Best Coffee Shops Post Training
These are, in my opinion, the best places in Bellingham to visit after a training session. Whether that be swim, bike, or run; these spots are convenient for all sorts of outdoor sports. Or maybe you’re from out of town and need the best places to go. This one is for you for many different reasons. I love coffee shops, so you can totally trust me and my judgment. I am proud of this one! Enjoy!
I will present each shop’s hours and address, along with some hot tips I have gathered over years of experience. Pricing indicated with $ for the least expensive and $$$ for the most expensive. AND the best sports to do around the area.
General area showing where each coffee shop is located.
LakeLine - $$$ - 601 Northshore Dr Suite 104, Bellingham, WA 98226
Treat at LakeLine after running on the Hertz Trail. Photo by Sarah Ellis
Lakeline is located on the northwest corner of Lake Whatcom near Silver Beach. It is a beautiful, brand-new coffee shop in this area. I love their focus on swimming in their branding as it closely relates to the culture on this side of town with Lake Whatcom just across the street. I also love open water swimming so I might be a little biased.
They serve wonderfully curated coffee and beautiful bakery and food items. One thing that is nice about LakeLine is that they are more than a coffee shop, they are a bar as well. So, if you’re an evening workout person, you can stop by and get an athletic brewski beer or a picture-perfect cocktail.
LakeLine is in a great location for a post-workout treat whether you’re coming from swimming in Lake Whatcom, running in Whatcom Falls Park, or biking the Lake Whatcom Tri course.
Hours: Tuesday–Thursday: 7:30 AM–8 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM–9 PM,
Saturday: 8 AM–9 PM,
Sunday: 8 AM–2 PM
Follow them on Instagram: @lakelinebham
LaFeen’s Family Pride Donuts - $ - 1466 Electric Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229
Friends at LaFeen's after a long swim in Lake Whatcom. Photo by Sarah Ellis
LaFeen’s is probably my personal favorite on this list. I love the bang for your buck here. Their donuts are seriously soooooo gooooood. It is not out of the blue that I will walk out with more than one donut for myself. My favorites are the glazed Butter Milk Bars, chocolate glazed with sprinkles, or glazed old fashions. I am also the type of person to devour diner-style coffee and LaFeen’s has just that.
LaFeen’s is awesome because it is so convenient post-swim or run. It is located just off Electric Ave which is right across the street from loads of trails in Whatcom Falls Park, and just a 3 min drive from Bloedel Donovan Park, one of Lake Whatcom’s public parks, which just happens to be a great spot to open water swim!
Pro tip: bring your own mug for coffee and cash, they have a pretty hefty card charge of $.50. (P.S. They make their donuts fresh at 5 pm.)
Hours: every day 6am-10:30 pm (11 pm Sat and Sun)
Cafe Blue - $$$ - 1319 11th St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Yummy treats and perfect place for our bikes to wait. Photo by Sarah Ellis
Café Blue just makes you feel all cozy and warm inside. It is a tight space when busy, with small tables but still holds plenty of space to enjoy your conversations. The cafe offers lots of natural light, plants, artwork (some for purchase), and a little consignment area for vintage clothing. The baristas might ask you the “question of the day” which is one of the ways they engage with their community. They also decorate for the holidays like Halloween and Christmas, which I love for the vibes. I always feel like I can come as I am, making it perfect for post workouts, when you’re sweaty and disgusting.
They offer lots of options for traditional coffee as well as some amazing Matcha and Golden lattes. Not to mention their toast is to die for, it’s a bit pricy but a nice treat to get once in awhile to hold you over till your real post-workout meal. They also have lots of yummy side treats.
They are located in Fairhaven which is in a perfect location for post-open water swim off Taylor Dock or Marine Park. As well as coming in after a run along the interurban or after/mid bike café stop!
Pro tip: Their space can get very busy; I recommend going right when they open or getting closer to closing time to get a spot to sit, especially in the winter when outdoor seating is not super attractive. They also have homemade bagels on Sunday but run out quickly!
Hours: 8 am – 2 pm every day
Follow them on Instagram: @cafebluefairhaven
Cafe Velo - $$ - 120 Prospect St #2, Bellingham, WA 98225
Warming up with a hot coffee post fall bike ride back in 2021! Photo by Sarah Ellis
Ahhh sweet cafe Velo, the jack of all trades of coffee shops. This is an all-in-one, quintessential café stop. You won’t find drip coffee here as they only have an espresso machine, but man do they know how to WERK it. Andrew uses half of the store as his bike shop which serves a large part of the community as their bike mechanic. They also have local artist’s stickers and offer a small range of bike accessories for purchase.
They have a large bike rack outside and lots of outdoor seating which makes for a dreamy Sunday morning. Cafe Velo holds a strong culture for bikes of all kind but I get the vibe they have a special place in their heart for commuters as the owners frequently bike everywhere. They also race in the local cyclocross season and often show bike races on the projector in the bike shop. It is pretty awesome to feel the love for bikes right when you walk in.
Cafe Velo is a great place for a post-bike or mid-bike café stop. You can bike in from Lummi peninsula or come in from the south up from the Chukanuts or east from Sudden Valley. It Is located close the north end of downtown Bellingham which serves for a variety of different bike rides that might get you there.
Hours: Wednesday – Thursday: 8am-6pm
Sat and Sun: 10am – 5pm
Follow them on Instagram: @cafevelobellingham
My house! (no price😉)
Beautiful quiche from just yesterday paired with a simple side salad. Photo by Sarah Ellis
As I have moved into a real house, not my own but still, I have been so much more into hosting friends. I have really fallen in love with trying all the recipes in the Run Fast Eat Slow series of cookbooks. My housemates can attest that I am obsessed. Just about everything I eat comes out of those books. Not only do I have a knack for eating and making yummy food, but I have also gotten into making coffee which came from a desperate attempt to save money. I have a basic espresso machine and French press. I have been really loving making at-home lattes and I hope to go down the coffee-making rabbit hole when I start making more money.
Most of all, I enjoy sharing special meals with loved ones. I love getting the placemats out that my granny made, making two (or three or four) coffees, and sharing something I made! All in the comfort of a warm home.
My house is in a great location for swim, bike, and run. You can swim and run at Lake Padden and then bike down and around lake Samish.
This blog is proof of one of the many reasons getting to do triathlon in the PNW is so awesome!