Mambo Italiano Cafe

We've come here several times since moving to Bellingham, and every time the food has been really great. It's one of those places we'd definitely take our friends to eat if they visit Bellingham.

The pasta is always cooked so perfectly, the sauces are delicious, and the bread they serve for appetizers is really nice! I'd say it's a bit pricey, especially with the added cost for meat selections (adding chicken, meatballs, etc to your pasta), but with the large portions, I'd say it's worth the price. I very often am able to get two (or at least one and a half) meals out of one of their dishes when I take it home.

The service is very friendly and accommodating! So far I haven't had a bad experience with anyone who works there.

The atmosphere is very warm but lively, with paintings for sale on the wall by local artists. I've only ever gone at dinner time, but I'm sure it's a nice atmosphere during the day, as well.

I highly recommend the chicken parmesan, the spaghetti bolognese with added meatballs, the spaghetti carbonara with added chicken, and the bruschetta. Their Italian sodas & mocktails are really tasty, too!

Visited Bellingham (specifically Fairhaven) from the Eastside, and had originally planned to go to The Black Cat (located two floors above Mambo Italiano) but due to the long waitlist we opted to try some Italian cuisine out due to the favorable reviews, and we are very glad we did!

We were sat right away, even though it was fairly busy for dinner rush. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive, and was able to give recommendations on popular dishes. Atmosphere was very Italian and was enjoyable.

I got the spaghetti bolognese, with 3 added meatballs, and my SO got the fettuccine alfredo pasta, with added chicken breast. For an appetizer we split the caprese salad. Fresh baked bread is served with butter as well.

We got our food fairly quickly, and it was hot and fresh. The bolognese sauce was tasty and the alfredo was creamy and rich. The caprese salad while 16$ was a large portion and perfect for 2. The entrees were very reasonable priced for a place that is closer to fine dining.

Overall we left satisfied, and with two large to-go containers for later.

This was a nice little find! We've driven through Bellingham dozens and dozens of times but never ventured beyond Meridian Way in terms of actually stopping in town to get a bite to eat or what not. Today we decided to take a break from the norm and we stumbled upon this cute place and we're glad we did!

The service was really nice and receptive, the gluten free lasagna was one of the best restaurant lasagnas I've ever had, and the price tag wasn't too bad for the quality of food. It's the only pasta dish on the menu that's automatically gluten free so I had to reward them by ordering it. All other pasta dishes can be ordered GF but with all things GF there's an upcharge. You can also get GF pizzas and a couple of GF desserts, too.

One *big* drawback though is the bathrooms aren't accessible and are very narrow. There are a couple stairs required to get to the bathroom so if you're wheelchair bound or have trouble with even one stair, don't drink too much. Quite frankly, as a whole, the restaurant isn't wheelchair accessible. In fairness to the restaurant, they're in a building that was made way before the ADA was enacted so this design flaw isn't on them. It's just a product of the time it was built.

I would recommend against having their orange and spice mocktail. It's not at all well balanced, is far too heavy on the bitters, and tastes neither of orange or spice. The server was super kind about taking the drink back when I let them know I wasn't in love with it, however.

I recently dined at Mambo Italiano in Fairhaven, and it was delicious!!

The star of our culinary adventure was the Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta, a dish that surpassed all expectations. The al dente penne combined with the rich, smoky flavor of the salmon created a harmonious symphony of tastes that danced on the palate. The creamy Alfredo sauce added a velvety texture, elevating the dish to a level of indulgence that I haven't experienced before. It was a perfect fusion of freshness and comfort, leaving a lasting impression.

Equally captivating was the Carne Marsala, a true masterpiece. The tender cuts of meat bathed in a Marsala wine reduction showcased the chef's mastery of flavors. Each bite was a journey through layers of succulence, and the accompanying sides complemented the dish impeccably. The combination of earthy mushrooms and sweet Marsala created a symphony of flavors that lingered on the taste buds, leaving a craving for more.

To accompany our meal, we opted for the house Chianti wine, a decision that added another layer of enjoyment to the evening. The robust yet smooth notes of the Chianti perfectly complemented both the smoked salmon pasta and the carne Marsala, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The service at Mambo Italiano was exceptional, with attentive staff ensuring our every need was met. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations and making our dining experience all the more enjoyable. The timing of each course was impeccable, reflecting a well-coordinated and efficient kitchen.

In conclusion, Mambo Italiano in Fairhaven stands out as a gem in the culinary scene. The Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta, Carne Marsala, and the house Chianti wine combined to create a memorable dining experience. The attention to detail in both the cuisine and service solidifies Mambo Italiano as a must-visit for anyone seeking a true Italian culinary journey in Washington. I wholeheartedly give it a five-star rating and look forward to my next visit.

**Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of our untouched delectable dishes, but here is one of the partially enjoyed Carne Marsala.

Ordered the cheese tortellini and my wife ordered the Spaghetti with marinara. Both orders were spectacular! The bread is delicious as well. Service was on par and the atmosphere was very laid back casual. I would recommend this restaurant any day!

