Old Town Cafe

Breakfast restaurant · Bellingham

Old Town Cafe

Breakfast restaurant · Bellingham

1

316 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225

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Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by Old Town Cafe
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null
Old Town Cafe by null

Highlights

Tucked in rustic-chic vibes, this bustling bistro serves up hearty, locally-sourced breakfast and lunch, perfect for any time of day.  

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316 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Get directions

theoldtowncafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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316 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Get directions

+1 360 671 4431
theoldtowncafe.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Mar 13, 2025

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"This comfort-food brunch favorite draws quite a crowd on weekends, but that shouldn’t scare away dedicated diners. Old Town Cafe specializes in big portions of dishes like breakfast burritos, omeletes, scrambles, sandwiches, and burgers. Breakfast is served all day, much of the menu is made from scratch, and ingredients are local and organic whenever possible, with loads of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options." - Megan Hill, Jessamyn Tuttle

12 Great Places to Eat and Drink in Bellingham
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William Case

Google
Great breakfast place, one of the best, in Bellingham. It's always busy on Sundays but we waited 30 minutes and it was worth it! The Number Nine was awesome and the French toast was also great. The staff is very helpful and friendly, even when they're slammed. Great breakfast spot!

mia caron

Google
Fave breakfast spot in town! Lots of vegetarian options too. The mushroom and sunflower seed burger is the best house made veggie patty in town, and maybe my favorite of all time. All of the staff are so wonderful!! (Hi Alice!) Busy spot on the weekends and worth waiting for a table, but if you don’t enjoy crowds or kids I would stop by early AM, after noon, or save your visit for a sleepy weekday morning. Do not leave without the coffee cake

Misha Smith

Google
This place was packed for a reason. The food was great & very tasty with some unusual twists. The Thani mushroom gravy was so good on my biscuit. The home fries were cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning. The beans were flavorful & there was too much food of course. I had a cup of tea which they have many to choose from if you like your teas. The place is very eclectic with the decor, I loved the style. I would definitely give this place a try.

Kyle Dahl

Google
Overall: A solid breakfast diner option, with good food and reasonable prices. The good: A large, breakfast/brunch-friendly menu that will please most folks. Atmosphere is comforting and cozy, and the service was friendly. The food itself came out hot and tested great, and so did the coffee. Outdoor seating when the weather is warm. The not-so-good: The food and options are ordinary, nothing too adventurous or extravagant. But they are done well. Service was a little slow, and we had to wait quite a while before getting seated (due to limited amount of tables). Food/drink: 8/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10

DJ Garcia

Google
This restaurant is a downtown fixture and a gem to the locals. We dine based on Google rating and Old Town made the cut at 4.5 stars however biased from the local’s love. They have a menu packed with creative choices and proudly support their community and local suppliers. The in-house baked blueberry muffin was excellent, even though the kitchen wouldn’t grill it. Pancake was mid, I believe made with wheat flour, which changes a lot. The huevos rancheros, a favorite of mine, was essentially a plate of liquid with their enchilada sauce, beans and over easy eggs. My personal opinion is that their recipe is not very good even though there was Mexican flair all over the menu. Breakfast sandwich was as expected even though English muffin was seedy and hard - not quite what you expect out of an English muffin. Overall, we were satisfied with our breakfast, but feel the rating is too high.

Kara Wren

Google
I absolutely adore the old town cafe. I end up visiting about twice a week between meetings. I return for the delicious food that doesnt leave me feeling overly full or groggy after, which is something that most restaurants end up doing for me. The place is beautifully decorated, and lacks any sort of hostility or unpleasantness from both the staff and patrons. The staff makes sure i have everything i need and but dont pester me, which i appreciate as im usually studying or working. The prices are extremely reasonable, I can get in and out for about 15 bucks. All in all, they earned my breakfast business.

