The Daisy Cafe is a Local Breakfast Haven
Meet the owners of The Daisy Cafe, a cherished local spot for delicious, home-cooked breakfasts.
Come for the cozy atmosphere and friendly service that make it a community favorite.
Question: Where can you get a burger at 8 a.m. in Bellingham?
Answer: The Daisy Cafe.
“We call it a breakfast burger,” says Kim VanEpps, who owns and runs the homey neighborhood cafe alongside her husband, Cameron.
It’s not your standard burger, either. All food at The Daisy (open daily for breakfast and lunch) is made from scratch, and they don’t use deep fryers or imitation ingredients. Their breakfast potatoes, for example, are hand-cut and cooked on a flat top in olive oil, then lightly seasoned with salt. Everything is cooked to order using clean, local ingredients, which is one of the reasons so many locals come here for a meal.
“It’s a meeting place where people can have good food and know that it's going to be consistent,” Kim says.
On the menu
Kim’s breakfast order? “We call it the Kim special: The Daisy O’Brien, with extra veggies, two basted eggs, topped with fresh tomatoes, and a side of hollandaise sauce. It's super gluttonous but delicious. The Hoppel Poppel is really delicious as well. It’s a scramble with potatoes, eggs, bacon, garlic, and mushroom with cheese melted over top. All of that goodness rolled into one.”
What’s in a name? The Daisy’s backstory
“Daisy” is Cameron’s nickname for Kim. The two came to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University and later met Bob Kildall, the founder of Bob’s Burgers & Brew. Bob became a mentor to Cameron, showing him the ins and outs of the restaurant industry, and presented him with the opportunity to take over Bob’s Burgers in Sudden Valley.
After six years, Kim and Cameron sold the Sudden Valley restaurant and opened The Daisy, now entering its 16th year in business.
They recently made updates to the space, replacing the flooring and taking down a wall that separated the coffee shop side from the restaurant for a more open concept. Diners can sit at the counter that looks out into the kitchen, grab a table by the espresso bar, or sit in the cafe. Cafe tables pay a subtle, sweet tribute to Kim’s late mother, with white and yellow daisies they stenciled together by hand.
Local love
With The Daisy, Kim and Cameron have cultivated a warm, welcoming space over the last decade and a half. People come here to curl up with coffee and a book, meet friends for breakfast, or get out of the office during lunch hour. They pride themselves on being part of the local community and are always looking for ways to give back.
In May, The Daisy Cafe, along with many restaurants across Whatcom County, participated in Dine Out for Maple Alley Inn, a program that provides meals to low-income residents, veterans, and seniors.
When they’re not working, Kim and Cameron go for runs or hikes at Galbraith Mountain, take their chocolate lab, Junie, for swims at Lake Whatcom, or mingle downtown.
“Downtown is starting to get busier again, with events like Downtown Sounds, wine walks, and art walks. I love being part of that and seeing familiar faces,” says Kim.
Come be a familiar face and stop by for a wholesome, quality meal, whether that’s buttermilk pancakes fresh off the griddle, a hearty omelet, or an early-morning burger—no judgment.