A Day With Mom in Bellevue: Our List of Must-Do & Must-See Places

A Day With Mom in Bellevue: Our List of Must-Do & Must-See Places

Avoid the mad dash for a Mother’s Day gift or crowded waitlist with our guide of places to visit throughout the weekend. Nix the guesswork from your agenda and focus on the matter at heart – celebrating mom with a memorable journey through these recommended #HeartofBellevue destinations.

BRUNCH 

Start your day off with a hearty breakfast or brunch around town. Some of our favorite spots...

• Bellden Café
  We Recommend: fueling up with an acai, pitaya or yogurt bowl! They also offer a variety of delicious toasts. 

• Belle Pastry
  We Recommend: Delighting mom with the limited Mother's Day "Brunch Box" that features an array of  croissants, pain au chocolat, baguette, fruit, jam and butter. 

• L'Experience Paris
  We Recommend: a foodie tour of Paris featuring a traditional Fraisier cake, Pierre Hermé macarons, Rose d'Helene Champagne, and a beautiful bunch of tulips. 

• Gilbert’s On Main 
  We Recommend: Ordering the signature Thick-Sliced French Toast, featuring rich, golden brioche wedges saturated in cinnamon and vanilla. Served with hand-crafted Italian chicken sausage and sweet apple sauce. Bon appétit!

• Solarium Kitchen & Bar
  We Recommend: loading up your plate with omelets, waffles or something savory from the brunch buffet carving station, like fresh slices of smoked honey Dijon ham or slow cooked prime rib. Call ahead for reservations | Hours: 10a – 2p

COFFEE 

An extra jolt of caffeine after breakfast for your busy day with mom!

• Café Cesura 
  We Recommend: sipping on a flat white, "starting with our single origin espresso, we expertly steam your choice of milk to create a 6oz coffee drink with just the perfect amount of microfoam.” 
• Dote Coffee Bar 
  We Recommend: a housemade cold brew blend infused with nitrogen. Delish!
• The French Bakery
  We Recommend: Cappuccino Viennese, brewed with Attibassi roasted coffee imported directly from Bologna, Italy and topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder to re-energize for a little retail therapy...

SHOPPING 

From quaint boutiques to department stores, tour the shops around town with mom and keep your eyes peeled for exclusive Mother's Day promotions!

• Hedge & Vine 
  We Recommend: Assembling a custom gift basket, stuffed with a silk pillowcase, lavender bath aromatics, a scented candle and her favorite bottle of wine! 
• The Bellevue Collection
  We recommend: Loading up your cart from May 3-8 to redeem an additional gift with purchase. Spend $500 and receive one $50 Bellevue Collection gift certificate - score! 
• Cookie Pop-Up at Williams-Sonoma
  We recommend: Sampling Tiffany's delicious creations at her Cookies with Tiffany pop-up while browsing houseware on May 8th from 10:30am-2:30pm. 
• Whisk 
  We Recommend: Perusing crisp table linens, cutlery and other nifty kitchen tools, or nabbing a gift certificate to book a future cooking class! 
• Lawrence the Florist
  We Recommend: Teleflora's Stunning Swirls Bouquet. Available in multiple sizes, these flowers bundle two gorgeous gifts in one with a decadent bouquet of roses and lilies arranged in a hand-blown, iridescent art glass vase.
• Joseph Jewelry
  We Recommend: Scoping out a premium selection of bracelets, earrings and pendants, or spruce up her favorite piece of jewelry to sparkle like brand new with jewelry repair services and vintage restoration.

SIGHTS TO SEE

Discover why Bellevue is called the "City in a Park" -- lace up those sneakers and explore these great (and free!) outdoor spots.

• Meydenbauer Bay Park 
  We Recommend: Kayak, canoe or paddleboard rentals from REI Boathouse to cruise around the waterfront. Weekend activity hours: 11a - 8p. Book your next adventure online.
• Bellevue Botanical Garden
  We Recommend: Exploring an urban refuge in your own backyard, "encompassing 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands to boot."
• Don't forget to stroll the Grand Connection & circle the Downtown Park promenade!

HAPPY HOUR 

Kick back for a cocktail or two before dinner. 

• Central Bar & Restaurant
  We Recommend: Toasting the occasion with a Signature Cocktail, like 6th & Cilantro with El Jimador Reposado Tequila for $2 off, complimented with two tender grilled steak tacos for $10 or a bargain $5 housemade salted pretzel. Or, round up your relatives for a special Mother's Day brunch instead, complete with classic dishes, bar bites and drinks, starting at $45 for adults and $12 for kids. | Hours: 3 - 5p
• Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi 
  We Recommend: Enjoying a Woodinville port cask whiskey drink cleverly named the "Washingtonian," mixed with il riposo del soldato vermouth, bourbon spiced cherry syrup and antique bitters. Or, take advantage of an exquisite, reimagined Mother's Day brunch from 10a - 4p served as an all-inclusive tableside buffet. Choose from different bites and beverages on revolving trollies and carousels for your safety and optimum hospitality! | Happy Hour: 3 - 6p and 9p - Close
• 520 Bar & Grill
  We Recommend: Either a draft beer for $2 off or a Stimson Chardonnay for $7 with Italian Spring Rolls for $7.50 | Hours: 2 - 5p

DINNER 

Whether picking up curb-side grub or eating out, Bellevue's local restaurant scene guarantees great options for any craving.

• John Howie Steak
  We Recommend: Special Mother's Day Boxes - Choose between filet mignon or chateaubriand for four, paired with brown butter braised asparagus and chocolate volcano cakes with vanilla crème, among other delectable sides included in the kit.
• Castilla Restaurant & Tapas Bar
  We Recommend: Treating mom to a Spanish feast with a revamped Mother's Day meal package (orders accepted until May 6) with iconic tapas like bacon-wrapped dates and dungeness crab stuffed artichokes, followed by your preference of main course, a prepped Kahlua mousse dessert and a bottle of wine or sangria kit portions built for two!
• Daniel's Broiler
  We Recommend: Grabbing a seat between noon and 9p, for an unforgettable three-course Mother's Day meal with an assortment of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Call ahead for reservations.

DESSERT & NIGHT CAP

Enjoy a perfect ending to a wonderful day in the Downtown Bellevue neighborhood.  

• Whiskey by John Howie
  We Recommend: Smell the Roses cocktail, mixed with bourbon, cognac and other liquor combining hints of Madagascar vanilla and chocolate walnut bitters. Or, browse the "global selection of rare and well done whiskies, thoughtfully collected for the curious to the connoisseur."
• B•Bar
  We Recommend: The "Lady in Lace" cocktail, featuring earl grey infused sipsmith gin, lemon, lavender syrup, egg white. | Hours: Tues-Sat, 8a - 10p
• Fogrose Atelier
  We Recommend: Reserving a delicious frozen treat to crown your evening, like a customizable nitro ice cream kit complete with your favorite flavors, toppings, waffle cone or bowl and macaroons!
• Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream
  We Recommend: Trying their seasonal Birthday Cake flavor, filled with oodles of rainbow sprinkles and tastes like classic cake batter!

 

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This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.