Carnal

Genuinely such a great experience, service and delicious food and cocktails. Everything we had was great and it's a solid spot for an outing with friends or date night! Our Faves on the menu: Old Fashioned Cocktail, Sparkling Lemonade, Cucumber Soda, Daiquiri Cocktail, Avocado & Fennell Salad, Charred Broccolini, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Grilled Skirt Steak, Tagliatelle Pasta

Cool restaurant in Bellingham with an extensive cocktail list. The drinks were fairly tasty, good spot for some cocktails. We had shared some random appetizers for food. Most of the recommended items. The wings were decent, the tartare had a bit too much mustard to it, kind of reminded me of a burger, and the dip was solid. Overall, a cool spot for good drinks and modern farm-to-table style food.

I always read bad reviews first the beware or stay on the cautious side of places…for starters don’t go here if you’re on a budget or are wanting leftovers. Other than that the service was great — laid back, not smothering, very knowledgeable of the menu and overall helpful/accommodating. The food you won’t get anywhere else. We were beyond impressed. We had our favorites and we had our “in the end, it’s just carrots” yet the carrots were still incredible. The salad and wings were personally my favorite, along with the cauliflower. I couldn’t come here again and not order those three. Very well done, food was amazing, atmosphere was great, service was spot on.

There are a few places that put me in awe with their food but Carnal is one of them. We went for a special occasion and it was definitely special. The food was so well prepared and so delicious that it was beyond what I was anticipating! We had the tartar and hanger steak and roasted carrots! Yes they are at the upper price point but very much worth it. This was fine dining done better than most. The cocktails were also terrific. We sat on the patio and the character of this place definitely stands out. This is a special spot and Bellingham is lucky to have it. We will definitely return next time we are in town.

I can’t stop thinking about my meal at Carnal—I actually dreamt about it after eating there! The black cod was absolutely incredible, cooked to perfection and paired with a sauce that took it to another level. Every dish was full of bold, rich flavors, and the sauces were always over the top in the best way possible—complex, vibrant, and expertly balanced. It’s the kind of meal that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished. Carnal consistently delivers an unforgettable dining experience, and I can't wait to return!

Absolutely delicious. Possibly the best meal I've ever had. The hangar steak was so tender and flavorful along with their two amazing sauces to make it even better. The bone-in beef rib is beyond anything I've ever tasted. Prices seem quite low for the exceptional quality! Easy to tell that a lot of thought and care goes in to each dish. We may live in Seattle but we will come back just for this food. And if the food isn't enough, the staff are amazing. This is a gem!

We walked in on Thursday night for much desired fine dining. The space is nice & airy, although it was bit too dark so we asked the hostess to turn the lights on a bit (while keeping the atmosphere) which she did, but 5mins later, lights were turned down again. The menu was very simple with few items only, which is usually a good sign because it shows they only do few things but they do them exceptionally well. We ordered the following: Green leaf salad w Parmesan shavings and buttermilk dressing- it was just perfect! Buckwheat sourdough bread w herby butter - again amazing, tho skimpy on the butter, it was just a smear around the edge of the plate Mains: Short rib w bone in - very good Black cod fish in sun gold tomato reduction- delicious Both dishes were quite small, I’m thinking the actual edible protein on both would be around 4 oz, so really not much. There were no sides, so we also ordered charred corn to share. And this is where they lost us. While it was perfectly plated, in reality this was a half of very small corn, which was sectioned into 6 wedges. Unfortunately, the corn still had the hard core in, which meant that of the actual corn kernels, there was about 1.5 teaspoon for each of the both of us. It was honestly ridiculous, especially for $16!! We mentioned this to our waiter Brandon, who was lovely, as we hoped he would take this item off our bill. He said he will give the cooking crew our feedback but did nothing about removing this item from our bill. We also ordered a dessert - hazelnut chocolate mini-cake which was good but not exceptional. Over all, I’d recommend this place for anyone who considers themselves a foodie, as these guys definitely know what they are doing, flavors were spot on! But the fact that we spent $160 (w the tip) and left hungry (we are 2 middle aged, slim/fit people) is just absurd & for that reason I personally would not return. Dear owners, if you are reading this, I’d love for you to respond :)

Our party of 9 came to Carnal to celebrate a birthday. The food was excellent. Our waitress did a great job explaining the menu and breaking down which items were gluten free as half the party follows a gluten free diet. We ended up ordering about 5 apps for the group. For entrees, the short rib, hangar steak, and halibut were all excellent selections. The steak was very tender and the carrots were delicious. The tomato appetizer was very unique and the entire group loved it as well. Compliments to the chef and wait staff alike!

