Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

Eastside

Map 46

The latest census reported Bellevue to have the highest percentage of non-white residents in the state, with the Chinese and Indian populations having increased twofold since 2000. Despite the materialistic air of the “SoCal of Puget Sound,” Bellevue ranks consistently high in Money’s “Best Places to Live.” Have you noticed how much Western Washingtonians love their magazine list rankings?

✵ Bellevue Botanical Garden ✵ 12001 Main St

425-452-2750

Free guided tours on weekends through their 36 acres of gardens and woodlands.

✵ Kelsey Creek Farm ✵ 410 130th Ave SE

425-452-7688

Ponies and farm animals for the kids.

✵ Bellisimo Espresso ✵ 11909 NE 8th St

425-451-7795

Walk-up stand.

✵ Boba Express ✵ 15600 NE 8th St

425-641-1165

Food court bubble tea and coffee. It is what it is.

✵ Jitters Coffee ✵ 2200 148th Ave NE

425-644-4645

Go-to for Microsofties.

✵ Skate King ✵ 2301 140th Ave NE

425-641-2047

Bounce. Roll. Skate.

✵ Bai Tong Thai Restaurant ✵ 14804 NE 24th St

425-747-8424 ✵ $$$

Thai with stylish decor and prices to match.

✵ Blue Ginger Korean Grill and Sushi ✵

14045 NE 20th St

425-746-1222 ✵ $$

BBQ up some Korean beef at your table.

✵ Boba Express ✵ 15600 NE 8th St

425-641-1165 ✵ $

Food court bubble tea and coffee.

✵ Can-Am Pizza ✵ 15400 NE 20th St

425-747-7777 ✵ $

Indian food on a pizza. Good news: Butter. Bad news: Bellevue.

✵ Dixie’s BBQ ✵ 11522 Northup Way

425-828-2460 ✵ $$

Louisiana-style brisket slopped into styrofoam—it’s so right.

✵ Dough Zone Dumpling House ✵ 14625 NE 24th St

425-641-5555 ✵ $$

Dumpling house with passionate fans.

✵ I Love Sushi ✵ 11818 NE 8th St

425-454-5706 ✵ $$$

We love I Love Sushi.

✵ Malay Satay Hut ✵ 15230 NE 24th St

425-564-0888 ✵ $$

Three cuisines unite under one roof, with delicious results.

✵ Noble Court ✵ 1644 140th Ave NE

425-641-6011 ✵ $$

Freakin’ huge Hong Kong-style treats and dim sum. Gets packed.

✵ Pho Hoa ✵ 15169 NE 24th St

425-641-7898 ✵ $

Pho for an MSG fix.

✵ Regent Bakery & Cafe ✵ 15159 NE 24th St

425-378-1498 ✵ $

Family run Chinese bakery well known for their massive selection of cakes.

✵ Saigon City ✵ 15045 Bel Red Rd

425-401-0823 ✵ $

Mediocre pho, but cute menu adorned with family photos.

✵ Seoul Hot Pot ✵ 2560 152nd Ave NE

425-885-3355 ✵ $$

Korean convenient to Microsoft campus.

✵ Szechuan Chef ✵ 15015 Main St

425-746-9008 ✵ $$

Spicy red Szechuan hotpots with floating peppercorns are the trend.

✵ Thai Kitchen ✵ 14115 NE 20th St

425-641-9166 ✵ $

Curries and peppers will have you oohing and aahing in satisfaction.

✵ BelMar ✵ 614 116th Ave NE

425-453-5749

If you want to get stoned in Bellevue (and who wouldn’t) you may as well come here.

✵ The Novel Tree ✵ 1817 130th Ave NE

425-867-2700

You can’t do better than these guys for getting baked on the East Side.

✵ Uwajimaya ✵ 699 120th Ave NE

425-747-9012

Awesome Asian superstore.