Chloe Rachel

Google
Stopped in for brunch after coming across Old Town Café during our walk. Short wait, but we got a table in their raised, covered patio. I had the Greek Tofu Scramble (no issues for us to omit olives) and my friend had their Chipotle Chicken Avocado Sandwich (with a roasted beet salad). My scramble was a heaping plate of cubed organic grilled tofu, spinach with feta and garlic, soft corn tortilla, home fries, and black beans. Definitely filling enough for our lunch! The tofu had a nice flavour and it came with a good amount. We weren't sure what to do with the tortilla, so ended up filling it with black beans and ate them together. Satisfying meal! With the heaviness of some of the food, water was a necessity. My friend enjoyed their sandwich with the avocado and side salad. The only downside was their coffee. When they poured the milk into it, the milk curdled and became undrinkable. Fortunately, our server promptly brought them a fresh mug of coffee and milk, and the refills after that were fine.

Sophia Greif

Google
Great spot I've been going here for years. Everything is great but the huevos rancheros, the number 9 and the biscuits and gravy are super yummy. The coffee outside while you wait is a nice touch. Because expect a wait if you're headed there on the weekend.

Corey W.

Yelp
This shit bangs Service bangs Food bangs The jam on the table goes so crazy The tea selection is plentiful and bangin

Breanna C.

Yelp
Very pleasantly busy for a Sunday morning brunch - it was fun to enjoy the Bellingham community. Despite being busy, the food came out extremely fast. Food itself was very run of the mill breakfast. Enjoyable and willing to make substitutions as needed.

Mark R.

Yelp
8:59 am on a Thursday, 09/19/24, choice of seats for two or more. Its quiet although the seating is 90% full. Coffee is hot a delicious--service is great. Waiting for food.

Joshua P.

Yelp
What an overall great experience and I am looking forward to coming back! The server was so kind and knowledgeable and made great recommendations Super cool style set up, which made the ambience just right! ...and the food. I think everything's pretty much scratch made, and you can taste the amount of time and thoughtfulness that goes into each dish. Highly recommend this place.

David L.

Yelp
Came here for breakfast. The food was excellent it unfortunately was extremely loud inside after waiting 45 minutes for a table otherwise I would recommend it.

Lee B.

Yelp
What a super place. It's old, been here a long time, evidently. Has that comfortable look and feel of a place that's been there forever. Super service and a big and varied menu. Everything we had was really good and I consider it one of the better breakfast places I've been to. Have been here a couple times and will be back.

Ana P.

Yelp
I order a avocado chicken chipotle sandwich. I was excited because it sound great and I was so hungry. After 30 or more waiting the portion of the chicken was a joke! Didn't Taste like chipotle it all it was dry. Black beans doesn't have any flavor. It was very disappointed. I guess is better to orderthe breakfast menu only! You can judge by the picture.

Galen S.

Yelp
I'd been here years ago. Met a friend. The ambiance was a tad loud. The food was good, coffee excellent, price was reasonable. I'll be back.

Jay H.

Yelp
We've been here many times and have always had a good experience. Food is always good and the atmosphere is cozy. The only downside is that it's a popular spot and they are usually busy so you almost always have to wait for a table. When the weather is good this isn't that bad but otherwise sitting outside waiting can suck. French toast is my go-to!

Grisell C.

Yelp
This is the worst place to have breakfast!. The seating and waiting list is a joke! The waitresses are condescending when you ask them how long the wait list is.

bruce f.

Yelp
Consistently wonderful! Great food and friendly service. One thing f our favorite places in B'Ham.

Angela P.

Yelp
WOW, this is one popular place. We came here around 9AM on a Tuesday morning, and had a short wait for a table. I wouldn't even want to know what the wait would be on a weekend. My advice: if you do decide to go here on a weekend, arrive long before you are hungry, so your hungry doesn't turn to hangry. Thankfully, despite being so busy they were super efficient. Our food came out in a timely manner. I was impressed with all the veg options. I had the tofu tortilla, which was filling and delicious.

Lauren A.

