20 Great Restaurants in Tacoma
In this article we share 20 great Tacoma Restaurants.
Tacoma’s restaurant scene has been growing in recent years, with a steady stream of new and delicious restaurants popping up. Not only are there new places to eat in Tacoma, but many of the OG staples are still thriving and serving up the hits thanks to dedicated and devoted Tacoma foodies. Below you will find 20 great Tacoma Restaurants that we recommend you add to your must try list. Keep in mind, this list is not ranked in order, it’s totally random so don’t fret…
714 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Wooden City is hands down one of Tacoma’s best restaurants and one of our personal favorites. They serve up great drinks and creative yet comfortable takes on new school American food. Hot dishes include their delicious Pizzas, the Tavern Burger and the lamb bolognese. They have incredible appetizers as well, like the jerk cauliflower, blistered hungarian peppers and chicken wings. All of the dishes are expertly plated and served with love by a solid crew of friendly staff. Be aware, there will be a wait most nights, we promise it’s worth it!
2612 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406
Gather Juice Co is located on Tacoma’s 6th ave among many of Tacoma’s best bars and restaurants . It features a modern interior with lots of plants and plenty of light. Everything on Gather’s menu is plant based, vegan, and absolutely delicious! If you’re new to drinking fresh juices we recommend starting with Gather’s “Sweet Greens” or “Roots”, and if you’re hungry, pair that with an Acai Bowl or avocado toast.
111 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403
Art House Cafe is always at the top of our list when people ask us for our favorite Tacoma restaurants, especially for brekky and brunch. Judging by how busy Art House always is, the rest of Tacoma thinks it’s pretty dang good too. We always tell people to go early, and prepare to wait, but it’s worth it. Our favorite dish is the homemade breakfast pastry called “The Classic” as well as the seasonal french toast.
8237 Park Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98408
This South Tacoma gem is the coziest neighborhood cafe that you will find in Tacoma. Tibbits is one restaurant that you MUST make a reservation for, and we suggest you keep the party small. A family owned and run business, we recently met with the owner Shawn Tibbits after an amazingly delicious breakfast and we even got a tour through the tiny kitchen that would wow even an amateur foodie. How Shawn and his team are able to make anything is absolutely mind-blowing! The menu is small and for good reason. The food here is creative, unique and the plating is stunning.
3201 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407
Cooks Tavern is a new school diner located in North Tacoma. They feature a great standard menu, with an additional quarterly rotating menu, so you never run out of new dishes to try at Cooks. Breakfast is our favorite meal here and it runs late everyday (2PM). Their eggs benedict are a must, and the chicken & waffles are damn tasty too. Although there’s usually a wait for this popular place on weekends, the large dining room has a lot of tables, including outdoor seating during the warmer months.
2534 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
When people think of a brewery, they don't always think of good food, but Sig is different. Sig Brewing, located at 2534 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA, is one of the growing list of exceptions to the brewery stereotype. A newer addition to Tacoma, their creative kitchen serves up some wickedly delicious food to accompany their extensive selection of beers. Some standouts on the menu include their deviled eggs (our fav), fried Brussels sprouts, and house made pizzas. Get down there and eat at Sig, while it’s still relatively undiscovered!
721 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Located in downtown Tacoma right across from our other go-to-spot Wooden City, The Matador is a favorite bar and restaurant, serving up delicious Mexican-inspired dishes. The restaurant's one of a kind atmosphere, busy bar and truly great food, make it the best spot for a fun night out in downtown Tacoma. Whether you're looking for a lively happy hour or a delicious Mexican meal, Matador Tacoma is the obvious choice in the downtown Tacoma area. Also, be sure to take advantage of their outdoor seating area during Tacoma’s warmer months!
1924 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Indochine not only provides excellent Thai inspired cuisine, but they have a dining room that offers some of the coolest vibes in downtown Tacoma. Indochine serves amazing Thai and other asian inspired dishes, plated tastefully with excellent customer service and attention to detail. The first thing you'll notice when you walk in is the water feature running through the dining room with creative seating surrounding and beautiful teak wood accents. The service is attentive and friendly, and the food is always wonderful. If we had to dig up something negative to say, it would be that the prices are a bit high, but nothing out of the range of the other restaurants on this list.
1199 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402
The Fish Peddler is located right on Thea Foss waterway between Downtown Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma. They serve up some of the highest quality seafood and proteins available, as they are owned by the Pacific Seafood Group who is a huge seafood harvester, supplier and buyer.
They have delicious grilled or seared salmon dishes, but no waterfront seafood spot is ever complete without a solid fish and chips.
3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402
The restaurant is located in North Tacoma right in the middle of Ruston Way. Sitting right on the water it offers spectacular views of Commencement Bay, NE Tacoma, Vashon Island and the port of Tacoma. When the weather cooperates folks also have the option dine outside on the deck perched above the water. We love just about everything on the menu but we recommend keeping it simple with the Oh My Cod! Fish & Chips and one of Dukes Award Winning Clam Chowders.
