November 24, 2025
By Catherine Kunkel
As temperatures drop and gray and rainy days become the norm in the Pacific Northwest, you might expect the fun to dwindle. But you need not fear the fall — especially if you’re a foodie! The menu is full of delicious options just a stone’s throw from Seattle on the Eastside.
Named one of America's "Best suburbs for foodies," Bellevue has emerged as a diverse culinary landscape, with a strong international flavor using Pacific Northwest ingredients, and a city-wide focus on culinary events and high-quality dining experiences. This city’s global community serves culturally-inspired cuisine and you can find a wide range of restaurants guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. From Thai to tacos, there are hundreds of dining possibilities, so it’s a challenge for even the most devoted food explorer to try it all.
Port supports Washington state tourism
Bellevue is one of numerous Washington cities which receive economic development grants from the Port of Seattle. Projects, such as Visit Bellevue’s culinary tourism promotions, must tie to the Port’s business interests, such as aviation, maritime, construction trade, and green jobs and encourage utilization of Port facilities, such as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Since the program’s inception, the Port has awarded $5.7 million in King County. With matching contributions by the cities, the program has generated more than $9.5 million in economic development investments in the past eight years.
Natural beauty and food bounty
Bellevue is surrounded by the bounty of the Puget Sound and the fertile farmland not far from the city limits. The city of 155,000 is blessed with more than 400 multicultural restaurants. With our region’s top purveyors like wild mushroom foragers, farmers, or the shellfish and wild salmon fisherman, the city food scene is rooted in the ingredients that define the Pacific Northwest. Attracting chefs who have traveled the world honing their craft, there is a rich fusion of cuisines from around the globe.
"The growth in Bellevue's culinary scene has inspired a wave of creativity in our diverse food culture," said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. "Our acclaimed chefs are collaborating in exciting ways, bringing global influences at our events, culinary trails, and citywide dining weeks. Alongside neighborhood favorites that remain authentic and deeply rooted in the community, we are seeing a remarkable surge of new restaurants and retail experiences opening throughout Bellevue. It’s an exciting time for anyone who loves food and wants to experience the many cultures of the Pacific Northwest in Bellevue."
Bellevue has long been known as a business travel destination, but the once-sleepy suburban restaurant scene now has much to offer the leisure traveler who is seeking recreation and culinary exploration. This aligns with the city’s new brand campaign of “Unexpect It.” The brand captures the spirit of a place that defies expectations with its position between lakes, mountains and nature, along with top food, retail, and entertainment experiences.
The brand announcement coincides with Bellevue’s strongest tourism year to date. In 2024, a wave of growth welcomed 80 new restaurants, the region’s first InterContinental Hotel, and new experiences, such as walking food tours, culinary weeks, and electric vessel lake cruises. Visitors come to Bellevue from across the United States — particularly Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, and New York — as well as from key international markets such as China, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Japan.
Renowned chefs lead Bellevue’s dining revolution
There are many top chefs leading Bellevue’s dining revolution. You can learn about a few here. Explore top chefs in Bellevue.
"Bellevue is no longer just a Seattle neighborhood. Bellevue is unexpected, a destination embracing both innovation and authenticity," said Brandon Muehl, Culinary Director, Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi. "It is constantly evolving and expanding with new cuisines representing the wide breadth of cultures of people who live and visit here. That includes opening new and exciting restaurants like La Mar, Itadaki Yakiniku, Ten-Don, and others like the newly-added unique Radiant Table immersive dining experience that spotlighted Bellevue chefs. It a community for culinarians to thrive and grow."
Visit Bellevue offers several ways to explore the city’s restaurant scene, including themed culinary weeks and self-guided food trails. Dig into some great ideas from Visit Bellevue.
What are culinary weeks?
Culinary weeks are a scrumptious invitation to explore Bellevue one bite at a time. Each week-long event is inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal bounty and the city’s diverse culinary roots including neighborhood gems and upscale icons. Exclusive dishes, themed menus, and chef-curated experiences bring each celebration to life.
