Downtown Bellevue's Most WantedDowntown Bellevue has had some phenomenal growth within the last 3 years, but there are still stores and restaurants that we would be happy to see land in our backyard. We’ve put together our wish list of what we think would be a great fit for the area. Agree, disagree; sound off in the comments section.

Downtown Bellevue Network’s Most Wanted List:

  • Pret A Manger
  • Michael Mina Restaurant
  • W Hotel
  • Ritz Carlton
  • Dean & Deluca
  • Zara
  • CB2
  • West Elm
  • Trader Joe’s
  • American Apparel
  • Via Tribunali Pizzeria

What would you add to this list?

54 Comments

  1. Some really long shots, but a possibility because they are based here:
    *Windows Microsoft Cafe(like the one opened in Paris)
    *Nintendo World Store

    Real possibilities:
    *The new interactive Disney store
    *Sony Store
    *Urban Outfitters
    *H&M(would need a lot of retail space)

    More long-shots:
    *Something fun for families like the Rainforest Cafe/even better a T-Rex cafe.
    *Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant

  2. Zara and CB2 for sure! And Forever 21. 🙂

  3. Molly Moons
    Cupcake Royale
    Forever 21
    Wet Seal

  4. H&M could use one of those miniature building in the plazas at the Bravern. Those look like they could fit a decent sized store.

  5. How about Frost Doughnuts? Bothell is a bit far to go for those…

  6. Zara would be AMAZING!! Ohh an French Connection please 🙂

  7. *** Bulgari
    *** H&M

  8. McDonlads!!!

  9. Via Tribunali and Trader Joe’s would be great additions.

    How about a good deli? Something like Capriotti’s or Take 5 Urban Market.

    Don’t understand the hotel recommendations, why would we need a W or Ritz Carlton?

  10. -Cactus
    -Dicks
    -Pagliacci by the slice
    -Mezcal

  11. A hardware store!

  12. @Ankini Yes to Molly Moon’s!
    @Ron Just had Via Tribunali this weekend…yes we need one of those badly!
    @Tom (Bellevue.com) Would love to see a Benihana in Bellevue. Good suggestion.

  13. A hardware store like McLendon’s or City Peoples (not sure if they’re still in business).

  14. Panda Express
    Popeyes
    Taco Bell

  15. How about Room & Board. That store rocks!

  16. Bring back Arby’s! And Dairy Queen!!

  17. Saks Fifth Avenue
    Club Monaco
    Ralph Lauren
    D&G Dolce and Gabbana
    Marc Jacobs
    ZARA

  18. Definitely a decent pizza joint and Italian restaurant.

    Oh and a place to get GOOD milkshakes

  19. Taco Bell, Panda Express & Arby’s have all closed for a reason.

  20. Isn’t it Pret a mAnger?
    Or bring au bon pain

    And yes!!!! Zara!!!!!

  21. Megan- Downtown Bellevue has a Great Pizza ‘Joint” Brooklyn style- Topolino’s Pizza! Downtown’s only ‘independent Pizzeria’ and the only Bellevue Pizzeria featured in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Best Pizza Places in Seattle issue March 2010.

  22. H&M, BJ’s, Chevy’s Fresh Mex, ESPN zone, Forever 21, WetSeal

  23. We already have a Trader Joe’s in Bellevue but on the east side.

    We could use a Spanish Tapa’s Bar like “The Harvest Vine”

    Independent boutique restaurants like:
    Eva’s in Greenlake area
    Lark in Central Distric
    LUC in Madison Park

    We need a performance hall/venue for music, dance, and other theatrical events or an outdoor ampitheater like “Hollywood Bowl”

    A live Jazz club would be good too, something like Jazz Alley or BB King’s

    We could use a 6 to 8 story artisits loft/studio bldg for Artwalk, and events

    I wouldn’t mind seeing
    D&G Dolce & Gabanna
    ZARA

    NO MORE FAST FOOD OR BIG CHAIN RETAIL!!!!

  24. Pingback: @dtbellevue Recent Post says: ZARA | VueSociety

  25. How about some locally owned restaurants featuring locally grown food that is focused on in season, organic wellness?? I agree, no more chain retail or fast food. We have too few family run businesses that provide local integrity.

