Port Fairhaven Fish N Chips — Restaurant in Bellingham

I decided to pop in on a whim and finally try the fish n’ chips. It was pretty busy, which I’d attribute to the beautiful weather today, but perhaps that’s their normal business level. They are first come first serve so if you’re eating solo don’t expect to receive your food before a larger party that was one ahead of you. This is not something that bothers me, nor is it an expectation of mine, I just thought it was worth mentioning because I overheard another group express their distaste with how the system worked after ordering extra later on and having been told it won’t arrive with their original order. Anyways, it was about a 35 minute wait which is definitely longer than somewhere like Ivar’s so keep that in mind if you’re on a tight schedule! The plus is that you have a clean outside space to wait and soak up the sunshine. Bring a book, headphones, or a friend and you’re golden.

The food itself was pretty good! I really liked the tartar sauce (I am particular when it comes to tartar) and the slaw was tasty. The cod was decently sized. One piece did have a thick meaty ridge that was harder to chew but I don’t put that on the employees. We are eating a sea creature after all. I did expect a little more fries, yet that’s probably the typical American portion size skewing my brain. They were perfectly crisp nonetheless! I left feeling full and not weighed down by oil or fat.

The staff was friendly, the place was clean, and I will definitely be back! Thanks!

p.s I remembered to stop in because I cashed one of your employees out at work who was wearing their uniform. I dig the rad...

I’ve been coming to Fairhaven Fish & Chips for years and have always loved the food, the location, and the overall vibe. This place has been a staple for me and my family — so much so that I couldn’t imagine giving it anything less than 5 stars.

That said, I feel like it's time to share some honest feedback because I care about this place and want to keep enjoying it for years to come.

On my most recent visit, the fish was just a little over-fried, the fries were cold, and the tables were unfortunately quite dirty. Before we could even sit down, I had to clean off a table myself so my family and I could eat comfortably. While I understand that things get busy and staffing can be a challenge (I'm no stranger to the service industry myself), it's been a recurring issue lately.

What really stood out today was watching an elderly woman clean not only her own table but also move on to others. I offered to help, but she kindly declined. That moment really made me pause.

If the dining area is not under your direct responsibility due to the shared building, I’d love to know where I can direct this concern. But from what I could see, there were certainly some slower moments when staff might have had a chance to give the dining area a quick check and wipe down a few tables.

I say all this with respect and as a loyal customer who values what you do. The food has always been worth coming back for, but I’m hoping to see the cleanliness and service in the shared spaces get back to the standard that matches the quality of the food.

Thanks for all the great meals — looking forward...

Getting there - Google maps directed us to turn in at the corner of Paws for A Beer - don't! The food counter (not it's own restaurant) is located inside the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.

Once we arrived (around 5pm), there was a short line and signage that suggested the wait time would be around 35 minutes; this may have been due to the fact that a group of about 8-10 ordered just before we arrived.

We initially tried to sit outside, but there happened to be a cruise ship ready to depart, and it was extremely loud. We decided to move inside.

The food arrived around the estimated wait time, and we were pleasantly surprised! We ordered the chowder, captain's platter, and a kid's cod bites plate. Everything was battered evenly, and seasoned well. The cod was a bit overcooked, the clam strips were a bit small - felt like i mostly got batter. We thoroughly enjoyed the chowder, halibut, popcorn shrimp and calamari!

Overall, we enjoyed the food as a last minute dinner decision. The atmosphere was lovely once the cruise ship departed, and the customer service and attention to detail...