Cafe Juanita
Italian, Organic, Northwest · Kirkland
Über Cafe Juanita
Cafe Juanita is a Italian and Organic restaurant in Kirkland. Rated 4.7/5 based on 3,467 reviews on OpenTable. Fine Dining.
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Bewertungen von Cafe Juanita Kirkland
A special dining experience--surprising flavor combinations, fantastic non-alcoholic pairings, elevated ambience and superb staff. This is fine dining at its finest--the service was informative and friendly without being overbearing, and the chef and pastaiolo/panaiolo's creativity were spot on without being mysterious. Standouts included the wagyu carpaccio, the truffle croccante, the sablefish, the apple and beet sorbets, the focaccia/ryebread/parmesan cracker from the bread service and the endive, not to mention gianduia and panna cotta desserts to die for. Shout-out to our main server Kevin, who provided attentive, perfectly-paced service. Highly recommend!
Café Juanita delivers one of those rare dining experiences that feels both elevated and deeply comforting at the same time. The atmosphere is amazing—cozy and intimate, yet still refined and a little fancy without ever tipping into pretentiousness. It’s exactly the kind of warm, modern elegance that fits the Pacific Northwest so well. From the moment you walk in, the staff sets the tone. They’re incredibly welcoming and genuinely enthusiastic about the food, taking the time to explain each dish with care and clarity. It makes the entire meal feel like a guided culinary journey rather than just dinner. We chose the set menu, and it was exceptional from the very first bite all the way through dessert. Standouts for me included the caviar small bite—yogurt tucked inside a delicate curled crisp that somehow managed to be both subtle and explosive in flavor. The beef carpaccio on a crispy cracker was another highlight, perfectly balanced and beautifully textured. And the seafood medley? Absolutely unforgettable. Every bite felt intentional, layered, and crafted to surprise you. If I had to call out a downside, it’s the parking. Ugh. It’s definitely not the easiest. Plan to find street parking or use one of the nearby retail lots where you’ll likely need to pay. Overall, Café Juanita is worth every moment and every bite. A truly special dining experience that lingers long after you leave.
My wife and I love exploring the fine dining scene in Seattle, LA, and Portland. Cafè Juanita has been on our list for a while, and this year we finally managed to get a reservation around my birthday. My expectations were high given the word of mouth around the spot, and somehow they were still exceeded. Nearly every tasting menu I’ve experienced has a mix of exceptional standouts and less special dishes, but I truly struggle to think of a single course that wasn’t absolutely phenomenal. Things ranged from really good to some of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted anywhere. I think Providence in LA was the last meal I can think of that was the same level of all hits/zero misses on their tasting menu. I genuinely struggle to think of much to critique. The tasting menu is on the more expensive side even for this level of dining. They don’t really have much of a cocktail menu, so I suppose if you’re hoping to experience exceptional mixed drinks you may be disappointed - though their wine selection easily makes up for this. Final thoughts - this was a truly exceptional meal. We will absolutely be back for another special occasion and bring our foodie friends if we can find a reservation when they visit Seattle.
I feel like this is a must try place if you’re at all able to. It’s pricey, but seattle doesn’t have many options like it. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. We were actually more impressed with how the simpler ingredients like the vegetables shined. It’s a great experience for a very special occasion. One thing to check is if you like the flavors incorporated into the menus. There’s 4 different options but you’re likely to experience a lot of the same flavors across different menus and different dishes (ie right now peas are in season so they used those across all menus and lots of dishes were Parmesan and morel mushroom heavy). If you really dislike a certain flavor and it is heavy on all the menus maybe wait a season :) that said I loved the flavors when I went but if someone didn’t they might repeatedly be let down by the various courses. Our reservation was for an early dinner around 5 and it started out quiet and fairly empty and by the time we finished around 8 it was quite busy and a bit louder. We had a wonderful time and will be back to try another season’s menu
We finally got to try Café Juanita, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. This cozy, intimate spot feels like a hidden gem tucked away in Kirkland — perfect for a special night out. We opted for the tasting menu, and every course was beautifully presented and full of flavor. You can tell the ingredients are seasonal and thoughtfully sourced. One of the unexpected highlights? The bread. They offer a variety — each one soft, warm, and addictively good. You’ll want to ask for seconds! The cocktails were top-notch too, especially the Negroni and a seasonal gin drink that paired perfectly with the appetizers. Every dish felt balanced and refined — from delicate pastas to a standout main course that was both rich and elegant. The service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and they happily explained each course in detail, which made the experience even more enjoyable. It’s on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it for the quality and overall experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking to treat themselves to a true Italian-inspired tasting menu in a charming, romantic setting. Can’t wait to return.
