50 Best American Restaurants in Bellingham

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

“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!!“

“This is my favorite restaurant in Washington. From the atmosphere to the food, everything is 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.“

“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.“

“Amazing vegetarian/vegan friendly options! The “vegetarian plate” is incredible (There must be magic in the sauce she uses) with all my favorite fresh veggies to choose from!
Not hungry for a big meal? Do yourself a favor and pick up some brown sugar sesame balls and spring rolls! Very reasonably priced and always hot out the fryer. My favorite comfort food!
I always get fabulous service with a smile from the lady who works there. It brightens my day. She works tirelessly and is there often, so I presume this is a small business/vendor and NOT a chain or cooperation.
The value for your $$$ is great and you got tons of food! Go check it out!

Vegetarian options: Lots of room for meal customization! Can be made vegan too! Also tons of gluten free options“

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

“I was expecting lame diner food, as we were only here cause it's the oldest restaurant.
But the food was great. Even the tots have effort in them with some herbs and something else in there. I got the chicken fried chicken with a side biscuit and it was banging. Flavorful moist chicken breast with a crispy crust.
Queso is passable, but I grew up in Texas so I am pretty biased.“

“Good portion sizes, great service, and a great atmosphere make this place a good experience. I had the biscuits and gravy 2 hard eggs, bacon and a pancake. The biscuits were soft and fresh, the country gravy was good but the sausage in it was basically bland and tasteless it was so mild. The eggs cooked to perfection and the pancake was large and filling. My favorite part was the maple syrup... it was rich and buttery rather than overly sweet like so many maple syrups can be. The server was smiling and energetic though busy. She was attentive and prompt. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful in an open floor plan with a bar in the center. I recommend this place. I want to go back and try the lunch menu next.“

“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 🍨“

“Always good for a preflight cocktail“

“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!!“

“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“

“Amazing!! i am a breakfast superfan, and my chicken fried steak was awesome. seasoning was just right, not greasy or dry, and had a goid chew. The coffee was lovely, and the staff was attentive but not annoying. I'll be back!“

“Brandywine Kitchen nails it—local, fresh, and full of soul. The sandwiches? Phenomenal. The fries? Crispy golden miracles. The house sauces? Next level. You can taste the care in every bite.

Whether you’re grabbing a hearty lunch or settling in for a casual dinner, this spot delivers comfort food with craft-level execution. Bonus points for the warm, welcoming vibe and a menu that honors seasonal ingredients without being pretentious.

This place makes Bellingham proud. Go hungry, leave smiling.“

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

“This restaurant is right on the water and proves a beautiful view of the bay.

My favorite things about this place is how delicious their House Ranch is with those steak fries!

The waiters have always been spot on and it is one of my favorite places to dine out.“

“Hot dogs were delicious, I called the place because we just had one item that didn’t get placed on the big order . The owner/manager made it right for us and was very kind and sincere. Girlfriend and me will
Be back for late night dates❤️“

“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.“

“Stopped by for dinner after the FIG's Free Friday with 'wooden trains'. Had the flight of ciders and especially liked the Cranberry as well as the Raspberry & Rhubab. The 'Dry' cider is a great palate cleanser to appreciate the subtle flavors of the rest. The pork chop was moist and paired well with the cabbage and spaetzle - and the cider, of course. My wife liked the IPA and the clam chowder. The kohlrabi salad was okay - a bit too much rocket and a bit spare on kohlrabi. The vegan burger is actually an 'impossible burger' - which isn't the same thing and doesn't appeal (it was out anyway.) Looking forward to returning to try the Angus burger next time.“

“They are wonderfully talented and all around nice guys! Everyone had a blast listening to them play in Belize!“

“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“

“Always a great time at Estelle's but tonight I was moved to write a review as everything was just over the top - probably due to the new owner Davis' touch! Food, cocktails, wine, ambiance, service (thanks Tatiana for being such a fun part of our evening 😉)❣️
We had the best french fries outside of France with our cocktails (negroni and a manhattan - hats off to Ray the mixologist) followed by the beet salad, roasted carrots, and black cod! We wish we had room for Tatiana's special dessert but our hands were tied - too full! We couldn't ask for a better evening on all counts! Can't wait to return Sunday during Ski to Sea and try Nadine's empanadas! What a gem and how lucky we are to have Estelle in our town 🙏“

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

“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“

“I just went for a snacks. Good“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“I heard that the Elk burger was the best burger in Bellingham so I was eager to give it a try. Turns out it just might be. It was super thick and cooked consistently all the way through. Nice and lean but also super tender. The crispy bacon was a perfect addition. One surprise was that the side of beef chili I had with it was amazing, very flavorful, and made it difficult for me to decide which I liked best.“

“I recently visited Bellingham Bar and Grill during their happy hour, which runs from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. The happy hour steak and shrimp were absolutely delicious, and the house Cabernet complemented the meal perfectly. The happy hour prices are incredible, offering great value for such high-quality food and drinks. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the staff is attentive and friendly. I will definitely be back to enjoy more of their offerings!“

“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.“

“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!*“

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

“We visited during Western’s Family Weekend and we thought we’d be waiting for a while but they are so efficient that there was barely any wait when we arrived. I had the black bean hash and it was delicious! My husband had the chicken and biscuits and he loved it too. The service was great too.“

“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! ❤️🫶🎰“

“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!!!“

“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!!“

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

“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 🤷🏻‍♀️“

“Very good, and quick spot to eat. Probably the best fried pickles I’ve ever had, and the onions rings were quite good too. I enjoyed my burger but stomach didn’t appreciate it for some reason. The weird French fries were tasty! Our service was great, our server was a really nice guy and very accommodating to a large table of loud laughing ladies.“

“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“

“We came here for the first time for my son. The young man tends to order 3 patty burgers and he loves his sweet potato fries. Well, this got expensive quick. So with a drink, the total hit $29.80 including tip. I can appreciate the quality of the product but I was not expecting to pay this much for his meal. I would say if you can stick to the standard fries, fountain drink and cheeseburger, you can probably keep it around $21 not including tip. The restaurant was clean and the staff was friendly. I would encourage you to give them a try if you're not on a tight budget.“

“Really enjoyed it.
There are some not so good ihop locations, but this one is great.
The service was fast and friendly.
The food was fresh, portions were good, everything tasted really nice.
The burger was extraordinary and juicy.
Really nice location if you’re driving around and need a good sized nice bite of food.“

“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.“

“Perfect big big portions of food every time I come with friends I leave a tip or let them keep the change but this one time I didn't have enough money I was 5 dollars short and they paid for it! Definitely a must go if you haven't gone already

Vegetarian options: Fake burgers made of vegetables

Kid-friendliness: Always welcome kids“

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

“Having frequented this place regularly in the past several months, I have always been satisfied with the quality, quantity and reasonable prices. The service has always been very prompt and friendly. What more can one ask? Keep it up, Shari's!“