Where to Eat in Lynden WA
For a town with a little over 15,000 people, there is no shortage of places to eat in Lynden. I have dined at a good number of these and will share my opinions.
Depending on what you are in the mood for there is something for every taste. I’ll break it down here by cuisine, but if you just want the best of the best, see also my Top 5 recommended restaurants in Lynden.
Mexican Restaurants in Lynden
Whatcom and Skagit County are blessed with a bounty of fantastic Mexican restaurants. So if you’re in the mood for some delicious Mexican food, here are two Mexican restaurants in Lynden that you don’t want to miss:
Martas Cocina Mexican Restaurant
Martas Cocina Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant that offers authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is known for its friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, and delicious food. The menu features a variety of dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and more.
One of the most popular dishes is the mole, which is a rich and flavorful sauce made with chocolate and spices. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options, making it a great choice for everyone.
The prices at Martas Cocina Mexican Restaurant are moderate, and the portions are generous. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and it’s a great place to go with friends or family. Marta’s is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in town. Closed Sundays.
El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
El Ranchita Mexican Restaurant is another great option for Mexican food in Lynden. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The menu features a variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, fajitas, and more. One of the most popular dishes is the carne asada, which is a grilled steak served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
The prices at El Ranchita Mexican Restaurant are also reasonable, and the portions are generous. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and it’s a great place to go with friends or family. Closed Tuesdays.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant
I have only dined here once, having heard great things from others. The atmosphere here is certainly the coziest of the three choices in town, but our meals were average. I do plan to give them another chance someday. Online reviews are generally positive so we may have just been there on an off day.
Asian Restaurants in Lynden
Nami Asian Bistro
Nami Asian Bistro is a popular restaurant in Lynden that offers Japanese and Asian cuisine. The restaurant has a refined but comfortable atmosphere. There are a large variety of sushi options, including a few vegetarian options.
If sushi isn’t your thing, then there are Bento boxes and teriyaki options (served with rice, soup, salad). Currently the restaurant is only open for dine-in Tuesdays to Saturdays for dinner only. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Chandara House Thai
Located inside the Lynden Dutch “mall” (that would be the one with the windmill downtown) it would be easy to miss this one. But if you are craving Thai food, don’t miss it!
Featuring a nicely rounded, but not too complicated, menu of soups, noodles, fried rices, and entrees it shouldn’t be hard to find something for everyone here.
Lee Asian Bistro
Located in the same strip mall as Food Pavilion and Dollar Tree (and El Ranchito above), Lee Asian Bistro serves a variety of Asian dishes in a modern, minimalist space. You’ll find Mongolian Beef, Pad Thai, California Rolls, Fried Rice and Street Noodles.
Joy Luck Restaurant
A Mandarin restaurant existed at the corner of 3rd and Grover (just a block off of downtown) for years. It was alright. Recently, this location has become the Joy Luck Chinese restaurant. I have not had a chance to check this one out yet, but they offer an extensive menu of Chinese dishes.
Infusion Cuisine
Not strictly Asian, but as the name suggests a blend of cuisines. The husband and wife chefs here have an impressive culinary resume, but rather than fuse cuisines, you will find a little of each of their specialties: Asian, Italian and Mexican. Yes. You read that right.
This is semi-fine dining in an unlikely location, but at reasonable prices. Located a few miles outside of Lynden in a non-descript retail/commercial strip mall you have to know that the only reason they have survived is that people are willing to make the trip to eat here!
Beer & Wine
At one point, (and really not that long ago) you couldn’t buy alcohol in Lynden on a Sunday. Walk into the grocery store on a Sunday and the beer and wine section would have a tarp over it. That’s no longer the case, and what’s more, there are enough pubs in town that you have a choice.
Newsroom Pub
Located in the heart of downtown Lynden, the Newsroom Pub has quickly become a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. They offer a wide selection of beer on tap, as well as a great wine list.
The pub also has a full menu of delicious food, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a long day. In the summer, sit outside on the picnic tables.
One of the highlights of the Newsroom Pub is their happy hour specials. From 3-6pm every day, you can enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers. They also sometimes offer live music on the weekends, which adds to the fun and lively atmosphere.
Overflow Taps
Local taphouse featuring a rotating selection of local brews with a limited food menu (pizza, wings). You can feel good drinking here knowing you are not only supporting local breweries, but also 1% of your purchase goes towards water projects in developing countries. So far 3 wells have been funded. Coincidentally, they also just opened their 3rd location. You’ll find one in downtown Lynden near the Inn at Lynden. Another near the new Cobblestone Hotel on the west side of town, and a third at Barkley village in Bellingham.