To find a restaurant like this while traveling down to Seattle was an absolute gift. The cocktails are so creative and the flavors are a nice change from the ordinary. The food... the homemade Brioche, best bread I have ever had. The trout was perfectly prepared. The heirloom tomato salad, who knew a thin slice of watermelon and tomatoes could taste this way?!? Don't forget the roasted miatake mushrooms, the date sauce was so special you don't want to miss it!!!! The server, I believe her name was Renee, was so helpful, so friendly and gave amazing recommendations! Great experience

We came to Carnal as a party of 8 on Saturday at about 6:00 on Saturday. We were able to be seated right away and beat the rush. We liked the ambiance. My first cocktail was the Tears of Chios drink-I was intrigued by the tomatillo and tree sap flavors in the description. This drink is excellent-I have never had tree sap in a drink before, but this works! I also ordered the Freedom Fighter cocktail for the watermelon + Thai basil + Szechuan combination. There was a lot going on in this mighty cocktail! Their Homemade brioche rolls are soft, fluffy and complete with brown butter. Their Steak tartare was fresh, creamy and amazing. Their homemade potato chips made this a great and refreshing texture combination. We enjoyed our time here-outstanding food, flavors and service!

My recent visit to Carnal, located around the Central Business District in Bellingham, WA, left me thoroughly impressed. Intrigued by the rave reviews, we decided to explore this local gem, and we're glad we did! Carnal's menu, though simple, offers a delightful array of dishes that showcase creativity and a commitment to quality ingredients. Each plate was interesting, expertly crafted and beautifully presented. While we couldn't indulge in their colourful cocktails on this visit due to the long drive ahead, we are excited to return and try them out. We captured a few highlights from our meal: * Housemade Brioche Rolls: These were incredibly soft and buttery, a definite must-order. * Fried Chicken Wings: Roasted in duck fat, these were hands down the best wings I have ever had. * Grilled Pork Rib Cap: A unique and flavorful dish. * Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs: It is no surprise that nearly every table enjoyed these. They were cooked and seasoned to perfection, truly unique. Overall, Carnal is a must-visit for anyone in Bellingham looking for a memorable dining experience. We can't wait to return and explore more of their menu, especially those cocktails! Food: 4/5 Must Try! Service: 4/5 Kids: 3/5 A-OK for kids. (Caters more to adults) Price: $50-$100 USD for two (dinner) Presentation: 3/5 Parking: Free parking in the neighbourhood after 6 pm. Tips: * have an open-concept interior and lovely outdoor patio seating. * are designed for sharing and have a limited but uniquely crafted menu. * are perfect for date night or ladies night. Would I Return: Yes *

Apologies in advance for the pictures, as these were screenshots from a video. Went out to Carnal back in September and essentially ordered everything off their intimate menu. We went as a group of 6 and didn't feel like we were being too loud or crowded, the ambiance was very good for a date night or small get together. Enjoyed everything we ate, I think I was most impressed with the King salmon bites? I don't remember what the exact dish was called, but the flavors complimented very well. Everything was presented very well. Will definitely need to come back to try more items off the menu.

Fascinating items & menu is unique. Great outdoor patio & friendly staff. We quite liked the Shortribs and grilled veggies - mushrooms & asparagus were both unique & super tasty!

Excellent service, really good food and reasonable prices. Friendly and professional atmosphere. Well informed staff.

5-star food, service, and cocktails. Today for cocktails/mocktails we enjoyed Matilda, Virgin Mule, and the Cabernet Franc. For food, we highly recommend the beef short ribs.

the service was okay it was pretty slow for no-one being there but it didn't bother me too much. We got the potatoes to start which were pretty good then the trout was okay and so was our hanger steak nothing out of the ordinary. maybe too pricey for how much i enjoyed it.

Fun fun fun flavors. Every dish was fantastic. Staff were GREAT. Loved the vibe and can't say enough good things about the menu. Keep it going yall!

