Date night in Kirkland
The 7 date night spots that local best-of lists name most often. We read 5 lists from local papers, magazines and food writers, counted who shows up, and link every one.
The list
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Cafe Juanita
Northwest Italian tasting menus in Juanita, with vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian versions; save it for special occasions.
Named by Seattle Met, The Best Restaurants in Kirkland (Nov 2024) and The Eastside's 10 Best Restaurants (Oct 2024), counted once · Seattle Magazine, Kirkland: It's the Water, Best Places to Live (Mar 2024) · The Infatuation, Cafe Juanita review, rated 9.4 (Perfect for: Date Nights, Special Occasions; updated Oct 2025)
El Encanto
Lakefront Mexican room at Carillon Point; get the guacamole with totopos and the chile en nogada.
Named by Seattle Met, The Best Restaurants in Kirkland (Nov 2024) · Explore Kirkland, Top Waterfront Restaurants in Kirkland (May 2025)
Como
Carillon Point Italian with lake views, handmade pasta, crispy artichokes and a deep wine list.
Named by Seattle Met, The Best Restaurants in Kirkland (Nov 2024) · Explore Kirkland, Top Waterfront Restaurants in Kirkland (May 2025)
Kathakali, An Indian Eatery
Juanita spot for Kerala cooking: dosas, whole fish in banana leaf, and jackfruit ice cream.
Named by Seattle Met, The Best Restaurants in Kirkland (Nov 2024) and The Eastside's 10 Best Restaurants (Oct 2024), counted once · Seattle Magazine, Kirkland: It's the Water, Best Places to Live (Mar 2024)
Bottle and Bull
Dim, cozy downtown cocktail bar near the marina for a nightcap; guests must be 21 or older.
Named by Seattle Magazine, Kirkland: It's the Water, Best Places to Live (Mar 2024) · Explore Kirkland, Culinary Gems: A Tour of Kirkland's Esteemed Restaurants and Hidden Drink Destinations (May 2024)
Le Grand Bistro Americain
French bistro on the water at Carillon Point; steak frites, mussels and a croque madame.
Named by Explore Kirkland, Top Waterfront Restaurants (May 2025) and Culinary Gems (May 2024), counted once
Umigawa
Ambitious sushi in the Village at Totem Lake from the owner of Wallingford's Kisaku.
Named by Seattle Met, The Best Restaurants in Kirkland (Nov 2024)
How this list is ranked
Each place gets a point for every recent local best-of list that names it: readers' choice results, local papers and magazines, food writers. Review-site top tens count half. Newer lists break ties. Nobody can pay to be on it. When reader votes come in, they count too.
Think we missed a place? Tell us which list named it and we'll recount.