Thirsty Badger
The Thirsty Badger is a little out of town, but is a popular place to be. They feature a nice selection of local beers, wines and ciders. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with comfortable seating and friendly staff.
There is a cozy outdoor seating area, live music, trivia nights, and visiting food trucks. This is more of a community hangout than a restaurant but if you are looking for a place to unwind with an adult beverage, this is a fun spot.
The Mill (at Seventh)
This is a great spot for ambiance. Located in the ground floor of the windmill downtown, it has kind of an old world feel to it. There is a nice bar area but both the bar and dining area have limited seating. In the summer, there is an outdoor patio that expands the seating options.
The food is bistropub–salads, flatbread pizza, paninis, burgers. The menu has shrunk since 2020, as it has for many restaurants (not really complaining) and with it the pasta offerings. This has modified the menu from more of a fine bistro motif to more gastropub. I have had multiple wonderful experiences here, but I will say my last visit was…alright.
American
Rustlers Front Street Grill
Rustlers Front Street Grill in Lynden is a popular restaurant known for its wide selection of American cuisine. With a rustic ambiance, it’s the perfect spot to gather with friends and family. The menu offers delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, and breakfast options, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. Located in downtown Lynden, the restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With reasonable prices and generous portions, Rustlers Front Street Grill is a solid choice in the downtown core. Renovated with a new outdoor patio in summer of 2024..
Fairway Cafe
Fairway Cafe, located in Lynden, is a beloved family-owned restaurant that offers a diverse menu featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Renowned for its comforting home-style cooking and warm hospitality, this cafe provides a casual and inviting atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family. It’s the quintessential diner that appeals across generations, serving generous portions of classic dishes without any unnecessary frills. To avoid the bustling weekend crowds, it’s advisable to arrive early. If you crave hearty meals reminiscent of traditional meat and potato-style home cooking, Fairway Cafe is the ideal destination.
Coffee & Baked Goods
Woods Coffee
Local coffee chain with multiple locations in Whatcom county and beyond. They roast their own coffee, and have their own bakery (full disclosure, a close family member works in the bakery) supplying their cafes.
The baked treats are really good. My favorites are the Monster Cookie, and the White Chocolate Raspberry Scone. Treats change seasonally.
As for their coffee. Well, they say that you want people to react with either Wow or Ugh, and never just Meh. Wood’s achieves this with their coffee. They have rabid fans and people who just don’t like it (I fall in the later camp when it comes to their coffee). Go for the treats. See if the coffee is right for you.
Lynden Dutch Bakery/Just Desserts
The Dutch bakery has been a staple in the area for over 110 years. It features a small indoor and outdoor seating area, a complete coffee bar, and an array of tasty pastries.
After a remodeling a few years ago, they shifted their focus and no longer offer soup and sandwiches. Instead, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and pastry or indulge in a sweet treat. With classic bakery items and Dutch specialties, it’s a favorite among both locals and visitors.
They also have a second location in the Fairway Center called Just Desserts, which tends to be less crowded and has a little more indoor seating, but a little less ambiance.
Avenue Bread
Avenue Bread and Deli serves a concise menu featuring sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, and breakfast items. On weekends, their breakfast selection expands, focusing mainly on egg and potato combinations.
They also serve coffee and pastries, which is why I include it in this section.
I would describe their offerings as gourmet cafe food. Their sandwiches are especially delicious, made with house-baked bread.The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. You order at the counter and find a seat; your food will be delivered to you when it’s ready.
This is one of my favorite spots, and it may get bonus points for being adjacent to Village Books. I mean, if I am right there I may as well browse, nah?
Steakhouses
Steakhouse 9
This is an upscale golf course restaurant. What this means is it is fancy for a golf course restaurant, but not true fine dining. It would be one of my top “special occasion” choices in Lynden. You know, the place kids take their homecoming date, or rent for a special occasion.
A selection of steaks, other meat entrees, burgers, pizzas and more. The last time I was here we ate at the bar and it was a fun atmosphere. The Homestead Golf Course (where this is located) is currently closed due to a legal issue, but the restaurant remains open.
In the summer months you can also dine on the patio.
Wissota Chophouse
This restaurant is coming soon, slated to open around the time that the new Cobblestone Hotel opens, near the end of 2024. I’ll update this section once I’ve tried it out.