Colophon Cafe

A bit cool inside, but the service and food was excellent! Smoked salmon bagel and club croissant were amazing. Interesting place and fun stores up the stairs. We will return for certain!

This is a ridiculous cozy little place to hang out and relax. When you first enter the storefront from the street, you enter an olive oil shop but make your way down the stairs and alas a cute café. We sat near the fireplace on comfy leather couches where we enjoyed our grande hot apple cider and latte.
Super quiet and relaxing. There is jazz music playing and magazines available while your hanging out.
The drinks were delicious and I recommend the hot cider. The waitress was also super friendly with a smile so big that it makes you happy!
What a wonderful hidden gem!

I love having lunch at the Colophon. We didn’t have time this trip, so I was fortunate that the baker sold me a baguette. The bread they make is perfect flavor and texture. The best baguette around if they have enough to sell. If not, make sure you eat the piece you are served with lunch. I recommend the African Peanut soup.

The food here is excellent. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options with decent portions, willing to accommodate special orders, they were willing to add an avocado to my bagel anytime.
The waits for the food was sometimes long, but the food makes up for it.

Came here for lunch and was steady, but no wait and not insanely busy. There are couches and comfy chairs by the fireplace, so we opted to sit there and play cards as we snacked. Hummus is actually award winning, and comes with veggies (great dairy free option) and soft, flavorful pita. Smaller portion that what I’m used to for $ 9.50, but it was tasty. (Also cheaper on happy hour, which starts at 3pm!) Waitress let me pour my own orange juice for my mimosas, which were served in a wine glass– GOOD portion for the price $ 6.50/each, and I liked the pouring touch. Was very very naughty and decided to splurge on a dessert too. Had ordered their VEGAN (OMG) pecan torte, but it was out, so I went full stomach ache bliss level and ordered their double chocolate chunk cake. Rich, decadent, moist and for sure worth the price. Waitresses were kind, patient and attentive when needed (no governing, yay!). Lovely spot. Lots of GF options and vegetarian options. Beer list was good. Boundary Scotch Ale, Kulshan IPA, a lovely cider. Nice place!

Great location for vegetarians!!! Loved the veggie quiche and the vegetarian soup. Filling and generous portion. Fresh tasting. Wonderful selection of food. Friendly servers and quaint atmosphere. Love it here!

We were greeted and seated immediately, our beverages were kept full, everything tasted really good, and they even split our food up for us that we were sharing. It’s a bookstore, café, and an oil & vinegar store upstairs. Lots of vegetarian options and the server was really nice.

I don’t know why they only have 3 stars — this does not make sense to me. Every single time I come here, I get friendly, prompt service. The waitresses are personable and make you truly feel like a guest. The happy hour menu is such a great deal and the food is not only great but also aesthetically pleasing. I’m reluctant to even try new happy hours because I know I can always rely on this place to have a great experience. Try them out, you wont be disappointed by the food, the service, or the ambience and atmosphere.

Nice and clean, friendly staff and we got seated right away. Did not have to wait long before our order was taken. Had to return the nachos my daughter got because the menu does not say they have jalapeños but they do. I got the quiche it was okay. My mom got the hummus platter and said it was good hummus and she liked all the options you could choose from and not be stuck with pita chips. Friend got the Mexican corn and bean soup and was VERY happy with it.

Attn: Vegans!
Several vegan options available. We had humus, a salad, portobello burger & bean burger with 3-​soup sampler (Mexican, Hungarian & split pea) vegan soups. All excellent! Good service, quaint town, nice ambience. Bill for above items: $ 50. Recommended!

This is the soup you have dreamed of.
The kind that only a bookstore café could ever manage to make. I can’t explain why it’s so amazingly good, but I bet that there’s some secret they found in a book they were selling and have been infusing the soup with ever since.
I always ordered the soup, bread and cheese board. I don’t understand why their swiss cheese tastes so much better than any I can slice at home but it does. I am always eating and cooing and smiling and thinking ‘I love it here.‘
My favorite is to sit on the back patio, overlooking what is now a little common park/​space that seems to have music and other fun things often. We ate and watched a band play, kids dance and grown ups smiling on the grass.
I admit that I haven’t been lately, but I crave it more than anywhere when I want some soup. So much so that the next rainy day, I’m likely to drive down and have some.