Absolutely incredible spot for a special occasion dinner. Service was unmatched and every dish was spectacular.
Love this place. Been here since they had menu where you can order your own dishes. Now they have set menu which I really appreciate, as you get to eat variety and everything is delicious. Would highly recommended. Valet parking $10 pay with your dinner , make sure save some cash to tip for the valet parking guy.
This is definitely a special occasion splurge type of place, but everything from the food to the service to the intimate atmosphere was well worth it. They have a set pescatarian and omnivore tasting menu for $205, along with menu enhancements for additional charges. What we didn’t know was that they are open to customizing your tasting menu so you could swap out dishes so that you truly get the menu of your taste bud dreams. We opted for the black truffle pasta swap for the salad as recommended by our waiter (I didn’t get his name but he was wonderful!) and had zero regrets. Everything is delicately and thoughtfully crafted - from the amazing house made potato bread to the delicately delicious pasta. This place is definitely going on our special occasions rotation !
Such an intimate dining experience. My friend and I were celebrating our birthdays with our husbands. Had a wonderful dinner and overall experience. I had the pescatarian menu and my husband had the omnivore so we could share. Although it’s expensive, it’s a nice dinner out for a special occasion.
This is a very special restaurant and eating experience. First off, it is filled with a very happy and talented staff. They work well together as a team and take pride in what they do and the food they serve. The atmosphere was wonderful, which is why my pictures came out a little dark. Lol. They really pay attention to all the details. Now for the food...WOW! My husband chose the Omnivore menu, and I had the Vegitarian. I'm so glad we did as it gave us even more dishes to try. They just kept bringing out more dishes to enjoy. We took our time and ended up staying about 3 hours. What a great night we had!
Yes - Please eat here at least once. I will definitely come back again this year; worth the splurge imo out of all the time dining I've done in the area over the last decade. House Focaccia: O.M.G. They have the bottom soaked in a high quality olive oil, and the best part is it's topped with a touch of rosemary and smoked sea salt. Holy cow the smoked version of salt adds a fantastic depth of flavor. Amuse bouche of the night: !! One of the best flavor journeys I've ever been on. 3 items on a wood board = mini pastry with caviar and lemon yogurt - light and amazing, hint of tangy and sweet. A hunk of super legit high quality parmesan D.O.P. - started out classic flavors and blooms into a pear flavor. Last, a heirloom gazpacho - OMG the flavor was so balanced and on point, the garlic was best friends with the basil and the tomato, they all got a long as one balanced happy family with the depth of ones eternal soul haha Next: WOW. Ok full disclosure, I'm a medium cooked steak girl and tonight was my first raw beef experience -- raw A5 Wagyu on a toasted crostini with light chive butter, hint of jalapeno and was topped with cooked shallots and petals. In layman terms, it tasted like amazing pizza. Burrata with stone fruit puree and charred endive and pistachios: It was alright. The burrata quality was very good. The stone fruit puree was not too sweet and complimented the sweetness of the burrata well. The texture of the pistachios were a little too taffy textured for my preference. Ooh ok ... 2nd round of house breads... Holy cow. The potato bread melted in my mouth, the rye bread was incredibly earthy and (see pic) the world's fanciest cheeze-it with that aged 1000 days D.O.P parmesan they featured throughout the menu. All really well done. Tagliatelle w/chanterelles: The flavor was earthy and a little brighter/ tangier than I was expecting. The fresh noodle texture was on point. Tho, I only found this flavor profile ok. Fancy Beets with a bunch of words I don't remember: Mmmmm yes! Very much like. Perfect texture. The Vermont goats cheese adds the foundation base flavor to the bright, slightly sweet and tangy beets and aged sherry balsamic Venison Loin with charred cabbage and huckleberry sauce (I added the Black Truffle to mine ($20 4 grams) -- HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Hands down the best venison both me and my friend have ever had in life. And the truffle on top compliments the depth of flavor perfectly. The whole combo melts in your mouth in a warm comfy arm chair by the fire type of way. Dessert: I don't remember all the words but chocolate with hazelnut and apricot puree with porcini ice cream - it's ok. Not my fave dish, kind of sour and tart (I'm more of a sweet girl). Great combo of crunches and caramels tho and still very well made and high quality flavors. My friend really enjoyed this dessert.
