Bellevue's second annual Crab Week kicks off Friday, Aug. 14, with restaurants across the city serving limited-time crab dishes through Aug. 23.
Visit Bellevue, the tourism organization behind the event, is bringing back chef Shota Nakajima as culinary ambassador and premiering Season 3 of "Bellevue Eats," its video series following Nakajima through local dining spots.
The nine-day celebration is the third installment of Visit Bellevue's 2026 Culinary Weeks series, which also included Dumpling Week in February and Berry Week in July, according to 425 Magazine.
Noodle Week closes out the lineup Nov. 11–22.
How it works
Diners visit participating Bellevue restaurants and order their special crab creations. To track progress and win prizes, download the free Vuefinder app, which serves as a digital passport. Check in at each restaurant, register the visit, and earn entries toward Crab Week-themed prizes. Hit three or more spots during the week and take home a custom plushie keychain.
The app is free.
Completionists who participate in all four Culinary Weeks earn a limited-edition Visit Bellevue tote bag. The full list of participating restaurants and their featured dishes is posted at visitbellevue.com.
Nakajima's return
Nakajima, a Top Chef Season 18 finalist and Fan Favorite raised in Seattle, has become the face of Bellevue's culinary tourism push. He was a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year (2018, 2019, 2020), beat Bobby Flay in a tempura challenge on national TV, and competed on Iron Chef Gauntlet. After closing his Capitol Hill restaurant Taku in March 2025, he shifted focus to television and ambassador work.
His Instagram bio lists Visit Bellevue alongside Yeti and Lexus as partners.
'Bellevue Eats' Season 3
The new season of "Bellevue Eats" premiered Tuesday, Aug. 11, timed to build buzz ahead of Crab Week. Episodes are available at visitbellevue.com/explore/culinary-tourism/bellevue-eats/.
"Dungeness crab is quintessentially Pacific Northwest, and Crab Week gives our chefs room to honor that sense of place while bringing their own traditions and imagination to the table," Meredith Langridge, director of visitor experience at Visit Bellevue, said in an Aug. 10 press release.
Bellevue is home to more than 400 multicultural restaurants. Crab Week runs through Aug. 23, with Noodle Week following Nov. 11–22.
