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

Carnal

4.7
4.7
981 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Neighborhood 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
  • Neighborhood
    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
Gift card

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 981 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Overall

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Food

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Service

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Ambiance

  • Northwest Washington

    Best Value

  • Northwest Washington

    Innovative

  • Northwest Washington

    Good for groups

  • Northwest Washington

    Healthy

  • Northwest Washington

    Neighborhood gem

  • Northwest Washington

    Great for fine wines

  • Northwest Washington

    Great for outdoor dining

  • 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 "great atmosphere" and "artful food" that delights diners with its East Coast vibe. Guests rave about the "excellent service" and "innovative dishes," perfect for celebrations or date nights. While some find the menu limited, others "highly recommend" its flavorful offerings, cocktails, and cozy outdoor patio.

981 Reviews

  1. Jim

    Cleveland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

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

    Is this helpful?

  2. Carol

    Seattle

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have dined at Carnal many times and we never leave disappointed in the food quality or the service. On rare occasions when restaurants are a bit slow everywhere, Carnal can be under staffed and service is understandably slow. But even then the service is always friendly and the food is delicious. As the menu changes periodically, to keep it fresh and fun, we can always find new things to keep our experience fresh. Based on previous visits we knew the pasta and the steak was good so we ordered that again. The half chicken was new to us so we decided to give that a try. We were surprised by how delicious it was.

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  3. Ali

    Vancouver

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was great so was the setting I felt the sauces use were overpowering but that is my opinion

    Is this helpful?

  4. Susan

    VIP

    Seattle

    31 reviews

    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on December 22, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Menu is more limited than ever. They have removed their “signature” short rib from the menu. We chose the 3 things that didn’t sound like the ingredients were a bit too “ambitious”. They were all delicious and perfectly cooked. We sat at the bar and had great service from an excellent bartender. We have been going to Carnal since they opened. It’s gone from welcoming, with owners and managers walking around to chat and check in with you, with a much more friendly menu - to a vibe and a menu that feels like they have become a bit full of themselves. The reason we sat at the bar is because most of the 2-top tables have one seat staring a plain brick wall. We had an early reservation and weren’t offered a table by the fireplace, go figure. But the bar was a good place to be. Yes, the food is very good when you can find options you like. Our service was very good. The vibe has changed and simply doesn’t feel inviting. Sorry, but this is honest.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Weston

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    10/10 everytime. Simply perfect. The food and the flavor is all outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Cody

    Seattle

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 21, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was over salted and just wasn’t as good. Lacked the flavor are used too.

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  7. Robert

    Seattle

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    While it "seems" expensive, in a way it's actually a bargain if you consider that many costlier restaurants don't serve food that is as good as Carnal. Flavor so good it becomes indelible in your memory.

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  8. Rosanna

    Seattle

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, cocktails, and atmosphere were all great. A gem in Bellingham.

    Is this helpful?

  9. vivienne

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing flavors, beautiful plating, and excellent service!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Rachel

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food! SPECTACULAR cocktails. I would definitely recommend to any foodie friends

    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 4.7 stars by 981 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 PM
Booked 24 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
  • Neighborhood
    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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