Bellevue's Outdoor Dining Program Expands For Summer

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue is expanding its "Al Fresco" outdoor dining program for the warmer months ahead, with more than 40 participating restaurants already on board. Since last year, city officials have worked with the Bellevue Downtown Association to simplify the permit process for outdoor dining spaces and create new spaces where businesses could welcome in nontraditional ways.

“After we saw the success of last year’s Al Fresco program, we’re excited to bring it back and promote even more participating businesses,” said Patrick Bannon, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association. “This is a great way to support our local restaurants and retailers and enjoy the outdoors in Downtown Bellevue.”

Organizers said the program's original 10-week run, which debuted last August, was met with praise from restaurants and residents alike, seeding the idea to go even bigger in 2021.

“It was encouraging to see the success and support of the outdoor dining program last year, both for local businesses and for patrons looking to enjoy Bellevue while safely dining and shopping,” said Mayor Lynne Robinson. “I’m really looking forward to taking part again this year and want to thank our community partners who are back to support this program as an important component of our return to full capacity.”

This season's program runs from now through summer, and visitors will notice a lot more on-street, sidewalk, parking lot and patio spaces along Main Street and across the city. The Bellevue Downtown Association has assembled an interactive map of participating restaurants, including Carmine's, Daniel's Broiler, Dough Zone and Gilbert's On Main.

Even as the state fully reopens in the weeks ahead, lifting existing indoor restrictions, organizers said boosting overall capacity will be key for recovering restaurants.

“As we transition to more normalcy in this pandemic recovery, the Al Fresco program will provide continued options for our businesses to serve as many customers as possible each step of the way,” said Mac Cummins, director of Bellevue's Community Development Department.

Business owners interested in participating in the program can learn more about signing up on the city of Bellevue website.