46 Best American Restaurants in Bellingham

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

“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.“

“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!!“

“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.“

“Ordered the breakfast burrito even if it’s evening. I am always on the hunt for a good breakfast burrito. This one didn’t disappoint. Eggs, sausage, hash brown, and some special sauce with a kick wrapped in a burrito. Ordered a Pepsi too. Not a fan of the paper straws. Interior has a classic old town vibe to it. It is in the middle of downtown Bellingham after all. Cool picture frames and merchandise on the walls. The PRIDE flag might suggest they may be left leaning and might be hostile to law enforcement or religious people. I think businesses should at least pretend to be politically neutral. The server took awhile to get to me. But the food is still worth it.“

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

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

“Saw the Applebee's hamburger commercial and decided to stop in. The burger was cooked to my specifications, a little pink and lived up to the commercial. It came with fries and a beverage. I would have given it another point but wasn't overly impressed with those new style buns. What happened to sesame buns?

I was very impressed with the service personnel. They were very busy and the host John worked hard to seat people right away. He then took time to bus tables in between. The manager Quigley(?) was checking on people and serving food as well.

My waitress whose name I believe was Alex was excellent. Hope I got her name right. She was pleasant, great, timely service and never stopped moving or smiling.

I added the apple dessert with ice cream and it was delicious.

I think their commercial paid off for $9.99. I will try and get back there for the chicken burger. It was said to be excellent. Bon Appetit.“

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

“We stopped here for lunch on our way back to California from Canada. I saw online that a large portion of the menu was available gluten-free and wanted to try it.

We walked in at 12:09 (it opens at noon) and there were already four tables seated and two groups in line at the counter ahead of us. I took that as a good sign!

The restaurant itself was very cute - open, spacious and inviting with lots of art on the walls. We ordered and sat at a table in the front by the window. About ten minutes later my husband went to wash his hands, and when he came back he said it was weird, no one was in the kitchen cooking but our food hadn’t come out yet. Finally after waiting 30 minutes, he went up to the counter to ask. The family that ordered just ahead of us hasn’t gotten their food either. I guess the kitchen printer broke and the kitchen never got our orders.

They apologized and offered to either return our money or make our food quickly. The family had two young kids and got their money back (they looked so disappointed). We waited for our food and I’m so glad we did. It was DELICIOUS. The portions were large and everything tasted fresh. I had the cauliflower tacos with a side salad and my husband had chimichurri steak tacos with fries. He always asks for his fries extra crispy and they almost never come out that way but Brandywine got it exactly right.

The person who took our order was very apologetic, brought us complimentary dipping sauces for the fries and offered us a free dessert if we wanted one. He agreed that the mistake shouldn’t have happened (which it shouldn’t - someone should have noticed the two tables sitting there with no food and no tickets in the kitchen).

Unfortunately their desserts are prepackaged and none were gluten-free, which seemed odd to me when their website proudly claims their focus on GF food. (Not that we needed the sugar.)

I would definitely recommend the food and it’s such a great space. Just check in if your food isn’t out quickly!“

“Always good for a preflight cocktail“

“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“

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

“🏴‍☠️ 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! ⚓️“

“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!!“

“My daughter and I were down visiting and stopped in for a late dinner. Dan was our server and he was the kindest and most attentive. Best service we have had at a restaurant in a very long time. Our food was top notch as well!
Thank you for making our experience memorable.“

“It's a quaint little restaurant. I like going here because I love looking at the bay and the boats. The food is alright and the service is usually pretty good. It's not a fancy place, but it has a decent, casual atmosphere. Overall, it's one of my favorite casual places to get a burger or fish and chips.“

“Love the Bellingham Cider Company! Amazing food, service, of course Cider and atmosphere! Some of my faves are the chicken and waffles🔥. Pork belly / mozzarella dish for appis and their new chicken burger is insane!

Prices are the very best in town for the quality food you receive! They are always adding new seasonal dishes and their cider slushies are so bomb on a hot day! Will be back soon.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Estelle has the look: a dim, French-kissed jazz bar where the lights are low, the cocktails whisper Paris, and the promise of a perfect night hangs in the air. When the kitchen hits, it’s sublime—the kind of meal that makes you swear you’ve found the best table in Whatcom County.

But consistency kills the romance. One visit it’s magic; the next the bread’s dry, the meat soggy, the service indifferent. At the prices they charge, that roulette gets old fast.