This café has been around for years, and is still one of the best in Bellingham. We are from out of town and haven’t visited in awhile, and they have renovated quite a bit since our last visit. The layout and décor has improved, and thankfully the delicious food hasn’t changed! I love their salmon burger and split pea soup. My husband ordered the Mexican soup with gluten free bread, and said it was very good. They are more than happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and he had no problem ordering a vegetarian, gluten-​free meal.

3.5 stars. A cute quirky restaurant nestled in Fairhaven. After looking over their extensive menu of appetizers, soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers and desserts I decided on their soup sampler and my friend ordered their quiche with a Caesar salad side. For $ 11 I got a cup or African Peanut, Split Pea and Curry Carrot with Rice (soup du jour) and a piece of homemade baguette. The soups were very tasty, though they could have been served a little warmer. I wish both the curry and peanut soup had more flavor, adding salt and pepper helped. My favorite, on its own, was the split pea. My friend enjoyed her quiche, although we both agreed it was pretty ordinary. The croutons on the salad were seasoned tastefully and had a nice crunchy bite.
Overall I felt that it was a fine choice to dine on a sunny Washington day but not someplace I’d frequent often given its average quality compared to its price.

Quaint and cozy place for brunch. Tried the soup sampler to greedily try 3 different soups. Vegan soup available here! Split pea and mexican corn and bean soup = Not salty at all, a pleasant surprise. A mild kick with the mexican corn and bean, and a slight smokey taste to the split pea.
Colophon nachos could have been better. Cheese looked and tasted waxy. But the black bean burger bits made up for the inedible cheese.
The balsamic vinegar tasting room above the restaurant is such a treat! Felt a bit of Napa. Who knew balsamic vinegar could taste so delectable?!

How I heard of this place: While I am not quite certain how I first heard of the Colophon, it has been a Bellingham staple on each of my visits to the city where I grew up. I am tempted to say that it was my sister, Mojgan, who first mentioned the Colophon and recommended the rest of my family try it — even if just for a scoop of ice cream. It has become a tradition, in visits with Jenna and Mojgan in Bellingham, to enjoy at least one meal at this cow-​imbued spot.
Type of cuisine: «The Legendary Colophon Café and Deli, located in the historic Fairhaven section of Bellingham, Washington, offers fine fare in a casual setting. The Colophon Café is famous for their freshly made soups and desserts, salads and sandwiches. We even have an old-​fashioned ice cream counter and an espresso bar!»
Ambiance: «We’re conveniently located in the hub of Fairhaven, great for those loving the old-​town history and architecture of the 1890’s. The brick buildings and cobbled pathways add to the charm of one of Bellingham’s most famous neighborhoods.» The Colophon Café website says it best, so why recreate? «‘Mama Colophon’, the imaginary founder and logo of the Colophon Café came about in 1985, when the café opened. Serving only lattes, ice cream and bagels with cream cheese, all containing milk products, the proprietors decided a cow was a likely mascot.» The space still boasts its old school roots with rustic brick walls, old chairs and tables covered in white linen, topped with glass. The same oil-​lights are at each table setting with tri-​pod style specials menus, listing the flavors of Italian Sodas, specialty ciders and hot chocolate beverages or the all famous: Mug-​a-​Mocha-​Moo. A chalkboard on the wrought iron bars, where the speakeasy elevator used to be, colorfully promotes Café specials of the day, while booths towards the back host stereotypical and hungry Bellinghamites. It’s truly the color of Fairhaven, complete with outdoor patio seating, overlooking the Fairhaven Green (where the Farmers Market and Outdoor Cinema call home).
What I ordered: On most every trip to the Colophon, I order the same meal, and today was no different: The Bagel Melt, served on my choice of a plain bagel with cream cheese, and baked with ham and cheddar cheese. Wanting to always get more and try as much as possible, I select the half bagel melt with a small soup of choice ($ 11.25); this time, the African Peanut, an exotic blend of ground peanuts, ginger root, tomatoes, garlic and turkey, served together on a bread board. My friend chose her staple, the Smoked Salmon Bagel ($ 10.50 whole, $ 7.25 half, $ 12.25 with small soup or salad), a traditional smoked salmon served chilled with cream cheese, red onions and capers on a Pumperknickel bagel. My sister could not pass up the lunch special: Bacon Cheddar Burger ($ 9.95) on a mild onion bun, served with rosemary potato wedges. For dessert, a slice of Peanut Butter Pie ($ 4.95), a cream cheese and peanut butter filling with a chocolate cookie crust, topped with semi-​sweet chocolate and sprinkled with peanuts.
What I loved: I always love the greasy goodness of the bagel melts — even the turkey & Swiss cheese, which I may have to try on my next visit! The rosemary potato wedges that accompanied the burger were surprisingly delicious, soft inside and out, perfectly baked. Having made and sampled home-​made versions of the peanut butter pie, this smaller slice did not satisfy like I remember they did, but was still peanut buttery, gooey deliciousness for our palates!
Why I loved it: The food is always good. The atmosphere relaxed and easy and the nostalgia hard to beat! The Colophon Café menu says it best: «We are truly proud of the deep connection that the Colophon Café as cultivated during our tenure in this extraordinary community. In appreciation for our customers and neighbors, we are dedicated to business practices that promote both a healthy environment and a vibrant local economy. We support many local charities, and purchase our ingredients and supplies from quality, locally owned businesses whenever possible. The colophon Café is an active member of Sustainable Connections, a participant in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power program, a founding partner of Bellingham’s „Toward Zero Waste“ initiative and a Whatcom Watershed Business Steward!»
Cost:Average to high ($ 6-​$ 15 per lunch entrée)

