"John Howie's planked king salmon and a long raw bar, booths quiet enough to talk — book it for a Bellevue client dinner."
About Seastar
The raw bar runs the length of one wall, oysters banked on crushed ice, and the booths behind it sit far enough back that a conversation carries over the room's hum. John Howie opened Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar in downtown Bellevue in spring 2002, after years running the kitchen at Seattle's Palisade, and more than two decades on it is still one of the Eastside's most reliable seafood rooms. The address is 205 108th Avenue NE, a short walk from the office towers. The menu is Pacific Northwest fish handled with restraint: planked king salmon, Dungeness crab, a raw bar of local oysters and sushi, with dinner landing in the $50 to $100 per-person range.
The Kitchen
John Howie built his name on Northwest seafood at Palisade before opening Seastar under his own, and the cooking trusts the fish rather than dressing it up. The signature is his plank roasting: king salmon set on an alderwood or cedar plank and finished over the coals, the dish most regulars order and the one that put the kitchen on the map. Around it sit Dungeness crab, a deep raw bar of local oysters, sushi and sashimi, and grilled mains that read as a tour of Washington and Alaskan waters.
Prices are honest for the quality: the fire-grilled king salmon runs about $42, most mains land in the $40s to low $50s, and a three-course prix-fixe is $50 on Sunday through Thursday. Seastar is not chasing a tasting-menu crown and does not need to; the format is à la carte, built to feed a mixed table. The wine program is the quiet flex — Seastar has held Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence every year since 2006, and the list runs past 700 bottles.
The Room
Seastar is a large, polished room: high ceilings, warm wood, and the long raw bar anchoring the floor. The light is moderate rather than dim, the sound rises with the crowd but the booths stay conversation-friendly, and tables are spaced enough to talk business across one. Dress is smart-casual with no jacket rule, though the downtown location means plenty of suits. Service is professional and unhurried. Ask for a booth if you want the quieter corner; the bar and raw-bar stools run livelier.
Best for an Eastside Client Dinner
Book this room for a business dinner because it solves the Eastside host's problem: it is minutes from the downtown Bellevue towers, the booths give you space to talk, and the broad menu of raw bar, sushi and planked mains keeps a mixed table happy. The pace is steady, not a three-hour commitment. For more rooms that carry a working dinner, see the best restaurants for closing a deal and our picks for when you need to impress clients.
Not for
Not for anyone after a long, hushed tasting-menu evening. Seastar is a lively à la carte seafood room with a busy raw bar and bar scene; the energy is its appeal, but it is the wrong call if you want a quiet, ceremonial multi-course dinner.
Frequently Asked
Is Seastar in Bellevue worth it?
Yes. Seastar has been one of the Eastside's most dependable seafood rooms since John Howie opened it in 2002. The cooking leans on Pacific Northwest fish handled simply and well: alderwood-planked king salmon, Dungeness crab, and a raw bar of local oysters. It is not a tasting-menu destination, but for a polished seafood dinner near downtown Bellevue it is hard to beat. Book ahead on weekends and ask for a booth if you want quiet.
How hard is it to book Seastar Bellevue?
Not very. Seastar takes reservations on OpenTable, and weeknights can usually be booked a few days out. Friday and Saturday evenings, plus the corporate calendar around the Bellevue tech corridor, tighten things up, so reserve a week ahead for a weekend table or a party of six or more. The restaurant is at 205 108th Avenue NE in downtown Bellevue. Call (425) 456-0010 for private-dining and large-group enquiries.
What is the dress code at Seastar Bellevue?
Smart-casual. Seastar is an upscale restaurant rather than a formal one, and there is no jacket requirement. Business attire is common given the downtown Bellevue location and the steady client-dinner traffic, but neat denim with a collared shirt or a nice top reads as perfectly at home. Aim a notch above casual and the room will read you as dressed right, for a date or a client dinner.
What is the average meal price at Seastar Bellevue?
Dinner runs roughly $50 to $100 per person before drinks. The fire-grilled king salmon is about $42 and most mains land in the $40s to low $50s, with raw-bar oysters, starters and sushi adding to the bill. A three-course prix-fixe is $50 on Sunday through Thursday. A couple sharing the raw bar and two mains with wine should plan for around $200 to $250 all in.
Is Seastar good for a business dinner?
Yes. Seastar is a natural fit for an Eastside client dinner: it is minutes from the downtown Bellevue office towers, the booths give you room to talk, and the menu pleases a table with mixed tastes thanks to the raw bar, sushi and grilled mains. The pace is steady rather than drawn-out. See our picks for the best restaurants for closing a deal for more rooms that handle a working dinner cleanly.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Seastar
Via OpenTable · or call (425) 456-0010
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address205 108th Avenue NE #100, Bellevue, WA 98004
NeighbourhoodDowntown Bellevue
CuisinePacific Northwest seafood
SignatureCedar-plank king salmon ~$56
Dress CodeSmart-casual
ReservationOpenTable
Service charge20% added to each check
