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    The Black Cat

    4.1 (486 reviews)
    ModerateNew American, Bars, Salad
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    The Black Cat Photos

    THE BLACK CAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Black Cat

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    Seneca R.

    The best place in Fairhaven for a classy but casual date night. We eat in a tapas style, sharing some dishes between ourselves instead of all ordering our own entree. The Brussel sprouts are a must get, the caesar salad is fresh and house made (those croutons...), and the portions are very reasonable. Even if it's full when you arrive it's always worth the wait.

    Signature cheeseburger
    Judy B.

    I've tried The Black Cat both during lunch and dinner hours, dinner time, personally, is my preference. We made reservations online so we're able to be seated right away. The place isn't too big so reservations when able are definitely recommended. It's pretty loud in there. The food I ordered during lunch hour was good, nothing over the top. As far as dinner though it was delicious! The menu isn't too big but you can definitely tell everything is made fresh. The food was very tasty!

    Prairie S.

    A charming upstairs dining spot, inside a quirky, characterful, historic building with funky staircases going from all angles seemingly. Set on a cobble stone street in Fairhaven, I would return to this gem again and again for its inventive, well-executed, plethora of cocktails and its efficient waitstaff who make the dining experience seamless. The menu offers a slightly elevated bar food and classic 1950s American main plates such as beef stroganoff, pot roast, roast chicken, and Dungeness crab mac and cheese. The experience of coming here for dinner gives a sense of something unique, cosy, romantic; sure beats pulling into yet another sterile, drab, concrete strip mall of modern death capitalist 'Muerica. Inside, the wooden floors, dark wood decor and dim Tiffany lamps create the adult ambience. Something out of a 1930s film noir. The menu offers sentimental favorites sure to please a range of palates and hungry bellies. We had a big 10-strong party doing a double birthday dinner. The waitress handled individual and split tabs masterfully. We tried a variety of appetizers, most notable among which were the following: = tempura fried green beans with an Asian dipping sauce mysteriously labeled Bangalore (soy sauce/rice vinegar with chopped shallots and green chilli -- more Korean than south Asian), = the fondue platter with bread, raw broccoli (would have been better lightly steamed), granny smith apples etc. = Manila clams, deliciously dressed with a garlicky white wine tomato dressing = Spinach artichoke dip (a no brainer) Many people went for burgers and the fish and chips. The halibut choice with fish and chips was a winner. Everybody's food seemed delicious, including the birthday girl who chose beef stroganoff. Many of us had the Pomm's Cup which was a cocktail using Pimm's liqueur, gin, ginger, and pomegranate. It went down smooth and was quite pleasant. I would like to return again and again.

    Inside
    Lauren B.

    This place was phenomenal. We had drinks, appetizers, main meal, and dessert (we were full but wanted to get the full experience). There are few places that does all courses well and this is it. Every one who worked there was really nice. Our waitress gave us her true recommendation vs saying everything is good, which we were really appreciative of. She checked on us in a timely manner- service was top notch. The restaurant almost feels like you're in a downtowns New Orleans restaurant. The windows were decorated for Christmas which made a super cute/romantic date environment. Drinks: Caribbean holiday (so good had to get it twice) Appetizer: Spinach Dip (large portion and delish) Entree: salmon special (GET the Brussels if given the opportunity) & French dip w/ French onion soup (amazing flavors and large portions) Dessert: Brownie (we got this because it was the only dessert made in house. The toffee topping made me drool lol) We will drive out of the way to go to this place again when driving by!

    Croque madame with egg
    Meralina M.

    The food here is out of this world!!! I lived in Switzerland for a while and had croque madames every Sunday and I've not found a good one for a while and this one was superb, it would been nice with a salad instead of fries but it was delicious either way! My friends good was also really great! The staff was also incredibly nice and it was a great place for a girls day out brunch!

    Pesto Gouda chicken
    Crissy T.

