33 Best American Restaurants in Bellingham

“Just incredible, honestly. The food, the service, the overall vibe, it's the whole package. Excellent food (We had the pesto gouda chicken and bacon balsamic Brussel sprouts). Very pleasant, attentive staff. Such a great experience, we will be back!“

“I know this is a shameless plug, but I just finished eating a beef meat pie from Holly's, and I have to write this: I just found Holly's Meat Pies and had my first pie from them. I can't say enough about how delicious my pasty was!!!! Thank YOU! 🙏🏻 The crust is absolute perfection – not too dry, not oily. Perfectly cooked. The pie stayed hot even though I drove home. Wow! I got the beef, and the filling was perfect. The balance of the spices, herbs, the quality of the meat, the vegetables and the onion was superior and absolutely perfectly balanced. This lady has skills!! The taste is wonderful. Holly gave me samples of Ty's Barbecue Sauce and Pasty Sauce !!! Yummmmm! I tested the barbecue sauce because I couldn't resist – I'll be back for at least one bottle and it won't last long. And the pasty sauce was fantastic. I'm buying a bottle. I had never heard of putting any kind of sauce on my pasty, but I'll put this on it! The thing about the pasty is it's so good without the sauce, but it's great with the sauce, too. I alternated bites lol. 😆 Since the pasty is neither dry nor greasy, it stands on its own so perfectly that I couldn't imagine putting the sauce on it – until I tried! It kicks the flavor up a notch. I bought a frozen Chicken pie for later, and I "liberated" several menus - this is going to become a habit!!!! Can't wait to try the Vegan pie (🥧 mushrooms!!), and the lamb pie and the entire menu! Feels like I found a culinary goldmine that's right up my alley. I feel so lucky that this is in Bellingham, and that I don't live too far from it because I will be a frequent visitor. And they are so friendly- great, wholesome, quick, affordable food!! What's not to love?! 💕 I also want to say hello to Holly and to Andrea who I met today and who were so friendly & knowledgeable. Smart women getting it done!! ✅ They answered every question I had. If you haven't tried this place, you've got to go and try it. This is the ultimate easy portable health food! Great with soup 🥣, salad 🥗 and Bordeaux!! My belly is happy 😊! What a therapeutic experience!!“

“My wife and I had a fabulous experience last Friday. We've been to many restaurants in our 30+ years of world travel and Carnal is with the best of them. Our server Renee and all the staff were pitch perfect.“

“I’ve been coming to Arlis’s for 20 years. Lots has changed in Bellingham, but Arlis’s has continued to serve a delicious consistent breakfast, good food quality, fair prices, and excellent service.“

“Thank you Stella for a kind dining experience. She made me feel like I was eating at home! I had the fish and chips. Chips were perfectly cooked and sweet n salty, yum! The fish was cooked perfectly but nothing remarkable ( kinda bland and mushy meat) Coleslaw was the best. Crunchy and seasoned perfectly.“

“The restaurant is nice and cozy. They do have a decent variety of gluten-free options. The fish and chips/ GF is breaded perfectly, has a great crunch, filled with lots cod. I believe. The fries are hand cut, I would like mine more with crunch then being so limp. Seasoned well. The Brandywine Burger was large w/ GF bun , lettuce was soggy, but overall a tasty flavorful burger. Staff was very friendly. The place very clean and I like the vibe.“

“Awesome service, great food, fantastic cocktails, and a substantive wine list. Strongly recommend!“

“what deal is in for February 15th 2025?“

“Always good for a preflight cocktail“

“Ive eaten here 8 times in the past month or 2, ive made it a weekly thing now.
I normally order on doordash but today i went in person, staff was nice and the place looked clean.
The food is consistently good, i normally get bacon burgers and chicken pastas.
This is the only place that makes chicken exciting for me, its perfectly made.
the pic is the bourbon street chicken and sausage pasta ive been getting every week lately“

“Our diner hits all the spots! Great food, great people, great vibes and the best conversations around. A true local gem 💎“

“Delicious Food and Cocktails: Tried an Espresso Martini, Arancini Balls and the Chocolate Royale for dessert 🍨“

“JUXT is such a great spot in downtown. Always hosting fun events, conveniently located, phenomenal service, and their food/drinks are amazing. They've got a great list of craft cocktails and a delicious food menu, too. I especially love getting to enjoy a cocktail flight (either with a friend or solo) while hanging out before a show downtown. Menu Faves: House Fries, Poutine, Loaded Nachos, Falafel, JUXT Mac Cocktail Faves: Love Letter, Time Forgot, Eiffel 75, Bees Markel“

“We wanted to grab a bite after our movie and it seems like everyone else in the theatre had the same idea. The service was so quick, the drinks were perfect, and the waitress was so helpful (thank you for recommending that Chicken Bruschetta pizza).

They even offered to stay open later so we could wait for our Uber.

I'm not the type to write reviews.... but this place truly deserves it. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great spot to unwind after a movie.“

“Extremes was just steps from the Holiday Inn Express! Food was excellent and service from Ryan “Scooter” was amazing!!“

“Fantastic experience here today. Wonderful service from Sienna who made us feel right at home and gave us some incredible suggestions.

The food is definitely massive, but it's also very high quality, and the housemade sauces are divine!

