Skylarks Hidden Cafe

I came here with my parents on a Saturday morning to catch up and have some breakfast. We arrived at 12pm and unfortunately they stop serving breakfast at 11:45am… No grace period! I was really looking forward to trying their breakfast so this was a huge disappointment for me. But nonetheless, we began perusing their lunch menu. Skylark’s offers all of the typical café options — soups, salad, sandwiches. I elected to go for the Focaccia Turkey Caesar with a side of fries. The focaccia bread was really soft and well seasoned. However, I don’t know how they get away with calling it a «caesar». There may have been a dime size dollop of caesar dressing at best. Additionally, I wish the sandwich was served warm. There’s something about a warm focaccia that really takes me back to the streets of Italy. The fries were under seasoned and fast food quality. Overall, I wasn’t impressed with Skylark’s. While the vintage touches and old school bar were charming, the food was pretty lack luster and not memorable. Next time my parents are in town, I think we will skip Skylark’s and go to another café in the area.

Came in with a group of 5, and experience was uncomfortable– to say the least, from the start. I’d like to first say we all work or have worked in the industry and are very low maintenance customers. We came in at 11:40, and due to breakfast finishing up at 11:45, the waitress came storming in and rushed us into ordering immediately. Why did you give us breakfast menus if breakfast is nearly over and you’re obviously upset about us wanting breakfast? We made our decisions quickly, wasn’t an issue– but her pissed off attitude really set the tone for the rest of the meal. Our coffees come up. Another unpleasant server sets the tray down on the table and just says «um, I don’t know.» What do you mean you don’t know? It’s five coffee drinks… The «iced coffee» was milk that had no ice cubes in it… more like lukewarm milk. And up for debate whether there was actually any coffee in it. Asked for another coffee and the server tried to justify it by saying she’s «been a barista before». Okay but that was milk… Anyways, coffee is replaced, and food comes up. Mind you, every time someone came up the stairs they were stomping up and so obviously upset. About what? Not sure. Only 4 plates come up over ten minutes. We figured we’d wait it out a little and see whether the 5^th was just taking long: nope. It had been over fifteen minutes and the four of us were nearly done eating, until we decided to ask if it was on the way. The server laughed and admitted she forgot to put it in, and asked if she’d like to order off the lunch menu.? What? So first you rush us into ordering breakfast– then can’t provide breakfast? Little odd. Make up your mind please. Turns out the kitchen could still do it– but how do you forget that there’s another person at the table? The 1 star is for the mediocre food, otherwise service really rubbed us the wrong way. I get people have bad days, but that was unacceptable– and from several members of the staff. That kind of rude, brash service just isn’t okay.

Unassuming storefront but the inside is just gorgeous, rich dark wood and gleaming brass everywhere with ornate gold framed mirrors on the wall.
The food was absolutely delicious! I judge a restaurant on their coleslaw, it’s an easy thing to skimp on but theirs did not disappoint.
The rest of the food was amazing too, especially the chicken avocado soup! Service was fantastic, the bartender even checked with the kitchen to get the ingredients for the soup when we were wondering what all went into it.
Great prices, such a beautiful place with such delicious food could easily be charging half again what they do!
We will absolutely be back to Skylark’s many more times.

Absolutely phenomenal experience. Great food, wonderful wait staff. We had a dog with us since we were out of town and they had outdoor seating available even though it was 40°. The waitress made sure our tea and coffee were hot and regularly brought refills to make sure they stayed hot.

I discovered this restaurant when walking around town and stopped in for breakfast. I ordered two eggs, bacon (thick sliced), hash browns and toast (wheat with good texture). Everything was cooked perfectly and the staff was great. I never had to ask for water or coffee refills and there was always someone stopping to fill them up (either my waitress or another).
I was visiting the area and I was alone (I hate eating alone). I was lucky to get the table by the hostess (yet still had a nice view out of the window). She was very nice and talked a little while she was cleaning some menus. She didn’t stand still for very long. I was amazed at the amount of people that kept pouring in. It was very apparent that this is a popular place. Breakfast was so good, I went back the next day and had the same thing. My next visit, I’ll try lunch and/​or dinner.