Had such a great experience at Cafe Juanita! The restaurant decor is so classy and modern. It felt much more relaxing to dine here than other fine dining restaurants. We ordered Yellowtail crudo, pasta of the day (with creamy mushroom sauce) and the rabbit dish. All of the dishes were amazing but the pasta was by far our favorite. The creamy mushroom sauce was so rich in flavor of mushroom and not too creamy. It was just sooo good!! We regretted not having the tasting menu after we learned how amazing all the food were! The service was also great. We told the server that we are going to share the food and the food was served in two plates which made it so easy to share. Besides that, our server was extremely friendly and informed us about the food. I will definitely come back to the restaurant when I visit Seattle/Kirkland area in the future!
Superb - the simple name belies their innovative exquisite cuisine. Choose between omnivore, pesceterian, or vegan prix fixe menu (someone called it "prefix" on here - had to laugh) of 8 courses with optional wine pairings. Every course knocked it out of the park - taste, textures, and presentation. We were all very satisfied after 8 courses, big smiles on our faces. An incredible meal.
Fine Italian inspired dining experience for those who are fans of small bite tasting menus or fancy a la cart menus. If you crave a huge tomahawk steak with double baked potato or big bowls of pasta with sauce this isn't the place. We have been going here for years with breaks in between but the quality, taste, and service have always been consistent. The price is high. Definitely a special occasion type place for us, we are also fans of pizza, burgers and tacos but sometimes you just need that special "umph" of flavor and creativity that is so worth the dressing up, paying extra and enjoying the experience of carefully curated dinner.
Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Best restaurant on the Eastside hands down. Beautifully crafted dishes as part of their tasting menu, and it will leave you full. Highlights were the breads, Ibierco pork, Squash Blossom, Caviar pasta, Salmon, and Panna Cotta. You can choose between Omnivore and Pescatarian tasting menus as well as add-ons if you wish. A5 Wagyu and Octopus we're a couple options. We requested the outdoor patio and it all felt very special, they even have blankets and heaters if it gets too cold.
I do not have a single complaint about my experience here. From the parking to being seated and the entire dining experience, it felt like a perfectly orchestrated symphony. Attentive without being overbearing and so courteous to all the requests (dish explanations, taking pictures for us) - even if we might have been on the rowdier side of the crowd that night. We even got a visit from Chef Holly! Every single dish of my pescatarian tasting menu was delectable. My group ordered two supplemental dishes as well. If I have any advice, it’s to pace yourself and maybe don’t go ham on the bread basket even though it’s beautiful and delicious - you need to save room for later!! Also in case anyone was wondering about the dress code, people were dressed in slacks and nice sweaters but I also saw a guy in a flannel and baseball cap and he fit right in too! It’s still the PNW after all. AND if anyone felt nervous about “valet” parking their car, please know that the valet did not bat an eye at my dirty 2012 Subaru Outback with two dogs in the backseat and the accompanying smells to boot. It’s $10 that gets added to your bill and you can tip with cash or Venmo so don’t stress about it like I did!
Best Restaurant east of Seattle! Gorgeous food, great wine list, gracious service. I first dined here in the late 1980s, before Chef Holly Smith took over in 2000. Pre Fixe menus post-pandemic, outstanding wine list.
