Illustrative view of Marina Park’s public pier, small craft, Moss Bay, downtown Kirkland, and the distant lake shore.

Neighborhood guide

Kirkland

Downtown · Moss Bay · Houghton

A Lake Washington city on the Eastside, with a compact downtown, waterfront parks, and a summer calendar of markets and festivals.

Editorial illustration of Kirkland’s Lake Washington waterfront

At a glance

A downtown right on Lake Washington, with a waterfront park, a summer market, and a handful of restaurants worth planning an evening around.

Kim's dog on a wooded trail beside a large, weathered tree stump.
One of Kim's dogs on a favorite trail.

Outdoors

Along the water, any day of the week

Lake Washington Boulevard is where I go to clear my head, whether that means a walk along Houghton Beach Park or just parking at Marina Park downtown and watching the people stroll by.

Wednesday afternoons from June through September, the Kirkland Downtown Association sets up a market right at Marina Park; I go for the produce and I stay for the candle vendor, who has some of the most amazing candles I have found anywhere. When the weather cooperates, I love to take my dogs, Chloe and Virgil, to Juanita Beach Park for a romp in the waves.

Dining

The table I always come back to

Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen on Lake Street South is where I met my husband, so it will always hold a place on this list before any other restaurant in Kirkland.

For a casual night out on the water I like BeachHouse Bar and Grill on Lake Washington Boulevard, and Cactus on Park Lane has been my go to for Southwestern food since long before I started selling real estate here. When I want something a little more dressed up, Volterra on Kirkland Avenue serves contemporary Italian food that never disappoints; make sure to check out their happy hour.

I am also excited for the opening of Ethan Stowell's new Mexican restaurant, Lime Social, in Totem Lake.

Sunset over Marina Park in Kirkland, with the public pier, a marina, and people gathered on the shore.
Sunset at Marina Park.

Recreation

Marina Park in the summer

Marina Park is the center of a lot of what I love about summer in Kirkland. Kirkland Uncorked takes over the park for a weekend in July, and I try to make it every year.

Afterward, or really any weekend, Moss Bay Hall near the park has become one of my favorite spots for their OG Smashburger, a cheeseburger with grilled onions.

Considering Kirkland?

Tell Kim what is drawing you to Kirkland and what you need from your next move.

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