    Came here with about 7 friends and had a wonderful experience. Service was absolutely excellent. We did quite a few of the appetizers- crab cakes and tempura green beans a must. For dinners, everyone's food looked delicious. I did the pesto Gouda chicken and my only regret was I didn't order a second helping of mashed potatoes. Amazing ambience

    Extra  Dirty Vodka Martini and Cat Scratch Lemonade!!
    Sandy O.

    Amazing service and ambiance! Was seated next to a window, so we saw an amazing sunset and mountain range!

    View from the table
    Anna E.

    One of my all time favorite places to go for any kind of food, appetizer, or drink. I have never had a bad experience at The Black Cat, except maybe having to wait for a table too long, but that's because it's that good! The servers are always great, and you can't beat the view and vibe here.

    Mike M.

    We had been black cat lovers for years We were in the area and decided to try their happy hour after the restaurant refresh I got the fish and chips 2 piece for $10 The fish was like rubber and the batter was oily It was in the worst I tried category The fries were terrible, I hated them, they were in the worst I ever had category My wife got the burger, it was fine nothing special After being a fan for years we have decided never to go back

    Carey M.

    If you want a cozy, even romantic environment with lovely big windows and views, this is your spot. If you want great service (and I'm talking what most of us are accustomed to outside of Bellingham) it is not. Prepare to have your order taken, delivered, check dropped- only after sitting with an empty glass and plates for a while and having to ask for it. No follow up on how order looks or after on how it's tasting. No drink refills. Can I get you anything else...how's it tasting...would like a coffee or dessert...nope nope nope. You'll have to be prepared to get someone's attention if you require anything more than bare minimum...but of course a tip is expected. Typical Bellingham service...much to my dismay.

    Biscuits and Gravy with fried chicken
    Anthony W.

    With the hype of this place it turned out to be very run of the mill. Staff is great but the rustic venue was filled with stock tables and chairs and while there is some thematic cat aspects to the venue, overall feels a little tired and empty of decoration. The food, while "fresh," still felt processed. It was just overall a disappointment from the other reviews and write ups. Generally speaking, feels like it's coasting on a reputation of a bygone era. The chicken, biscuits and gravy are a pass. Nothing about it really resonated with me. It was a cleanse break cheat meal and I was grossly disappointed.

    Clam CHOW-dah!
    Matt R.

    The Chat Noir has an undeniably cool space. On the second floor looking out over the Fairhaven District and the water. I had the happy hour Fish & Chips and a bowl of the chowder. The fish & chips weren't anything special. Freshly cooked, as were the fries which I always appreciate. The chowder was the star to me. I'd come back for that. The service was average. Definitely worth checking out!

    Crab cake Benedict
    Jeremy A.

    First of all, I would have to say this was the highlight of our tour of restaurants on our weekend in Bellingham....and it was brunch! Walking into this place has a very cool vibe to start off with. Walking into the whole building was kinda cool and slightly weird. But honestly I don't know, I loved the inside of the building more than I should have maybe? The restaurant itself was nice and clean, we chose a table in the bar area by the window. Great views, though I should have taken a picture for reference. My wife and I had picked out this place a couple days in advance and already had our choices for brunch. The server we had was very friendly and quick with service. Zero complaints. I chose the Crab Cake Benedict and she had the Croque Monsieur. First off the crab cakes were huge and packed full of crab. The poached eggs...you're going to get a great review if they're cooked right, and they were perfect. No runny whites and the yolks were perfect. Sounds like a funny thing to be so judgy about, but I feel like 80% of breakfast establishments can't complete this task. The Croque Monsieur was rich and decadent, both were very filling, needless to say we left VERY satisfied. Side note: when you are eating breakfast and you have people come into the restaurant and stop at you table just to ask what we were eating, you know it's good(especially when the table next to us ordered the exact same thing). Next time we are in the area it'll be hard, but we'll have to try lunch or dinner instead....although we might still have to sneak in for brunch too..

    Seafood Chowder... to die for.

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    1 month ago

    Exceptionally bad service. Mediocre food. Bad sound. Dirty bathroom with no paper towels.