So. This was awesome. I usually think these restaurants with the 5-courses and set menus and indecipherable foods/ingredients are pretentious, but this one actually has a good reason to be. I made a joke at the beginning of this dinner that I only respect an Italian restaurant if they bring out bread to the table, and guess what. They brought out bread! I chose the pescatarian menu and it was great. Started with a taster plate of soup/caviar cannoli/aged Parmesan and balsamic, then had raw yellowtail, bread, tajarin (angel hair sage pasta), endive salad, Seabream, blackberry thyme sorbet, passionfruit meringue, and then hazelnut ice cream affogato. I even probably forgot a few things in there, they just kept bringing food out. On top of all this, they had Charmin Ultrasoft in the bathroom. Unbelievable. That’s how I know they cared about me. This is the place to go if you’re looking for a fun and crazy food experience and you’re deciding between this place and Canlis or some other of this genre of restaurant.
Came here today highly recommended by my son. We picked the onmi tasting menu with onmi wine pairing for our dinner. We enjoy the foods and the services. Our server Nick was great. Definitely will come back again. Thanks to Chef Holly and her staffs for making our first time here great.
The tasting menu was lovely with the lamb being the star of the evening. Lamb chops with grilled endive filled with walnut pesto. Absolutely brilliant flavor profile with perfect execution. The staff are spot on attentive and personable. Not a stuffy vibe anywhere, just great food. We called ahead to ask about the dress code, and were told that there was not a dress code but that typically diners are a bit dressy. We let them know that we had just come in from hiking on the West coast, and they said come on! The lady in front of me had on 4 inch Louboutins and so I was a little worried glancing down at my Merrells but we were seated a private room with a cozy fireplace, so there was no discomfort. Wow, just a phenomenal dinner experience!!
They offer a prefix menu, but they give you choices to accommodate diet restrictions. I am a meat eater, so the choice along those lines was geared to that preference. As such, every dish was delicious, presented well, and wonderfully flavorful. I can't wait to go back and see what the next prefix menu offers! I also appreciate that they have a reasonable corkage fee ($35), given the class of restaurant they are. It allows me to share my wonderful wine cellar with my friends even when we're out at dinner.
Everything you hoped and expected it to be, from the excellent service to delectable menu, everything was on point. That was probably the best lamb chops I've ever had. Definitely save room for the panna cotta dessert at the end. It's so fluffy it's like eating clouds.
Cafe Juanita serves a well-refined tasting menu that makes it a local favorite. The food would probably be closest to progressive Italian with mostly local ingredients, but it’s executed excellently. We start with A5 wagyu; the dish is a perfect display of such an excellent cut of meat. It’s served on a thin crispy toast and a light layer of cheese that complements the immensely satisfying and marbling. There is a subtle oily aftertaste too and it’s not overpowering. The jalapeño lime sauce is very light which is such a lovely balance without being interfering. The hand cut tajarin is very thin, making the pasta course less about pasta but more about the fusion of pasta and creme fraiche. The caviar is a very apt addition that dictates the flavors in its richness and complexity. The beet salad is one slice of beet topped with a cinder toffee like a honeycomb. A young lamb goat cheese is the diametric opposite, which has a lighter front but stronger aftertaste. The brodo is quite special: it is made from a fragrant chicken stock but infused with a subtle hint of parimigiano. The egg yolk, perhaps cured to be semi hardened, adds a much needed creaminess and yolkiness, almost too stark with the clear broth. The orange zest is a good add that is not too overpowering. The Iberico shoulder is prepared like beef, served medium rare and with a beef like jus, except the fatty parts are much more apparent at the cross sections to be chewier. The asparagus is some of the best I’ve had, crisp and watery; the morels are juicy. The panna cotta is fairly light. It comes with sweet juicy strawberries and a side of wild honey, making the panna cotta more a side piece in flavors. The 25 year balsamic is sweet and deep, adding a characteristic twist to the flavors.
