Best Restaurants for People Watching in Mercer Island

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchTapas / Small Plates

Regions

EastsideSeattle

Neighborhoods

BellevueBelltown / Pike Place MarketCapitol Hill / First HillGreenwoodKirklandLake Union / Eastlake

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

13 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fogo de Chao - Bellevue restaurant

1. Fogo de Chao - Bellevue

4.1

Excellent(2261)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Bellevue

Booked 131 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

A photo of Whiskey by John Howie restaurant

2. Whiskey by John Howie

4.6

Exceptional(132)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Bellevue

Booked 6 times today

Whiskey by John Howie is the Eastside’s whiskey and craft cocktail destination for guests 21+ years old. The global selection of rare and well done whiskies has been thoroughly collected for the curious to the connoisseur by Whiskey’s in house curator, Tim Lodahl. The unique menu of delightful bar bites features new and favorite tastes crafted by proprietor John Howie and executive chef Jed Laprade.Whiskey by John Howie is available for private events. This 1,420 square foot space - which can accommodate up to 84 people for private events - features rich, dark woods complemented by dark brick and gold accents that give the room a comfortable, stylish feel. Hundreds of rare and sought after whiskey titles elegantly adorn the main wall, just above Whiskey’s open kitchen space. John Howie Catering offers a diverse range of chef-designed specialty menus that can be customized to the unique needs and style of each event.

3. Boat Bar

4.5

Awesome(443)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 12 times today

Brought to you by Renee Erickson and the Sea Creatures team, Boat Bar offers a casual, chic atmosphere next door to its companion restaurant - the award-winning Bateau. Chef Taylor Thornhill of Bateau presents a menu that focuses on oysters, seafood, and fresh, seasonal, small plates. Join us for Happy Hour from 5-6pm daily, when you can get $1 off all oysters, beer, glass pours of wine, house cocktails, and well spirits. Stop by on your way to Bateau or take in a full meal with us at the Boat Bar. We can't wait to host you! Until we meet at the table....

4. Quinn's Pub

4.5

Awesome(201)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Gastro Pub • Capitol Hill / First Hill

Booked 2 times today

At Quinn’s Pub we take traditions of the classic public house and raise them to new levels. We are community driven, quality focused, continual experiment in what it means to be a pub.Our food is refined takes on traditional pub fare, our bar carefully curated, and our space open to all.

A photo of Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union restaurant

5. Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake Union

4.7

Exceptional(1088)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Northwest • Lake Union / Eastlake

Booked 65 times today

Located in the South Lake Union neighborhood of Downtown Seattle since 2005, this location continues the Portage Bay Cafe mission of local, organic and sustainable fare. From our Crab Cake Benedict to our signature House-Made Challah French Toast, our items are carefully crafted to use the best seasonal and organic ingredients available. Chef Pedro and his team create monthly specials to further highlight our food-producing partners.Portage Bay Cafe at South Lake Union is a large, airy, boisterous space with lots of energy and we have outdoor dining all year round. We look forward to serving you soon.

A photo of The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar-Seattle restaurant

6. The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar-Seattle

4.3

Awesome(164)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Waterfront / Belltown

Booked 4 times today

Fisherman’s Restaurant is located at the end of the historic Pier 57 built in 1902 by hardware retailers from San Francisco. The Fisherman's Restaurant has been serving Seattle since 1976 for over thirty years, at the end of Miners Landing. The Fisherman's menu primarily consists of fresh northwest seafood, also featuring mesquite grilled items, poultry and pasta dishes. The menu is comprised of lunch and dinner specialties and our 4 signature feasts.

