Not For Tourists Guide to Seattle (2016)

Eastside

Map 48

With a landscape view of the Seattle skyline, apartments and condos here will eat your paycheck like it’s a steak dinner. A waterfront and a quiet, romantic lifestyle attracts retirees. Kirkland’s pedestrian-friendly (translation: major traffic), village-like character is maintained by the assortment of little consignment boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. The home of the original headquarters of Costco (hence the Kirkland Signature brand), Kirkland also hosts of the Junior League Softball World Series.

✵ Kirkland Marina ✵ 25 Lake Shore Plaza

Dig your toes into the sandy beach.

✵ Kirkland Performance Center ✵ 350 Kirkland Ave

425-893-9900

400-seat theater hosting an array of performances.

✵ Artesano Espresso ✵ 1431 Market St

Solid drive-thru coffee.

✵ Caffe Ladro ✵ 104 Central Way

425-827-5838

Strong coffee for strong coffee drinkers.

✵ Gourmet Latté ✵ 13270 100th Ave NE

425-248-0663

Gourmet is a relative term, but the coffee at this unassuming roadside shack is A-OK.

✵ The Green Beanery ✵ 13039 NE 70th Pl

425-893-9760

A particularly eco-mindful coffee stand serving organic fair-trade, naturally.

✵ Kitanda Açaí and Espresso ✵ 12700 NE 124th St

425-820-4381

The Brazilian coffee and pastries that you didn’t know your life was missing.

✵ Mercurys Coffee Co. ✵ 8506 122nd Ave NE

425-406-8059

Organic fair trade coffee that’s good enough to forgive a missing apostrophe.

✵ Rococo Coffee Roasting ✵ 136 Park Ln

425-803-9081

Their house-roasted coffee is good enough to make you forget you’re in Kirkland.

✵ St. James Espresso ✵ 355 Kirkland Ave

425-896-8272

Brewing Caffe D’arte beans.

✵ Urban Coffee Lounge ✵ 9744 NE 119th Way

425-820-7788

Trying to approximate an actual urban coffee shop in Kirkland.

✵ Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company ✵

129 Central Way

425-284-1830

A true Seattle original. But in Kirkland.

✵ TechCity Bowl ✵ 13033 NE 70th Pl

425-827-0785

32 lanes and a booming sound system.

✵ Anthony’s ✵ 135 Lake St S

425-822-0225 ✵ $$$$

Pacific Northwest fare with expansive view of Lake Washington.

✵ Cactus ✵ 121 Park Ln

425-893-9799 ✵ $$$

Outstanding mojitos and Mexican.

✵ Café Juanita ✵ 9702 NE 120th Pl

425-823-1505 ✵ $$$$$

Serenity exemplified, and stellar Italian. A must.

✵ Hanuman Thai Cafe ✵ 115 Central Way

425-605-2181 ✵ $

Too satisfying for words. You’ll actually think you’re in Thailand.

✵ Izumi ✵ 12539 116th Ave NE

425-821-1959 ✵ $$$

An affordable Eastside alternative to Seattle’s uberspendy sushi spots.

✵ Lynn’s Bistro ✵ 214 Central Way

425-889-2808 ✵ $$$$

Bistro fare with an Asian flair.

✵ The Original Pancake House ✵

130 Park Place Center

425-827-7575 ✵ $$

Homemade batter! A dozen types of flapjacks! It’s breakfast heaven.

Your Sunday plans: grab a newspaper and a latte at Caffe Ladro, take a walk with your dog and feed the ducks at Marina Park, satisfy your stomach with a juicy burger at The Slip, catch a musical performance at the Kirkland Performance Center, then grab dinner at one of the many Thai restaurants. For the most authentic Japanese food on this side of the lake, it has to be Izumi, while Anthony’s dishes out great seafood. If you must make a fool of yourself, there’s karaoke at Pegasus Pizza and the “classy” Tiki Joe’s Wet Bar

✵ Padria Mediterranean Cafe ✵ 9708 NE 119th Way

425-814-1693 ✵ $

A challenge for the fast food generation…real food.

✵ Pegasus Pizza & Pasta ✵ 12669 NE 85th St

425-822-7400 ✵ $$

Starved? Generous salads and loaded pizzas will do the trick.

✵ Ristorante Paradiso ✵ 120 Park Ln

425-889-8601 ✵ $$$

A little bit of Sardinia on the Eastside.

✵ Santorini Greek Grill ✵ 106 Central Way

425-822-0555 ✵ $$

Eastside local favorite is closer than a Greek island getaway.

✵ Sarducci’s Sub ✵ 955 6th St S

425-827-8253 ✵ $

They claim to be the best in town. And it’s no BS.

✵ Shamiana ✵ 10724 NE 68th St

425-827-4902 ✵ $$$

Generous buffet.

✵ The Slip ✵ 80 Kirkland Ave

425-739-0033 ✵ $$

Burgers so juicy they…slip.

✵ Thai Kitchen ✵ 11701 124th Ave NE

425-820-5630 ✵ $

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

✵ Wing Dome ✵ 232 Central Way

425-822-9464 ✵ $

Flamin’ baskets of flavored chicken wings.

✵ Champagne Taste ✵ 147 Park Ln

425-828-4502

Designer gown consignment store.

✵ PCC Natural Markets ✵ 10718 NE 68th St

425-828-4622

Organic to the core.

✵ Simplicity Décor ✵ 126 Park Ln

425-803-0386

Classy, simple Thai-style furniture.