In Bellingham, burger love is practically a sport—and your taste buds are about to get drafted. From old-school diners dripping with nostalgia to waterfront patios and bougie bistros slinging gourmet creations, this city has a patty for every personality. Grab a napkin (or three) and get ready to meet the local legends flipping Bellingham’s juiciest, boldest, and downright crave-worthy burgers.
The Black Cat | Sophisticated Burger Hangout With a View
A bistro-style burger here arrives in polished attire and packs a personality punch. Imagine melted Swiss cheese and tangy Russian dressing layered on toasted pumpernickel alongside beer-battered onion rings so good they belong in daydreams.
For those craving drama, a peppercorn-crusted masterpiece awaits with Gruyere, caramelized onions, a silky au poivre sauce, and crispy bacon enough to provoke its own conversation. Sauces emerge from a scratch kitchen and hand-cut fries stand by ready to soak them up.
Historic hardwood floors, brick walls, and third-floor windows create a vintage Fairhaven vibe with regal views of Bellingham Bay. This full-service destination has been serving burgers and local cred since 1987.
Whether you roll in with the entire family or your favorite burger companion the bar offers craft pours and a cozy spot for conversation. Every detail here fuses style and flavor for a burger that feels like a proper night out. Dive into the menu and gaze out those historic windows yourself.
Arlis’s Restaurant | Classic Diner Throwback
If you measure burger quality by sheer size this place offers three-quarters of a pound of straight-up beef that demands respect. Retro-chic booths and classic diner décor channel genuine Americana and a menu that predates the kale revolution.
You can stick with the All American or bacon cheeseburger yet skipping the Greek burger would be a federal offense. Briny Kalamata olives, creamy feta, and a bright dressing transform every bite into a flavor exploration.
Crispy fries know exactly what they’re doing here and they serve as the perfect sidekick. A midday breakfast order earns curious looks as children quarrel over oversized milkshakes in cushy vinyl booths.
Vegetarians find satisfaction with a hearty garden burger and prices stay refreshingly reasonable. Doors close promptly at 2:00 PM so arrive early or risk walking home hungry. Here’s the menu that’s survived decades of local scrutiny.
Big Stick Barbecue | For the Brisket Obsessive
If you crave a burger edged with real smoked meat this place will warp your taste buds forever. A food truck turned brick-and-mortar, it centers around house-ground beef brisket broiled in a wood-fired oven until each patty gains irresistible caramelized edges.
The Brisket Slab Burger takes things next-level by crowning that patty with a slab of smoked brisket, sharp cheddar, fresh tomato, and a house sauce that hooks you on first taste. Even the classic offerings shine here: think bacon cheeseburger or a bold onion-focused number that might convert any skeptic.
Skip the filler mentality by treating sides like creamy mac and cheese or tangy sweet potato salad with respect. Order at the counter and soak up friendly, snappy service without fuss. Bring the whole crew for a barbecue-inspired burger experience that earned its local legend. Go stare at their saucy menu.
Extremes Sports Grill & Pizzeria | Burgers, Brews, and Big TVs
If you love sinking your teeth into an 8-ounce ground chuck steak burger while cheering on multiple games and debating the merits of shoestring versus waffle fry, Extremes Sports Grill & Pizzeria is your spot. Burgers range from The Mac Daddy dripping in rich sauce to the San Antonio Special with a Lone Star twist—plus plenty of straight-up classics and wild creations for those who crave maximum toppings. The atmosphere feels like a hometown hangout, complete with daily happy hours, teams of regulars who know your usual, and enough screens to keep you from missing a moment of the action.
When you’re ready to switch gears, there are hand-tossed pizzas, award-winning wings, and a dizzying selection of appetizers—bacon-wrapped sweet pickles included if you dare to try something different. A dedicated game room stands by for the rowdier members of your group, family-friendly patio space lets you soak up some sunshine, and a kids’ menu keeps little ones content. Pull up a seat, immerse yourself in the buzz, and let the good times roll. see for yourself if you can Mac Daddy harder than the regulars.
The Filling Station | Retro Diner Vibes & Creative Burgers
If burger perfection means a grass-fed patty piled high on a toasted bun with hand-cut fries that could double as tire treads, you’ve found home. Inside, chrome accents and vintage license plates set a 1950s showbiz stage for menu favorites like the Thunderbird, or the risk-taking Jaguar topped with bacon onion jam and creamy bleu cheese. Even the Swiss cheese and onion straw combo on a ciabatta bun served with a side of au jus feels like a trip down memory lane.
