Historic Fairhaven Village in Bellingham, WA, certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to food and beverages. Fairhaven is actually where most of our top favorite places to eat are located! From incredible dinner spots to cozy sandwich cafes to amazing bakeries and cocktail bars, there's something for everyone in this cozy Gilmore Girls town. We haven’t eaten at every single place in Fairhaven yet, but we’re working on it, and as we do, I will update this list below. In the meantime, below you’ll find the best places to get breakfast, lunch, dinner, treats, and drinks.

The best places to get breakfast in Fairhaven

Grab some fresh pastries from Iron Rooster Bakery for breakfast

We had heard so many good things about this bakery, so we couldn’t wait to visit. Iron Rooster Bakery is an artisanal bakery producing the finest hand-made pastries, croissants, cakes, and French-inspired fare. The owners of the Iron Rooster are Miran and Fred Schang. They’re originally from the East Coast and decided to leave in 2016 for Washington State. Miran was classically trained by the French Culinary Institute in New York and has experience working in fine restaurants, bakeries, and catering kitchens. Their hand-shaped croissants are of the highest quality and are the foundation from which everything else blooms at Iron Rooster. They use the best chocolates from Europe to create their pain au chocolat, cakes, and ganache. I’m such a sucker for a good croissant and cheese danish, so I was beyond excited to try their pastries. The thing you need to know about Iron Rooster is that you’ve gotta be there early because they do sell out of a lot later in the day. They’re only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, and before 8:00 am, there will absolutely be a line forming.

We ended up getting a butter croissant, pain au chocolat, rooster roll, a blueberry danish, and a chocolate cinnamon snail. They were all delicious, especially the danish and croissants, but the rooster roll was extra unique, with it being sweet and savory. I don’t even know how to explain it, but it was good, and I recommend grabbing one when you visit. I will say that the pastries are fairly expensive, ranging from around $5 to $8, but if you’re willing to splurge, it’s worth it. I ordered a small latte, and it was fine, but it took a long time to receive it. We ended up getting our pastry order very quickly and then had to wait about 15 minutes for just my small coffee. Next time we visit, I will probably just grab coffee quickly from somewhere else and stick to pastries only at Iron Rooster. The bakery is a grab-and-go where you order at a window, then they call your name when your order is ready, so keep that in mind. It is located right across the street from the Fairhaven Green, which has numerous benches to sit on and enjoy your pastries, or you can take them back home.

Start the morning slowly with breakfast at Magdalena's Creperie

I love starting the morning with a sit-down breakfast. Honestly, it might be my favorite meal of the day. Magdalena’s is a great little cafe to spend some time in, especially when they put their cute patio tables outside during the late spring, summer, and early fall. I’ve sipped many bellinis outside, and people watched at Magdalena’s. We started with coffee and some fresh-squeezed mint lemonade, both of which were yummy. Typically, when we get crêpes, we go for one sweet and one savory and eat half, then switch. However, this time we were both feeling sweet, and oh my gosh, were they sweet and absolutely delicious. Andrew had the number 6, which is rich Belgian chocolate paired with caramelized brûlée banana topped with fresh whipped cream, and I had the number 7, which is ricotta, blueberry lavender compote, fresh berries, and mascarpone cream cheese. I’ve had the number 7 multiple times, and it’s pretty much my go-to because of the flavor and how they roll it up and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to check their chalkboard near the door for their daily specials, too. We’ve had some great savory crêpes from the daily special list before. The inside is relatively small, so I recommend getting there when they open, or close to 9:00 am on Thursday and Friday, or 8:30 am on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to breakfast, Magdalena’s is known for their hand crafted pierogies, soups, and sandwiches.

Stuff your face with a giant cinnamon roll at Mount Bakery Cafe

Mount Bakery Cafe has two locations in Bellingham, with one being downtown and the other in Fairhaven. They are known for their giant and delectable cinnamon rolls and their drool-worthy eggs benedicts. Mount Bakery kinda gives that elevated diner vibe with your favorite basics such as biscuits and gravy and a classic breakfast platter, plus more new age dishes such as sweet and savory crêpes and the aforementioned eggs benedicts. What’s also great about this place is that you can even pop in just for a cinnamon roll, scone, or croissant and a cup of coffee.

The best places to get lunch in Fairhaven

Enjoy a cozy lunch at Colophon Cafe

If you’re looking for a cozy cafe with great food and bottomless Arnold Palmers, then look no further than Colophon Cafe. This perfect lunch spot is connected to Village Books and Drizzle, making it very easily accessible from quite literally every angle haha! We end up here when family and friends visit, on my birthday, or honestly any time we’re at Village Books. From their creative, award-winning soups to the freshest salads and sandwiches to savory quiches and pot pies to their decadent desserts and delicious beverages, they aspire to bring you a delicious meal any time of day, but it’s our GO-TO for lunch. They actually have one of my all-time favorite sandwiches, the Village Turkey. This sandwich is piled high with turkey breast, Swiss, aioli, Dijon, greens, and tomato, but I get it without tomato and then ask for cranberry sauce on the side. Oh my gosh, I’m drooling just thinking about this sandwich. Be sure to check out their rotating pastries and cookies at the front, and I’ve heard their peanut butter pie is great, so I really need to try it next time.