Confusion on our part. We have a group of 6. Two couples thought we had reservations, neither of us actually did. Ha. Ha. Thank goodness we ended up at Carnal. What a find! Indoor or outdoor the setting was welcoming and we immediately felt comfortable like this was one of our regular haunts. The food - served family style - could easily be considered "comfort food". To start we devoured two orders of sourdough plus two of hamachi crudo. Hooooowdy!!! If we were not so excited for our main course we would have ordered another round of these. For the main course we enjoyed marinated avocado. hanger steak. Miso cod, Short ribs and broccolini. The food was so good I failed to take pictures!!! Doip. Guess I need to go back! Setting: 5 Star. Hip, underground vibe. Employees: 5 Star Fun, uniquely groovy, and super positive. Food: 5 star. Strong menu. Great variety. Amazing taste with savory flavors. An attractive collage in the family style presentation. Highly recommend carne for a one time gastro-indulgence as your traveling through. OR, if local, start hitting Carne on a regular basis. #luckylocals

We were looking for a dog-friendly restaurant around our hotel & found this absolute GEM of a restaurant on Yelp! They were able to get us a reservation quickly in their covered area outside (they have warmers, thankfully)! Even though we were the only table outside, the servers were quick to greet us & bring us our drinks. They went over the menu & gave us some of their recommendations. Everyone was so friendly & warm! The food was SO. SO. good. Oh my goodness! Here are some of the amazing items we got: - Pig head arancini: total flavor explosion! crunchy outside, super juicy fatty inside. YUM. - Grilled maitake: who knew maitake mushrooms were so meaty! It was just crispy enough on the edges yet tender in the center. Honestly this & the broccolini could've been my top vegetable dish I had during our weeklong trip. - Chicken wings: It's $5 per wing. Seems hefty right? Until you realize you get the WHOLE wing! I loved the allspice flavoring on these. - Slow cooked beef short rib: So tender! The black truffle demi that came with it was amazing. We actually ordered this as a second time because it was so good! I only have good things to say about Carnal. The food was just phenomenal, the staff was friendly & accommodating. Thank you so much for a wonderful dinner ^-^

In my way to Blaine I stopped at Bellingham to visit some family members for dinner. As we walked in I immediately loved the décor and vibe of this place. The waitress was very nice and attentive through the night which made for a great experience. We ordered the hanger steak, cod and short rib and we were informed that all 3 dishes take over 20 minutes so we ordered a 4 piece chicken wing to start. The wings were super crispy on the outside and meat was super tender and flavorful. The hanger steak was perfectly seared on the outside with juicy and perfectly rare meat. And the cod as delicious with a citrusy pea foam on top. All and all a great meal and beautiful establishment.

Horrible service. Food was decent. Waiting for initial contact with server, then drinks, appetizers and then the meal. Second round of drinks arrived almost after we were done eating. Then a 75$ tip was added to a 400$ bill. No tip after that crappie service. If you're into waiting for service and food in an extremely loud restaurant I highly recommend. I'll never take my adult family there again. To top it off I got a 54$ parking ticket in the lot access the street that I prepaid for. Very expensive night for a mediocre at best meal. Not impressed.

Customer service was amazing. The chicken wings were amazing. The atmosphere was amazing. There is no noise at all.