A lovely breakfast venue in beautiful Fairhaven! Food is very good, with the various versions of eggs benedict always being a great choice.
Parking can be an adventure in downtown Fairhaven, so be prepared to make a short walk to the place.
Only knock I have is that they seem to be short of staff everytime I visit. The staff that is there is very friendly and courteous.
The dark paneling in the front room is elegant, as is the large bar. The back room is quaint, with plenty of natural light and a collection of antique photos. There is an upstairs area that isn’t regularly open, but is nice for groups.
Definitely put this restaurant on your list if you get to the Bellingham area.

Two thumbs up for the Thai Rockfish burger.
I love the creative menu and had never tried Rockfish before. Despite being incredibly drippy and messy (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), the sandwich was unique and all around awesome!
Wait staff was effective and the food was dang good.
Everyone at the table cleaned their plates. The award-​winning chowder isn’t just award-​winning as a marketing ploy. It’s creamy and rich. It’s everything you’d want your chowder to be.
I didn’t try it, but someone at the table got the rueben and said it was melt-​in-​your-​mouth good. Apparently, they serve coffee drinks with lunch too. So, you can sip an italian soda or latte while you scarf down a hearty soup and sandwich.
It’s a little odd that you cannot have a hot sandwich as part of the soup and half sandwich combo, but other than that, this place is recommended!

Could be a 5 star rating.
Stopped here while on the road. Nice place. Service is friendly and the food is great. The chowder and peanut rockfish sandwich were very good. Kids menu Mac and cheese was gourmet.
–2 stars for the extremely sloooooooow service. Seriously, everything is slow about this place. Didn’t seem understaffed but just ineffective I guess.

Vintage ambiance, and good food. The hours alone are enough to make me visit. Night owl’s welcome! Bellingham it’s self is a great place. Everyone has got to visit and enjoy!

Enjoyed the fish and chips here. They had a couple tables outside to eat at and some much needed shade on this hot afternoon. Would have enjoyed listening to the live jazz music this evening but we were too early for it.

I came here on a Monday afternoon for lunch. They were busier than expected and it took a couple of minutes for them to seat us. When we were seated I was surprised by their menu with lots of variety. I ordered the half tuna salad sandwich with a garden salad and my boyfriend got the Thai rockfish burger with fries. My sandwich was good but smaller than expected. However I was pleased that all sandwiches and burgers came with a little container of pickles (I love pickles :) and you could tell they were made in house and they were delicious! My boyfriend was disappointed with the size of his burger. I tried it as well, it was good but the bun to fish ratio was definitely off. The fries were baked and were pretty yummy. Overall left satisfied and would come back, there are lots of things on the menu we would like to try.

Tasty! We arrived 5 minutes before lunch started & scored the breakfast menu. I ordered the Mediterranean frittata which is delicious; with the right amount of feta & spinach. My guy ordered the Nova Scotia Benedict but ended w/​the traditional eggs Benedict since they were out of the Lox. The Benedict was flavorful & the Hollandaise sauce is really yummy, just enough tart & creaminess. The waitress was very good considering she seemed to be the only one working the room. The chef sounded grumpy & we could hear him complaining from the kitchen. It sounded like he was done w/​cooking breakfast. She tried to make it light since he was so heavy in complaints. Overall we recommend this place, very tasty & great wait staff.

Back for breakfast morning after the 4^th festivities. Got the whole place to ourselves at 8am with the best server we could have hoped for. I’m having the Tuscany Turkey and Parmesan Omelet and Donna’s having the California Avocado —– Yummmmmmm. Coffee is perfect. Thanks for being open this morning Skylark’s!!!

Ate here a couple of times, service was excellent, I had a very good breakfast there. Very nice atmosphere.

I’m going to confess something: I boycotted Skylarks for about 10 years. It’s a long story, perhaps better discussed over a cocktail, but the bottom line is that about a year ago I ended up here with a friend and I LIKED IT! The food… the service… the vintage Victorianesque décor… after one of their yummy Bloody Mary’s (ask for it with their house-​infused garlic vodka) I pretty much forgot about the boycott and just decided to like this place again.
Skylarks is a solid place for coffee, a drink, or a meal. While it’s not a foodie paradise, they do offer a solid selection of yummy soups, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and salads. Their weekday breakfast special ($ 4.99) is also a good deal. And if they happen to be offering their chicken avocado soup don’t squinkle your nose — it is DELICIOUS!
All in all Skylarks is a good place to go and meet a friend or two. If it’s a warm day they also offer seating out on their patio.