One of the best places to eat for Italian. They've been around for a while. The owners actually Italian, and they are very authentic, and they stand behind all of their food.

I came here with my family when we had a reunion. Absolutely loved it, everybody felt satisfied when they left. But you say the portions are about twice the size that any normal human can eat.

But the food is amazing, and the garlic bread is one of my favorites at this place.

Truly amazing I highly recommend this to everybody.

After starting our meal with the mambo sangria and beef soup, we started to realize how many clams were included in the Saute Di Vongole appetizer. We both enjoyed the garlic, wine and seasoning provided in the taste explosion but I couldn't help thinking the actual clam flavour was missing and overwhelmed by excess alcohol not properly burned off. I usually return to Mambo's after one or two pizzas, found elsewhere, to confirm they still make the best pizza in Bellingham and was not disappointed. My wife chose the parmesan chicken and was delighted to find the crispy chewy browned cheese and tender chicken in abundance.

Not only do you get a bread basket to start, but we also had the Bruschetta starter. Then, as main dishes, we got Seafood Puttanesca,Spaghetti Pomodoro and all was delicious!

Had a great experience here. It was busy and we had no reservation but they fit us in at the bar. The server / bartender was genuinely kind and welcoming so we decided to eat at the bar top. The food was all delicious and the espresso martini was awesome! We will check it out again next time we are in town. Thank you!

I was a little wary about eating here. Reviews on different platforms seemed to indicate a live it or hate it type of experience. It didn’t start off positive as the hostess wasn’t very friendly or helpful. After being seated, the waitress brought some bread over. Nothing special and the butter was in little packs. At this point I was beginning to rethink eating here. But I stuck it out and was so glad I did. The pollo Parmesan was both huge and tasty! Two huge pieces of juicy chicken and the spaghetti sauce was both filling and tasty. Totally turned the experience around. The waitress recommended the key lime pie. I’m picky about my key lime pie as at most places it’s just ok. But this was something entirely different. Really really good. While it may not have started out great, it ended spectacularly.

first time here and we had the carbonara, bolognese, and the white wine clams. everything was not only reasonably priced and delicious, but certainly filling as well! Bella, our server, was so sweet and easy to connect with. she provided us a great service with a smile and perfect timeliness and even boxed our food to go for us! i thought that was just so sweet! the espresso martinis are top notch here. that’s always my drink of choice and the coconut cream used is a perfect touch! thank you, Bella, i hope to see you again soon!

Great experience. Friendly service, did what they could to seat us even though they were very busy and we didn't have reservations. My daughter like the kids spaghetti with marinara more than the Italian place in our home town (which is really good btw) and the pizza was tasty...had the kitchen sink. Note to jalepeno lovers, no jalapenos here.

Because of this location being in an office building it's a little hard to actually see the restaurant other than just the sign. Once inside the building it's amazing as walkthrough you awaken into this marvelous setting of an Italian restaurant with a fountain and adorable decorating. Accessible by wheelchair with ample parking in various locations on the street. There was no wait time to be seated as they have several different locations in their restaurant to accommodate customers. Their food and drink selection was outstanding. The service and staff very knowledgeable and friendly. Their food and desserts couldn't have tasted any better with large portions. Reasonably priced on drinks, desserts and foods. If you're looking for an Italian experience as well as good Italian food I would suggest this for all.

My wife and I had dinner there on Wednesday night. The atmosphere is splendid, the service is incredible, and the food is fantastic. The perfect place for the best Italian Cuisine I have ever tasted. We will return.

Love the location, love the atmosphere, love the service, and love the food. The bread is dangerously tasty. The portions on the pasta are gigantic and they are always delicious. I’ve never ordered something off their menu and felt disappointed. Their pizzas are a hidden gem of perfection, and shockingly delicious. I prefer this place over D’Anna’s in Bellingham, and I feel like lots of my friends compare the two since they have a similar price range. Their Caesar salad is also delicious. Definitely a favorite of mine to go to.

Cute little place with a real bistro feel. Service was friendly and music was tasteful. The food was tasty with good size portions. My daughter was delighted to be able to get gluten-free pasta with a vegan Alfredo. That's a rare find for her given gluten and diary are challenging. It was quite delicious. We'll definitely be back!

Not very often I give 5 stars for a restaurant...buy they knocked it out the park. Price, cleanliness...all legit

Every bit of food was delicious and the service was amazing. I wish the seating wasn't so cramped but otherwise, good drinks and food and even better server.

Had lunch and dinner in the same day because the food was so amazing! Shrimp scampi , Margarita pizza, for lunch - For dinner we had steak salad , mushroom pasta and Tiramisu. WOW. so so good. Service was exceptional and very very attentive. Thank you!

Their gluten free pasta is SO good. I love the add-on options for pasta. Their house salad and ceasar are delish. My husband devoured the bread and loved his lunch sandwich. Their Tuscan Pear Lemondrop is a great citrus variation and good value with Grey Goose as the standard for the cocktail. Great service and warm atmosphere.