This place is the best fine dining in seattle. Everything about it was amazing. The service, to the food (must get gnochhi and rabbit) they just melt in your damn mouth. I definitely will be telling everyone and might come back just for a plate of gnocchi and their light tajarin
Exceptional restaurant in Kirkland! You are able to choose from 3 different tasting menus: omnivore, pescatarian, and vegan/vegetarian. I decided to go with pescatarian and the seafood was delightful. Fresh and flavorful. We also opted into a supplementary dish with freshly shaven white truffle. It is worth the price to get that truffle! The wines are from local wineries in the area and did not disappoint. If you get the chance please make a reservation and try Cafe Juanita out!
I bring my niece here for her birthday. Every other year. She can’t wait until she’s 21 and can have the wine pairing! My niece is an omnivore. She rates Cafe Juanita a 10/10 on all fronts. We are glad we asked to sit where we can watch the kitchen on our second visit. Me. I am plant-based at home but will eat vegetarian outside of home. On our first visit I went full plant based—vegan. The food was meh in taste 4/10 while presentation was 10/10—except for the focaccia which was a 10/10. I’ve never had bread I’ve loved so much. Our second visit I had vegetarian. I rate it an 8.5. There was definitely more flavor—they clearly understand how to use animal fat to get flavor—depth and nuance. Plant fat—not so much. I’ve eaten plant-based around the world and there is 10/10 plant based food (Vedge in Philly was the best before Covid). They relied on really liking the taste of that heirloom tomato or melon, which considering I work on an organic farm—it wasn’t special. The drink pairing is lovely. The service is wonderful. The price all in for 2 with only one drink pairing was $750. Worth saving for. Just ask my niece.
I’ve been to expensive fixed menu places in the past that have not lived up to the hype. This was not that. This absolutely exceeded expectations in every manner. Every course was delicious, the service and atmosphere was immaculate, and beyond worth the price tag. If you’re in the Seattle area and want to treat yourself look no further.
Expensive but incredibly worth it. The ambiance is lovely and the food was packed with so many unique and memorable tastes. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the wagyu carpaccio crostini is seared in my memory. Might be the best meal in the PNW…
Great service, great ambience, menu has a lot of unique dishes with some unusual ingredients and beautiful presentation. They have a dedicated vegetarian menu which we enjoyed. Really expensive but we felt it was worth the overall experience.
Cafe Juanita is an exceptional dining experience that never disappoints. The ambiance is warm, elegant, and inviting — perfect for everything from a special night out to a relaxed lunch with friends. The staff are professional, attentive, and genuinely friendly, making every guest feel welcome and cared for. They balance polished service with a personal touch that elevates the entire experience. The food is consistently outstanding. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of flavor — a true reflection of the care and skill in the kitchen. From seasonal specials to their signature menu items, every bite is a delight. Cafe Juanita consistently sets the standard for high-quality dining in the area. It’s a must-visit for anyone who appreciates excellent service, beautiful ambiance, and memorable food.
Overall nice. A little less than expected though! Taking to account we spent $600. The value with the price didn’t align well. Waited a long time to have our dishes cleared the water and wine weren’t refilled for awhile. And table was left messy before presenting dessert menus I expected someone to sweep those bread crumbs..
Café Juanita offers a sophisticated dining experience with its chic and modern ambiance. The staff exemplify politeness and friendliness, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. While the cocktails are well-crafted, they may lack the wow factor expected from such an establishment. The amount of food was little bit excessive, less courses, smaller portions or less extra dishes would make the experience less heavier. My less fsvoritr dish ess radicchio salad, the sauce was very grease and the salad was in the middle of courses, I'm user with salad at the begining. However, the highlight was undoubtedly the dessert, which left a lasting impression. Mini Pavlova and panacotta hmmm just delicious. The meat and fish were cooked impeccably. Furthermore, the attention to detail in plating and dishware elevated the presentation to a luxurious level. 4 cocktails and fix price menus for 2 + tip ~$600. Even though the ambiance is amazing, service, the food level at least on my experience doesn't worth $600. I would prefer to spend this on Kashiba, but they are totally two different types of cuisine. Anyways it was a fun experience for one time. Great place for that special occasion.