I just loved the character of this place! It’s nestled right against a bookstore, there’s local art on the walls and the service is friendly. Since this is exactly the type of local place I like to find on Unilocal,I was actually quite surprised this place only had three stars. It’s quite the little gem.
I really enjoyed the creamy chicken pot pie! It even had a little butterfly-​shaped cut-​out on top to make it cute. Lots of good options on the menu that offer more variety than the typical sandwich and soup joints you see. I will definitely stop back in here next time I’m up north.

Came here for a late lunch around 2pm and it wasn’t too crowded. There was plenty of space in the restaurant. I loved the eccentric décor and ambiance there.
I got the Southwest Club that had turkey, bacon, avocado, bean sprouts, melted Swiss cheese with their amazing chipotle mayo spread sandwiched in toasted sourdough bread! You can’t go wrong with the spread, avocado, and bacon together!
For a half sandwich it was about $ 8 – 9. A little pricey for a half sandwich but worth trying at least once! They do stuff the sandwich!

The Colophon is cozy, located in a great area of downtown Fairhaven; great for people out of town.
Food was perfectly average, service was honest and enjoyable.

Me and me Mam went to this place after a St. Patrick’s Day wedding… I don’t know if I was just insanely starving (read: Hangover City) or what, but the food was pretty fab.
Even though they were doing construction, it didn’t seem bothersome. We showed up late morning, both had the chicken pot pie and split a chef salad. Try the Peppercorn dressing, it was like a Ranch’s fancy older uncle with a monocle.
Would def go again!

This review is for the African Peanut Soup only.
The service has been fine; entering through their ice cream parlor before going downstairs to the café is cool; the location in Fairhaven is perfect. But I barely notice it because I only come here for one thing:
African Peanut Soup. Or «ARF» as those-​in-​the-​know call it.
Chicken, peanuts, light spices, tomatoes chunkily-​blended together. (It always needs salt, but I kinda like that because depending on my mood, I like it saltier on some days so seasoning it myself ain’t no thang.)
They serve sandwiches here on super-​thick slices of bread, and if you like thick-​sliced cheese on your sammiches, then you’ll like them here too.
Not me, though. I just order a side of bread and a giant bowl of ARF. Then I take a large container – or two – of it to-​go.
They also have desserts, but I can never see them in the case when I am paying at the cash register…
…you know. Because of the African Peanut Soup containers blocking the view.