In short: Fancy and ambitious without being pretentious at all. If you're at all into the food after looking at the menu online, just come check it out. It really is great. In long: Somewhat newer, at least in summer '23. Nice bustling section of State St. Big patio next door with a couple dozen tables; couple dozen more tables inside along with bar seating. You're in a long, narrow dining room with a bar at the back, and two big pass-throughs let you watch the kitchen work while it happens. Yes, you so smell smoke and it might settle on your clothes a bit at times, but yesterday there was an amazing breeze pouring through the place so we got away clean. Just wear machine-washable duds, ya dig? Seats are comfortable, and the staff are super friendly and bubbly. At least last night, the servers were all young women looking super glam, including a couple in dresses, almost evening-wear-esque. You get the sense the crew here really, really looks forward to making the most of their shifts. The menu is short. Fewer than 10 each of food, wines, and house cocktails. Couple beers. Everything is very, very well-chosen here, lots of character and interest up and down the list. Drinks We had a Slovenian white wine, a glass of whiskey, a vodka soda, and a glass of rose. They did everything right, and the wines were great new-to-us choices. Scallion Milk Rolls These are awesome, soft, flavorful brown rolls. Not much scallion. Not sure what exactly a "milk roll" is, but there was no discernible dairy in the flavor. You could order these to come out with every other dish you get, and you'd never get sick of them. They're awesome on their own, awesome with the tomato-something served with them, and awesome with everything else we sopped up. Hamachi Crudo A small portion, lots of sauce, veg, and herbs over the fish. Lovely flavors. We sent this plate back looking like it had never had food on it, since we mopped up everything with those rolls. Chicken Wings Great flavors, nice crunchy outside, hot inside but not burn-your-mouth hot. Probably the humblest dish on the menu, but very good and easy to share. $10 for 2 wings gave us a nice counterpoint between other dishes. Seared Black Cod One of the best pieces of fish I've eaten in my entire life. Very thin layer of faint crispness around the outside, then flaky, light, and falling apart inside. All kind of interesting flavors around it on the plate, making each bite a little different. Another small portion--maybe 6 ounces of fish. Worth ordering without a doubt, and you can save room to try other things, especially if you split the plate. Panna Cotta Light and jiggly on the plate. Dusted with some lighter cocoa powder of some sort. Surrounded by blueberries and compote. So airy and easy to eat you almost don't feel like you've had anything. If they had extra plates of this they were giving away I would probably eat myself into a 12-hour nap. So damn good. With a good tip, we had 5 plates and 4 drinks for about 185. Not the cheapest in town, but for food of this quality, it's an excellent value. We can't wait to come back.

Table for 4. Restaurant was uncomfortably cool on a fall night. Music was great. Lighting low. Designer cocktail was tasty. Menu is sparse and confusing. We found only short ribs to be other than a tapas portion but you get no indication of size on menu, just a warning from server that you get only what you order, no sides, so order two plates. The men ordered salmon that looked to be 3-4 oz prior to cooking, while Short ribs were very generously portioned. I'd eaten nothing before going so I can say with high degree of confidence that dinner made me sick (wake up in middle of night & spend an hour purging dinner). And I wouldn't even then been so quick to accuse but I gave a rib to one other at the table and he reported feeling sick too at the same time of night. Also twice I found myself with bone shards other stuff I would have avoided in my mouth, but it was too dark to actually see what I was cutting & eating. Servers were nice but dessert came after the check.

Great place to have a celebration or a casual night of dining. Excellent cocktails and attentive staff. The gem salad and crispy garlic potatoes are a must!

this place is a real gem. Don't go here if you're starving, portions are pretty small, but if you're looking for a really cool place with some super unique items that are delicious and then this is the spot. I have sampled most of the appetizers, entrées, and drinks, and they are all incredible to be honest.

What a sensory experience this place is. The smell of the wood burning all around, the fun and unique food combinations. We mostly enjoyed our dinner heading home from Vancouver--I had to take a star because the description and what I got in my fish were not tastes I tasted and I wasn't impressed with my plate. Otherwise the rib was insanely delicious, salad was a treat, and the jerky sustained me and a friend on a 10 mile hike. Will do again one day!

I have eaten all over the world in places as fine dining as can be such as in Italy and France and as exotic as Vietnam, Thailand and places in Mexico (roasted chapulines anyone?), and I can readily say that I never experienced anything like Carnal. Ever. I find the concept quite fascinating: all fired up. And it creates some interesting outcomes. The grilled broccolini was very nice (even smoked sunflower seeds!) While the tops were delicious, these were the best broccolini stems I've ever eaten--juicy and flavorful. The fried chicken wings were very delicious indeed and, as our server, the very helpful and delightful Ayla told us, would be the crispiest we've ever had and yet still juicy inside. So true. What to say about the Wood Fired Maitake Mushrooms? Firstly, I've never met a maitake in my life. Now that I have, I can say these are big meaty boys. From the flavor, I would say they took to the fire well. They were very nicely and interestingly sauced. You do have to be ready for a lot of big mushroom though. I probably enjoyed them more as an experience than as a dish, but that has worth too as I started out saying about my dining travels. What I especially loved was a rarity on the menu, I was told: Steelhead Trout Tartar with charred yam, persimmon and mandarin orange topping. There really weren't individual flavors; it was really all a combo. And I thought the combination divine enough that I ordered it as a primary appetizer and then ordered a return as my dessert. The secret to a delightful little crunchiness? Cooked tapioca squirted with squid ink and then cooked again until toasty! Who would have thought? (Who would have thought it up!?!?) Of the cocktails I sampled, I especially liked the 130 Feet Tall with walnut butter, bourbon, brandy and apple cider reduction. Lovely for a cold day. All the staff who served us: Ayla, Julia and Marlena--with a surprise visit by the bartender--were fantastic. And these chefs and their cooking staffs clearly work really hard and are dedicated and passionate about what they do. An experience. (And in my head I keep saying, "In Bellingham?" Yes, here in Bellingham...to be tried for sure.)