Went here for date night! The entire experience was wonderful. The ambience was great and the food was delicious. We had the tasting menu and the best part was that they had separate vegan and vegetarian menus. Supplements were offered for an additional charge. I think the food presentation could have been a bit better for the price.
The dinner was quite splendid. The staff was very professional and an overall very enjoyable evening. The food was quite delicious and had quite a mix of creativity and diversity. For the price point though, I would expect a bit more. The food & drink charges are quite high considered the location of the restaurant, the level of interior ambiance (you look out on a nice but simple garden area). I would choose to go back to a restaurant like Altura or Canlis than Cafe Juanita, where I think the food offering or at least the restaurant/views are superior
Great experience and well executed. I had the tasting menu with paired wines. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, but for the price point I would prefer more finesse in the service re descriptions of the dishes. Unfortunately, there was a drunk and extremely noisy table. I complained and asked to move, and staff we're very accommodating, but I don't believe staff ever asked the table to be more respectful. They were disturbing many others from what was otherwise a fine dinning experience. At the end of the evening, several people from the table couldn't walk straight. Note - don't let rude diners detract from your restaurant and don't over serve them with alcohol.
Third time visiting and was not disappointed. Giving it four stars based on our recent tasting menu experiences at Canlis and Altura (price comparable). Personally we felt the experience at Altura was more enjoyable and satisfying than Juanita (although Juanita did not charge an extra for truffles while Altura did). Our first two times at Juanita were more enjoyable (pre-pandemic ala carte menu).
I liked this place quite a bit. The Northern Italian influence is very clear from the wine menu and flavor combinations. Their Octopus with Bone Marrow drizzle Antipasti was great! Do note that their bar is limited and could not make much beyond the basics.
We had a great time at Cafe Juanita - the food was delicious, atmosphere was great. We've just had a lot of tasting menus over the years in a lot of different areas, and felt this one was a bit overpriced for what it was. We really enjoyed the experience and food - everything was delicious - but we probably won't return just because of the price vs what was received. Still a solid choice though if you like tasting menus.
First impression: they have a parking lot attached, but they blocked out half of the spaces and charges $10 for valet parking. It's simply confusing at this point because they could have just charged for parking... oh wait I forgot, then they won't be able to charge you if you parked on the street for free and walked 4 minutes here. Combined with the fact that they also charge extra 5% kitchen stuff fee... I thought one key aspect of a good fine dining experience is not to make your customers believe you only want their money? Also. If you are struggling with budget, raise the price of your food and see if we agree it's worth it. Don't just ask customers to help pay for your employees. Atmosphere is... Hard to enjoy. They have 10 tables in one corner and if other guests are talking even in a normal volume, it gets extremely loud. Also, the window in front of me is near the street and I got flashlights in my eyes a couple times during the meal. It is very ambitious for them to serve that many guests in limited space... Menu feels like a Chinese gacha game, with all these special upgrades you can get with just a tiny bit more money. If you are already making a tasting menu I'd expect a whole experience, not "add $30 for foie gras" Foods taste ok but leaves a miserable impression. Some combinations are confusing for me and does not work well in my opinion, but since it's a tasting menu I'll give credit to that. Some bites do feel too salty or oily while others are fine, so it seems like there's a quality control issue in the kitchen. One thing to add is foods look very basic, without design. Non-alcoholic pairing, aside from being overpriced, it does not pair with the food well. Snow crab meat on ice are paired with a drink super sweet, which ruins the overall taste of food. The drink later turned to be bitter, so I guess had it been mixed better, it probably will work much better. Also, there's a very strong theme of bitterness throughout the meal, not sure if this is intended, but I consistently had to clear that with just water - another thing you won't expect from pairing drinks. Overall, I don't see this place as a fine dining restaurant. Treat it as a normal restaurant that happens to be expensive and it may start making sense...
Food was really great! Service was meh, and the entire experience wasn’t worth the price. So if you’re local maybe try it once. But way overpriced for what you get.