Fans of build-your-own meals, vegetarians, and side-huggers all discover something to love here. Craft beers and inventive cocktails flow from the taps, while shakes arrive thick enough to earn a straw-cleaning contest. Ample parking and a sunlit patio welcome eager diners, and the atmosphere stays lively without feeling forced. A friendly team makes sure your malted shake arrives before you ask. Decide if you’re an El Camino or a Chuckwagon here.
Our Diner | Your Classic Greasy Spoon Fix
Nostalgia and genuine flavor meet at this unassuming spot on Guide Meridian. Here the burger lineup reads like a greatest hits album: the classic diner burger, a bacon-lettuce-tomato mashup, and even a veggie option for friends who skip meat.
Sides arrive deliberately crafted, not tossed together. Hand-cut fries are steaming and crisp. Onion rings come golden alongside a strawberry milkshake that delivers the perfect retro payoff.
Mismatched booths and local regulars add to the charm. You might catch someone discreetly judging your ketchup placement. There are no fancy tablecloths or truffle garnishes here and they stay closed on Mondays.
Parking can test your patience so plan ahead. Bring the kids, park with purpose, and dig into a reliably satisfying lunch that reminds you why American diners endure. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
The Birch Door Cafe | Breakfast Titans Slinging Gourmet Burgers
If you think a place known for eggs Benedict and fluffy pancakes can’t pull off a killer burger you haven’t tried their twist on lunch. In this cozy café, 6-ounce hand-formed patties earn their keep among syrup-drenched tables. Locally baked buns hug house-made pickles, crisp lettuce, and tomato ripe enough to stand out.
The Electric Horseman demands your attention with smoky homemade barbecue sauce, fresh jalapeño slices, a melting slab of Pepper Jack cheese, and a crunchy heap of coleslaw. Spice, creaminess, and tang play off each other in every bite. Even the waffle fries arrive golden and fearless in their crispiness.
Families may commandeer syrup bottles at nearby tables, but here you can adopt an adult mindset. Swap pancakes for a pint of local brew or a crafty cocktail with zero guilt. With hassle-free parking and lunch kicking off at 11 you might find yourself ditching morning habits for a burger that blurs mealtime rules. Check out the menu that made them a local legend.
Fiamma Burger | Smash Burger Obsession HQ
At Fiamma Burger, no one accepts bland. Their smash-style burger stacks two house-ground beef patties, generous ribbons of caramelized onion, layers of thick American cheese, and a swipe of secret Fiamma sauce on a fluffy Avenue Bread bun. Even plant-based eaters get a real taste of the action thanks to Impossible and vegan patties that rival the beef in both texture and flavor.
On the side, MoJo potatoes push culinary boundaries, while sweet potato fries have reached minor legend status across the county. Milkshakes rotate through inventive flavors, made with hand-scooped ice cream and plenty of flair. The setting is casual and welcoming—ample parking, patio seating under string lights, and a menu that practically dares you to dream up your own burger masterpiece. Trust the folks who honed their craft at farmers markets since 2005. Find your new burger loyalty.
Nelson’s Market | Time-Traveling Diner Vibes
Nelson’s Market doesn’t chase foodie trends—it’s been perfecting simple burgers since 1895. Each seven-ounce Angus patty—beef or veggie—lands on a lightly toasted bun crowned with cheese, pickles, crisp lettuce, and a house “special sauce” that might as well be secret. Feeling bold? Add a fried egg or creamy avocado, or time your visit for the Western Burger special loaded with bacon and onion rings.
You’ll choose from the classic trio of fries, tots, or chips, with crisp salads available for anyone craving something green. This place feels like a cozy slice of neighborhood history, all warm booths and friendly nods. Outdoor tables let you enjoy a rare sunny day in Bellingham, and free parking means no hoops to jump through. Bring the kids, tailgate in the sun, and bite into a century’s worth of burger lore. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Five Guys Bellingham | The Chain That Gets It Right
If you don’t crave culinary theatrics or plant-based puckers, Five Guys nails it with unpretentious, consistently fresh burgers. Never-frozen beef forms juicy patties that deliver the same satisfying bite every time. There’s something comforting in knowing exactly what you’re getting.
Customization is their playground. Slide on free toppings from grilled mushrooms and jalapeños to extra cheese and crisp lettuce. Everything unfolds in front of you as your burger is built to order under glowing light. While you wait, crack open a sack of complimentary peanuts for a salty snack.