Head over to Övn for some of the best pizza in Fairhaven

One of our go-to spots for lunch and for pizza in Fairhaven has to be Övn Wood Fired Pizza. We were recommended Övn when we first moved to the area in 2022, and it’s basically been a staple for us ever since. They have unique wood-fired pizzas that are just absolutely delicious. My favorites are the Maplesmith, which includes caramelized onions, mozzarella, Granny Smith apples, bacon, ricotta, lemon zest, and maple syrup, and the Sebba, which includes olive oil, marinated figs, mozzarella, smoked prosciutto, blue cheese, arugula, and balsamic glaze. Also, you can’t go wrong with their basic margarita pizza. We just love the overall vibe of the place, but it is fairly small and pretty popular for dinners, so be sure to get there early or go for lunch like we typically do. We actually prefer lunch because they have great specials: an 8-inch personal pizza and a house salad for just $18. Andrew likes to upgrade his salad to their kale salad for a couple of dollars more because it’s SO good!

Grab lunch in an iconic bookstore

You’ll find a lovely little cafe on the third floor of Village Books called Next Chapter Cafe. It’s a combination of Bry's Filipino Cuisine and It's the Sweet Things, both of which have their own spaces downtown. Some of my favorites to get are the Chicken Avocado Ciabatta sandwich (which they pile high with meat), their pumpkin cheesecake (in the fall), and any of their seasonal drinks (they’re always SO good). They have an area with tables where you can sit and eat while enjoying a great view of downtown Fairhaven and even crack open your latest read.

The best places to get dinner in Fairhaven

Enjoy a delightful dinner at Estelle

Estelle is the place for an incredible date night with your significant other, friends, or family. It’s Bellingham's destination for creative cocktails, thoughtfully crafted plates, and a warm, vintage-inspired dining room that truly makes every visit feel like a special occasion. The last time we dined at Estelle for dinner, we opted for the bartender’s choice cocktails, where they create a cocktail based on the vibes you’re feeling and flavors you’re craving. I told our server I was in the mood for a drink that tasted like berries and cream, and ended up with a raspberry gin fizz that was to die for. I slurped that drink up so fast it was actually dangerous! Andrew told our server he loves whiskey drinks and would love any kind of whiskey cocktail, and they brought him a bell pepper whiskey sour, which he loved! We’ve been to many mixology-type bars that do this, so when we saw this option on the menu, we knew we HAD to try it out, and it was well worth it.

For starters, we had the bread, which I would say was too expensive for what it was, at $5 per roll. Then we had the roasted carrots, which I need again ASAP because they were incredible! The carrots are in coconut-date sauce, with shallot, carrot top, and Calabrian chili, and the flavors were spectacular. For mains, we had the steak frites, which was good - definitely what you expected at a French-inspired restaurant, but the star of the show was the duck, which was cooked perfectly and with the seasonal flavors and kimchi underneath, wow. I’ve had a lot of duck, but never served this way with these flavors. Dare I say it might be my favorite way to eat duck now? Their menu does change seasonally, so I’ll be hoping they bring this version of the duck dish back, but I’m sure it’s delicious in every season. Then, you can’t say no to dessert at a restaurant like this, and I’m so glad we didn’t because the panna cotta they offer is 12/10. The panna cotta was coconut with passion fruit and tequila-infused mango and jalapeño and HOLY MOLY. The flavors were perfect. It reminded me of the panna cotta we had at Carnal way back when! If you know, you know. Overall, we will be back, and you’ve gotta put Estelle on your list of dinner spots, but do know it is a splurge dinner, but again, SO worth it.

Get dinner and drinks at The Black Cat

The Black Cat is located on the 3rd floor of the old-world historic Sycamore Square building and offers a warm and welcoming charm, accented by exposed brick, original hardwood floors, and oversized windows showcasing views of Fairhaven & Bellingham Bay. It’s a wonderful place for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and we partake in all three fairly often. Their American bistro-style menu has something for everyone, literally. From Nana’s Pot Roast, Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese, and Beef Stroganoff to French Onion Soup and salads, they’ve got such a diverse menu. We take everyone who visits us here because of our love of the food, views, vibes, drinks, and the fact that it’s located in such a cool historic building.

For brunch, I love their fried chicken & waffles, biscuits & gravy, Dungeness crab cake eggs benedict, and their house bloody mary. When it comes to dinner, oh man, I’ve got a ton of favorites. We like to start with the Dungeness crab cakes, bacon-balsamic Brussels sprouts, and tempura-fried green beans (they are some of the best things ever)! For cocktails, they do a wonderful job! I love getting drinks from their staple cocktail menu, like an amaretto sour with egg white, but I have also had them make me something like a watermelon Moscow mule with a Tajin rim before. The entrée options are vast, but some of my go-to staples are Nana’s pot roast, beef stroganoff, fish & chips, the French dip, French onion soup, and the signature cheeseburger. I highly recommend making reservations on their website or by calling, as it gets extremely busy due to its popularity with locals and visitors.

