Just when you’ve finally recovered from the holiday season’s endless feasts, a new year arrives demanding fresh culinary adventures. If you’re ready to explore beyond your usual haunts, Redmond’s vibrant dining scene awaits. These are our top picks for 2026—from cozy neighborhood gems to destination-worthy establishments.
SHABURINA SHABU-SHABU HOT POT
$$ | (425) 658-7185 | WEBSITE
The popular Redmond hot pot spot is open daily, consistently serving up one of the best AYCE experiences in town. Every visit, Shaburina offers two tiers of meat on its menu, with both the premium and normal sets receiving high praise at around $25-$35 per person. It’s one of the most satisfying places in the area to enjoy customizable hot pot in a cozy yet lively atmosphere. And it’s a pretty fun way to spend an evening with friends or family.
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream
$$ | (206) 294-4389 | WEBSITE
For most of the year, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream in Redmond is home to some of our favorite sweet treats and dairy-free choices in town. But during the summer months, the place really shines with its seasonal flavors. Past offerings have included things like honey lavender, salted caramel, and strawberry balsamic. It’s a little more adventurous than the everyday scoops, but it still has pretty affordable neighborhood ice cream prices.
Crimson Coward
$ | (425) 459-2370 | WEBSITE
Throughout the year, Crimson Coward serves up a variety of tasty halal options, including their popular sliders and cheeseburger. It’s also Muslim-owned, which means you can enjoy perfectly seasoned chicken strips with fries and juicy, non-greasy chicken with friendly hospitality.
Agave Cocina & Cantina
$$ | (425) 881-8252 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Redmond, Agave Cocina & Cantina is a Mexican restaurant with a menu full of fabulous and plentiful dishes. It’s also one of the few places in the area serving the best chimichanga ever, in case you’d rather indulge in something truly memorable to get into the festive mood.
Los Chilangos – Redmond Ridge
$ | (425) 777-5842 | WEBSITE
Located in the Redmond Ridge area, Los Chilangos is a casual Mexican street food spot with straightforward takes on classic dishes. On a regular visit, you can expect to find that same menu, plus a selection of drinks including margaritas.
Qt food truck
$ | (425) 647-0617 | WEBSITE
Home to quick-served food and one of the most affordable al pastor burritos worth going out of your way for, QT Food Truck in Redmond offers a delightful dining experience every day it’s open. That means you can celebrate any occasion with a fresh burrito and amazing meats for less than $10. Use the money you saved to treat yourself to that extra catering option you’ve been considering.
Family Pancake House Redmond
$ | (425) 883-0922 | WEBSITE
You could search for a cozy breakfast spot in the Pacific Northwest, or you could head straight to Family Pancake House in Redmond. Their all-day breakfast menu—which features flavorful omelets, crispy hash browns, delicious waffles, and tempting options like potato pancakes or chicken fried steak with hashbrowns and grilled onions and cheese—keeps the tables full from morning through dinner.
The generous portions are consistently huge and tasty, making it hard to choose, while the affordable prices—think $12–$18 for most plates—and welcoming, pancake-house vibe make it a staple for family visits. Yes, there might be a wait during busy brunch hours, but the friendly, attentive service from standout servers and the overall amazing staff ensure every experience feels comfortable and worthwhile.
Many regulars return twice a month, always enjoying that warm, welcoming atmosphere, decent coffee, and dishes like the very nut and berry pancake on a waffle. It’s a wonderful place where even picky eaters find something to love.
Boardwalk
$$ | (425) 698-9718 | WEBSITE
The casual diner Boardwalk, located in Redmond, will have its full menu available during happy hour. But in addition to winter pasta, superfood salad, and nachos, there will also be popular deals, including the Impossible burger and caramel corn crème brûlée.
Cypress Coffee Company
$ | (425) 305-5977 | WEBSITE
Cypress Coffee Company is home to our favorite coffee in Redmond—it’s always fresh, and the options are almost endless. The shopping plaza spot is also open early, including weekends, so you can start your day with some great brew.