This place had some unique menu offerings we enjoyed by a smoldering fire on a blistering cold evening. Fun items very tasty. Dessert, however was a total miss.

Absolutely amazing food, worth the trip from Seattle to eat here. The service is prompt and the staff knowledgeable and willing to discuss the menu. An outstanding bar program with unique drinks in multiple levels from boozy to no abv. Above average ambiance, with the highlight being able to watch the kitchen work.

Lovely meal overall - service was excellent. We had the choice of sitting outdoors or indoors - we walked through the patio and elected to sit indoors simply because we were cold (the temperatures are rising in the PNW - finally! What a long cold spring it has been - but for outdoor dining we needed jackets that we didn't think to bring; Carnal does not have heaters fyi). Other Yelpers have complained about ventilation/smoke issues inside of the restaurant - if there have been problems historically they were not present last night. We sat relatively close to the kitchen without any concern whatsoever. On to the food: some real delights, mixed with some slightly less spectacular supporting players. The short rib is a must-order. It is the star of the menu by far, and they really should be charging 2x what they are currently pricing it at - it's roughly double the size of the hanger steak, and priced about the same. A real steal. The flavor and tenderness of the meat is otherworldly: you can taste the effort that has gone into this dish. By contrast the hanger steak was good, but... kind of a meh for me. The only protein we skipped on the menu was the black cod; I would come back to try that. With respect to the others, the standout appetizer is the wings (WOW, coming back for more of those as well). I also really enjoyed the mushrooms - those could easily double as a vegetarian entree; they're substantial, meaty and quite filling all on their own. I felt the same way about the beets. Items that I would probably skip next time: pork fritters (they were fine, but not repeatable/craveable), pork collar (okay, but not up to the quality of the other proteins), steak tartare (I liked it overall, but a bit too rich for me with the potato chip accompaniment - I would probably ask for some bread instead next time).

Excellent food and the drinks were very creative !! Highly recommend ! The variety of unique drinks were amazing

A bit loud inside with every table full, but not too loud that we couldn't hear each other. Great, fast and friendly service with quick seating, excellent service throughout our meal, and with other staff picking up plates. We started with some cocktails (Macaw's gift was good, and the roasted Pina Colada was a bit different than we were expecting but still great). The food menu is small, and meant for tapas-style ordering and sharing. We had 5 items: the Maitake mushrooms (amazing! highly recommend if they have it again), braised beats (really good), seared black cod (consistency was like butter--perfectly cooked but overshadowed by everything else we had), roasted hangar steak (the texture was unexpected for this cut of meat and it's level of cook--the best item we had, worth coming back for alone and I hope they keep this on the menu for a while), and the slow cooked beef short rib (delicious, nearly up there with the hangar steak). We highly recommend Carnal! Just don't expect the menu to be whatever is shown or mentioned here on yelp as it seems to change often.

I visited Carnal last night for the first time, it was a smoky but warm evening in Bellingham, we chose a table outside. We were greeted by a very cheerful hostess and a waitress who was very friendly but, it was the last time she spoke to us during our visit. Odd. Our next waitress arrived, and we promptly ordered cocktails and for dishes, to share. We both ordered cocktails from their list of in-house favorites, I had 22 Pieces of Silver and my companion had a piña colada,; both were excellent. The 22 Pieces of Silver featured passion fruit juice that made the cocktail really bright and fresh. We started our meal with House Stracciatella Cheese and chicken wings. The wings were bigger than I would've expected, the entire wing of a chicken. They were wonderfully spiced and perfectly cooked. The spices made them taste very different than most wings. No sauce needed! The Stacciatella Cheese came with Wonderfully toasted baguette slices, and cheese in a creamy and sweet sauce, the taste of Honey was delicate and surprising. For our main courses, we shared the Broccoli and the halibut fish. The broccoli was grilled over a wood fire, and was stressed with Sesame seeds. The halibut was prepared with tomatillo and escarole. The fish was so gently prepared, it almost seemed slightly under done. The dishes we chose all provided different flavor experiences through preparation and unusual ingredients. Everything we had at the restaurant was excellent, well prepared, and so different from what we would normally get when we out. this is an unusual type of restaurant for Bellingham, the costs are definitely higher than other restaurants, but the flavors and service are excellent and made for a really pleasant night out.

