A Foodie's Guide to

Bellevue Bites

Breakfast at Farine Bakery & Café 

Like any good introduction, our first stop is light, bright, and will leave you wanting more. Farine Bakery & Café is a piece of French pâtisserie culture nestled in downtown, with a menu ranging from sweet bites to savory delights that will make you say “Ooh la la!” 

Their tartines are a must try, such as the Croque Madame and Seafood, as well as an Avocado Toast variation with house-made labneh and za’atar. Pair this with their Cardamon Orange Mocha or Lavender London Fog out on the patio and you’ll start reconsidering that European vacation you’ve been planning. 

Late Morning Chocolate Tour with DOTE Coffee Bar, ROYCE’ Chocolate, Lady M Cake Boutique 

To compliment the incredible coffee scene, those with a sweet tooth are in for a pleasant surprise during their trip. From the chocolate stylings of master confectioner Chef Ewald Notter at DOTE Coffee Bar, to the expertly crafted Hokkaido mainstay ROYCE’ Chocolate, and the luxurious layers of Lady M Cake Boutique, you’ll feel like you found a golden ticket to the Bellevue Collection. 

Start your journey with DOTE and their artisanal truffles, we highly recommend anything that includes a seasonal ganache. ROYCE has a decadent amount of options, but their Potatochip Chocolate is a standout for the perfect mix of salty and sweet. Last but not least, Lady M rounds it out with their Amedei Chocolate Mille Crêpes. 

Happening to visit during October 5 and 6? Enjoy a serendipitously blissful weekend at the Northwest Chocolate Festival to really heighten your pedigree. 

P.S. These are great options for a nice souvenir to take home, so don’t feel bad circling back! 

Happy Hour: Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi  

Downtown is known for its signature elevated experiences, and Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi reaches above and beyond. Try to time your visit before the sun starts setting for some of the best panoramic views you’ll find. For a showstopper, get the Cloud Nine cocktail to really let the air of elegance take flight. The wagyu beef cheek bao sliders make for a tasty treat & the Nitamago deviled eggs are an absolute must for any Ascend experience. They also offer a decedent dinner menu that is worth another trip!

Mid-day Side Quest at Copper Kettle Coffee Bar at Bellevue Botanical Garden

The Bellevue Botanical Garden is another great place to walk while you enjoy your treats. With everything from a suspension bridge, to a gnome house, and cultural exhibits, it’s hard to find anything else that feels so adventurously and quaintly “Pacific Northwest”.

As you make your way through, your real destination is the Copper Kettle Coffee Bar. They have fantastic seasonal options, but the Creme Brulee Latte is a very popular go to. Enjoy what some have described as fairy tale scenery as you stop to smell the native flora and fauna.

The Trillium Store is another great spot for souvenirs if you’re looking to support local artists. With a wide variety of this that, knicks, knacks, and more, it’s easy to find something that someone you care about at home would appreciate.

Gorgeous Cheese Pulls at Daeho Kalbijjim

Daeho Kalbijim & Beef Soup is really known for the former, and when we say “known” we mean beyond viral. Kalbijim is a braised short rib dish that Daeho has elevated past royal Korean tradition to the modern American palate. What does that entail? Think melt in your mouth meat and pillowy soft rice cakes book a first-class ticket to super cheesy pullington city, baby.

Daeho is a walk up only restaurant in the Eastgate area near Lake Sammamish. Plan accordingly as you can expect some wait, but every minute will be worth its weight in short rib.

Nightcap at Civility & Unrest  

Craft cocktails are something that the Pacific Northwest prides itself in, and downtown Bellevue is no slouch. A true local hotspot is Civility & Unrest, with exactly the ambience you’re looking for to end the night. 

You’ll find the real secret if you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the weekend, when the back bar, Unrest, opens and unlocks a whole new set of incredible experiences. Even at the front bar, Civility, don’t be afraid to let your mixologists take you on a journey, their expertise are bar (ha) none when it comes to exceeding expectations.  

Ridiculo is our recommendation for Civility if you’re a mezcal fan, while a Tale as Old as Time really makes you rethink classic cocktails if you make it to Unrest. 

Check out our vlog series The Vue where we feature this incredible bar. 

Honorary Mentions!

Lunch: The Lakehouse

To balance how we’ve started this day, the next modern American destination is locally sourced farm to table. The Lakehouse does salads incredibly well, whether it’s their Beet, Wagyu Steak, or Prawn & Slaw, you’ll definitely find something crisp and refreshing to enjoy.

If you are staying at the W and need some extra downtime, The Lakehouse is also available for room service.

Midafternoon snack: Sandwich House TRES

If you’ve visited Japan, you’ll know that their take on sandwiches (sandos) have made their mark on daily life.Sandwich House TRES is your trip to the Japanese conbini with a wider sando variety than you could have ever imagined. The best part? They do it authentically.

While sandos seem easy enough, doing them well is an art. TRES has options from savory to sweet depending on where your appetite is. We recommend trying one from each side, with whichever katsu cutlet and strawberry variant you’re leaning towards.

TRES isn’t a restaurant you eat in at, to go is their specialty. 

Snack Break: LeTAO

Bellevue features some of the greatest culinary selections you can find, and LeTAO takes the (cheese)cake. Located at The Shops at The Bravern, LeTAO is considered Japan’s #1 venture into the complex confection, their double fromage will leave you doubling down on that same opinion.

While your taste buds are living the highlife, peruse the refined retail options around the area for a second serving.