We came to Junita Cafe with high hopes, drawn in by the promise of a refined 7-course experience. While the presentation certainly tries to sell you on a high-end dining affair, the actual food left us underwhelmed—flavors were surprisingly basic and forgettable. For a dinner that came out to nearly $700 for two (only one of us had drinks), we expected something much more elevated in taste and execution. The setting was fine, but the views were nothing to write home about—definitely not enough to justify the price. I wish there had been more honest reviews beforehand that mentioned how flat the food tastes despite all the hype. It feels like a lot of effort went into making it *look* fancy, but the soul and flavor just weren’t there. Disappointing, especially given how excited we were to try it. I think bread was the only thing that was beyond delicious and for a restaurant at this level should t be considered for only bread.
Excellent service. For the price, the seven-course tasting menu was disappointing. Everything was good but nothing wowed me. Would appreciate a variety of plate sizes and styles instead of drab, large gray plates for every course. Lovely ambiance. Will return to order from the dinner menu.
Food was overall okay, but portion sizes felt inconsistent. There was too much bread and very little pasta. The salad was probably our least favorite, it was noticeably bitter. The other courses were decent, though the plating could have been more refined. We have been to single Michelin star restaurants that were more affordable and delivered more thoughtful, polished courses overall. That said, the sorbet and dessert courses were genuinely good and stood out. We tried both the vegan and vegetarian tasting menus. Definitely not worth $185+ pp.
For my first fine dining experience, Café Juanita wasn't bad. They reserve the entire small parking lot, in front of the restaurant, for $10 valet parking...which could be nice if you want to pretend you're a celebrity for the night. The service was pretty stellar, in my opinion. Everyone was very warm, welcoming and attentive to when you need things cleared or your water filled. I can't say half the things that are listed on their menu so I appreciate the explanation we got from our server. I love that they have a coat check. It's perfect for cold nights when you're wearing a huge coat. The food was a hit or miss. For food tasting, you definitely should go in with an open mind. I tried and ate everything, whether I liked it or not. You might as well get your money's worth, because the price of the food is astronomical. Besides the bread (which is pretty straightforward), all of the food was an interesting mix of taste, texture and presentation. For example: beet gelato, kale blended and presented like a custard, raw meat on a bread crust served on a napkin. Definitely a conversation starter but my mind is confused. The restaurant itself is pretty tiny but I found it cozy. The location could be better so they could have a decent parking lot and a little more wiggle room. All in all, it was nice. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either (thus 3 stars). It's an experience. It's a night out. It's not something you would want to do twice because the menu is extremely limited and looks like it rotates once a month. Did I mention the sky high bill?
To me it seems like Seattle is starved of fine dining and I think Cafe Juanita unfortunately shows that. For the price Cafe Juanita, it really lacked the quality of attention and details for them to be charging their prices. I'll start off by saying that the atmosphere and service was quaint and friendly, but there wasn't really anything special about it. It's just a clean restaurant that has an older rustic look inside. We came in right on time for our reservation but we waited a pretty long time (15-20 minutes) for our server to even greet to take our order and give us water. It's probably because they were busy but that's no excuse given how much they were charging as a restaurant. Service was very friendly otherwise. As for the food, I thought it was good but none of it really stood out to me where I felt like I wanted to come back to try it again. It was a very generic fine dining experience that served classic fine dining food. The food didn't really have a distinct identity in terms of cuisine and it was all a random variety of different types of ingredients that happened to be available at the time. In the end Cafe Juanita seems like it tries to mimic something of a michelin star restaurant but falls short. We also ordered two non alcoholic ciders which were very good. I ended up paying about $660 for two people which included two drinks and an add on. Given that their price tag rivals a 3 Michelin star restaurants in Los Angeles I would say the dining experience and food were way overpriced for what we received. Also, the day before our reservation they called to make sure we were still coming and they had to emphasize that they were going to charge us a 3% service fee that isn't part of the tip. It's already such a turn off when you're looking forward to going to a restaurant and they start off the bat that they're going to charge you a service fee. If they really need to tell us that they're going to charge a service fee while also pricing their menu as high as they are then they need to figure out their finances better rather than pushing it onto their customers dining experience. They have valet parking for a fee, street parking may be difficult.
