United States

15 Best Restaurants in Bellingham, WA

Blake Walsh

Sep 26, 2022 • 12 min read

Yulia Grigoryeva / shutterstock.com

The northern Washington town of Bellingham has a surprising number of taprooms, bakeries, and restaurants to cater to your every craving.

Situated by the coast, this city possesses some of the best seafood restaurants with spectacular views of the San Juan Islands.

This area also features 14 breweries and cideries to delight and entice any craft beer lover.

Some years ago, these breweries combined won 46 medals at seven national and international brewery competitions.

Other popular spots include cafes and bakeries in the heart of downtown Bellingham, many of which are dedicated to sustainable practices and sourcing only local produce.

Most restaurants cater to families of all ages, with some even making allowances for your furry friends.

Here are the best restaurants in Bellingham, Washington:

D’Anna’s Café Italiano

D’Anna’s Café Italiano, situated on State Street, is famous for its authentic, Sicilian cuisine and is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Bellingham.

What started in the 1990s as a wholesale pasta business in Seattle, Washington, turned into this highly rated restaurant after its pasta received glowing customer reviews.

D’Anna’s Café Italiano prides itself on making pasta, bread, sausages, meatballs, and desserts from scratch, a pleasant change from eating the usual mass-produced produce.

Well-known and loved among locals and tourists, they cater to a broad audience, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on their menu.

D’Anna’s Café Italiano offers seating inside and outside, making it an easy choice of venue to enjoy a meal on any given day.

Their pasta dishes won’t disappoint, with the Marsala chicken also being a favorite.

Aslan Brewing Company

On Forest Street, you will find Aslan Brewing Company—one of the most respected, family-friendly breweries born and “raised” in Bellingham since 2012.

They are a sustainable microbrewery and restaurant committed to local sourcing, low-impact practices, and creating top-quality, organic craft beer.

Aslan Brewing Company offers more in the food category than your typical bar food.

Some crowd pleasers on the menu include Korean BBQ, mac ‘n cheese balls, and waffle fry poutine, which is a must-try!

People enjoy the comfortable, modern pub atmosphere at Aslan Brewing Company, with various drinks and food options catering to all.

La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza

The award-winning La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza has been around since 1998 and is located on Chestnut Street.

It aims to serve its patrons delicious yet affordable food.

At La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza, you can choose between sitting inside, surrounded by the stylish interior, or outside in their heated outdoor dining area.

Dining outdoors will allow you to experience the magnificent sunset over the San Juan Islands.

You can also watch your pizza get made through the kitchen, which fascinates young people of all ages.

If you’re in a hurry, try their Pye Hole, an open window where you order and collect a slice as a takeaway.

If you fancy an American classic, take a short walk to walk to Fiamma Burger, the sister restaurant to La Fiamma’s Wood Fire Pizza.

Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill

Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill is situated on Squalicum Harbor in Bellwether on the Bay, with amazing views of the San Juan Islands.

As its name suggests, this grill specializes in hearth fire cooking, offering customers premier Northwest designer beef and fresh seafood.

Besides juicy flank steak and fresh fish, people love their cornbread side dishes and entrees.

Although they are known for their juicy steaks, Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill is also vegetarian-friendly and offers vegan and gluten-free food options.

This restaurant provides you with the option of dining in or hosting parties, meetings, or events in their intimate private dining room.

Anthony’s at Squalicum Harbor

Anthony’s at Squalicum is the sister restaurant to Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill and is a long-time institution in Bellingham located on Bellwether Way.

The menu offers an array of seafood dishes, including crab, prawns, clams, oysters, shrimp, salmon, halibut, and calamari.

Visitors love Anthony’s at Squalicum Harbor’s clam chowder, fresh oysters, and copper salmon.

Patrons can dine inside or outside and enjoy the magnificent sunsets over the marina.

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, a Bellingham favorite since 1995, is housed in a historic 1922 warehouse on Railroad Avenue.

This ample-spaced brewery and bistro is a popular hangout for locals and tourists due to its outdoor deck and beer garden used for concerts and barbequing.

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro offers ice-cold brews and a small wine selection for non-beer drinkers.

Their yam enchiladas, tacos, and brie and pear grilled cheese are just some of their most popular food items on the menu.

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro prides themselves on sourcing local produce and brewing their beer using water from Bellingham’s Lake Whatcom watershed.

They even built some of their restaurant’s furniture from reclaimed wood, making a strong statement about their efforts to support sustainable practices.

Mount Bakery Cafe

If you are craving something special for breakfast or lunch, you should head to Mount Bakery Cafe on Champion Street.

They cater to various dietary requirements and serve award-winning pastries, desserts, and arguably Bellingham’sbest eggs benedict, along with soups, quiches, and sandwiches.

You can pre-order many of their baked goods for collection to enjoy at home.

Mount Bakery Cafe prides themselves on sourcing their products from small, local farms and making everything on the menu from scratch.

