Welcome to the Colophon Cafe!
Let us treat you to a unique and memorable dining experience that has been a Fairhaven tradition since 1985!
The Colophon Cafe was founded in 1985 and has been the heart of Historic Fairhaven ever since. We began as a humble ice cream and espresso parlor adjacent to Village Books; that proximity and relationship with the bookstore helped influence our name (see inside the menu for a definition). Over the years, we have kept pace with our customers appetites by regularly refining and adding to our menu.
From our creative, award-winning soups, to the freshest salads and sandwiches, to savory quiches and pot pies, to our decadent desserts and delicious beverages, we aspire to bring you a healthful and delicious meal any time of day. All of our foods are prepared using wholesome, quality ingredients, and served with pride by our talented and friendly staff.
Of the many things that make our restaurant special, one in particular is that we strive to satisfy the needs and desires of each customer on an individual basis. Every meal is made to order, with the time and attention it takes to get things right. Among our wide variety of mouth-watering options are many unique and delicious vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. In addition, we have compiled a comprehensive listing of our ingredients to help us accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies. If you have a special need or request, or merely want to know what's in an item, don't hesitate to ask!
We are truly proud of the deep connection that the Colophon Cafe has cultivated during our long tenure in this extraordinary community. In appreciation for our customers and neighbors, we are dedicated to business practices that promote both a healthy environment and a vibrant local economy. To that end, we support many local charities, and we purchase a significant amount of our ingredients and supplies from quality, locally owned businesses. The Colophon Cafe is an active member of Sustainable Connections, a participant in the Community Energy Challenge and Puget Sound Energy's Green Power program, a founding partner of Bellingham's "Toward Zero Waste" initiative, and a Whatcom Watershed Business Steward.
Thank you for joining us today, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Sincerely,
The Killian Family & Staff of the Colophon Cafe
A Slice of History
The Pythias Building in which The Colophon Cafe is housed was built in 1891, when Fairhaven was a bustling frontier town and one of the most important sites for the shipping and lumber industries of the West. In its first incarnation, the Pythias Building served as a meeting hall for the Elks, Woodsmen of America, and other Secret Societies of Fairhaven. The original ballroom still occupies the upper level - and yes, it IS haunted, of course! Throughout the century, our building has been host to numerous other tenants, including McIntosh Hardware, the Immanuel School of Industries, and Norman's Clothing Store and, during Prohibition, a notorious speakeasy! You can still view remnants of the authentic hand-operated elevator, ordered at the turn of the century from Sears, Roebuck and Co., in our downstairs dining area.