Rifugio's Country Italian Cuisine

Super great food, and you can tell the chef really loves what he does! He changes the menu pretty frequently based off of what's in season, it's small and focused on good dishes, and he even collects some of the ingredients himself!

The area is very neat too, there are art installations nearby for you to look at while you wait for your food, and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful for when it's open again. It is a little pricey, but for what you get I would say it's worth it. Plus you support someone who is very passionate about what they do!

Definitely a good place to check out.

Delicious! Very comfy atmosphere. All the dishes were flavorful and unique.

I'm sure the food is wonderful here. However, the owner was caustic and arrogant. I've never had a middle- school pit in my stomach from simply entering a restaurant before. We were confused as to why he snapped whether we had a reservation after we had waited patiently for ten minutes for someone to notice us. Why he did not greet us but instead told us coldly that the only seats available were at long bench seating, waving his arm dismissively and slapping a menu on the table. And finally, when I asked innocently whether his restaurant used to be located in a nearby town, he bristled and derisively corrected me, his tone dripping with contempt. He seemed angry that we were there, and then proceeded to treat a couple that came in a few minutes later with warmth-- as if a completely different personality emerged. When asked whether they could sit in another area, he said loudly, seemingly for the benefit of our ears, "For you two? Yes." and proceeded to chat them up. I had a feeling that if we stayed, we would get completely different service than the other customers.

Was it that we weren’t locals that was offensive to him, or was he simply having a bad day and chose to take it out on us? I’ll never know, but I do know that I don't support people who treat others poorly. Throwing shade to some customers and not others is provincial and creepy. My son's face fell at the treatment. My husband, who had worked a 12 hour shift in the ER the night before and was so looking forward to this restaurant he had discovered online, also felt crummy. Our family had taken an eight- hour hike and was exhausted and excited, fantasizing about what we would eat when we got there. I had visions of a delicious meal that rivaled ones I had growing up in Italy. This was not the experience we had imagined.

We left, went to a restaurant a few miles away and were greeted warmly-- in an inviting atmosphere that made us feel welcome. Our spirits soon lifted and we had a lovely meal.

Talk about the epic hole in the wall place. Rumors are true if you find one then you will get GREAT food this place proves that rumor. If you find yourself going to Mount Baker it’s worth the stop.

TLDR: Small quirky Italian restaurant were you better have a reservation and a passion for food.

This was a small restaurant with a nice interior and an ok outside dining area. The food was good and the overall flavors were rich and thought out. I struggle to describe my food. Yes, it was good and I enjoyed the meal, but I guess I was expecting much more for the price. Maybe it was an off night for the head chef or maybe the COVId economy has forced this restaurant to use cheaper ingredients. I left that night not really satisfied and rather let down. Portions sizes were small for an Italian restaurant. The bread was cold, the internal structure was good but it required some force to tear it apart. I will mostly give this place another shot, and if they knock it out of the part I'll update my review.

We have stopped at this restaurant every time we come up by Mount Baker. Richard is an amazingly talented chef. There has not been one dish that we have tried that has been anything less than phenomenal. The restaurant itself is beautiful, the family had put so much hard work into every detail!

Veteran chef tending a small family style kitchen with awesome natural wooden tables and displays. Food was excellent. Mom had the meatloaf and I, a picky eater, ordered plain ol noodles and tomato sauce. Best plain noodles and tomato sauce I'll ever eat. Noodles were homemade and tasted like they were made yesterday.

Great food!
Cozy italian place with an outstanding service

The best food on 542E. Great food and lots of character (mostly the owner/waiter/chef!). This little rustic restaurant tucked away between 542E and the Nooksack River is a diamond in the ruff. Be ready for a small menu that often has sold out items. Be ready for a wait staff of one (owner/operator). Be ready for the slow pace of the countryside. But also be ready for some seriously delicious Italian food made with lots of love and continuous creativity. The owner is an absolute sweetheart and a man with a great passion for serving excellent food to any and all who come visit. We've been going here for years and years and it's never the same menu for long but always the same great experience.

We had the most enchanting evening as the only guests at Rifugio’s. Richard, the owner and chef, is clearly dedicated to his craft. He was passionate, warm, and made us feel at home which is saying a lot given The current times. We felt safe - masks when he came to the table, the only guests, etc. the food was unreal. Every dish was executed perfectly. My favorites were the homemade bread and oil and the lamb ragù enough. Topped off with a bottle of Italian red — we were transported for a couple of hours to the old days of dinners out, only better. Total satisfaction. Huge thanks to Richard for making our weekend.