Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in the Bellingham Area by Diners

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Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Bellingham area by diners

Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all about cutting-edge culinary experiences.

Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, French Laundry, unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.

Between the rise of chefs' tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.

With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Bellingham area using data from . Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.

Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of June 25, 2025.

Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!

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#29. Jalapeños Family Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.3/5 (226 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 501 West Holly St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Mexican, Lounges
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#28. Horseshoe Cafe

- Rating: 3.4/5 (221 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 113 East Holly St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Diners, Bars, New American
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#27. Scotty Browns Barkley Village

- Rating: 3.5/5 (280 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2130 Premier Way Ste 101 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Bars, New American, Burgers
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#26. Lighthouse Bar & Grill

- Rating: 3.5/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1 Bellwether Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch
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#25. Fat Shack

- Rating: 3.5/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 414 West Bakerview Road Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Burgers, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
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#24. Oishii Teriyaki & Rolls

- Rating: 3.5/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 424 West Bakerview Road Ste 101 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Desserts
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#23. Boomer's Drive In

- Rating: 3.6/5 (562 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 310 North Samish Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Burgers, Salad, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
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#22. Anthony's Hearthfire Grill – Squalicum Harbor

- Rating: 3.6/5 (315 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7 Bellwether Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, American
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#21. The Archer Ale House

- Rating: 3.6/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1212 10th St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Pubs, New American, Seafood
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#20. Leader Block Wine & Eatery

- Rating: 3.7/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2026 Main St. Ferndale, Washington
- Categories: Wine Bars, Italian, Cocktail Bars
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#19. Nicki's Bella Marina

- Rating: 3.7/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2615 South Harbor Lp Drive Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Fish & Chips, Burgers, American
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#18. Anthony's Restaurant

- Rating: 3.7/5 (325 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 25 Bellwether Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Seafood
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#17. Lombardi's Italian Restaurant

- Rating: 3.7/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 21 Bellwether Way Ste 112 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
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#16. Magdalena's Creperie

- Rating: 3.8/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1200 10th St. Ste 103 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Creperies, Polish
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#15. Wanida Thai Cuisine

- Rating: 3.9/5 (302 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1213 Dupont St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Thai
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#14. Boundary Bay Brewing

- Rating: 3.9/5 (1131 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1107 Railroad Ave. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Pubs, Breweries, American
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#13. El Agave Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 207 North Samish Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Mexican
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#12. Northwater

- Rating: 4.0/5 (181 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4260 Mitchell Way Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: American, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
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#11. The Fork At Agate Bay

- Rating: 4.0/5 (310 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2530 North Shore Road Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Tapas/Small Plates
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#10. Pho Ly

- Rating: 4.0/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4151 Meridian St. Ste 113 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Vietnamese
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#9. Keenan's at the Pier

- Rating: 4.0/5 (469 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 804 10th St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars
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#8. The Black Cat

- Rating: 4.1/5 (454 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1200 Harris Ave. Ste 310 Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: New American, Bars, Salad
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#7. Rock and Rye Oyster House

- Rating: 4.1/5 (410 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1145 North State St. Bellingham, Washington
- Categories: Seafood, Cocktail Bars, New American
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