The hand-cut fries arrive piping hot, whether you choose classic salt or bold Cajun spice. Decadent milkshakes invite mix-ins like candy bits or even bacon for the adventurous. Seating is casual bench style, perfect for groups big and small. It’s a chain that takes pride in doing a few simple things absurdly well. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill | Waterfront Burger Indulgence
Standing amid harbor breezes and gentle clinks of boat masts, the third-pound American Kobe burger at Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill stakes its claim as the one you’ll measure every other patty against. There’s something thrilling about ordering a burger in a place known for steamed clams and crisp Pinot, only to find it steals the spotlight.
Your server greets you by name, logs your Pinot preference and slides a kids menu across the table for the little ones. Soon enough, a char-grilled Kobe patty arrives, crowned with melted cheese on a crisp brioche bun. A mountain of golden fries can’t help but steal a bit of your focus.
Wraparound windows deliver front-row seats to Squalicum Harbor, with the San Juan Islands peeking through mist on gray afternoons. Sip a finely crafted cocktail during happy hour or linger over a seasonal specialty. Parking feels effortless, which is a rare luxury when chasing a burger that turns out to be the star of a seafood menu. Book your waterfront burger pilgrimage here.
Keenan’s at the Pier | Waterfront Views & Elevated Burgers
Forget all you’ve ever thought a spa restaurant should be. Keenan’s at the Pier blends casual cool with culinary flair, proving that a burger can be both refined and downright indulgent.
Their hand-formed chuck patty arrives on a pillowy Avenue Bread brioche roll, with tomato chutney and red pepper aioli layered in. Plant-based diners can swap the beef for a garbanzo patty that holds its own. Optional add-ons like applewood bacon or sautéed mushrooms turn a solid entrée into a must-order experience.
Wraparound windows frame sweeping bay vistas, while the heated patio invites sunset-to-dark dining. A fully stocked bar and an expert wine list keep every palate happy, and the laid-back Northwest chic vibe encourages you to stay a while. It’s the kind of place where you’ll seriously consider ordering a second cocktail simply for the ambiance. See what all the fuss (and the views) are about.
Nicki’s Bella Marina | Waterfront Burger Bliss
There’s something magnetic about a burger savored while boats bob gently on the water. Nicki’s Bella Marina delivers that experience with local grass-fed chuck patties, hand-formed each morning and never frozen for a moment.
Sandwiched between a five-ingredient bun, these patties earn their keep. The Bacon Ranch Burger dares you to embrace napkins, while the Ooey Gooey Blue Cheese Bacon option flirts with chaos. All-you-can-eat hand-cut Idaho steak fries soak up house-made sauces and any lingering guilt.
Inside feels like dinner with longtime friends, while the sunlit patio provides prime Squalicum Harbor people-watching. Family-owned roots shine through every detail, from the friendly service to the rotating local beer selections. Birds and the occasional boat parade become bonus entertainment, turning burger time into a full-on Harbor show. Check out the menu and bring a big appetite.
Brandywine Kitchen | Gourmet Ingredient Playground
Quirky flavor mashups could collapse under their own ambition, but Brandywine Kitchen pulls them off with surprising finesse. Their Triple B Burger layers blue cheese, bacon, arugula and even balsamic beets for a bold bite.
Rather than a flimsy brioche, a fresh-baked baguette holds everything together, delivering crunch and structure from first to last mouthful. Toppings like pepper jam or smoked tomato relish add thoughtful nuance without overwhelming your taste buds.
The atmosphere here is refreshingly unpretentious, inviting everyone from families to date-night duos. Vegetarians and picky eaters find satisfying choices, and there’s plenty of room for strollers. Pair a Cubano Burger with a local beer or split a mountain of hand-cut fries for a shared moment that feels anything but ordinary. Don’t be surprised if your combo order feels like the perfect twist your taste buds were waiting for. Call their beet-bacon bluff here.
Old Town Cafe | Burgers with a Side of Bellingham History
When you want a burger steeped in history, pull up a stool at Old Town Cafe. The 49er burger packs a half pound of Angus beef onto a steak roll from a local bakery—a perfect tribute to burger purity. Non-meat eaters will find equally tempting turkey and plant-based patties sizzling on the griddle, while adventurous diners can top their creation with zesty lemon-tahini or house-made chipotle mayo for a flavor boost.
The dining room feels like your grandma’s kitchen if she doubled as a neighborhood art curator. Live music adds lively background chatter, and heaters keep the patio toasty even when the weather turns soggy. Sip a classic malt, savor a Bloody Mary, or pop some bubbles with a glass of champagne. A kids’ menu makes family dinners easy, and your furry friend is welcome to join on the patio. See how history tastes on their menu.