Rooney’s Food and Spirits
$$ | (425) 481-3586 | WEBSITE
On weekends and holidays, Rooney’s Food and Spirits offers its full menu of hearty bar classics, plus occasional live music. (Recent performances have included local rock bands and acoustic sets.) The Redmond spot will be open for lunch and dinner on both Saturday and Sunday.
Dough Zone Dumpling House
$$ | (425) 702-8888 | WEBSITE
Dough Zone Dumpling House is a bustling spot that feels like it was transported straight from a busy Asian food hall, but with Redmond families filling the tables to remind you where you are. They’re open all day, serving up the usual menu of dumplings and noodles, including excellent pan-fried dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and chicken wonton soup.
PASTA ya GOTCHA
$$ | (425) 558-9525 | WEBSITE
If you want to keep up your tradition (or start a new one) of eating pasta on a busy workday, head to PASTA ya GOTCHA on the Microsoft campus. It has some of our favorite Texas Tijuana pasta in the area, and the store-front dining experience—with its bright lighting and casual wooden tables—feels perfectly efficient year-round. This place is from the same team behind the at-home pasta packs, another great option that’s ready for pickup.
Nine Way 玖味 Redmond
$ | (425) 643-8000 | WEBSITE
Nine Way 玖味 Redmond feels a little like you’ve just walked into a family-run spot where everyone knows each other, the food is consistently comforting, and a meal always feels like a warm embrace. With a full menu of Sichuan-inspired Chinese dishes, it’s a cozy place to enjoy authentic flavors, where you’ll likely be greeted by friendly and competent staff.
Dong Ting Chun
$$ | (425) 882-7311 | WEBSITE
It always feels like a feast at Dong Ting Chun, the vibrant Chinese restaurant in Redmond. The food here leans Hunan and Sichuan, but mostly made with bold, authentic flavors that attract a spice-loving, flavor-seeking crowd on most nights. It’s open for generous portions and shareable dishes, so you, too, can be a satisfied diner enjoying dry pot with frog legs or beef chow mein with friends and family.
Joker Pub and Grill
$$ | (425) 392-1225 | WEBSITE
Joker Pub and Grill is a lively spot known for its great food specials throughout the week, and it manages to deliver them all surprisingly well. They’ll also be open all day on Super Bowl Sunday, so you’ll be set if you find yourself craving spicy wings, tacos, or anything in between.
Taste Of Hyderabad
$ | (425) 799-0100 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a break from your usual Sunday routine, you can swing by Taste Of Hyderabad in Redmond for their amazing buffet with authentic South Indian dishes. There’s a fantastic selection of biryani, tandoori chicken, and plenty of vegetarian options, plus their popular Mandi dishes like mutton fry Mandi and Mix Platter Mandi. And, of course, fresh naan.
Southern Spice Bellevue
$ | (425) 502-9050 | WEBSITE
Southern Spice Bellevue is a standout in the Redmond area, offering a lunch buffet that features a variety of options including chicken, shrimp, lamb, and veggies, all for $15. The restaurant also serves delicious vegetarian dishes such as veg briyani, paneer briyani, and gobi manchurian. Many customers praise the food, especially the vegetarian biryani, which is considered the best they have ever had. The buffet includes appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts, with a good selection overall.
The service is courteous and quick, though sometimes the kitchen can be slow to refill vegetarian dishes. The place is clean and organized, making for an enjoyable dining experience. Recent additions like gongura biryani and punugulu have received positive feedback, and the staff remains very polite. The vegetarian options are highly recommended, especially the Veg 555 or Veg 65, and the badam milk is noted as excellent. It is a reasonably priced restaurant with friendly service and tasty food.
Mac & Jack’s Brewery
$ | (425) 558-9697 | WEBSITE
A little more laid-back than its bustling Downtown counterparts, Mac & Jack’s Brewery in Redmond is where you should head for a quality craft beer experience when you don’t want to deal with crowded spaces. It’s also the only spot we know of where you can sample a limited edition batch that makes a pretty good last-minute treat for your drinking buddy.