A photo of FlintCreek Cattle Co. restaurant

7. FlintCreek Cattle Co.

4.7

Exceptional(1890)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Greenwood

Booked 23 times today

Flint Creek Cattle Company is a new American steak restaurant that emphasizes ethically raised beef and sustainable farm practices. The dining area is extremely wide open and spacious. There is a large, high vaulted ceiling in addition to floor-to-ceiling windows that lets in lots of natural light and lets guests feel like they are eating outside. Flint Creek's menu is an ever rotating selection of modern American cuisine. The items on it frequently change based on the seasonality of the ingredients, ensuring new items are introduced as others leave. Favorites on the menu include Fennel Braised Wild Boar Shoulder, Durham Ranch Bison Hangar Steak, and the Oven Roasted Duck Confit.

8. Hearth

4.4

Awesome(464)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Kirkland

Booked 7 times today

Step into Hearth, where you'll feel the warmth from the Hearth oven and our team as soon as you walk in. We've crafted the best of comfort food, enhancing those classic flavors we all love. Our bar boasts contemporary cocktails, local brews, and wines that pair perfectly with our hearth-fired menu. Experience the vibrant downtown Kirkland as you sit out on our spacious year-round outdoor patio and listen to our throwback tunes. Whether it's a family Sunday brunch or a group of friends looking for a new happy hour spot, Hearth will have it covered.

9. Conversation

4.6

Exceptional(364)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Belltown / Pike Place Market

Booked 4 times today

Step into Conversation, an inviting Seattle restaurant where Northwest cuisine takes center stage. Located in the heart of the city, we blend locally sourced ingredients with global flavors to create a dining experience that is both familiar and adventurous. Our menu reflects a commitment to sustainability and seasonality, ensuring each dish bursts with freshness and creativity. Whether you're enjoying our signature seafood dishes or savoring our innovative vegetarian options, every plate tells a story of craftsmanship and passion. Join us for an unforgettable meal in our cozy yet contemporary space, where food and conversation converge to create memorable dining moments.

10. Patagon

3.8

Excellent(174)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Belltown / Pike Place Market

Booked 10 times today

Welcome to Patagon, where classic American flavors meet a relaxed atmosphere. Start your day right with our delicious brunch menu, served daily from 7 AM to 2 PM, featuring everything from fluffy French toast and savory benedicts to freshly brewed coffee. Then, unwind during our popular happy hour from 2 PM to 5 PM, with great drink specials and light bites. As evening falls, enjoy our selection of seafood, juicy steaks, and timeless American favorites, prepared with the finest ingredients. Whether you're here for brunch, happy hour, or a hearty dinner, we offer an inviting space to gather with friends and family and savor the best of American cuisine.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Danny
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great service, drinks and oysters!!!! The steak with frites was not so great. It was a 24 hour Sous Vide which is usually a great way to make a steak tender. However, this steak was the toughest, chewiest steak I've had in a long time. I couldn't finish it, not because I was full, but it just wasn't satisfying, especially for that price point. Maybe if you order that, double check with the host, for a verification of "tenderness." Other than that tough , I love this place!
More info
Boat BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Capitol Hill / First Hill
•
4.5
P
PerryVIP
Seattle / Eastern Washington •71 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food was well prepared and delicious and the service was excellent. Very enjoyable experience.
More info
Portage Bay Cafe - South Lake UnionPrice: Moderate• Northwest• Lake Union / Eastlake
•
4.7
C
Chris
Vancouver / British Columbia •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great place to celebrate a birthday! the food and service were excellent
More info
Fogo de Chao - BellevuePrice: Moderate• Brazilian• Bellevue
•
4.1
K
Kerry
Seattle / Eastern Washington •4 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 26, 2025
Great atmosphere. Food was very good, excep the cheesecake was a little dry. Superb service. Go on a weekday during 5-6:30 for Happy Hour.
More info
Whiskey by John HowiePrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Bellevue
•
4.6
C
Corine
Seattle / Eastern Washington •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 21, 2024
Excellent all the way around! Excellent service, food, cocktails & ambience!
More info
Quinn's PubPrice: Expensive• Gastro Pub• Capitol Hill / First Hill
•
4.5

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