An Urbanist Guide to Things to Do in South Redmond

Light rail riders don’t need much of an excuse to get off at the two northernmost stations on Sound Transit’s 2 Line within the City of Redmond. Directly serving the expansive Microsoft campus, it’s more than just the region’s tech workers who will find something worthy of exploring at Overlake station, at the edge of a growing urban neighborhood. Steps from the station is the newly completed Esterra Park master development, home to thousands of residents, and other coming residential developments.

For visitors, the two stations offer great food and urbanist attractions to enjoy. Though if you’re not into mega tech campuses, maybe just check out the massive Redmond Technology Station Pedestrian Bridge at Redmond’s current terminus station. As The Urbanist’s Ryan Packer remarked, the bridge is an attraction in its own right. It’s like a bougie Burke Gilman with its dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian walkway with raised planters and seating. Overlake has a bike and pedestrian bridge too, but it’s just a bit more mundane, but be sure to check out the art installation by Leo Berk.

For those willing to explore the campus some more, the Microsoft Visitor Center and Company Store is on the other side of the bridge at Redmond Technology Center. Outside of that, what’s left to check out is the campus refresh still underway on the south side of 520. There you can see the progress being made on three million square feet of new office space and new open spaces. Food options are limited here for non-employees, but there’s a Dote Cafe next to the station and Boardwalk by the visitor center. Just don’t expect WiFi if you’re not a Microsoft employee.

Go to Overlake if you’re hungry

After a little jaunt in Microsoft land treat yourself to a meal in the Overlake station area. South of the station, there’s a whole assortment of East and South Asian restaurants. The first restaurant you’ll likely encounter is 151 Days, one of many good Taiwanese options in the area. It’s located in a new Esterra Park building. Grab a bento or go family style on their long list of Taiwanese dishes. Monga Cafe and Tiger Bites are also great options.

The other standout East Asian cuisine in the area is Sichuan. Try the heat at Sichuan Cuisine, Nine Way Redmond, and Spicy PoPo. Other great Chinese options include the Vancouver dim sum transplant Sun Sui Wah Seafood, Supreme Dumplings, and Morning Bites. Other parts of East Asian Cuisine are featured heavily with Korean and Japanese restaurants, Deopbab and Shaburina are in the same building as 151 Days.

There’s plenty of South Asian food as well. The Foody Moody food truck serves great and affordable bites, including its own take on the fried chicken sandwich. There are Dosa Houses, Chatt Houses, and Curry Houses (some literally named as such). And don’t forget to try Indian pizza at Can Am Pizza. The Mayuri grocery brand and other South Asian grocers also feature heavily in the station area, go check them out for all your South Asian cooking needs.

If you’re looking for something sweet to finish off your trip there are few Chinese bakeries like 85 degree and Regent in the area, SOMISOMI does taiyaki ice cream, and Mayuri has a sweets and bakery shop too. This list of options is far from exhaustive, you’re spoiled for choice in this part of Redmond and Northeast Bellevue.

Downtown Redmond Waiting Room

Overlake and Redmond Technology stations just give light rail riders a first great impression of what Redmond has to offer. Downtown Redmond and Marymoor will add a whole new dimension to the Redmond light rail experience next year. Be prepared to read about the fantastically diverse food scene and river trails in our coverage of what to do when those stations open.

In the meantime, enjoy the parts of Redmond that have been connected with light rail with great food and maybe some urbanist community building too! If you’re in town on Thursday evenings, you can find a community of eastside urbanists at Jack Sprat in Esterra Park. Eastside Urbanism meet on a weekly basis there.