Restaurants should be a space to unwind and expand your palate. But for folks with dietary restrictions (and their loved ones), they can also be a source of anxiety. Dining out requires extensive pre-planning and research, as even small mistakes can have unpleasant consequences.
But restaurants don’t have to be stressful — especially in a town like Bellingham. Many of the area’s eateries cater to folks with dietary restrictions, either by subbing ingredients in existing dishes or offering specialized menus or menu items.
In the spirit of the Bellingham Veg Fest (occurring Sunday, Sept. 22 on the Barkley Village Green), we’ve rounded up local eateries that are well-equipped to handle restrictive diets. Whether you’re gluten-free, vegan or navigating food allergies, it’s possible to eat out without sacrificing flavor. You just have to know where to look.
Breakfast
Folks who avoid dairy or other animal products should know that The Wild Oat Bakery and Cafe is currently Bellingham’s only vegan brick-and-mortar. It serves a solid breakfast and also clearly marks gluten-free items.
That said, my favorite plant-based breakfast can be found at Hammerhead Coffee, as it uses biscuits from Sammies Vegan for its giant breakfast sandwiches. Camber Coffee also makes a standout breakfast sandwich on house-made gluten-free/vegan focaccia, plus seasonal vegan pumpkin spice donuts.
For folks with celiac, however, Avellino Gluten Free Bakery is my top recommendation. Its facilities are dedicated gluten-free; you can pick goodies up from its Cornwall Avenue bakery, or select items from the coffee shop on Railroad Avenue.
Banter has multiple dairy and/or gluten-free options — but in my book, its massive breakfast burrito deserves an award. Just make sure to specify if you want it vegetarian, vegan and/or dairy-free.
Finally, Old Town Cafe is a consistent option for breakfast for both vegan and gluten-free diners. It serves corn tortillas instead of regular toast upon request, and staff will happily accommodate a variety of dietary needs.
Lunch
For a plant-based lunch on the go, my top picks aren’t restaurants but food trucks: Sammies and New Public, to be specific. Both serve 100% vegan comfort food, and New Public’s menu is also totally gluten-free.
The menu at Otherlands Beer is strictly vegetarian, and most of its dishes can easily be made plant-based (including their to-die-for beet Reuben). It also serves gluten-free latkes and falafel wraps.
5b’s Bakery in Concrete is well worth the trek for those with celiac, as the bakery is dedicated gluten-free. In addition to bakery items like cinnamon rolls, bread pudding and cheesecakes, folks can also stop in for lunch items like lasagna, quiche and pot pies.
Shambala Bakery and Bistro in Mount Vernon is another dedicated gluten-free business, and most dishes can be made vegan or allergy-friendly. Expect menu items like house-made, gluten-free breads plus items like grilled cheese, muffulettas and even fish and chips (or, for those who don’t eat fish, “wish-’n’-chips”).
Dinner
Most entrees at Brandywine Kitchen are gluten-free, including the mac and cheese, and steak chimichurri tacos. Bellingham Cider Co. and Aslan Brewing Co. also have a wide variety of clearly marked gluten-free items, plus attentive waitstaff — just make sure to avoid the beer.
If you like pho (and who doesn’t?), Soy House has a stellar reputation for catering to folks with restrictions, whether they be celiac, food allergies or plant-based diets. Most Thai places, namely Thai Maison, will also accommodate plant-based or gluten-free diets if you alert your server.
Plant-based dinner favorites that don’t skimp on flavor include the vegan “beef tip” adobo at Bry’s Filipino Cuisine and lentil stews at Ambo Ethiopian. L&L Libations does a plant-based version of their beloved Crunch Wraps, and both El Sueñito Brewing and New Mexico Tamale Company have vegan tamales (which are also naturally gluten-free).
And if it’s pizza you’re after, know that most places have gluten-free and/or vegan options. North Fork Brewery, Terramar Brewstillery, Ovn Pizza and La Fiamma Pizza are standouts, though diners with celiac should be wary of cross-contamination.
Delivery, dessert and late-night bites
Don’t want to go out to eat, but not in the mood to cook? Guud Bowls is a delivery-only restaurant that caters to a variety of dietary restrictions.
AB Crepes and Sweet as Waffles are open late and have vegan and gluten-free crepes and waffles. The Pye Hole also does by-the-slice vegan pizza till late, or full-sized vegan pies at its adjacent pizzeria, La Fiamma Pizza (which closes around 9 p.m.).
Redlight Kitchen & Bar is open late and has some of the best cocktails — and vegan date night food — in Whatcom County. I tend to spring for the hot chili noodles and crispy wontons, but your mileage may vary.
For sweet treats, Alchemy Creamery is a 100% vegan ice cream pop-up and perfect for folks on plant-based or dairy-free diets. Avellino has gluten-free desserts in addition to pastries, and Pure Bliss Desserts, Girl n Dog, It’s the Sweet Things and even the Community Food Co-op often have vegan and/or gluten-free options, too.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