The best places to get little sweet treats in Fairhaven

Walk to Sweet Haven for a little sweet treat

We love stopping into Sweet Haven for their caramel apples, French macarons, and the magical Oreo cheesecake. I’ve had Oreo before, but there is just something about this one that is so much better. Maybe it’s the richness of the chocolate crust or the Oreo pieces in the cheesecake itself; I’m not sure, but man, if you like Oreo, you MUST get a slice. They have a ton of options for every sweet treat, girlie pop, which is awesome because everyone can find their fix, including a cup of coffee if that’s how you indulge. The overall aesthetic and vibe of the shop is just adorable, too, with its aqua-colored walls and green velvet chairs. You just feel so cute eating your dessert in this charming shop.

Cool off with some Sirena Gelato

We’ve been to Sirena Gelato a couple of times and really like it! I love that I can get a tiny little cup and then walk around downtown with it. We always feel like Rory and Lorelai walking in Stars Hollow with their ice cream when we go here and then walk around. I love their dark chocolate flavor as well as their hazelnut flavor. If you want to stay and enjoy your gelato, they have tables and benches inside.

The best places to get cocktails & beers in Fairhaven

Grab an afternoon cocktail at Southside Bar

Grabbing a cocktail and relaxing a bit is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours. Southside Bar is a local favorite because of its overall vibe and, of course, the cocktails. During the nice weather months, they open up their patio, and it’s such a nice place to hang out, people-watch, and enjoy the gorgeous Washington weather. Southside Bar is the sister bar to downtown Bellingham’s Jack’s Bar, which we also love and highly recommend. Both give that moody, intimate feel, with Jack’s having a little darker vibe we love before or after dinner, whereas Southside we love to visit during the afternoon or even right before dinner. At Southside, they make great cocktails with whiskey sours and amaretto sours being our personal favorites, but they also have local beers and ciders if that’s more your thing.

Enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails at Galloway’s

Galloway’s Cocktail Bar is a lovely Art Deco themed cocktail bar connected to Fairhaven Village Inn and a must-visit while in Fairhaven because of its unique and delicious cocktails and light bites. The inside is perfect for conversations with friends and family, or even for a solo date with a book, thanks to its dim lighting and comfortable atmosphere. They have various little corners to escape to with a delicious cocktail in hand. When you first walk in, you gotta take a peek at their special board with their bartender’s choice cocktail for that evening. They’re usually what I end up ordering because they’re unique and sound delicious. Once, they had a mole (traditional Mexican sauce made from a blend of chiles, spices, nuts, seeds, and fruits) margarita that was SO freaking delicious. I still think about that drink years later. I believe each Fairhaven Village Inn guest gets a complimentary cocktail or mocktail at Galloway’s, which is a nice little perk.

Regarding food, we love getting some light bites when we’re at a cocktail lounge, and this particular place has some good options. We’ve tried the baked Brie, charcuterie plate, stuffed jalapeños, and the olives, and I would absolutely get them all again - especially the charcuterie board that comes with salami, prosciutto, pistachios, olives, apples, pepper jelly, and some crackers. They also have a happy hour menu with discounted food items as well, and that’s the baked brie we love, with, I believe, pesto on top and served with apples and bread. I will mention that the food items on the happy hour menu are smaller than the normal menu food items, but honestly, we love it because we end up ordering two to three things to snack on and try, versus just one entree or shareable. In addition to their main inside area, they also have a patio space outside that’s great for sunny days when you can enjoy the gorgeous Washington weather.

Head over to one of our go-to breweries

Stone’s Throw Brewing Company has been a staple for us since moving to Washington in 2022. It feels as though they’re always throwing some sort of block party or event, which is so cool. We love some live music and even more food trucks than they usually have at their block parties. Even when they’re not throwing a block party, you’re sure to have a wonderful time walking from downtown to sit out and grab a beer, cider, or even some frosé. We love trying food from the various food trucks they have daily, and the last time we went, we had awesome Filipino food from That’s What I Like! Island Grill. I highly recommend their Chicken Lumpia with the sweet chili sauce.

Spend an evening gaming at 1-Up Lounge

1-Up Lounge is Bellingham’s first and only console arcade and cocktail lounge you’ll absolutely want to visit. We actually stumbled into this bar one evening after eating at Black Cat and were so glad we did, because we are huge nerds who love to play games, and the cocktails were actually delicious. I say "actually" because I guess I just wasn’t expecting a bomb cocktail from a barcade, but damn, was I wrong. I got the Song of Storms cocktail, which is just vodka, apple pucker, and Sprite, but it was great! What’s really fun are the names of some of their cocktails. My favorites being the Yoshi’s Island Iced Tea, Dratini Martini, Zelda’s Lullaby, and Princess Peach. They have tables for board games, consoles for playing video games, and pinball machines, which I personally love and could play for hours. Overall, highly recommend an evening at 1-Up Lounge. They do allow children until 7:00 PM, so if you want a no-kids vibe like most barcades, go after 7:00 PM.

Have you eaten at any of these places? Where are your favorites to go in Fairhaven?

THE BEST PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN FAIRHAVEN VILLAGE IN BELLINGHAM, WA