18 new restaurants in Bellevue and around the Eastside in June 2026
Bellevue developers and civic leaders have gone big-game hunting in the past few years, bringing some impressive hospitality brands to town.
The most recent example is Nobu, owned by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa. That famed Japanese-Peruvian bistro will debut downtown next year, joining a slew of other international chains that are rushing to feed this city's large, affluent population of Asian foodies. And this fall, the Singaporean chain Sushi Tei will make its North American debut in Bellevue Square.
Another big-name restaurant is already out of the gate in downtown Bellevue. More details below on that big debut - and 17 other openings around the Eastside you should know about.
Where to eat around the Eastside
Mama Xita BBQ, a swanky Korean-Chinese fusion restaurant chain based in northeastern China, is already drawing tech workers for power lunches with its new restaurant in Bellevue, its first outlet in the United States.
The international chain runs a 37-page menu showcasing different cuts of marbled meats and seafood that customers pick to grill at their tables. There's also Korean comfort dishes like kimchi fried rice and bibimbap.
If you don't want to spend 15 minutes flipping through that book of a menu, follow what most diners were ordering on my recent visit: the $88 meal combo, with five different cuts of steak alongside kimchi, other banchan sides and seaweed soup. The combo can feed up to three.
About 4 miles east of there, Jang Gogi runs an all-you-can eat sushi and Korean barbecue. Prices range from $40-$70 depending on the tier you order off the menu.
Come hungry if you want to splurge on the $70 "signature" menu with 100 items, including 28 meats and seafood ranging from a "prime" cut of short ribs to octopus. Pace yourself, because the restaurant's 30 sushi items range from tuna nigiri to California rolls.
For the party-hardy set who groans about the lack of late-night dining options around the Sound, Jang Gogi plans to stay open until 1 a.m. or later on weekends by midsummer.
If you're sick of chicken teriyaki, you can try the calamari or shrimp teriyaki at Bento House on Bel Red Road.
Just in time for summer, Salt & Straw expands to downtown Bellevue. Its latest chef series features a flavor from acclaimed chef Brady Ishiwata Williams of Tomo: a salted vanilla ice cream with Japanese soufflé cheesecake, yuzu curd and yuzu white chocolate stracciatella.
On Mercer Island, the popular Korean bistro Danji opens a second restaurant following its first location in Issaquah, debuting at the corner of Southeast 27th Street and 78th Avenue Southeast.
Looking for Thai takeout? Three blocks south is Aroi Desu, serving panang curry, khao soi noodle soup and, of course, pad thai.
In Kirkland, the local chain Sumo Sushi Grill & Ramen opens its eighth branch in Washington state, about 2 miles east of Juanita Beach Park.
(Speaking of which, the popular summertime Juanita Friday Market has returned to this scenic beach park, running weekly from 3-7 p.m. through September, with the exceptions of June 19 and July 3.)
In Redmond, Amor Eterno offers tacos with everything from beef cheeks to tongue. Regulars recommend The Godfather Burrito and the mulitas. This taqueria also runs an all-day brunch menu for those jonesing for breakfast burritos and chilaquiles.
In Issaquah, Chan Kitchen serves Hainanese chicken rice, barbecue pork and other Asian takeout staples downtown.
The Mediterranean restaurant Diyar serves kebabs, lamb shank and Persian stews.
Masthi Bar & Grill specializes in South Indian dosas and Indo-Chinese fusions like fried rice and noodles.
The long-awaited Issaquah Burgermaster on Northeast Gilman Boulevard is now working the Americana angle with a full-fledged drive-in for burgers and root beers.
And Glossy Beans Cafe jump-starts that morning commute with egg sandwiches and lattes.
Farther north, Garlic Crush, a local Mediterranean chain with a passionate fanbase, brings its signature $21 meat combo of chicken kebab and grilled lamb to Woodinville.
About 2 miles south of there is Farine Bakery & Cafe, which features decadent Belgian and French pastries.
In Bothell, the big news is the return of the weekend pop-up ILMU after a hiatus. Fairoz Rashed composes Japanese-French fusion and Singaporean street hawker food with French sensibility out of the acclaimed T55 Patisserie that he runs with his wife, Katie Fairoz. (Note that ILMU is a 21-and-over dining room.) The couple are looking for dining space on the Eastside to open a full-time ILMU fine-dining restaurant.
Wrapping up our list of new spots in Bothell: Saigon 6 serves pho and vermicelli bowls, along with a Vietnamese fusion patty melt banh mi and taro fries.
Indus Restaurant & Bar plays the Indian classics like tandoori chicken and biryanis, but explore the menu to find South Indian classics like masala dosa and fusion staples like garlic fried rice and stir-fry noodles.
Finally, Fresh Cups specializes in Vietnamese coffee, though the big hit at this new cafe has been its souped-up green teas, especially the coconut water that gets topped with a matcha foam.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 6:41 AM.