Yelp
We are choosing a new restaurant each month to review, and for December we choose the Old Town Cafe. Our experience started out poorly when we were attempting to locate parking anywhere near the restaurant, after 10 minutes we finally parked about four blocks away. Not the Old Town Cafe's fault of course. We had to wait about fifteen minutes to be seated, the lunch rush was coming to an end, we came in at 1:30pm. I ordered a Vanilla Latte and I must say that was the best coffee I've had in quite some time. The menu is huge, so I needed an extra minute to look it over. Well, I got an extra fifteen minutes or more, because our server totally forgot about us. In fact, another server noticed and she took our order. A table that arrived after us was actually served lunch before our order was even taken. Then on top of that, our lunch took another half hour, and by this time the Old Town Cafe was slowing down getting ready to close at 2:30pm. My lunch was barely lukewarm, my partners lunch was served hot. I ordered the Egg Tacos and they were outstanding. The potatoes were delicious and seasoned to perfection. The Tacos were awesome, even the shells were especially tasty. My partner had the Garden Egg Tortilla,, which was also amazing. I wasn't crazy about the dining room, the sun was shining in my face and I had to move a couple of times. We got to know the Old Town Cafe really well, because our server not only forgot to ever check on us, but also forgot to give us our check. Finally, after over 45 minutes we got our check. If I had my way I'd give 80% of my tips to the cooks for a wonderful meal, because I think the waitstaff had completely checked out and just wanted to go home by the time we arrived. That was the worst service I've had at a restaurant in years. We both loved the menu, there were several other items we wanted to come back to try, but after our experience at the Old Town Cafe, I think we will be moving on. One star for the service, five stars for the awesome lunch, I'll go up to three stars for the perfect Latte.,

Ashton L.

Yelp
I went here for breakfast and I loved it I got the Number Nine with ham and fried potatoes. The poached eggs and biscuits were perfect, I loved the cheese sauce, and the ham had a nice flavor, the potatoes were ok not bad but not outstanding but what do you expect from fried taters. Service was great and fairly quick for such a busy place, when I finished my first drink I didn't have to wait too long for my second. It's noisy and there's a lot of people, be prepared to wait for a table, if you go alone I recommend choosing a bar seat so you'll get seated faster, I was able to be seated almost immediately that way. It is a little bit pricey if you ask me especially the cocktails, but it's not really any worse than most other places in B-Ham when it comes to price.

Kathryn E.

Yelp
Tasty! And nice waiters, homeless man was playing his guitar nearby which was spunky ambiance.

Nicholas C.

Yelp
Amazing breakfast spot . Gets crowded on weekends, so plan on a 20 to 30 minute wait...

Aiden L.

Yelp
A very long line if you get there at opening but it is well worth the wait for a table there. Excellent service with servers making constant rounds and great decor throughout the restaurant. The food took a little while to bring out but it's totally understandable with how crowded they are and it's food worth waiting for when it arrives. Great portions and flavors that will leave you satisfied and with a full stomach on your way out. An added bonus is their delicious jams that are on every table if definitely recommend tasting them before or with your meal. Enjoy!

Amy C.

Yelp
I enjoy the service and vibe of old town cafe. It is great for when I have my kids with me too. I usually get the lumber Jane omelette which is really good. I tired to egg tacos add bacon and they were great too.

Elizabeth M.

Yelp
This place was fantastic! Plenty of vegan options for my daughter and such a fun vibe. I got an entire pear almond sour cream coffee cake for $5, which although small, was still at least 6 pieces! Servers are attentive but laidback and fun. Very dog-friendly for outdoor seating. The biscuits with mushroom/tahini gravy were to die for!

Catherine B.

Yelp
Literally worst brunch ever. Unless you are a vegan, just don't bother. Everything is mid and the portions suck. So bad.

Lia A.

Yelp
This is my favorite breakfast spot in town! It's a wonderful place so be prepared to wait a while for a table especially on weekends. During the week getting a table doesn't take too long. It's a cozy cafe that provides a welcoming atmosphere and service and good food.

