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Slow cooked short rib, bone marrow & black truffle - Carnal, Bellingham, WA

Carnal

4.8 (1022)
$31 to $50
American
1234 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225-5016

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Innovative
Carnal focuses on the bold flavors of wood fire and caramelization balanced with acidic, raw, and seasonal elements. We are a passionate group of cooks who do not cut corners and hope that is evident when you try our food. Our signature dish is a bone-in beef rib that is sous-vide before grilling over an open wood fire and finished with rendered bone-marrow. We source many of our ingredients from local farms and fisheries.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Meat
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Tue 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (360) 306-3587
  • Website
    https://www.eatcarnal.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    James Zamory
  • Catering
    Catering information upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Private events at Carnal can include corporate or social functions as well as private parties and holiday gatherings. We have an outside garden patio that can be reserved.
  • Location
    1234 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225-5016
  • Neighborhood
    Bellingham
  • Cross street
    N State Street
  • Parking details
    Park out front or in one of the parking lots across the street from us
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 1,022 people are saying

Carnal reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Overall

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Food

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Service

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Value

  • Northwest Washington

    Good for groups

  • Northwest Washington

    Neighborhood gem

  • Northwest Washington

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Northwest Washington

    Romantic

  • Northwest Washington

    Good for special occasions

  • Northwest Washington

    Lively

  • Northwest Washington

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Carnal in Bellingham offers an exceptional dining experience with "delicious and creative choices" served by friendly staff. Known for its wood-fired oven magic, standout dishes include the black cod, skirt steak, and brick chicken. Despite occasional service hiccups, patrons enjoy "fantastic food" and "inventive cocktails," making it "a foodie's dream."
1,022 Reviews

  1. Sean VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Carnal is always such a delight. The menu changes constantly with new preparations and flavor combinations. I was disappointed that the last order of wood-fired black cod had been snatched just before I placed my order. It was one of the dishes I was looking forward to the most. In its place, we ordered the skirt steak. It was extraordinary and I soon forgot all about the cod.

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  2. Doug

    Seattle / Eastern Washington3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was exceptional. The number of items on the menu was limited, but what we ordered tasted great. We sat outside at a table that was a little chilly, and had no problem with moving us to another table outside that was warmer. We will definitely go back

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  3. Rand VIP

    Chicago / Illinois4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Carnal is truly a foodies dream. Delicious and creative choices served by a friendly and very knowledgeable staff. I can’t recommend this place high to enough.

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  4. Dani VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington7 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on July 20, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    We normally love carnal - our go to for consistent meals crafted with care. Our recent experience on a Saturday night was very haphazard. They must have been understaffed. The restaurant was very full and not enough service people to make drinks, serve, bring our check, remember to go containers, etc. For the price we should not have to be getting up repeatedly to ask for our check, for the check to be corrected, and to go containers, etc. Bummer!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Paula

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a delicious dinner on July 16, 2025. The black cod was outstanding!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Edward

    Portland / Oregon3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Carnal works magic in their wood-fired oven. Fish, beef, veggies -- all done to perfection and accompanied by memorable sauces. Cocktails always inventive. First-rate.

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  7. Kyle VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always love eating at Carnal. Our favorite upscale dining place in BHam. The cocktails, the service, the food, all of it. The home made bread is always killer!

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  8. Dylan

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the food! Love the vibe, great dining experience.

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  9. Ava

    Portland / Oregon1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing service, beautiful setting, inventive and fresh food with my husband. What more can you ask for?!

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  10. James

    Seattle / Eastern Washington2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our group enjoyed the good food, nice wines, and comfortable ambience. Both steak frits and the pasta dish were real hits,

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carnal offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (360) 306-3587.

Carnal is rated 4.8 stars by 1022 OpenTable diners.

Carnal does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Seattle / Eastern Washington
  4. Northwest Washington
  5. Bellingham

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 6 times today
Google Map for Carnal

1234 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225-5016

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    N State Street
  • Neighborhood
    Bellingham
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Tue 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Meat
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Park out front or in one of the parking lots across the street from us
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    James Zamory
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.eatcarnal.com/
  • Phone number
    (360) 306-3587
  • Catering
    Catering information upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Private events at Carnal can include corporate or social functions as well as private parties and holiday gatherings. We have an outside garden patio that can be reserved.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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