Cafés and Delis

If you’re in Fairhaven [1] and want great sandwiches, bagels, quiche, or just a scoop of ice cream, drop by Colophon Café inside Village Books (1210 11th St., 360/647-0092, www.colophoncafe.com [2], 9 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $10). Be sure to give the unique African peanut soup a go—this rich, velvety concoction has a complex meaty flavor and a little bit of a spicy kick. Colophon is also great for Paul Bunyan–size slices of carrot cake. Get here early at lunch or be ready to wait.

If you aren’t looking for the gourmet variety burger, Boomer’s Drive In (310 N. Samish Way, 360/647-2666, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $5) has the best around.

A particular favorite among health-conscious foodies looking for organic grub is Old Town Café (316 W. Holly St., 360/671-4431, 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun., $8), where the waitress is likely to have a nose ring and the queue of customers is out the door on a weekend morning. The atmosphere is laid-back and noisy.

Another popular downtown place is Daisy Cafe (114 W. Magnolia St., 360/733-8996, www.thedaisycafe.com [3], 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, $8) with a diverse breakfast and Sunday brunch menu. It’s a favorite of the suit-and-tie crowd.

A completely different dining experience can be found at The Little Cheerful Café (113 E. Holly St., 360/738-8824, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, $8). The setting is casual and the breakfasts are always great (especially the hash browns), with ample portions. Be prepared to wait if you get here after 10 a.m. on weekends.

Swan Café (1059 N. State St., 360/734-8158, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $6), inside the Community Food Co-Op, serves hearty salads and sandwiches. This is a fine place for an inexpensive downtown lunch.