Melinda G.

Yelp
349 reviews and 4 stars? I might have to try this place again cuz I do love a good breakfast spot but I definitely will not be ordering their pancakes. I admit I got my order to go and that's all I ordered because I was craving pancakes. Sadly they were so greasy I threw them away after a couple of bites. The server that took my order was delightful and it looks like a well loved, happy place that I'd like to try again. I'll just continue on my pancake quest with other Bellingham breakfast establishments.

Nancy E.

Yelp
We made it here after hearing about it from friends for a cloudy but pleasant Sunday breakfast. To start, I love that there's self serve, good coffee out while you wait. Nice "parklet" for outdoor dining. I had the NW tofu scramble and hubs had the blueberry pancakes/eggs/bacon. Both of us were fully satisfied, and despite some initial grumbling from him about $3 extra for the blueberries, he was very happy with the quantity stuffed in those cakes. My scramble was delicious; perfectly cooked and seasoned, and plenty for leftovers. The service was excellent as well. There is so much I want to try still so I know we'll be frequent repeat customers!

David F.

Yelp
Great food. Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Killer coffee and home fries! Great place for breakfast in B-ham.

M F.

Yelp
If you're looking for a US traditional breakfast place, you'll be hard pressed to find what you want here. However, if you're open to modern US cooking there is plenty here for you. Unfortunately, the service was very poor. My friend ordered bacon and ham with his meal and got bacon and chicken sausage. I ordered sour dough and bacon, told them to make the bacon crispy, just this side of burned. I got wheat and bacon that was close, but wasn't crispy and they also cooked my friend's bacon the same way mine was, which he didn't want and didn't ask for. When we asked the server, later she said it was her mistake, even though we recall being specific about some of the items. The food otherwise, was well prepared.

Rick M.

Yelp
Great place to eat, the menu and food is worth your time. Every time I've been there the food is wonderful. If you're in a hurry ask for it to go up front when you talk to the waitress, this place is a community hot spot people come to catch up on life it seems. The experience is always good because they're very friendly. So if you're looking to chat with people and have good food... then this place is for you.

Dima H.

Yelp
We got there at opening (8 am on a Sunday) and got a table right away. There were a few other groups waiting. Our lattes were wonderful, and my daughter was a big fan of her hot chili ate with whipped cream. My breakfast burrito was good, as were my husband's pancakes. The best part is the kids menu, with lots of options for littles at a lower price point. There's a small kids play area in the corner and the playground just down the street. This makes a great morning family outing!

Jodi S.

Yelp
Stumbled in here while visiting WWU and cannot wait to make it a regular stop with each visit to Bellingham. We arrived early and sat sipping our chai and coffee while the booths filled up with locals and the staff greeted them. Ordered the Number Nine and the Farmers Skillet The cafe is decorated like your favorite memory, calm and quirky. Makes you smile just thinking about it.

Tara H.

Yelp
Came here for breakfast and was able to sit on their heated outdoor patio with my dog. I ordered a chicken sausage and pepper jack omelet, which also came with potatoes and sourdough toast. I liked my meal but thought the eggs were runny, too much liquid. My husband ordered their breakfast sandwich with avocado added. His sandwich was dry and tasted better with hot sauce added. Overall, we thought our food was okay. I think the service here was great though. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive.

Daniel T.

Yelp
One of my favorite spots in Bellingham for brunch. Quaint atmosphere, lots of local stuff and really interesting options. My favorite is the Greek tofu scramble which really highlights the great tales they have on breakfast. The tofu is crispy, mixed with black beans, spinach and olives this dish wakes you up with flavor. My only issue is on the weekends you need to arrive early or deal with a little wait.

Naomi S.

