ll find a big cheese tray available and cheese and crackers are available any time. Many folks bring food in and it also serves as a great spot for a glass of wine while waiting for a dinner reservation.
Jalisco Mexican Restaurant • 115 Park Lane • 425-739-0033
American-style mexican food that I ate as a kid. None of that fancy Tex-Mex stuff here!
Jimmy’s on Houghton • Houghton Beach • 425-968-2530
Open for the summer, this new addition is run by the same folks who bring us the excellent St. james Espresso at 355 Kirkland Ave. Jimmy’s on Houghton is serving up all of your favorite espresso drinks along with lunch fare to be enjoyed along the beach in the park. Great idea!
Rob’s Pick: Double Short Americano • Kate’s Pick: Double short soy latte
Kidd Valley • 5910 Lake Washington Blvd. NE • 425-827-5858
A classic burger joint across the street from Houghton Beach.
Rob’s Pick: Peanut Butter Shake • Kate’s Pick: Chicken Club
Lai Thai • 120 Park Lane • 425-739-9747
Thai food in the summertime is always a nice combination.
Rob’s Pick: Phad or Curry anything • Kate’s Pick: Tom Yum Chicken Soup
Lucia • 222 Parkplace • 425-889-0200
Rob’s Pick: Prosciutto, Arugula and Shaved Parmesan Pizza • Kate’s Pick: Pesto, Pinenuts, Mozzarella and Fresh Tomato Pizza
Marina Park Grill • 89 Kirkland Avenue • 425-889-9000
One of the most popular summertime spots for seafood, located in the heart of Kirkland.
Rob’s Pick: King Salmon with Wasabi Butter• Kate’s Pick: Halibut with Lime Salsa Fresca
Market Street Cafe • 609 Market Street • 425-827-4440
Market Street Cafe at Marina Park • 1 Kirkland Avenue
• 425-827-7190
You can’t get any closer to the Marina than this place in front of the dock. Grab some lunch and find a park bench and ponder how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful place. The Market Street location is a dinner house.
Rob’s Pick: Hungarian Goulash • Kate’s Pick: Harvest Salad
Oriel • 129 Central Way • 425-822-7319
Outside dining along Kirkland’s Lake Street and Central Way.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar • 323 Parkplace • 425-828-3772
Lots of wines by the glass and a broad food selection at reasonable prices. A success story in the making. So successful in fact, Purple is soon opening their fourth restaurant in Bellevue!
Rob’s Pick: Purple Chopped Salad • Kate’s Pick: Daily Soup and Salad Combo
Rikki Rikki Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar • 442 Parkplace • 425-828-0707
Generous portions and fresh sushi help make Rikki Rikki yummy yummy.
Rob’s Pick: Hamachi and Sake Sashimi • Kate’s Pick: Crunchy Roll
Ristorante Paradiso • 120 Park Lane • 425-889-8601
Always fresh and piping hot when it comes to your plate. Park Lane is a great place to stroll off that tiramisu you wouldn’t share and finished off by yourself.
Rob’s Pick: Capellini al Pomodoro Fresco • Kate’s Pick: Linguine alle Vongole
The Slip Restaurant and Bar • 80 Kirkland Avenue • 425-739-0033
The best place for a burger in town. Dining outside under the willow tree on a warm summer night is a joy every Kirklander should experience… often. Splurge and upgrade your order with fries.
Rob’s Pick: Moss Bay Broiler • Kate’s Pick: Salmon Broiler
Spud Fish and Chips • 9702 NE Juanita Drive • 425-823-0607
No list of outdoor dining would be complete without Spud. Serving classic fish and chips since 1935.
Rob’s Pick: Alaskan True Cod and Chips • Kate’s Pick: Halibut and she steals my chips
Trellis • The Heathman Hotel 220 Kirkland Avenue • 425-284-5900
A welcome addition to downtown Kirkland bringing a delicious and inventive menu paired with a fine wine selection. Be adventuresome – the menu is well worth exploring.
Rob’s Pick: Pan Seared Salmon (truly amazing!) • Kate’s Pick: “La Pasta” Tagliatelle
Wilde Rover • 111 Central Way • 425-822-8940
Downtown Kirkland’s Irish Bar has not one, but two decks! The back deck is tucked around the corner of the building and is quite nice. And Guinness, of course.
Rob’s Pick: Bangers and Mash • Kate’s Pick: Curry Fries at Wednesday Quiz Night
Yarrow Bay Grill • 1270 Carillon Point • 425-889-9052
A long time fine dining establishment with a view that can’t be beat.
Rob’s Pick: Prosciutto Crusted Scallops • Kate’s Pick: Balsamic Roasted Cherries and Seasonal Greens
Zeek’s Pizza • 124 Park Lane • 206-285-8646
Some of the best named pizzas around: Puget Pounder, Wood Butcher, Frog Belly Green, Jimmi the Greek…
Rob’s Pick: The John Candy • Kate’s Pick: Tree Hugger
Thanks for this timely post. I’m getting hungry just thinking about all these options! If you’re up in the Totem Lake area, stop at Cafe Veloce. They have great pasta dishes, a wonderful salad with walnuts and goat cheese, and a decent wine list.
Just curious if anyone knows why such a wonderful place as Oriel would decide not to serve dinner during the busiest time of year? We often have dinner there in the winter, and although the food is excellent and the staff is very helpful and friendly, they don’t exactly do a booming business on a week night. Now, when there are hundreds of folks roaming the streets on a warm summer night looking for somewhere to eat, Oriel has chosen to ignore this opportunity. I’ve asked a few of the servers there, but no one seems to have a concrete answer. What gives?
Our favorite place has always been Calabria. The deck was not waterfront, but at least it was nice on a warm evening. They have delicious pasta and pizzas and that old world charm. I hate to see it go, but that is progress. I hope a new restaurant takes its place.