They also have a bakery in the historic Fairhaven area on Harris Avenue and Bellingham’s Saturday market downtown.

Carnal

Carnal is one of the younger restaurants in Bellingham and is run by two New York chefs.

This restaurant has a relatively small menu and focuses on live wood-fired cooking.

Some menu items change throughout the year since the team is dedicated to creating dishes based on the seasons and the freshest produce they can find.

Carnal specializes in slow-cooked meat, with the short rib with bone marrow entrée, chicken wings, and hanger steak being popular choices.

They welcome anyone to join them on State Street for dinner, either inside by the fireplace or outside on the garden patio when the weather is good.

Rock and Rye Oyster House

On State Street, Rock & Rye Oyster House is a family-owned restaurant in the historic Bellingham Herald Building.

Since it started in 2014, they have been known to offer fresh, sustainable local seafood dishes year-round.

On top of that, they also have unique craft cocktails, a rotating selection of beers and ciders, and a curated wine list.

As its name suggests, you will find raw and cooked oysters at Rock & Rye Oyster House that have been locally sourced.

The menu also caters to non-seafood eaters with burgers, steak, and duck cassoulet options.

Their dishes lean toward fine dining, but Rock & Rye Oyster House also aims to create a comfortable atmosphere that will entice and engage anyone.

Black Sheep

Black Sheep was born in 2016 out of a desire to provide the people from Bellingham with delicious Mexican tacos (made from scratch) and great cocktails.

They currently boast one of the most comprehensive lists of agave spirits in Bellingham, including some rare finds which will delight any connoisseur.

You will love Black Sheep’s carne asada, chorizo, and seared rockfish tacos.

You can even order online and collect your food at their venue, on Holly street, at their drive-thru window.

Besides the food and drinks, Black Sheep is also a popular spot to enjoy happy hour all day on Sundays.

They regularly advertise specials and events on their social media pages, like Negroni Week and Half Off Agave Wednesday, so follow them to know what is on offer.

Skylarks Hidden Café

Skylarks Hidden Café is a sophisticated spot on 11th Street in the historic Fairhaven district that offers everything from breakfast to dinner, savory or sweet.

You will find dishes made from scratch based on original recipes and products from local vendors.

Since Skylarks Hidden Café opened in 1995, it has attracted many people with its classic favorite dishes, contemporary twists, and creative cocktails.

Their most popular dish for breakfast is their banana bread French toast, topped with maple syrup, brown sugar, and walnuts.

Go to enjoy their seasonal beer garden, which hosts live jazz music on weekends, and the dog-friendly outdoor seating area.

Keenan’s at the Pier

At Keenan’s at the Pier, you can marvel at the beautiful panoramic views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands, with the option of being seated either inside or outside the restaurant.

This casual yet elegant restaurant is situated inside the Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

Keenan’s at the Pier has served delightful Pacific Northwest dishes with creative twists since 2013.

They regularly advertise evening specials on social media and inform patrons in advance if they are closed for private events, so it is worth keeping an eye on these platforms.

Some popular dishes include cider-brined pork chops, crab cakes, and a vegan coconut dessert that would leave anyone wanting more.

Their menu also caters to those requiring vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.

The Birch Door

If you are craving a gourmet breakfast or lunch made from scratch, you can get it the whole day at The Birch Door.

The restaurant is a cozy, wood cabin on Meridian Street that started in 2017, with quirky interior décor and generous helpings of food.

People highly rate the service at The Birch Door and especially love the pancakes, omelets, and corned beef hash.

You can even place your order online for pickup or delivery.

Besides being a restaurant, The Birch Door also has lots of merchandise and gifts they sell in their large foyer before entering the restaurant area.

Lighthouse Bar & Grill

Located in the Hotel Bellwether, Lighthouse Bar & Grill is an upmarket seafood and steak restaurant that offers eclectic dining on the magnificent waterfront on Bellwether Way.

Many people regard this restaurant as one of the best waterfront restaurants in Bellingham.

Popular dishes at Lighthouse Bar & Grill include the crab omelet, pan-roasted black cod (locally sourced), and rib eye steak.

They offer live music on the weekends and various catering services if you want to book the venue for a special occasion, including weddings.

Elizabeth Station

Elizabeth Station on Holly Street is a premier Northwest beer market that has been around since 2012.

Upon entering the space, you will be confronted with a massive display of craft beers from all over the globe, so you need not worry about satisfying your taste buds.

Elizabeth Station boasts 20 rotating taps and more than 1,000 beer cans and bottles for customers to enjoy.

They also offer various bar bites like waffles, Taiwan-style bao, and banh mi burgers on the food front.

If you are after a dish that is a bit more substantial, you can’t go wrong with the pizzas, which you can either eat in or take away.

Final Thoughts

Bellingham is the perfect place for foodies who want to enjoy and delight in this coastal town’s various eateries.

The options are endless, from craft breweries to top-quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots.

The best restaurants in Bellingham, Washington are diverse and will accommodate people of all ages and requirements, making it the perfect food haven.

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