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Where’s the best outdoor dining in Bellingham? Yelp reviewers love these spots

As the weather warms, you may be looking for a spot to soak up the sunshine and enjoy a meal or drink in Bellingham.

Popular review website Yelp recently ranked the best restaurants with outdoor patio seating in the Bellingham area.

As of Thursday, March 26, here’s who made the list:

View of the sunset and Bellingham Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from the bar in Keenan’s at the Pier in Bellingham.
View of the sunset and Bellingham Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from the bar in Keenan’s at the Pier in Bellingham. Patricia Boyce Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

Keenan’s at the Pier

Where: 804 10th St. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4 out 5 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: Yelp user Sam K. of Bellevue said Keenan’s at the Pier “is perfect for a scenic dinner — especially if you time it for sunset.”

“The patio can get a bit chilly, but it’s worth it for the view,” the Yelp reviewer said, noting that “there’s a boardwalk and beach right next door, making it a great place for a stroll before or after your meal.”

Contact: 360-392-5510

Beach Cat Brewing opened its Bellingham location in May 2025.
Beach Cat Brewing opened its Bellingham location in May 2025. Daniel Schrager

Beach Cat Brewing, South Paw

Where: 1010 C St. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.7 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: “This place is awesome,” Yelp reviewer Kathie S. of Bellevue wrote in a five-star review. “Every last detail was wonderful.” In addition to “great indoor and outdoor seating,” she said, Beach Cat Brewing’s South Paw location offers beer, wine, cider and hard seltzer plus a “good selection of non-alcoholic drinks.”

Contact: 360-366-8065

The Corner Taphouse and Peter James Photography Gallery at the Orca Building on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at 1123 Finnegan Way in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Wash.
The Corner Taphouse and Peter James Photography Gallery at the Orca Building on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at 1123 Finnegan Way in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Wash. Alyse Smith The Bellingham Herald

Corner Taphouse

Where: 1125 Finnegan Way, Suite No. 103, in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.9 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: Yelp user Jen G. of London called the taphouse a “nice upscale pub” with “yummy” snacks and a fun ambiance. “There’s comfy seating, and the crowd was eclectic,” she said in her review. “Definitely recommend a visit! I’ll be back!”

Contact: 360-656-5939

The Pastime speakeasy inside Chuckanut Bay Distillery in Bellingham, Wash. on July 21, 2025.
The Pastime speakeasy inside Chuckanut Bay Distillery in Bellingham, Wash. on July 21, 2025. Alyse Smith The Bellingham Herald

Chuckanut Bay Distilery

Where: 1309 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: Yelp user Christine B. of Seattle said Chuckanut Bay Distillery has “a lot of great drink option,” with a food menu that’s “pretty extensive.”

Another Yelp reviewer, Kaylin G. of California, praised the “beautiful menu, beautiful interior” and “wonderful cocktail menu with fantastic drinks.”

Contact: 360-738-7179

Guests hang out around the fire pit at Stones Throw Brewery in Bellingham.
Guests hang out around the fire pit at Stones Throw Brewery in Bellingham. Leya Belmonte Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

Stones Throw Brewery

Where: 1009 Larrabee Ave. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: “Stones Throw is a fun ... vacation vibe taproom,” Yelp user Nikki B. of Saint Paul, Minnesota, said, calling the beer “delicious as the space was inviting.”

Contact: 360-362-5058

Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith The Bellingham Herald

Black Sheep

Where: 211 West Holly St. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: “All the tacos looked amazing” at this Bellingham bar, which doubles as a “great little taco shop,” Yelp user Cynthia T. of Kent said.

“The food is really good,” Yelp reviewer Dorian F. of Bellingham said. “Service is chill and atmosphere is mellow.”

Contact: 360-441-0180

The Aslan Brewing Company brewpub at 1330 N Forest St. in Bellingham, Wash.
The Aslan Brewing Company brewpub at 1330 N Forest St. in Bellingham, Wash. Aslan Brewing Co. Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

Aslan Brewing Company

Where: 1330 North Forest St. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.2 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: In his five-star review, Mark M. of Arlington called Aslan Brewing Company “clearly one of the best in Washington state.” “You will not be disappointed if you are a beer fan,” he said, praising the brewery’s “family-friendly” vibe and “great outdoor seating.” “They also have very good food and snacks.”

Contact: 360-778-2088

Elizabeth Station in Bellingham.
Elizabeth Station in Bellingham. PHILIP A. DWYER THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Elizabeth Station

Where: 1400 West Holly St., Suite No. 101, in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.3 stars

What Yelp revieweers are saying: Yelp user Cierra B. of Bellingham said Elizabeth Station serves “my favorite pizza in Bellingham,” also mentioning the “friendly” staff and “great” beer. She said the eatery is “good for the family, especially in the summer outside and good for beer with friends.”

Contact: 360-733-8982

Outdoor patio seating is available at Structures Brewing’s newly renovated second location at 601 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. The brewery was expected to open Saturday, March 11, 2023.
Outdoor patio seating is available at Structures Brewing’s newly renovated second location at 601 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. The brewery was expected to open Saturday, March 11, 2023. Rachel Showalter The Bellingham Herald

Structures Brewing

Where: 601 West Holly St. in Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.4 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: Yelp user Abifax R. of Everett said the Bellingham brewery has “simply great beers” and a “great” menu with options including a chicken sandwich with hot honey. “Everything that I have tried was really good,” the Yelp reviewer said.

Contact: 360-656-6186

Splash, a citrusy, minimally bitter IPA from Structures Brewing.
Splash, a citrusy, minimally bitter IPA from Structures Brewing. Caleb Hutton chutton@bhamherald.com

Redlight Kitchen & Bar

Where: 109 Grand Ave., Suite No. 101, Bellingham

Average Yelp rating: 4.5 stars

What Yelp reviewers are saying: “There are a lot of bars in Bellingham that are amazing, and this is one of them,” Yelp user Dana P. of Ferndale said. “They have handmade cocktails, and really good food.”

“The atmosphere is beautiful and has a great vibe,” she added. “You should definitely check it out.”

Contact: 360-393-4483

How did Yelp rank top 10 spots for patio dining?

To create its top 10 lists, Yelp highlights restaurants and other spots that are “currently most popular with Yelp users in that area,” Cece Rulon, senior public relations coordinator at Yelp, told The Bellingham Herald via email.

Rankings are “based on a combination of factors like overall rating, number of reviews, recent reviews, recent ratings and recent pageviews,” Rulon said.

This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

Julia Hawkins
The Bellingham Herald
Julia Hawkins joined The Herald as a service journalism and general assignment reporter in December 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham.
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