  26. DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS!

  27. At least one person also agrees with my thoughts of an ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill!!!!!!!

  28. We have too many happy hour-ish places already.

    And if you want fast food donuts, there’s safeway and qfc, whose donuts are about the same as dunkin donuts for the most part.

  29. A Microsoft Store like the one in Scottsdale, a decent non-chain Chinese restaurant, a small and classy martini bar with no corny piano guy, one or two small boutique hotels, more boat slips at Meydenbauer.

  30. Well I THINK MOD Pizza is the PLACE to go .. for GREAT Pizza, Salad, Atmosphere — and KILLER Shakes .. That to ME is the best thing Bellevue has going for it!!

  31. I totally agree with the ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill! I love going to Fox Sports in downtown Seattle and it would be great to get something similar on the eastside!

  32. I would love to see something-even temporary-done with the eyesore old Safeway lot until it is developed. Perhaps an Antique Mall ala Pacific Galleries in Seattle or the Issaquah Antque Mall-or perhaps a Weekend Indoor flea market NYC style. May not be glitzy enough for downtown Bellevue though.

  33. We need more stuff to do besides eat and drink. How about….

    – REI (rock climbing wall)
    – Indoor skydiving (Tukwilla is opening one)
    – some swanky roller skating place

  34. FOGO DE CHAO
    OFF LEASH SMALL DOG PARK/AREA @ Downtown Park
    GORDITOS
    H-MART
    ROOF TOP LOUNGE/BAR @ HOTEL
    Bring Back SEA GARDEN or chinese restauarant that serves authentic and delicious dimsum

  35. Bloomingdales please! Michael Mina would be great also!

  36. Forever 21
    Zoka coffee

  37. An ESPN Zone in BELLEVUE?? wow, some of you are really reaching. Never gonna happen, especially considering they just closed the ESPN Zones in Baltimore, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

    Also, I have no idea why Saks, Ralph Lauren,
    D&G, Marc Jacobs, etc. would even think about opening stores in Bellevue now, The Bravern already has had store and restaurant closings, and stores like Jimmy Choo are pretty much always EMPTY!

    Forever 21 and H&M are probably the best bets for the eastside right now, the H&M stores in Seattle are doing very well, and Forever 21 is opening a store in Downtown Seattle across from Barney’s New York and Nordstrom, in the space currently occupied by Old Navy.

  38. How about a Chippendales?
    Just kidding.
    I’m thinking a Hamburger Hamlet which was originated in Los Angeles and makes to die for burgers, shakes and other items.

    We could also use a Trader Joe’s in downtown Bellevue, a McLendon’s, a weekend “flea market” and small cafe for great sandwiches, soups, and home cookin.

  39. Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery or any of his restaurants

  40. Saks Fifth Avenue!!! I understand that there was some talk of this a few years back. Apparantly, there are several of us who want this wonderful store in Bellevue.

  41. – Papa Murphy’s!!! (There is one on the east side of Bellevue, but we need one we can walk to downtown)

    – A great italian restaurant that is not a chain

  42. H&M, Jerry’s Deli (from L.A.), Alejo’s Italian (from Marina Del Rey), The fancy is fine, but we really need some moderately priced retail and homestyle one of a kind restaurants.

  43. Buffalo Wild Wing’s……or BW3’s as it’s commonly called.

  44. Is the old Boater’s World space large enough for Trader Joes? Rumor has it they were up for the Pet Smart space years ago.

  45. We want Trader Joe’s to fill this space as well, see our post about it here:

    https://downtownbellevue.com/2009/05/29/bring-trader-joes-to-downtown-bellevue/

  46. How about more afordable place to go to dinner…

  47. 1) ROOF TOP LOUNGE/BAR @ HOTEL like Red Lion in Downtown Seattle
    2) Trader Joe’s
    3) Buffalo Wild Wing’s
    4) A True Sports Bar (ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill)
    5) H&M

  48. Please bring back:
    -BEBE
    -The Limited
    Please ADD:
    ZARA
    Z Gallerie
    MAC Make-up store

    -Something cool in the old safeway spot since it’s such an eyesore.
    -MOD Pizza is awesome…

    -What happened to Voletta Couture?