Yelp
My husband and I are both gluten free so when I saw that Old Town Cafe had gluten free pancakes and sandwiches I knew we had to stop here while driving through Bellingham on the way to Vancouver. We were seated quickly upon arrival and they have a cute waiting area for kids to play while waiting for a table. Our server was very friendly and gave us water and menus quickly. I ordered a gluten free BLT with a side of butternut squash soup, my husband ordered a gluten free tuna melt with chili and the kiddo got a GF teddy bear pancake with a bowl of fruit. Everything was absolutely and completely delicious. You couldn't even tell that our meals were gluten free. They use Great Harvest bread and it had a great texture and wasn't too dense. The tuna melt had a bit of heat from jalapeño with the perfect amount of tuna and the BLT had the perfect proportion of ingredients. The star of the meal was the butternut squash soup. All I can say was, I could have eaten a giant bowl of it! The kiddo loved his pancake and the fruit tasted fresh. Overall, Old Town Cafe is a place that has something for everyone and is an excellent option for lunch or brunch. Can't wait to go back!

Joseph M.

Yelp
First timer. Cute quirky breakfast place with a strong vegan offering. There are meat options for the carnivore. I hade the lumber Jane, a solidly put together list of omelet filling. Except for the egg. Dunno if the person is classically trained or just bloody good at eggs, but the next time I'll ask if they can make a French omelet. Great place to se the latest info on the local theatre scene on their cork board. And I'm prolly gonna own one of their sweatshirts by Christmas. The people are great and friendly.

Zachary K.

Yelp
Delicious lattes and vegan/allergy-friendly options! The farmers skillet and the garden salad were amazing and the staff was extremely helpful and nice.

Michael M.

Yelp
I'm all over the place with my job. I'm a union pipefitter that travels all over the country. I'm here working up at BP cherry point. Old town (this place) and Yolk over on the coast down in OR are fighting for best spot I've ever been for breakfast. This is now my Sunday spot while I'm here. Wish I'd have found it 2 months ago when I got here. Place is as local food as you can get, laid back, relaxing and the staff is aces. They should be proud of what they doing and this is a must stop and grab a bite if your are a y where close.

Misty G.

Yelp
This place is one of my favorites in town to get breakfast! Everything is delicious but I would definitely recommend the potato's

Jason B.

Yelp
Incredible and worth the small wait. Sat outside and had a great breakfast, for a reasonable price. Local ingredients and good service. Highly recommend.

Mark H.

Yelp
I see it's been ten years since I last reviewed Old Town Cafe, time for an update. I've been able to visit a bunch of times when it hasn't been crazy busy, and the food is very good. Omelettes, soups, quesadillas all great. She says the coffee is a bit acidic. The big room is very very loud, like hearing damage loud. I wish they would do a bit of acoustic work in there.

Raven G.

Yelp
We came on a busier morning so we had to wait probably 20-30 min around lunch time but it was definitely worth it. How me and my wife explain it is the food was a healthy version of what you're probably expecting. That's exactly what I was looking for so this was great, they are very clear in the menu about how honestly very healthy they are. I got their breakfast burrito it was a little sloppy but so yummy !

Heather R.

Yelp
I have never been disappointed here. They have delicious food every time and friendly staff. Bright and clean interior

Kathie s.

Yelp
Yum! this is hands down one of my favorite places to go and eat in Bellingham. I have been there both for breakfast and lunch and it is AMAZING. Do not let the wait scare you or leave as the wait is worth it and will deliver some of the best food in Bellingham for Vegetarians and meat lovers alike. I am a vegetarian and can be pretty critical about the number of selections available, but honestly they have so many ! The other thing that I so appreciate that they told me when I called in is although they have meat, they cook veggie selections on a separate grill-Which is oh so awesome. Wait staff is top notch, atmosphere friendly and warm and the food yummy! Prices are reasonable and worth every penny.

Austin G.