My husband and I came in for an early lunch with our two children on a weekday. This place is definitely not kid-​friendly. We brought our double stroller in (we have a 2 year old and a 2 week old baby) and parked it out of the way between two tables and sat down. The waitress promptly asked us to move because they were «so busy» even though there was literally no one else in the restaurant but us. At the end of our meal our baby started crying so I sat in one of the armchairs by the fireplace to nurse her. I was using a nursing cover and being very discreet. Another couple came into the restaurant and the waitress very loudly announced that she would invite them to sit by the fireplace but «someone else is there right now.» She made us feel very unwelcome there because we had children with us. Like we were inconveniencing her in some way even though they weren’t that busy.
As for the food, it was OK. I had the coppa caprese sandwich, hubby had the Italian sandwich and a grilled cheese for our two year old. All were decent, but greasy. Food also took a surprisingly long time to come out given how dead the place was when we got there. The pickled veggies that come with the meal were good, but the French fries were horrible. They were exactly the same kind that you buy frozen in the grocery store and bake in the oven. Some of them were burnt around the edges.
Overall, I definitely won’t be coming back to this place, especially if I have my kids with me. Plenty of other restaurants in Fairhaven.

I love this hideaway for a breakfast with friends. I’m a sucker for the eggs Bennie. The food is so so but the waitress is wonderfully attentive. Early morning and her pleasant perkiness does not grate on my every nerve. That is a big plus in my book. I love the old photos on the walls, the brick patio, and the cocoon of plants.

If you like to eat dog poop, than this the place for you!
Not only the food was unworthy of being food grade, I would feel bad giving it to rats! Truly a master of being the worst. Alright, I’m exaggerating, but the food was awful. Never returning.

I have eaten here a few times since I’ve moved to Bellingham. While a cute restaurant tucked in Fairhaven, it still has yet to impress.
Their breakfasts are good but not memorable. Your basic Diner fare, just served in a different ambiance.
Lunch is decent. I enjoy their combos, they make for a perfectly portioned meal.
Overall it’s a place to enjoy a decent meal. Just don’t expect anything too great.
Service is slow during «awkward» hours.

Worst service I have ever had in a restaurant ever.
Seriously awful. It was my birthday dinner, and we were originally planning on going to The Black Cat, but it turned out to be closed for renovation. We chose Skylarks because people seemed to love it. We got there right before the menu changed from lunch to dinner, so we ordered some appetizers and I explained that we would be ordering our meals from the dinner menu in 15 minutes. I also asked if the dish I wanted would be available on the dinner menu as well, and she said yes.
A few minutes go by, and our waitress appears with half of our appetizers… and my entrée that I hadn’t actually ordered yet. I am still confused by this. At no point did I ask for it, I had even explicitly stated that I wanted my food at the same time as the rest of my family. They hadn’t even placed their orders yet, and now I had to eat by myself and then sit and then twiddle my thumbs while they ate their meals. In what world would anyone want this awkward experience?
When my family tried to order the food they had been waiting 20 minutes to order, they were informed that that item was no longer on the menu and hadn’t been for months… which would have been nice to know 20 minutes ago. Another few minutes to reassess the menu, then waiting to flag her down again…
We waited forever for the rest of our food, water refills, etc. My husband asked for a side of mayonnaise that never came. We eventually had to flag down a different waitress to get it after his food was already cold. We also didn’t get our remaining appetizer until toward the end of our meal after we reminded her because we really didn’t want it at this point and just wanted it removed from the bill. She darted off before my husband could finish his sentence and returned with the unwanted appetizer, set it on the table and ran off, never to be seen again. We couldn’t even get her to bring our check, we had to get it from another waitress. By this time my husband was positively fuming, and my birthday dinner had turned pretty sour.
I’ve waited tables. It’s an impossible, thankless job. I understand everyone has off-​days. But the restaurant wasn’t even particularly busy that night. We tried to be as cooperative and accommodating as possible. We were not rude, I know how to say please and thank you, and I don’t believe being confrontational is warranted in such situations. We waited for the menu to change to order our dinners, rather than try to cajole them into switching for us 15 minutes early (which I have seen restaurant patrons do). She didn’t even seem particularly apologetic or make any effort to fix the situation, she just seemed to avoid us more and more as the evening wore on, which only annoyed us more. A little critical thinking and willingness to correct or compensate mistakes on her part would have made me willing to return here.