When I moved to Bellingham, I never expected to find a neighborhood cafe that would become an important gathering space during college, a meeting spot for work as I became a professional, and caterer to major events I attended. Yet somehow, Avenue Bread has woven itself into the fabric of four different spaces and is a neighborhood bakery and cafe that provides delicious bread, a comforting meal, and an atmosphere that reflects the locals' hustle and bustle.
Avenue Bread is a local Bellingham Bakery and Cafe that welcomes locals and visitors alike and is a well-established local dining spot for breakfast and lunch. It’s a spot that is absolutely worth exploring for first-time visitors. It represents much of what makes Bellingham's food culture special: fresh baked goods, satisfying meals, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.
The Story Behind Avenue Bread
To be honest, Avenue Bread has been a part of my world since I went to school at Western Washington University. Many group projects were discussed at their Downtown Bellingham location over salads, coffee, and baked goods.
That location is actually Avenue Bread’s original spot, where it was founded in 1995. Over time, They expanded into multiple locations and each one has a dash of something different on the menu.
According to WhatcomTalk, “After 25 years of ownership, John and Wendy DeFreest sold Avenue Bread (which had grown to four local cafes across Whatcom County) to a new co-ownership team, Jamie Smeall and John MacFarlane, effective January 1, 2024.” I recall the community being nervous, but truly the values and dedication to the artistry of bread and the cafe remains strong.
Avenue Bread’s Eggenue, a Monthly Special Edition with some chips snagged from Chef’s sandwich.
What Makes Avenue Bread Special?
The bread!! Okay, yes, partly, the baking traditions and delicious bread is something you will start to cave and luckily you can purchase loaves to take home at their locations. But their menu is absolutely stunning.
At Avenue Bread, one thing that keeps me coming back are the monthly specials that innovate their signature breakfast item: The Eggenue, a breakfast sandwich made with an English muffin.
The Eggenues that appear on their menu at most of their locations are:
The B.E.A.S.T
One fried egg, bacon, avocado, swiss cheese, and tomato on your choice of English muffin
Country Eggenue
One fried egg, sausage, cheddar cheese, onion, and tomato on your choice of English muffin
Gourmet Eggenue
One fried egg, bacon, gorgonzola cheese, spinach, and tomato on your choice of English muffin
Italian Eggenue
One fried egg, ham, provolone cheese, red pepper, and pesto on your choice of English muffin
Popeye
One fried egg, sausage, avocado, spinach, caramelized onion, and deli mustard on your choice of English muffin
Veggie Eggenue
One fried egg, avocado, cheddar cheese, spinach, onion, and tomato on your choice of English muffin
Tofu-ggenue
No egg! Ginger-soy marinated tofu, avocado, cilantro, grilled red peppers, caramelized onions and sambal sauce, on your choice of English muffin
The English Muffin choices can vary but most often the options are Rosemary, Plain, and 8-Grain or a friend of mine has ordered it “On Spinach" before as well!
Avenue Bread The Californian Sandwich.
What’s for Lunch at Avenue Bread?
This is where things get really exciting! The sandwiches at Avenue include things like Avenue Club, Reuben, and Cranberry Turkey (even after Thanksgiving!) and also options for everyone like salads, vegetarian sandwiches, pastries. But what makes it exciting is each location has a little variety for lunch options.
I love they they serve a variety of grilled sandwiches, a Banh Mi with pulled pork, the California has been my go-to lately, free-range chicken, bacon, avocado, sprouts, tomato and ranch dressing on ciabatta.
In an article (I can’t find again) I read that, “Avenue Bakery uses a sourdough starter maintained for more than 25 years,” which is just an epic example of its baking tradition.
More Than Just a Bakery: A Neighborhood Gathering Place
Like I said earlier, I have done many a group project at Avenue’s Downtown location, but more and more friends and I have been gathering at the James or Fairhaven location just to meet up for a bite to eat.
It’s busy, but the flow of people that come through are often people we know which just makes eating there as entertaining as you’d suspect. Avenue Bread is gathering spot for business, friends, families, and everyone in between!
It has established itself as a local business that matters to Bellingham’s character and while shifts and changes and as time goes on the menu will change, the prices will vary, but at the end of the day I have rarely left Avenue Bread disappointed.
Avenue Bread in Fairhaven Menu Board
Avenue Bread in Fairhaven Pastry Shopping
Where to Find Avenue Bread
Avenue has grown to have four locations and each one is unique in it’s atmosphere, but the bread remains delicious!
Avenue Bread Downtown — Railroad Avenue
1313 Railroad Avenue, Bellingham
The original café, conveniently located downtown.
Fairhaven Avenue Bread
1135 11th Street, Bellingham
A great stop while exploring historic Fairhaven.
Avenue Bread James Street — Sunnyland
2301 James Street, Bellingham
A neighborhood café with an open kitchen and a full breakfast and lunch selection.
Avenue Bread Lynden
444 Front Street, Lynden
Located inside the restored historic Waples building.
Love for Avenue BreadIt’s one of those places that is just a comfort to have and has endured the ebb and flow of economic chaos. Each cafe has a neighborhood connection and personality. If you’re looking for something tasty, absolutely try an Eggenue or pick up a fresh loaf of bread. Whether you're grabbing breakfast before a busy day or catching up with a friend over lunch, Avenue Bread offers another reason to love living in Bellingham.”