Yelp
Old Town Cafe is a historic cafe in downtown Bellingham. It opened originally as one of the only African-American businesses in town often serving the community. Today's owners have kept the community feel to the restaurant. Here's how: 1) Space: It's full of local posters and diverse seating (tables, booths, etc) to accommodate all types of people. There's even a play area for kids with toys and books (our 2-year-old daughter loved it). 2) Giving back: They allow local musicians to play music in the main dining area for a free meal. They also host an annual Thanksgiving meal for the community. 3) Food: They respect all and have a large menu for all taste buds and preferences from vegetarian, vegan, and breakfast all day. If you enjoy eggs, the "Number Nine" is to die for with ham! If you need a classic Bellingham spot, go here!

Hannah B.

Yelp
I've been on a search for the best vegetarian friendly biscuits and gravy. My search has come to an end! Old Town, by far, has the best in town. The mushroom-tahini gravy is thick and satisfying. Most vegetarian gravies are very thin and leave much to be desired. My companion and I arrived just before 8 AM opening on Sunday. Immediate seating was available. The service was really good with servers checking often, but not annoyingly often. $30 for two meals and coffee is a steal. I'll be back. No doubt about it.

Gabriel C.

Yelp
We come here every time we go to Bellingham because we love the food and service. Simple, healthy omelets and the best hotcakes I've ever tasted. The service is always friendly and the decor is that inner city funky old building feel that celebrates the last century. A good setting for an R Crumb comic. The only reason it didn't get a five is the coffee, which has that burnt flavour that Starbucks coffee has. If you like that hint of turpentine you will love their coffee.

Hilary W.

Yelp
Do you want the best breakfast or lunch, served by incredible staff? Do you want to laugh and forget how hungover you are! Or are you looking for a family friendly place to bring your tiny humans. Then Old Town Cafe is the spot! Always fresh ingredients in their amazing recipes, always delicious coffee and bevies, not to mention allergen accommodating. Mac, you rock, and the other staff, too, y'all are always so great! 10/10 would recommend! Whether you're in town for the weekend, or a local who hasn't experienced this gem, get here now!

Andrew W.

Yelp
Stopped in for Sunday brunch - ordered biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and an omelette. All excellent! Definitely recommend if you're in the area

Valerie B.

Yelp
Wow Seriously the best breakfast I've had in awhile! I came in on a Monday morning (it was a holiday so it was busier than usual) and I was impressed every step of the way! I had a short wait but the staff worked quickly to get everyone seated. I started with a chai tea latte- it was just the right balance of sweet and spicy! For my meal I had scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries. I subbed a buttermilk biscuit instead of toast- totally worth it! I'm a southerner- so I have high standards for biscuits and this exceeded my expectations- y'all, fluffy, delicious! It was absolute perfection with butter and jam (raspberry- I think). The home friends were super flavorful and not too greasy. The scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly and the bacon was delicious as well! I'll be back!

Noneya B.

Yelp
Had brunch here on Saturday. Great weather that day. The food is pretty just ok. But I did notice it was really inexpensive as well, which is great. The coffee tastes like cafe de arte - not quite satisfying, and muddy flavor. The service is polite but half-assed.It could have been slammed prior and they just didn't have any fenergy left in them that day. I ordered a breakfast burrito. Easy. She brought it out with her thumb deep in the ramican holding the sour cream which was topped off with salsa... Who wants to dip their burrito in "finger-salsa-cream"? Bzzzzpt: if in college, disregard. The thumb:condiment ratio may be worth it (offset by the reasonable prices)

Conner J.

Yelp
Deffinitly worth it for the great food (with lots of good vegan options) but the line is just as bad as home skillet. Both are worth it, but you better have over an hour if you want eat at either on the weekend. The last time we went here the food was really good but when we got our bill, everything was just labeled "food" with the price haha. It made it confusing when splitting the bills up.

Francine L.

Yelp
Came here with a bunch of my classmates and they were so welcoming! I ended up getting the french toast with eggs and this french toast was legit the best french toast ive ever had. It was made so perfectly! I also had a mimosa and that was great.