First time here and it was an amazing experience. Service was excellent, food delish and noteworthy... conversations around the table compared it so some of the best flavors many had eaten around the world. Fresh, creative and filling, a win all the way around. Not to mention a creative and amazing Bartender. Worth a return visit for sure!

I finally had a chance to try out this place to see what the hype is all about. The restaurant is located in downtown Bellingham along State Street. There is metered parking available, but securing a spot may be difficult during peak times. The inside is decorated very nicely and gives off a feel of medieval elegance. Service is 4-stars. We were seated in a relatively short time, orders taken, and the food came out within a reasonable time. The service wasn't memorable, but good enough for the price. Now onto the food, which was a complete disappointment. The broccolini was so salty on the crown that only the stalk was edible. The beef short rib was flavorless and tasted like it was partially boiled. On the positive side, at least it was tender. Finally, the fried chicken and the marinated avocado were decent. This place would have received 3-stars for food. However, considering the price of this place, 3-stars doesn't do justice. I would not come back here for food again, unfortunately.

Literally one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. The ambiance was amazing and the service was fantastic. We came here for our anniversary based off the reviews and they were spot on. Absolutely amazing!

I'm happy to find a restaurant in Bellingham that leaves me motivated to try it again. I have no prior experience with dinner at a seated restaurant in Bellingham and yelp inspired me to try this place. I hadn't planned to go to a nice restaurant, so I was wearing running shorts and a T-shirt, and this place appears to advertise that they are not upscale. When I arrived, without a reservation, I was greeted warmly. I asked if outdoor would be quieter than indoor, and was told yes, so that's what I chose. I think it turned out that outside was louder simply because nearly everyone in the restaurant was sitting outside and there was a lot of talking, so if you're wanting a quieter dinner, I would check out the patio first and compare to indoors. The wait staff were friendly. The food was prepared well and presented with style. I didn't try any beverages, other than water, which I thought was strangely good. Parking should be no problem with an a block or two.

The service was excellent throughout our visit. The food was a mix of bad to good. Our cocktails were excellent, The wings are so frequently mentioned that we were excited to try them. Unfortunately, they were overcooked to the point of tasting burned. Really disappointed! The Gem Salad was excellent, and my black cod was good. My husband was disappointed with his short ribs. They were undercooked - no meat falling off those bones. So...as I said, a mixed bag. For the price we paid, I expected much better.

Carnal is the only restaurant that I revisit every time I'm in Bellingham. They have an open kitchen where you can see the chefs cooking and plating your dishes. I was able to watch how much work and passion they put in all the dishes! The menu is pretty gluten free which is nice for those with gluten allergy or celiacs. My favorite is the hanger steak and the halibut dish.

A bit spendy but amazing food (get the hangar steak) and really attentive service. Great vibe.

Love the small, tapas style dishes. Atmosphere feels like downtown Manhattan with super attentive staff.

One of the beat eateries in Bellingham, service & food are top notch at a great downtown location. Plan ahead as they fill up quickly.

Food was delicious and well presented. Service was lacking in a big way and prices are high for what you get.

Seven months ago, and I'm still thinking about this meal. I can't remember what we ate, but it was delicious. The wait staff was great and informative and did a good job helping us formulate our meal. We ordered two drinks- one was banana which I didn't like, but probably because I was hoping it wouldn't taste like banana. The other was so refreshing. We chose all vegetable and fish items. No meat. Soooo good. I wish I could share the details more with you, but it was amazing.

All of the 5 star reviews are spot on! We had reservations for 4 at 6:45 and were seated right on time by super friendly staff. Our friendly server visited us very shortly after being seated and tended to all our needs throughout our meal! The entire staff is super friendly and very attentive, we never wanted for anything. The food was phenomenal! We started with the bread, everybody should definitely start with the bread! Then we progressed to three more small plates and four of the large plates, all were pure perfection. I highly recommend absolutely anything on the menu, no matter what it is! It changes frequently so I hate to say to get something and it not be on the menu any more so just try it all!! We ended the meal with the chocolate mousse, which of course everyone should!

