breakfasts
One for each day of the week.
Half a block from Hotel Leo, the Little Cheerful serves an excellent breakfast in a lively environment. Their hashbrowns, pancakes, and egg dishes are all delicious, with good portions. If you are looking for a quiet place for breakfast, this isn't it. You'll love it here if you like good coffee and food and a cheerful, packed downtown eatery.
The Horseshoe Cafe has been serving up hearty American comfort food and stiff drinks since 1886. Happily, their food has recently made a marked improvement and features meats from Carne, our hometown butcher shop, and is so good, we're still adjusting to this new reality. Fortunately, their classic diner look from the mid-century is unchanged and offers all the detail and features you'd hope for. You can easily imagine the waitresses with uniforms and beehive hairdos. While the staff has been updated along with the food, they still offer diner coffee only. The Ranch Room, their bar, is just a classic dive, perfectly lit and situated for a stop anytime of day or night. Great late scene here many nights.
The Old Town Cafe is in contention for Bellingham's best breakfast, and it's been this way for decades. This Old Town eatery is about as Bellingham-y as you can get. Casual and comfortable, they serve great breakfasts and lunches in a warm and inviting atmosphere, with plenty of good coffee and espresso, the best chai in town, homemade potato and egg dishes, pastries, sandwiches and sides. Back in the day, this was THE hippie restaurant in Bellingham, and a good bit of that laid back feel is still present (but with much better food). All-natural, local, and organic products are used and Old Town makes all its pastries on-site with whole-wheat flour and unrefined sweeteners. You’ll find plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, too. But this is no longer bean sprout central, as they offer hearty Hempler's bacon and sausage, locally-processed albacore tuna, and a naturally-raised grass-fed beef burger.
Mount Bakery Downtown (3 blocks)
We go to the Mount Bakery as often as possible to pick up a just-baked ham and cheese croissant and a double-short Americano to go. When we have more time, we love to sit in their cafe and order any number of great breakfast or lunch options AND a ham and cheese croissant. This little bakery cafe has a dedication to quality bistro and bakery food, and you can taste it. The atmosphere is charming and pleasant in their compact dining room. Be prepared to wait for a table on a Saturday or Sunday morning, but good things are worth the wait.
Mount Bakery Fairhaven (2.5 miles)
Mount Bakery's Fairhaven location has all the excellent breakfasts and lunches their downtown location features but in a more spacious dining room. Pop in to get Belgian-inspired baked goods along with an espresso, or dine in for their much-loved eggs Benedict or Belgian waffles. Their breakfast and lunch menu feature good variety and fresh local ingredients. You may need to exercise patience while it's busy though, as good things take time.
Harris Avenue Cafe (2.5 miles)
For years we have highly recommended Harris Avenue Cafe for breakfast to our guests. Within the charming brick walls of the 1890s Terminal Building, Harris Avenue Cafe is adjoined with the storied coffeeshop and former roastery of Tony's Coffee. Their brick-back patio is a pleasant sun-dappled outdoor eating experience. Delicious for omnivores and vegetarians alike, Harris's fare includes omelets, waffles, pancakes, potato specialties, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pastries baked in-house daily. Harris Avenue features locally-grown produce, Breadfarm Bread, and locally made Hempler’s meat and sausage.