5 Best Restaurants in Bellingham, Washington to Try

With a backdrop of glaciered peaks and the waters of Bellingham Bay, this progressive small city has a food scene that’s both down-to-earth and quietly dazzling.

From farm-sourced breakfasts to global street food, Bellingham’s restaurants reflect the local reverence for community, creativity, and the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

1. Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

The beating heart of Bellingham, Boundary Bay’s massive beer hall, brew tanks, and dog-friendly beer garden are always packed—cyclists, professors, families, and artists all gather here for award-winning ales and hearty comfort eats.

Try the salmon BLT, mac and cheese stuffed with Beecher’s cheese, and smoked brisket nachos.

There’s an event nearly every night, from bluegrass jams to trivia, and staff wear “Bellingham proud” on their sleeves.

2. Keenan’s at the Pier

For special occasions and serious water views, Keenan’s serves up creative Pacific seafood—oysters on the half shell, Dungeness crab cakes, black cod with miso glaze, and duck breast with cherry reduction.

The wall of windows lets in both mountain and sea, while service finds the perfect balance between white-tablecloth polish and northwest ease.

3. Homeskillet

A Technicolor breakfast shack, Homeskillet’s line snakes around the block most weekends.

Plates come piled high: huevos rancheros, deep-fried potato pancakes, loaded breakfast burritos, and French toast blanketed in berries.

The slogans (“Eat Like You Mean It”) and offbeat mural art set the playful tone, and the wait is part of the fun.

4. D’Anna’s Cafe Italiano

A down-home Italian kitchen—think: lasagna with mile-high layers, thick linguine with sweet sausage, garlic bread so good it ought to be illegal, and cannoli to end all cannoli.

Friendly, old-school servers move with lightning speed between family tables and couples lingering over house Chianti.

Portions feed both college students and date night crowds, and the open kitchen’s energy is contagious.

5. Cafe Rumba

Since opening as a Peruvian food truck, Rumba has become Bellingham’s spot for rotisserie chicken, tangy ceviche, fried yuca, and saucy beef saltado.

The green aji sauce is the stuff of legend, and families, students, and in-the-know travelers all fill up the turquoise dining room.

For lunch, try the monstrous sandwiches—Peruvian-style turkey, sweet potato, and avocado.