10 can’t-miss Bellingham restaurants to visit during Ski to Sea — breweries, seafood and more

Alyse Smith

Bellingham has a busy weekend ahead, as both the Ski to Sea relay race and the Memorial Day holiday will bring many visitors and Whatcom County locals alike to Bellingham.

To help you enjoy the busy weekend, the Bellingham Herald has put together a list of 10 Bellingham restaurants for you to try, that are known for their delicious food and local flavors.

Kulshan Brewery Trackside Beer Garden

Kulshan Brewing Co’s Trackside Beer Garden in Bellingham, Wash. reopens May 3, 2024 for the summer season.
Kulshan Brewing Co’s Trackside Beer Garden in Bellingham, Wash. reopens May 3, 2024 for the summer season.

▪ The beer garden is in The Portal Container Village, which features a variety of local food trucks to pair with Kulshan’s beer on tap inside the beer garden.

▪ Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

▪ 298 W Laurel St.

The Penny Farthing

Penny Farthing Bar & Restaurant at Chuckanut Bay Distillery on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 1309 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, Wash.
Penny Farthing Bar & Restaurant at Chuckanut Bay Distillery on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 1309 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, Wash.

▪ Menu highlights: whiskey queso dip, grilled chicken pesto flatbread, cast iron Catalan shrimp, gnocchi mac and cheese, filet sliders, bourbon crab bisque, craft cocktails and beer.

▪ Open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

▪ 1309 Cornwall Ave.

Black Sheep

Black Sheep restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 211 W Holly St. Bellingham, Wash.
Black Sheep restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 211 W Holly St. Bellingham, Wash.

▪ Menu highlights: chimichangas, fish tacos, lamb pozole, pork belly tacos, cocktails and breakfast burritos.

▪ Open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

▪ 211 W Holly St.

The Birch Door Cafe

The Birch Door Cafe in Bellingham, Wash. on January 25, 2023. The cafe won The Bellingham Herald’s reader poll for the best brunch in Whatcom County.
The Birch Door Cafe in Bellingham, Wash. on January 25, 2023. The cafe won The Bellingham Herald’s reader poll for the best brunch in Whatcom County.

▪ Menu highlights: apples and cinnamon pancakes, blueberry lemon cobbler French toast, corned beef hash, omelettes, cajun turkey melt, mushroom swiss burger, beer and wine.

▪ Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

▪ 4192 Meridian St.

Scotty Browns

The inside of the new space of Scotty Browns restaurant in Barkley Village near the movie theater in Bellingham, Wash. The restaurant officially opened on Friday, May 7, 2021.
The inside of the new space of Scotty Browns restaurant in Barkley Village near the movie theater in Bellingham, Wash. The restaurant officially opened on Friday, May 7, 2021.

▪ Menu highlights: sesame ginger gyoza, smokehouse burger, tiki tuna poke bowl, spicy crispy chicken sandwich, fish and chips, steak and pasta, tuna roll, cocktails, baked carrot cake, wine and beer.

▪ Open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

▪ 2130 Premier Way, Suite 101.

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

Boundary Bay Brewery on Tuesday, May 10, in Bellingham.
Boundary Bay Brewery on Tuesday, May 10, in Bellingham.

▪ Menu highlights: beer, grilled fish tacos, mac & cheese, lamb burger, pesto salmon sandwich, Caesar salad, creme brulee.

▪ Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

▪ 1107 Railroad Ave.

Skylark’s Cafe

Skylark’s Hidden Cafe’s antique wooden bar area in Bellingham, Wash. on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.
Skylark’s Hidden Cafe’s antique wooden bar area in Bellingham, Wash. on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.

▪ Menu highlights: country fried steak, crab cake Benedict, banana bread French toast, Dungeness crab cakes, French dip, avocado chicken burger, New York strip steak, garlic fettuccine alfredo with prawns, chocolate espresso cheesecake, cocktails, wine and beer.

▪ Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

▪ 1308 11th St.

Keenan’s at the Pier

View of the sunset and Bellingham Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from the bar in Keenan’s at the Pier in Bellingham.
View of the sunset and Bellingham Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from the bar in Keenan’s at the Pier in Bellingham.

▪ Menu highlights: eggs Benedict, blackened fish tacos, fish and chips, Bahn mi, Keenan’s burger, lemon herb chicken, salmon, creme brulee, cocktails, beer and wine.

▪ Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

▪ Inside The Chrysalis Inn & Spa at 804 10th St.

The Black Cat

The large, old windows and high ceilings at the Black Cat restaurant in Fairhaven at 1200 Harris Ave Ste 310 in Bellingham, Wash.
The large, old windows and high ceilings at the Black Cat restaurant in Fairhaven at 1200 Harris Ave Ste 310 in Bellingham, Wash.

▪ Menu highlights: fried oysters, beer battered cod tacos, mac and cheese, fried chicken and bacon sandwich, gouda chicken, Belgian chocolate torte, cocktails, wine and beer.

▪ Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

▪ 1200 Harris Ave Ste 310.

Fiamma Burger

Fiamma Burger restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 1309 Railroad Ave. Bellingham, Wash.
Fiamma Burger restaurant on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham at 1309 Railroad Ave. Bellingham, Wash.

▪ Menu highlights: bacon cheeseburger, green chile cheeseburger, lamb burger, pesto chicken sandwich, salmon burger, poutine, garlic fries and milkshakes.

▪ Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

▪ 1309 Railroad Ave.

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