Gamification for added fun
During each culinary week, diners can use the Vibemap app to access a digital passport and check in at participating restaurants. Try three or more spots in a week and earn fun, themed rewards like a custom plushie keychain. Complete all four weeks and you’ll take home an exclusive, limited-edition Bellevue tote bag to commemorate your culinary adventure.
2025–2026 Culinary Weeks Lineup
- Berry Week (July 16–23) Celebrate summer’s sweetest local harvest with farm-fresh delights, berry-infused dishes, and refreshing treats that capture the taste of the season
- Crab Week (August 15–23) Dive into the rich coastal flavors of the Pacific Northwest with crab specialties crafted by some of Bellevue’s top chefs
- Noodle Week (November 10–16) Savor the ultimate comfort food. From hand-pulled ramen to wok-tossed stir-fries to classic Italian pasta, taste your way through global noodle traditions
- Dumpling Week (February 17–24, 2026) Ring in Lunar New Year with an entire week dedicated to dumplings in every form — steamed, fried, filled, and folded with love
Whether you’re a local foodie or a first-time visitor, culinary weeks are the perfect way to discover new favorites, support local restaurants, and connect with Bellevue’s incredible food community. Check out Bellevue culinary weeks.
Happy and delicious trails
Along with culinary weeks, Bellevue offers self-guided, themed “trails” where you can build your own tasting itinerary, such as discovering berry desserts on the Berry Trail, finding the most fabulous crab dishes on the Crab Trail, or the most delectable dumplings on the Dumpling Trail.
For the ultimate foodie fun, take a “hike” on the Acclaimed Trail, a curated guide to the city’s most notable dining destinations. Featuring award-winning chefs, nationally-recognized menus, and locally-celebrated eateries for top restaurants.
To enjoy guided foodie experiences, this “trail” is your starting point for digging into Bellevue’s diverse food scene.
A few of the award-winning restaurants on the Acclaimed Trail include:
- Jun Takai – Takai by Kashiba, James Beard Foundation Chef Jun Takai continues the Edomae style sushi legacy in an intimate dining space. Exclusive omakase focuses on elite nigiri, sake, tea pairings, and seasonal seafood
- Jason Wilson – The Lakehouse, James Beard Foundation James Beard–winning Chef Jason Wilson presents seasonal Pacific Northwest farm-to-table cuisine in a lake house inspired setting, highlighting local produce, seafood, handmade pasta, and imaginative cocktails
- Dough Zone,Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Dough Zone delivers modern Chinese comfort food — soupy xiao long bao, panfried Qbao, noodles and shareables under $10 — in a welcoming casual setting
- Bellevue Brewing Company, 2025 Silver Medal – World Beer Cup, Bellevue’s first locally-owned craft brewery, Bellevue Brewing Company, offers award winning beers, local cider, and elevated pub fare in a modern, family friendly atmosphere
Get in your steps and enjoy Bites of Bellevue
Wear your walking shoes and weather-ready gear when you book a spot on the guided Bites of Bellevue Walking Tour and enjoy a great way to dive into the local chefs and amazing flavors that make this city a rising culinary hotspot.
Early Bellevue walking tour
If you’re looking for a non-food but equally fun and informative activity, consider Eastside Heritage Center’s Early Bellevue Walking Tour, a self-guided tour with 24 sites designed to share the city’s early history with visitors and locals. The tour begins at NE 8th Street and Bellevue Way, heads south to Downtown Park, then west to Meydenbauer Beach Park, along the waterfront, and then back up into Old Bellevue, covering several historic sites along Main Street.
Food and so much more
If you are planning a visit, check out the Visit Bellevue 2025-2026 Official Visitor Guide and A Taste of Bellevue 2025–2026 Culinary Guide.
All photos courtesy of Visit Bellevue.
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