Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Northwest Washington

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Northwest Washington? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Estelle

4.8

4.8 (269)

$31 to $50

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

*At Estelle, we accept online reservations, and we encourage you to walk in*

Located in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Estelle serves creative comfort food and craft cocktails. Our dining room is beautifully designed yet cozy and offers the best natural light in town. We also have outdoor seating surrounded by lush greenery and in close proximity to the bay.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Everything about the experience was excellent. Service was courteous and efficient. The drinks were great. The food was delicious. We had a mix of regular menu items and nightly specials. We will definitely return to enjoy the atmosphere and new offerings from kitchen and bar.

Roe

4.8

4.8 (110)

$31 to $50

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

We are a high-low, fine-casual concept making simple, seasonal American cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of Italy, France, & Spain.

Expect to see dishes that you are used to seeing at fancy restaurants & some you would typically find at a drive-thru or dive bar. but they all are served on a plate from Goodwill.

Our menus are ever-changing, not just by the season but by the day. we embrace change, creativity & inspiration every chance we get.

For groups of 2 people, we recommend ordering 4-6 dishes from the three sections of the menu (depending on how hungry you are!). for example - 2 snacks, 1 small share plate, & 1 large share plate.

The food is designed to be enjoyed family-style. As such, your food will be coursed out as we see fit. for groups ordering individually, we will do our best to get your order out all at once, but you may experience some slightly longer wait times.

We can’t wait to see you!

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 4 days ago

Dan and Izzy put together an absolutely wonderful family style dinner for my group of 10. They were very flexible in accepting such a large party and were able to accommodate food allergies without any issue. Out whole group was raving about the food and the cocktails for the rest of our trip. If you want a meal in Bellingham that you'll be talking about for months, this is the one!

Great Blue Heron Grill at Semiahmoo Country Club

4.7

4.7 (108)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Blaine

About the restaurant

**Great Blue Heron Grill, located in Blaine, Washington, is located 3.2 miles from Semiahmoo Resort.

The Great Blue Heron Grill at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club features seasonal and locally sourced ingredients in a picturesque setting on an award-winning Arnold Palmer designed course. The restaurant is open to the public, so stop in and enjoy an elevated dining and cocktail experience for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch! We offer weekly specials and are happy to host your special event in the Private Arnold Palmer Room. Great Blue Heron features a variety of wines, available by the glass or by the bottle, cocktails, beer, and other beverages. Sit on our beautiful patio and enjoy this special location.

Sunday menus are Brunch (10-2pm), Lunch(11-4pm) Dinner (4-7pm)

Top review

Marilyn

Dined on May 8, 2025

Five of us ordered prime rib. The steaks were cooked to perfection, with delicious mashed potatoes as a side. Our server was attentive and timely. We highly recommend the Great Blue Heron!

Whiskey Prime Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (647)

$50 and over

Steak

Arlington

About the restaurant

Savor the taste of exceptional steaks and chops at Whiskey Prime Steakhouse! With a variety of meals and an upscale casual atmosphere, Whiskey Prime Steakhouse offers unparalleled service and an array of prime cuts, seafood, and local barrel-aged whiskey for you to enjoy!

All ages welcome.

We recommend that for parties of more 5 or more that you book at least 2 weeks in advance.
Thank you.

Top review

CARLAVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Perfection again and again. Perfect service, wine, appetizers and dinner.

Carnal

4.7

4.7 (1011)

$31 to $50

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Bill

Dined 5 days ago

I took my family here for my wife's birthday. It did not disappoint! Seven of us order many different plates. The combinations in each dish was a refreshing change for the palate. Both chicken dishes offered a comfy and very present taste. The pasta dishes left you looking for more! The skirt steak was simply amazing. Drinks were good. Waitress was great and helpful. I have been 4 times now and it has always been amazing. One, little thing. Bring back the broccolini!