Food was tasty and service was good. I gave four stars because the portions are very small while the price is very high. It's very tasty but I need like twice as much as you're putting on the plate for it to be worth it.

Always a great experience to taste the unique flavors of carnal. Definitely recommend the chicken there. The service is always top notch. The fire place is great and the lighting is relaxing.

Carnal's website says they "aren't fine dining". While I respect that, the level of aspiration I saw in both their menu and their service was reminiscent of a fine dining experience that you would likely pay more for in a larger city. Our meal was an exciting, engaging example of modern cuisine, while its execution/presentation displayed confidence, technical acumen and care. Highlights were the hamachi crudo (charred eggplant, cucumber, mint) and roasted sweet corn (hominy, charred scallion, cheese rind sabayon). The cocktails were excellent, particularly the "Little Dragon" that my mother ordered. It was described as: gin, dry vermouth, peychauds, tarragon, grapefruit, pineapple. The pineapple was subtle, while we kept tasting anise on the surface. Just excellent. I ate here about a year prior and found it unremarkable. While I do not know if that earlier meal was accurate or if something has changed, the experience I had last night is now the finest meal I've had in Bellingham. I would easily rank it against options from my former home of San Francisco, which in culinary terms is high praise. I will absolutely dine here again, and if your tastes lean adventurous, I think you should try it. 5 stars.

We came here on a windy, rainy night as walk-ins. We called prior to coming in and were told that a reservation was not necessary as they would have available tables after 8pm. When we entered, we saw the restaurant was still full and another party was waiting before us. We put our name and were told there was a short wait. When the hostess returned, he asked if we wanted to wait some more or if a patio table would work for us since they had one available. He informed us that their patio was fully covered and heated. We immediately agreed and were walked to the said table. The patio was perfectly lit and warm. We started with the Duck Fat Potatoes and thoroughly enjoyed it, the sauce that accompanied it was delicious and the crispy bits was truly the cherry on top. He ordered the Grilled Pork Collar topped with tons of greens. At first it didn't look a lot, but it was actually very filling. He said it was really delicious. I opted for the Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib with Bone Marrow and it was incredible. I don't know how they did it. It was flavorful and perfectly charred. Wouldn't expect anything less than stellar from a talented team of Michelin-star cooks at Carnal.. that said, the price tag also reflects that standard. Service was magnificent. The staff were all friendly and attentive. They checked on us often, and even the patrons were friendly to each other. You definitely feel like at home here. A very pleasant dinner experience, we left feeling full and satisfied!

Amazing food. They have the meats. The wings and hangar steak were spectacular. The wood-fired taste gives you the illusion you're outside cooking on the campfire, while sitting in a nicely decorated space with views of Bellingham Bay. The meat was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Every bite was as easy as the first. No complaints about the service either, we were seated promptly, and food & drinks came out reasonably quick. Carnal is probably one of the best restaurants Bellingham has to offer.

The ambiance was really nice, especially for a date. The food was hit or miss. Some dishes were tasty and others were meh, especially for the price. Service could've been better. They seemed understaffed. We had to wait a long time for our drinks, our food, and even just to be greeted in the beginning. We arrived 15 mins after they opened with a reservation. Probably won't return.

I have not personally been here but my therapist has been and she said that she and her boyfriend who works at Just Hello said that the service was excellent and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. They especially liked the Ribs.

Went back to Carnal again and was completely amazed. My wife and I were so impressed. Chef James came to our table and explained every dish in detail. The food is out of this world, nothing like I have experienced before. I highly recommend you visit Carnal for fine dining. In addition, I sampled a chicken sandwich from Accomplice (attached restaurant) and it was absolutely divine. Keep up the fantastic work. Bellingham is certainly very lucky to have these eateries.

Absolutely amazing beginning to end wonderful dishes this hit the spot every bite! Highly recommend!

This place is one of the best in town ever throughout the years I've both visited and actually lived here. Simply next level awesome some of the items they have on the menu here at times, not to mention just a few of the drinks as well especially.

This is a foodie's restaurant. So expect delicious plates, small portions, and an expensive bill at the end. That being said, great place to go for a date night. And the food is beyond Good.

I hated everything except the chicken wings. The service, the concrete seats (ugg), the boring limited high price menu and the awful drinks. I'll never go back. Waste of money.