Downtown Kirkland has no shortage of places to grab a bite, but Rimini Restaurant on Lake Street feels like stepping into an old‑school Italian supper club that just happens to have killer views of Lake Washington. 🇮🇹
This authentic Italian restaurant from the award‑winning Nardone family leans hard into big flavors, classic recipes, and a fun, slightly glamorous “night out” vibe that has quickly turned it into one of Kirkland’s hottest hidden gems for date nights and special occasions.
How Rimini’s Won Kirkland Hearts
Rimini didn’t ease quietly onto the scene—it arrived with serious pedigree.
The restaurant is owned and operated by the Nardone family, multi‑time nationally acclaimed restaurateurs who wanted to bring a true “old school Italian” supper club experience to Kirkland’s historic waterfront, and locals were more than ready for it.
From the start, the team framed Rimini as “a true old school Italian experience on Lake Street in Kirkland’s historic downtown”, complete with red‑sauce classics, generous portions, and a lively bar that feels a little bit like a movie set.
View this post on Instagram
Guests quickly began raving on OpenTable about the “amazing flavors,” “fabulous food,” and “fun ambiance”, pushing Rimini’s rating to around 4.9 out of 5 for both food and service—numbers that signal “instant local favorite” in any city.
The menu helped seal the obsession.
Between the antipasti like bruschetta Bolognese, lemon garlic clams, and a dedicated meatball plate and the rich, slow‑cooked pastas and mains, regulars quickly started calling out specific dishes as “best in the area,” which is no small thing in a region that loves its Italian food.
Rimini also nailed the supper‑club rhythm.
With dinner service running Tuesday through Sunday from 4 PM to 10 PM, a full bar, and a prime Lake Street location just steps from the water, it became a natural choice for pre‑show dinners, date nights, and celebratory evenings out.
Throw in a charismatic ownership family, polished service, and food that feels both nostalgic and luxurious, and you get exactly the kind of place locals start recommending in hushed, “you have to try this spot” tones.
Food Highlights
-
Homemade Meatball Plate: Listed on the antipasti menu and highlighted by local guides as a must‑order, this plate of house‑made meatballs nails that tender, old‑school texture and rich tomato flavor you expect from a serious Italian kitchen.
-
Bruschetta Bolognese: Featured under bruschetta and antipasti options, this grilled Como bread topped with fresh meat sauce is a rustic, deeply savory starter that regulars love to share with the table.
-
Short Rib Ravioli: Called out as one of the most popular dishes on the Yelp photo and review section, this pasta packs slow‑braised short rib into delicate ravioli with a rich sauce that guests routinely describe as unforgettable.
-
Lamb Shank: Listed in popular dish roundups for the restaurant, the lamb shank is praised for its fall‑off‑the‑bone tenderness and deep, slow‑cooked flavor, making it a go‑to main for serious comfort‑food seekers.
-
Lobster Ravioli: Frequently photographed and praised in guest reviews, this indulgent ravioli dish combines rich lobster filling with a creamy sauce that has quickly become a favorite “treat yourself” order.
- Pistachio Pesto Pasta: Also highlighted among Rimini’s top‑ordered dishes, this pistachio‑based pesto puts a luxurious, nutty twist on a classic, giving pesto lovers something new to crave.
Atmosphere
Rimini calls itself an “old school Italian Super Club” in Kirkland’s historic downtown, and that’s exactly how it feels: warm lighting, lively bar energy, and a dining room that buzzes without ever feeling chaotic.
View this post on Instagram
The Lake Street location puts you right in the heart of Kirkland’s waterfront district at 3 Lake Street, so you get that polished downtown feel the moment you arrive.
Diners on OpenTable rave about the “fun ambiance” and “excellent service”, often noting that the noise level stays at a comfortable “moderate,” perfect for date nights, celebrations, and long conversations over wine.
It feels like the kind of place where you dress up a bit, order an extra course, and happily settle in for the night.
Bottom Line
Rimini Restaurant is worth seeking out for its legit old‑school Italian supper‑club vibe, award‑winning family ownership, standout pastas and mains, polished waterfront atmosphere, and consistently rave‑worthy service that makes every dinner feel like an occasion.
View this post on Instagram
Address: 3 Lake St, Kirkland, WA 98033
📞 (425) 242-0070
🕔 Tue–Sun 4 PM–10 PM; Mon Closed