Go when you’re feeling lucky and want a little Parisian smoke with your gamble. Just know the house doesn’t always win—and neither will you.“

“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.“

“Back of house knows what they are doing. When they make a special, it’s always good. However, Irish nachos used to be made with sliced potatoes. Now, it’s made with tater tots. Cheesecake used to be made in-house, basque style. Now, it’s store-bought.“

“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“

“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.“

“The Temple Bar has such a unique charm that truly sets it apart from other spots in Bellingham. What really makes this place special is the staff—they bring an atmosphere and pizzazz that you just don’t find elsewhere. You allow them to be themselves, and that freedom shines through in their energy, making the whole experience feel genuine and memorable.

One suggestion that could make it even better: consider letting the staff create a “menu item of the week.” Giving them the opportunity to contribute a special dish would not only add some fun variation, but it would also showcase their creativity and individuality. Take Kristy, for example—she has this mysterious yet deeply caring and intelligent vibe. I’d love to see what kind of special she might dream up.

We really missed you all during the week you were closed—it just wasn’t the same without you. So glad to see you back in action. Keep doing what you do best!“

“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“

“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!!!“

“I always stop here when travelling; the food and the staff are lovely; they always put me in a good mood.“

“I just went for a snacks. Good“

“My mom is a SOLID Miller Lite drinker. She requested this beercation. Boundary Bay was her sixth brewery around town & she declared her beer the best she's had. We've ate @ several breweries as well. She also found the Banh Mi. her favorite meal. THANKS to Brian, Madison & Brronty for the great service! Especially Madison helping w the parking meter. Cheers!!“

“First ever time playing poker in a casino environment and it was amazing !!! As a younger lady its really hard to break through the ceiling most card spaces have, not only to play but even just to learn. I appreciate the dealers, staff, and security greatly and can’t wait to play again soon! ❤️🫶🎰“

“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!*“

“Always Great, Do you like fish?? FRIDAY ONLY & the best in town light & crunchie lots of fish aReal treat, A real hamburger & as big as you want. A couple you'll wish ya would've saved some for later . A happy busy crew .“

“Great location for a restaurant serving American food; we had the halibut and ahi tacos, steak, and chips queso;
Tacos were good but overall serving size was small; fries were good but not crispy enough
Friendly staff and good views of the docks“

“My wife and I love Shari's and stopped by the one in Bellingham because we knew we would find delicious food and great service (as usual)...but the young lady who waited on us, Morgan was EXCEPTIONAL! Made us feel like we were right at home and checked back on us to be sure we had everything we needed. This is an example of an employee that goes the extra step in customer service. We will be back, again, again & again! And thanks Morgan for boxing up our Marionberry Pie to take home. What a treat. Thank You. Stan & Kathy Stevens🥰“

“Very good drink’s & food was delicious and the service was great. I o my wish we could move table together to be able to sit closer together 🤷🏻‍♀️“

“I always stop here when travelling; the food and the staff are lovely; they always put me in a good mood.“

“Food is excellent drinks are fantastic. John is a outstanding mixologest. Know you'll be happy if you go there.“

“Our wait staff was so helpful and friendly. Had the place to ourselves, The burgers and fries were indeed very tasty. However, ya gotta admit - $21 burgers are rather outrageous. ... then, I suppose that's late-stage-capitalism for you!?!“

“I can't give this place 5 stars since I feel like the food quality without being bad or low change a little bit and it's not the same as it was a few years ago. The prices went up just like every single restaurant or bar and the portions are decent but the quality of the ( burger meat at least) was not the same anymore making it pretty similar to the decent burgers anywhere else but nothing outstanding (and they were) Ice cream it was surprisingly creamy and delicious and without being very expensive I rather explore other restaurants for burgers.“

“This is a very fun place to go bowling. They have alot of lanes, a large arcade, a separate bar for adults, bumpers and ball slide for youngsters, a concession stand with shakes, electronic scoring, and a super friendly staff. I highly recommend it.“

“This was one of the best IHOP's we have ever been to. We were in the area looking for a breakfast place and came upon it. The server we had (female...I wish I remembered her name) was absolutely spectacular. She had the best personality and superior customer service. The restaurant was extremely clean and well managed. Our food was cooked perfectly and was delicious. I highly recommend this IHOP!“