Fairhaven’s Dos Padres (1111 Harris Ave., 360/733-9900, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $10) has an extensive menu of Mexican dishes with a Southwest twist. It’s locally famous for margaritas and nachos. Come here for lunch, when prices are lower.

Another very good Mexican restaurant—with more traditional fare—is El Gitano (1125 Sunset Dr., 360/714-1065, www.elgitano.com, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $13). Some of the area’s best Southwestern-style meals can be found at Pepper Sisters (1055 N. State St., 360/671-3414). This place is highly recommended.

Cafe Akroterii (1219 Cornwall Ave., 360/676-5554, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 4 p.m.–9 p.m. Sun., $14) is a fine little place for Greek food downtown.

India Grill (1215 Cornwall Ave., 360/714-0314, www.indiagrill.us, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4–9 p.m. daily, $11) is the place for Indian food, including tandoori and vegetarian specials.

Several local places have good Thai food; two of the best are Busara Siamese Cuisine (324 36th St., Sehome Village Mall, 360/734-8088, 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily, $11) and Thai House Restaurant (187 Telegraph Rd., 360/734-5111, www.bellinghamthaihouse.com, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $9).

Oriento Restaurant (2500 Meridian St., 360/733-3322, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–8:30 p.m. Sun., $9) has a big Chinese menu that includes Mandarin, Szechuan, and Cantonese favorites along with vegetarian specials.

Little Tokyo (Barkley Village, 360/752-2222, lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, dinner 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 4:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 4–9 p.m. Sun., $15) is a casual sushi bar and Japanese restaurant; it’s considered the best in town. Penny pinchers should try to go on Wednesdays between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., when the place plates $1 sushi.