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    Great service and neat vibe. I don't recommend the kale salad, though. The rest of our food was good.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - The Black Cat

    Do they allow minors? I keep seeing that it's labeled a 'cocktail bar' on different searches.

    Yes we allow minors. One half of our restaurant is a bar, and the other half is for underage seating.

    Is it upstairs? Does it have an elevator or wheelchair accessible?mifcez-nesRe1-qymfyq

    It's up stairs but there is an elevator available right next to the stairs.

    Do you need a weeknight reservation?

    It prolly wouldn't hurt to make a reservation.. But we have snuck in during the week without one on occasion.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    J's Kitchen - Cubano time.

    J's Kitchen

    4.6(61 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Stopped in for an early dinner at J's Kitchen yesterday. Super friendly welcome and the space was…read moreinvitingly warm after walking around underdressed for the cold December darkness. I'd always wanted to try Mofongo so that was an easy decision (ordered with pork); we also ordered the pernil sandwich with tostones. Both were super tasty and we scarfed it all down. (Thus no pictures...) Word of warning (such as it is): BIG garlic flavor, which we loved, but be warned that you will have some serious dragon breath afterwards for hours Food was reasonably priced for the quality and portions. I'm not sure what the price complaints are about? Great atmosphere, lovely people and delicious food. Do check them out when you're in Fairhaven.

    Food was pretty good. Nothing that knocked our socks off. I went looking for a specific menu item…read morebut they had removed it. First time for us at a Puerto Rican restaurant so we weren't sure what to expect. The location is a good part of town and the restaurant was nice and cozy. Little bit chill though. They for sure weren't running the heat much. Service was helpful and kind but getting our food was quite slow. They did apologize with the reasoning being only had 1 cook. I can appreciate that but when you're out for one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year, you should be expecting a busy night and be staffed appropriately.

    Photos
    J's Kitchen
    J's Kitchen - You won't believe your tastebuds.

    You won't believe your tastebuds.

    J's Kitchen - Try our homemade deserts.

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    Try our homemade deserts.

    Avenue Bread - Fairhaven Cafe - Sedona Salad - packed with healthy ingredients! IG - @bilalandjesseatfood

    Avenue Bread - Fairhaven Cafe

    3.9(115 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Great little breakfast sandwiches, some of the best I've had. Lunch menu is a bit pricey for what…read moreis offered but it is good quality across the board. Right in the middle of lovely Fairhaven, a nice spot to grab a bite before hitting a book store or some of the numerous other stores available to browse.

    How I heard of this place: While Avenue Bread has been a Bellingham staple for a number of years,…read moreit was my sister, visiting from out of state that introduced us to the Fairhaven Cafe. Type of cuisine: Bread. All things freshly baked: bread edition. And all things on freshly baked bread. Sandwiches, pastries, coffees and more. Ambiance: Cozy, and vast, the space is equal parts grandma's country house charm and idyllic Fairhaven. The front is quickly bustling as we enter right as the doors open for the day, a line immediately building up behind. us. This spacious entryway full of menus in chalk and digitally are graced with a plethora of tasty options for snacks, meals, and treats enjoyed in the large, expansive restaurant or outside in the parking space-turned patio seating area. What I ordered: We selected four of their breakfast sandwiches on signature rosemary bread, each one as delicious as the last. For beverages, a mocha, an americano, and two steamed milks made their way to our table. What I loved: The sandwiches. Greasy, full, tasty and full of a novelty of tastes. They were devoured. Why I loved it: Quaint and cozy, a space for couples, families, friends and everyone in between. Cost: Average to high

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    Avenue Bread - Fairhaven Cafe - Pasteries

    Pasteries

    Avenue Bread - Fairhaven Cafe
    Avenue Bread - Fairhaven Cafe - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Big love juice bar + kitchen - Provisions!

