Here are the Bellingham restaurants that launched or were shuttered in August
Looking for a new restaurant to try out? Whatcom County saw three new eateries open in August, as one restaurant closed.
New restaurants
Elk St. Tavern, a new bar in downtown Bellingham created by the owners of Redlight, opened Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to an Instagram post.
The bar’s menu includes a variety of drinks, as well as burgers, carpaccio, oysters, steak and desserts. Elk St. Tavern is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday at 1017 N. State St. in Bellingham.
Lummi Island welcomed a new restaurant called The Galley on Sunday, Aug. 17.
The new restaurant announced the opening on an Instagram post on the restaurant’s profile, and is connected to The Islander general store.
The menu features sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as wine and beer on tap.
“There’s space to eat inside or outside in the beer garden, surrounded by the island breeze. Thanks for a great opening weekend,” the restaurant’s website states.
The new restaurant and general store is located at 2106 S Nugent Road on Lummi Island. No operating hours have been posted.
MOTO Pizza, a new pizza restaurant known for its unique pizza toppings and locations in Seattle and T-Mobile Park, opened its new Bellingham location on Friday, Aug. 29.
The opening was announced on a social media post.
MOTO Pizza is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 4373 Meridian St.
One closure
Ponderosa Beer and Books, a taproom, bottle shop and book shop, permanently closed Thursday, Aug. 28. The Bellingham shop announced the closure on social media.
Ponderosa Beer and Books was located at 1225 Roeder Ave. near downtown Bellingham.
This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
