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Slow cooked short rib, bone marrow & black truffle - Carnal, Bellingham, WA

Carnal

4.8
4.8
992 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 21 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighbourhood gem
Carnal focuses on the bold flavors of wood fire and caramelization balanced with acidic, raw, and seasonal elements. We are a passionate group of cooks who do not cut corners and hope that is evident when you try our food. Our signature dish is a bone-in beef rib that is sous-vide before grilling over an open wood fire and finished with rendered bone-marrow. We source many of our ingredients from local farms and fisheries.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Meat
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (360) 306-3587
  • Website
    https://www.eatcarnal.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    James Zamory
  • Catering
    Catering information upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Private events at Carnal can include corporate or social functions as well as private parties and holiday gatherings. We have an outside garden patio that can be reserved.
  • Location
    1234 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225-5016
  • Neighbourhood
    Bellingham
  • Cross Street
    N State Street
  • Parking details
    Park out front or in one of the parking lots across the street from us
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 992 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Overall

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Food

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Service

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Ambience

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Value

  • Northwest Washington

    Innovative

  • Northwest Washington

    Good for groups

  • Northwest Washington

    Healthy

  • Northwest Washington

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Northwest Washington

    Great for fine wines

  • Northwest Washington

    Romantic

  • Northwest Washington

    Good for special occasions

  • Northwest Washington

    Lively

  • Northwest Washington

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Carnal in Bellingham offers a "creative menu" and "amazing food," with standout cocktails and a warm atmosphere featuring a cozy fireplace. Diners praise the "friendly staff," "fantastic" service, and "unique dishes." While some find it pricey, many consider it "worth the experience" for special occasions.

992 Reviews

  1. Elizabeth

    VIP

    San Francisco

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service. We especially enjoyed the short rib.

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  2. Trenton

    Seattle

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    $300 ticket for a 4 course prefix menu for two, plus two cocktails. This place has decent food but it is nowhere near worth the price of what we paid. You can find better food elsewhere for that amount of money. It’s a nice establishment I think people should try at least once, but not worth it to go anymore than that.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent and innovative meal! The service was low-key and that made for a very comfortable evening.

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  4. Becky

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always have a great experience at Carnal and this time we loved being able to sit next to the roaring fire! The food is innovative and delicious and I had great fun trying my first cocktail that included shiitake mushrooms and whiskey and who knew that could be so good?! Also, the delicata squash was amazing. All in all, a wonderful way to spend a Friday evening :)

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jane

    VIP

    Seattle

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Creative and delicious dishes! Really friendly staff and a cool space

    Is this helpful?

  6. Allison

    VIP

    Seattle

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious as always! The winter menu is more limited than summer, service was amazing

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  7. Marilyn

    Seattle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent ambiance and aroma in the restaurant. All of our food was delicious, and we walked away saying that were very happy we ended up at this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. The only thing I would change is not having one of our seats sitting so close to, and facing, the wall. It took away from her ability to enjoy the ambiance.

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  8. Kate

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An amazing evening. Ambiance was good…wood burning fireplace next to table. Drinks were generous and tasty. Interesting as well. Service good. Food was Delicious! We will be going back and soon. Really hope no one else discovers this place.

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  9. Candy

    Portland

    33 reviews

    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoy Carnal for special nights out. Ambiance was great. Dim lights. Seated by fireplace. Food was good but not the best we have had there. Started with focaccia. Ate Hanger steak, fries and broccolini. Broccolini was overcharred. Steaks were good. Fries were good but truffle mayo was not. Definitely will return and recommend. Food is elevated experience.

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  10. Jim

    Cleveland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great experience! Best restaurant in Bellingham!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carnal does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Carnal also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (360) 306-3587.

Carnal is rated 4.8 stars by 992 OpenTable diners.

Carnal does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Carnal

1234 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225-5016

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    N State Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Bellingham
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Grill, Meat
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Park out front or in one of the parking lots across the street from us
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    James Zamory
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.eatcarnal.com/
  • Phone number
    (360) 306-3587
  • Catering
    Catering information upon request
  • Private party facilities
    Private events at Carnal can include corporate or social functions as well as private parties and holiday gatherings. We have an outside garden patio that can be reserved.
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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