5115 Grand Loop, Tacoma, WA 98407
Wild Fin is one of the finest dining establishments on the Tacoma waterfront. They have local NW favorites and hand-crafted dishes, with a priority placed on using locally sourced produce and ingredients, sustainably caught seafood, and local farm raised meats. Dining at WildFin is truly a unique and unforgettable experience, because it is situated right at the end of the newly developed Point Ruston area. It is not a cheap meal by any means, but we think it is fairly priced considering the service, location, food quality and locally sourced ingredients.
9001 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466
Boathouse 19 is one of the only waterfront restaurants on Tacoma’s west side, which means that it’s the best spot for sunsets that you can find! It’s located at the end of Titlow and right in the Narrows marina. The fun marina vibes, quality local seafood, and wonderful views of the south Puget Sound and Narrows Bridge make Boathouse a truly one of a kind dining experience. Not only do they have great seafood, they also have one of our favorite burgers (The Smokehouse burger) and amazing deserts.
2810 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406
A real steakhouse wouldn't be complete without a selection of properly prepared cuts, and Asado doesn't disappoint with options ranging from skirt steak to ribeye and filet mignon. It's not just about the meat – starters like empanadas and grilled provolone prove Argentine cuisine is more than its famous barbecue. We recommend making a reservation, or grabbing walk-up seating at the bar!
3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402
Katie Downs is a relaxed waterfront restaurant and bar with an indoor dining room and an outdoor deck with wrap around views of the bay. Sitting right on Ruston Way, this place serves up one of the best deep dish pizzas in all of Tacoma. Katie Downs menu also includes delicious sandwiches, steaks, burgers, salads, and many NW seafood dishes. They use fresh and organic ingredients with a wide selection of local and international beers on tap, as well as a great wine list and cocktails.
2603 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406
Hailed as a local go-to for authentic North Indian cuisine, Gateway to India Restaurant has served the Tacoma community for over 25 years.
The family-run establishment prides itself on its passion for the dishes it creates and is willing to accommodate special diets such as GF, vegetarian, vegan options. The restaurant also offers a beer selection along with a famous lunch buffet.
2201 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402
Northern Fish Co is a no frills fish stand. It has been in the Tacoma community for over 100 years, offering fresh seafood, smoked fish, ready-to-cook items, as well as takeout. Northern Fish Co always have the freshest seafoods at competitive prices for take out or to take home and cook yourself. Located right on Ruston Way, Northern Fish Co has a very small take out window attached where you can order to go or eat at one of the several outdoor tables and benches. Keep in mind this is not a spot to eat for rainy days, as there is no indoor dining available.
616 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Nestled on St. Helens Avenue between Tacoma’s Stadium District and Downtown, Cuerno Bravo is probably Tacoma’s best steakhouse, and maybe overall restaurant! It offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere for guests to enjoy Mexican-style meats cooked in a wood-fired kitchen. The restaurant blends old-world flavors with new ones, creating a unique steakhouse experience using the best beef in the world. In addition to its delicious steaks, Cuerno Bravo also offers a selection of wine and cocktails.
2506 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
If you take a drive to the Southern End of downtown Tacoma, you’ll find E9 Brewing. A newer addition to downtown Tacoma, E9 has quickly become our favorite new pizzeria we didn’t even know we needed. While parking may be a bit difficult to secure, you’ll find that there is lots of seating options either inside the main restaurant, outside covered seating, or directly in their taproom where you can watch barrels of brew be rolled in and out by staff. This lowkey brewery has truly phenomenal pizza. We recommend the Upper White Trash pizza, which has white sauce, mozzarella, bacon, onions and then a surprise topping of crushed corn nuts! For the red sauce lovers The Radiator has mozzarella, pepperoni and lavender infused Calabrian chili honey drizzle on top, which is tasty twist on your standard pepperoni pizza.
1552 Commerce St #100, Tacoma, WA 98402
Complete with a full cocktail bar and a happy hour from 2-5pm, the Koi is Tacoma’s trendy sushi and sake restaurant in Downtown Tacoma. We recommend starting with the sushi. They have all of the standard rolls, specialty rolls, as well as nigiri and sashimi. If you’re wanting something besids sushi, don’t stress, they also have entrees like teriyaki, katsu and short ribs. If you’re lucky you may even get to meet the owner Tim, who is there often running the ship, helping and greeting customers with a smile!
2701 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406
Primo is committed to sourcing its ingredients from local farmers and creating a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Northwest flavors. The chef driven restaurant opened back in 1999 on Tacoma’s popular 6th avenue. Primo creates unique dishes using fresh seasonal produce and seafood, offering a constantly evolving menu that is always top notch. In addition to great food, Primo has an extensive wine list and excellent handcrafted cocktails.
Thank you for reading our list of 20 great restaurants to try in Tacoma.
Also, do you have a spot that we should add to our list? Send us a tip by emailing lauraandersonproperties@gmail.com and letting us know!