Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Kirkland
You're looking for a place to eat outside in Kirkland—whether that's a casual lunch on a patio or dinner with a view. Kirkland's restaurant scene clusters heavily around its downtown waterfront and marina areas, where outdoor seating isn't just an afterthought but a main draw. The city's mild summers and relatively dry springs make outdoor dining viable from April through September, and many establishments keep patios open during shoulder seasons. Unlike Seattle's denser neighborhoods, Kirkland's outdoor spots tend to feel less crowded and more focused on water views and access to the beach.
What to expect
Kirkland's outdoor dining leans toward waterfront-adjacent restaurants and cafes where you're paying partly for the location—expect moderate to upscale pricing, especially near the downtown marina. Most outdoor seating is on patios or decks rather than street-side tables, and many places cater to both the after-work crowd and families taking advantage of the beach access. You'll find a mix of casual seafood spots, farm-to-table restaurants, and breweries that use outdoor space as their primary seating area.
Pro tips
- →Parking fills quickly during summer weekends and weekday lunch hours around downtown Kirkland—arrive before noon or after 2 p.m. if you want street parking, or use the public lots near the waterfront that charge hourly rates.
- →Many Kirkland patios face west toward the water, making late afternoon and early evening seating uncomfortable during clear days in summer; request north-facing or shaded tables if glare bothers you.
- →The waterfront area gets noticeably windier than inland Kirkland, especially near the marina—bring a jacket or choose a spot with windbreaks if you're sensitive to breeze off the Sound.
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