Cozy atmosphere, but also a lot of fun. Nice view right on the marina, and I imagine it gets packed in summer. Don't sleep on this place, it's delicious!“

“I recently went to this establishment to eat a wonderful meal with my friend. We were served by Robert. He was so sweet and friendly. He was very attentive and on top of it. He brought us refills and more fries without us asking. We really appreciated his hospitality! 10/10 service! Thanks Robert!“

“Excellent, unique cider offerings. I had the raspberry rhubarb and it was exquisite! Surprisingly the food was also very good. A lot of times at these little pubs. The drinks are good but the food is just so so. I had the avocado toast for brunch. Really tasty! Can't go wrong going here.“

“🏴‍☠️ Zeya187’s Epic Raid on El Capitan’s 🏴‍☠️

When the moon crests Bellingham Bay and the townsfolk drift to slumber, that’s when the true marauders prowl. And for nigh on 15 years, this hungry pirate’s compass has pointed to one dock only — El Capitan’s.

Last night, me crew and I braved the brine and the bar brawls of Railroad Ave — storming through the mist like specters hungry for plunder. Our bounty? Polish sausages fatter than a cutlass handle, pretzels bigger than a ship’s wheel, cider cold as the North Sea, and local brew to drown a kraken.

I swear on the briny deep — ye haven’t lived until ye stand in that nautical den, teeth sunk deep in a pepper-smoked sausage dripping with secret sauces and grilled onions sweeter than a siren’s song. Each bite hits like cannon fire — smoky, rich, layered with that Cap’n Marc magic. This ain’t no landlubber dog stand — this is a vessel for flavor that’s braved two decades of storms and stayed afloat as the town’s tastiest legend.

The pretzels? Golden and pillowy, salt crystals catching the lantern light like buried treasure. We tore ‘em apart like ravenous buccaneers — dunkin’ ‘em in cheese and mustard while laughing off the drizzlin’ rain outside.

And oh, the cider and brew! A pint o’ local grog in one hand, sausage in the other — we toasted to old pirates, new legends, and the smell of the sea on our coats. Every sip soaked up the day’s toil and spat it back out with a grin.

El Capitan’s ain’t just food — it’s a damn adventure. The walls drip with maps, pirate lamps glow over stories traded by drifters, townies, and long-timers like me. Here, every bite’s a memory forged in grease, beer foam, and community grit.

So here’s me truth: ye can keep yer chain dogs, yer stale dive bars — El Capitan’s is where the real sea dogs gather. Marc and crew run the galley like a well-oiled galleon, feeding souls and bellies alike.

Fifteen years strong and the legend grows. I’ll be back, I’ll always be back — ‘cause when Zeya187 and crew sail in hungry, there’s no better harbor than this brine-soaked, bratwurst-sizzlin’, grog-pourin’ pirate den.

🦜 5/5 Skulls & Crossbones — Raise yer pint, bite yer brat, and let the good times roll!
See ye on the next raid, El Capitan’s — long may ye sail! ⚓️“

“Don’t eat here unless you want your phone stolen by a waitress!“

“Went there today with friends for breakfast...ordered the classic eggs benedict, was one of the best eggs Benny's I've ever had!! The atmosphere was amazing..got a table right away, no wait. Our server was the best! So friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be going back!!“

“Amazing food and experience plus fast and attentive, absolutely a win win. I got the shrimp scampi and it is not your typical. Extremely flavorful and amazing presentation.“

“Always a favorite! I don't make it here as often as I would like to, but I try to go when I am in town. Wonderful people, great atmosphere.“

“Amazing experience, our third time eating at Estelle and each time has been a 10/10. Fantastic food, the roll is wildly good and the steak and frites just perfect. Had the homemade hard eggnog, so good, and the boozy cocoa. All was incredible, staff was personable and pleasant! Probably the only spot we've hit three times... tells you something.“

“I stopped by for lunch and ordered a burger, the soup of the day, and a coffee. The total came to $29 including tip. It was quiet in the afternoon with very few people around, so the atmosphere was calm. Service was very quick and efficient. The food was tasty and came out hot and fresh. A nice place for a relaxed midday meal.“

“My wife hosted my 40th birthday there, for 18 people and they did amazing. Great service, wonderful drinks, delicious food. Will certainly be going back, thank you for being apart of making my birthday extra special.“

“The staff is great but they need to change up the menu! It used to change seasonally but it’s been the same stuff year round since before Covid.“

“This place is lowkey a silent sleeper because I feel like more people should know about how awesome Greene's is! Breakfast, lunch, dinner; they're all an option! Great pizza and delicious breakfast/brunch options! Love that they're in the part of town that's nestled right between south/central Bellingham (aka the Sunnyland Neighborhood), and everything on their menu is a hit. Menu Faves: Biscuts & Gravy, Breakfast Burrito, Sunnyland Scramble, Chicken & Waffles, Huevos Rancheros“

“My office had our Christmas party here this year and the owner was a pleasure to work with! He was so nice, communicative, dealt with last minute changes and helped accommodate food allergies. The food was excellent, the owner served us personally and was so attentive to our needs. I’ll definitely go back and maybe we’ll do our party there again next year!“

“Great food, great staff, great atmosphere. This is one of my favorite spots for brunch or dinner. A true gem away from downtown for food and a date“

“I just went for a snacks. Good“

“Once again, a big bucket of chicken and jojos from Alger Bar & Grille saved us from our Sunday "what's for dinner" dilemma! Delicious as always. We appreciate you EVERY SINGLE TIME. *Edited to add... the pic is what's left. stoked for lunch tomorrow!*“

“If you enjoy delicious food 9 restaurant delivers perfection! You will not be disappointed with the exceptional service, quality and brilliance served here! I highly recommend this restaurant!! I would like to send 9 restaurant my gratitude and appreciation, for hiring incredible chefs! Outstanding!!!“