Good service, okay atmosphere, mediocre food. Appetizers were forgettable. Pasta was too salty (Just go to Bottle & Bull and order their lamb ragu to have a better taste). Mains (sable fish & pork) were okay but you can get it in any $50-per-person-restaurant. Dessert (vanilla panna cotta) was the best thing from the night. In one word, definitely not worth the money. I was recommended to come by a coworker and I need to have a word with her. I thought Canlis was mediocre enough, but I guess you never stop being disappointed by Seattle’s food scene.
Terrible experience tonight. We were so looking forward to this but came out 800 poorer, 3.5 hours water with uninspired, flavorless food and mediocre at best service. Save yourself the poor experience and go elsewhere. Amuse Bouche - too much flavor with caviar in a pastry filled with crème fraiche, would have been good just with the caviar. The halibut was so sad looking and tasteless that I left half of it uneaten, the ibercio was over salted and over cooked. Yes the bread is good and unfortunately the best part of the meal and we didn’t go there for bread. Dessert pics are missing but the panna cotta and strawberry cake were both less than mediocre:( the servers seemed distressed and not happy either, we saw one being told off by someone while she was making a drink, not a good vibe.
Cafe Juanita comes highly recommended on many lists for fine dining in Kirkland, so I chose it to celebrate my wife’s birthday with high expectations. After our visit however, the roughly $700 bill left us more puzzled than impressed. Its been two weeks since we visited and I'm still asking myself why? To be clear, this is not a steakhouse. You’re paying for the artistry and intention that professional chefs bring to each dish, and there is real creativity behind the menu. The staff were warm, and genuinely welcoming, which we appreciated. That said, I struggled to reconcile the overall experience with the price. Having also dined at places like Canlis, Bis on main and a few others, this unfortunately ranked at the bottom for us. The location felt less like a fine dining destination and more casual than expected, which contributed to the disconnect. I respect what Cafe Juanita represents, and I especially value supporting a woman owned business. Ultimately, though, the experience didn’t align with what we anticipated for the cost, and we left wishing it had.
Possibly the worst “fine dining” in the Seattle area, if not the entire West Coast of America. I thought Altura was overrated but at least they had some creativity and appeared to be trying. This was the most boring, uninspired, and downright bad tasting menu I have ever had. The a5 wagyu croccante was basically carpaccio with corn nuts on top. The venison was so raw that it was inedible. And the “pasta” had no flavor or appealing quality. The $200 caviar supplement was good, but they just open a can and give you some potato chips. Honestly the worst part was the drinks. When I first ordered an Old Fashioned with rye the waitress said “rye? Is that like a whiskey?”…. After downing an old fashioned with no sugar whatsoever we asked for diet cokes, which came out completely flat. When we pointed out that that their tap was out of carbonation and drinks were flat the waitress decided to gaslight us and say “thats how it comes out of the can”. At this point we just laughed our way through the rest of the meal. $800 for two tasting menus, the caviar supplement, and two cocktails. This meal was just under the cost of Alinea (3 star michelin, won best restaurant in the world) and could not have been any less worth it. Save your money, fly to SF, Vegas, Denver, or Chicago and go to a real Michelin fine dining establishment that is worth your time and money.
It was my second time going to cafe Juanita and let me say first time it was amazing that's why I decided to bring my parents in for their anniversary but it was def not what I expected to see. The quantity was very less I get it it's a very fine dining experience but I don't understand why the main course also had to be bite size!? There was too much salt on everything we couldn't even eat it! Anyways my parents hated it and I had to pay almost $800 for three of us! I should have checked the reviews before blinding booking it. People please do not fall for the ambience and the location the food sucks! And the ambience was a joke we literally had to yell at each other and I couldn’t hear half of the things the server said!
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9702 NE 120th Place
Kirkland, WA 98034-4206
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park in King County, Washington, United States of America
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