Your Heart of Bellevue Passport to Foods from Around the World

Your Heart of Bellevue Passport to Foods from Around the World

Quarantine may have canceled some of your travel plans this year, but you don’t have to travel over 7,000 miles to experience amazing Thai food. We rounded up some of our favorite places for international-inspired cuisine - take a tour with us and start planning your next dining destination.

Istanbul Cuisine Cafe
405 Bellevue Way NE | Mon-Fri 11:30AM- 8:00PM, Saturday 11:30AM-8:30PM and Sunday 11:30AM-7:30PM

Opening in 2016, Istanbul Cafe serves the Eastside with some of the best Turkish street food around. This tine spot is located in Bellevue Square, outside of Macy’s main entrance on Bellevue Way - but don’t let the size fool you; the menu is amazing. Try their famous Gözleme, a traditional Turkish flatbread and pastry dish of hand-rolled leaves of yufka dough lightly covered in butter. Finish it off with your favorite topping, spinach and feta, ground beef or potato - for the ultimate treat. This takeout cafe is the perfect spot to catch a break in your day or order up a diner outside - and of course, don’t forget to enjoy some savory Turkish delights. 
 

Monsoon Bellevue
10245 Main St | Open Mon-Fri 11:30AM-11PM, Sat-Sun 10:30AM-11PM

This local family-owned restaurant brings traditional Vietnamese cuisine and adds a touch of northwest flair. The lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl is our current favorite, packed with lots of flavors, plenty of authentic ingredients - and a crispy egg roll to go with. Tru their expansive cocktail menu for an inspired beverage, and don't skip dessert for the full experience. Aside from lunch and dinner, they also offer brunch and happy hour - either way, don’t sleep on Monsoon Bellevue. 
 

Araya’s Place
10246 Main St #C | Open Everyday 11:30AM-3PM, 4:30-9PM

Seven words: All You Can Eat Vegan Thai Food. You heard that right. Araya’s Place truly nails Thai cuisine without animal protein. As we shift into cooler weather, nothing sounds better than a bowl of Tom Kah soup, one of Thailand’s famous dishes. A rich, coconut milk broth filled with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, scallions, tom yum paste, and lime juice flavored with lemongrass lime leaf. Whether you’re vegan or not, Araya’s Place will satisfy your Thai food cravings.
 

Chawla Cuisine of India
10145 Main St | Open Mon-Tue from 11:30AM-10PM, Wed 4-10PM, Thurs-Sat 10:30AM-10PM and Sun 12-10PM

If you’re craving authentic Indian food, look no further. Chawla Cuisine of India offers some of the most delicious curries and dishes in the city. Traditional Indian food is appreciated by people from across the globe for their use of rich, flavorful spices and herbs - try Chawla’s famous chicken tikka masala paired with basmati rice and garlic naan. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of vegetarian options as well. 
 

Mediterranean Kitchen
103 Bellevue Way NE #103 | Open Mon-Sat 11AM-2:30PM, 4:30-9:30PM, Sunday 4:30-9:30PM

The name is simple and straightforward, but their offerings are anything but… experience rich, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, influenced by traditional family recipes at Mediterranean Kitchen. A longtime staple to locals in Bellevue since 1982, you’ll enjoy a wide selection of family favorites, including soup offered to every guest alongside fresh pita bread, with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. A tiny place packed with big taste.
 

Whatever you’re craving, the Heart of Bellevue offers a selection of cuisines from every corner of the world. These are just a few of our latest favorites. Know a place we didn’t cover? Let us know where you like to go on our Facebook page! 
 

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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.