HIGHLANDS BISTRO — Restaurant in Issaquah

I arrived around 10am on a rainy Saturday morning. When I walked in I was greeted by a wonderful hostess who asked me where I would like to sit; there wasn’t many people in yet. I got the biscuits and gravy, it came with 2 eggs, and potatoes with peppers and onions. The eggs were cooked the way I selected, and they were perfect. The potatoes with peppers and onions were fried to perfection, they were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The biscuits and gravy were great, the biscuits were soft, the gravy was smooth and creamy. It had a very nice texture to it. I will say, the green onion garnish was a little strong. But that did not take away from the dish itself self. The whole plate was seasoned perfectly, I didn’t need to add any salt or pepper. The staff checked in on me multiple times asking if everything was okay, and to see if I needed anything else. The drinks were made quickly, and are very refreshing. I had a Berry Deuce which was very good. The hints of citrus, blackberry, mint and lemonade mixed well and was portioned correctly. The drink looked really elegant as well.

At another table they got waffles, with which you can go to a fruit bar to top them with their handmade whip cream, and different berries. (Strawberries, blueberries and bananas).

This restaurant is a hidden gem in Issaquah, I would come every weekend if I lived closer. I would highly recommend coming and trying this restaurant for your self. Located in the corner of and Park Dr and 10th ave Ne, there is a decent amount of parking...

Are on the patio. Tables well spaced, servers all masked and gloved and careful.

Food was excellent. I had the seafood fettuccine which was excellent. Three teens had the salmon and crab mac and cheese, which were both very good (salmon as reported to me, but I verified the Mac!) My husband ordered the seafood jambalaya which was not exactly to taste for him (a little sweet and too much tomato), but was very well done.

Here's the big note on all the dishes: every bit of fish and seafood that we had was nicely cooked. Not over done. Good flavors. And the seafood wasn't "buried" in other flavors to hide low quality. For example, the creamy pesto on my fettuccine was subtler than one might have expected which was great because then I could really taste my scallops and shrimp. The pesto still had a great flavor, just not over done like sometimes happens. This was true in a different way with the Mac, which was very "cheesey" but the cheese itself was infused with the crab flavor. I didn't even get any crab on my bite and I could taste it clearly. Yum...

Anyway, highly recommend, especially if you're looking for a nice outdoor dining spot. (The inside is nice too, were just staying outdoors...

Highlands Bistro is a hidden gem in Issaquah that deserves way more recognition! The customer service was top-tier—one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The atmosphere feels like a cozy neighborhood diner, and the food overall was well-seasoned and fresh.

Highlights: ✅ Clam Chowder – 5/5: Easily one of the best I’ve ever had. Rich, flavorful, and served with herb butter focaccia. Coming back just for this! ✅ Spicy Calamari – 4.5/5: Crispy, fresh, and well-prepared. Definitely a must-try. ✅ Wild Salmon – 4/5: Solid dish, well-executed, nothing to complain about. Nothing to rave about. ❌ Mac & Cheese – 1/5: This was the only disappointment. Overcooked, runny, and bland—definitely needs improvement. Would love to see it baked or broiled for a crispy, cheesy top layer and seasoned for flavor.

Overall, I highly recommend Highlands Bistro to anyone in the area. This place has so much potential and just needs a little more marketing to become a staple in the Issaquah Highlands. I’ll be back to try more...