These were the most-booked Bellingham restaurants in August, OpenTable says

Planning a dinner date in Bellingham? You might have a harder time booking a table at some local restaurants than others.

In early September, OpenTable released the latest edition of its monthly Diners’ Choice rankings for northwest Washington.

The online reservation platform highlighted the local restaurants with the most bookings — and the best reviews — in August, focusing on popular eateries in Whatcom County and the surrounding area.

OpenTable said it analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews each month and sorts the results by location to “help you discover new favorite restaurants.”

The website offers reservations for diners at about a dozen Whatcom County restaurants.

Here’s a look at the Bellingham restaurants where it’s hardest to find a reservation:

Most-booked restaurants in Bellingham? Anthony’s in Bellingham on list

• Location: 25 Bellwether Way, Bellingham
• Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday

Headquarted in Kirkland, Anthony’s Restaurants serves a range of seafood dishes at locations across Washington, Oregon and Idaho, many with waterfront views.

Anthony’s Squalicum Harbor had an average OpenTable rating of 4.5 stars out of five? as of Wednesday, Sept. 10.

“Always excellent, Anthony’s offers friendly and skilled service coupled with tasty food and a lovely atmosphere,” one OpenTable reviewer wrote in July.

Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill has seafood, waterfront views

• Location: 7 Bellwether Way, Bellingham
• Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. daily

Another Anthony’s location, Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill also offers views of the Bellingham waterfront. It uses an open kitchen and its menu focuses on hearthfire-cooked dishes.

As of Wednesday, the Bellingham restaurant had an average rating of 4.7 stars on OpenTable, with one reviewer saying the Anthony’s offers “wonderful food, (a) great view and service.”

Bellingham restaurant Roe serves up ‘elevated comfort food’

• Location: 207 Unity St., Bellingham
• Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday

Roe, on the north side of downtown Bellingham, serves a rotating menu of “elevated comfort food” centered on seasonal ingredients.

“Everything about it was great ... with the right level of sophistication to make it not your average meal but something better,” an OpenTable user wrote in a review.

The restaurant had an average rating of 4.8 stars on OpenTable as of Wednesday.

Carnal grills meat, fish in wood-fired oven

• Location: 1234 North State St., Bellingham
• Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Downtown Bellingham’s Carnal is known for meat, seafood and other foods cooked over an open flame. The restaurant was for sale as of August, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.

As of Wednesday, the restaurant had a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable, with reviewers highlighting the unique experience and dishes.

“Carnal works magic in their wood-fired oven,” one OpenTable reviewer said. “Fish, beef, veggies — all done to perfection and accompanied by memorable sauces.”

Estelle among most booked Bellingham restaurants

• Location: 1147 11th St., Bellingham
• Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Esquire magazine named Fairhaven’s Estelle was one of the best new restaurants in the country in 2023.

The French-influenced restaurant and cocktail bar serves a variety of small plates along with meat and seafood options.

OpenTable reviewers gave it an average rating of 4.7 stars, with one praising the “exquisite food, adventurous cocktails and lovely ambiance.”

Most-booked restaurants in northwest Washington

While five of the restaurants on OpenTable’s list are located in Whatcom County, the other five are in Skagit, San Juan and Snohomish counties.

Here’s where to find them

• Downriggers in Friday Harbor
• Anthony’s Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes
• Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. in Friday Harbor
• 13moons in Anacortes
• Whiskey Prime Steakhouse in Arlington

This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.