    Big love juice bar + kitchen

    3.8(55 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I wish I could do zero stars based solely off customer service. I was taken off guard by asking a…read morequestion on a special and treated like an idiot. I attempted to clarify and Dianna with her demeanor to not assist customer service and smirk. I will never return!

    How I heard of this place: My sister loves their ginger-celery juice and recommended it to us, so…read morewhile visiting Bellingham, we decided to stop in for a shot. Type of cuisine: "Fresh" juices, and a variety of clean eating options. From their website: "big love is more than a juice bar, it's an invitation into a world of superfoods, beautiful ingredients, and fuel that treats you right. as a hyper local company, we are committed to fresh ingredients, local sourcing and sustainable practices that keep our community healthier and happier." And, "we use only 100% organic fruits, vegetables + greens so you get the most out of our juice. it's naturally delicious, raw + unpasteurized, never heated, treated or diluted with additives. we love our juice unfiltered - settling, color + flavor variation occur naturally because all the good plant stuff is intact: vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, pre + probiotics, phytochemicals, anti-oxidants + a healthy dose of fiber." Ambiance: Modern and simple. The exterior has a couple of tables with chairs for sitting outdoors, while inside hosts a small selection of swag for purchase, and an order counter. It seems the back has more space, but it's mostly covered by the displays up front. Pretention abounds, from the minimalist nature of the space, to the two girls (tons of eye rolling, annoyed glances at each other, and continuing their own conversations as we waited to place our orders) working on our visit. What I ordered: Celery Shot ($4) - celery juice + superfood - fight inflammation, support immunity, stimulate metabolism - ginger. And a Superfood Smoothie called Karma ($8.50) for the kids - strawberry, mango, banana, pineapple, orange + elderberry powder. What I loved: The smoothie was nice, like most any other smoothie. The celery, however, we were told had been juiced "a few days" prior and had already gone off, with a pungency that made even the lightest sip unbearable. The spiciness of the ginger was nice, but overwhelming in the shot. Why I loved it: It's a small shop that is just at the start/end of your trail walk between Fairhaven and Boulevard Park, making for an easy jaunt in to get a drink or food. Cost: High, Overpriced

    Photos
    Big love juice bar + kitchen - First visit!

    First visit!

    Big love juice bar + kitchen - New menu!

    New menu!

    Big love juice bar + kitchen - New Menu!

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    New Menu!

    Mediterranean Specialties - Beef gyro

    Mediterranean Specialties

    4.2(86 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This restaurant is a dual store/restaurant. I was just walking by looking for someplace to eat and…read morewandered into the restaurant. I ordered the beef gyro and it was pretty good. The store has a huge selection of hard to find Mediterranean products. The restaurant was very clean including the bathroom. 5/4/2026

    I had the Sampler Plate, which includes baba ganouj (baba ganoush) or hummus (your choice -- I…read morechose both, half & half), falafel, dolma, roasted veggies (broccoli, which was a bit burned, and eggplant, which was sooo delicious), couscous, and pita. First, the couscous is not the usual couscous we've all had. This is Lebanese couscous, which is so different as to be unrecognizable as "couscous". It is so very good, I could have a whole meal of that and be happy. I generally prefer baked falafels, but this fried one was great; crispy on the outside, and soft and green on the inside. I've avoided dolma in the past, as I had it once years ago and it was terrible. But this dolma was good enough for me to stop avoiding it in the future. People were very nice, and it took less than 10 minutes for my order to be ready. It's a grocery store with a deep selection of many items, such as spices, pastas, canned fish, .... (see photos). I enjoyed this enough, I came back again about a week later for another Sampler Plate meal. My only slight peeves are, I wish there were a bit more to the salad (which isn't even listed as one of the sampler items, so a bit hard to complain!), and that the pita had some whole grains in it (I find white wheat boring).

    Photos
    Mediterranean Specialties - A toothpick

    A toothpick

    Mediterranean Specialties
    Mediterranean Specialties - Sampler plate (baba ganoush and hummus)

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    Sampler plate (baba ganoush and hummus)

    The Black Cat - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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