The Admiralty Lounge

4.7

4.7 (61)

$30 and under

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

The Admiralty Lounge is a 21+ restaurant and lounge, offering inventive cuisine inspired by old Naval passages and Trade Routes. Our aesthetic and menu take a healthy inspiration from both the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien as well as Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, backed by exceptional cocktails, beer, wine and more with spirited and non-alcoholic options for everyone.

Delicious comfort food like Fish & Chips arrive along side re-imaginings of traditional naval meals, such as our Imperial Swine. House Smoked Oysters, Clam Chowder, and our Caesar Salad make way for locally harvested mussels and grass-fed steak while those seeking lighter fare may find their way to robust salads, or vegetarian offerings such as our seasonal Harvest Plate.

Located next to Bellingham's iconic Mount Baker Theater, The Admiralty is perfect for an after work happy hour downtown, an inspiring meal before a show, or a late night drink with your closest friends.

Top review

Sandra

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

The service was impeccable! Our server, an amiable young fellow, took our order by memory! An amazing feat at any age. The cocktails were innovative, and the food was very good. I am looking forward to returning very soon to try more of the cocktail and food selections. And... there were fresh flowers on every table, which adds a lot to a pleasurable dining experience.

Lighthouse Bar & Grill

4.5

4.5 (416)

$31 to $50

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

Lighthouse Grill & Pub presents innovative and creative Northwest cuisine for breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner served in an unmatched waterside location with panoramic views of Bellingham Bay and the islands. Our menus reflect a blend of old-world French and new age Northwest cuisine, and change seasonally to take full advantage of the abundant local, fresh food offerings. Our chefs work with local farmers and fishermen to obtain the freshest local seafood, vegetables, and meats that are seasonally available.

Events include: Daily Happy Hour in the Pub from 3-6 pm. Live music on weekend evenings including Sunday Jazz (dinner reservations required). Blues, Brews and BBQ every Thursday in July & August on waterfront Terrace Patio.

Private event spaces for groups available including our signature Wine Cellar, Compass Room & Admiral Garden Room.

Top review

Nathaniel

Dined 4 days ago

It was a wonderful experience! Food was delicious and drinks were wonderful. Highly recommend if you haven’t been.

Lombardi's - Bellingham

4.5

4.5 (347)

$31 to $50

Italian

Bellingham

About the restaurant

At Lombardi’s Italian Restaurants, we are committed to sourcing locally whenever possible, using only the finest ingredients in our kitchens.

Both Italian & Washington wines are a focus on our wine list.

Located on the Bellingham waterfront, experience classic and contemporary cuisine from all around the boot with our daily menus. Rotating seasonal menus feature dishes inspired by our adventures through Italy

Gluten free, vegetarian & vegan options.

Compliment your dining experience with a glass of wine from our stellar cellar,
a premium draft beer from local breweries, or a signature Lombardi's cocktail.

Top review

LynnVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful place to dine! I had the salmon piccata, cooked rare (as I asked). So good!!!

Skylark's Hidden Cafe

4.4

4.4 (349)

$30 and under

American

Bellingham

About the restaurant

Tasteful and sophisticated, Skylarks Hidden Cafe offers a diverse menu. From traditional to contemporary recipes, its menu includes items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a late-night menu providing sandwiches, small plates and an array of desserts for the after-hours crowd. Also equipped with a full-service bar, Skylarks Hidden Cafe serves a variety of beers, wines and cocktails.Offering an elegant decor, it is an ideal place for date night. Along with full-service dining, a number of special events are held regularly at Skylarks Hidden Cafe. This includes special happy hour promotions along with live jazz music and concerts throughout the weekend.

Top review

Ellen

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Great food, great table service, a little confusion at check-in. Lovely location!

Downriggers

4.3

4.3 (1073)

$31 to $50

Northwest

San Juan Islands

About the restaurant

Downriggers, located on the water's edge of Friday Harbor. Local family-owned and ran since 1986.
Featuring water views, Pacific Northwest cuisine, & scratch-made cocktails.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great location, Good food and service. Not special except for the view.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Northwest Washington