Best Restaurants in Tacoma
A 36‑seat, family‑run staple tucked into Opera Alley, known for Northwest‑leaning comfort dishes, intimate ambiance, and gracious service. Loved by OpenTable diners and recognized as Best Fine Dining by South Sound Magazine.
A 6th Ave institution for over two decades, Primo spins Mediterranean flavors with house pastas, applewood grill, and strong ties to local farms. Praised by the Tacoma News Tribune for its longevity and seasonal cooking.
Downtown’s sherry‑savvy cocktail bar with housemade pasta and Spanish‑leaning small plates. New owners in 2025 pledged the same high craft and hospitality, noted by local reporters, keeping it a go‑to for date nights and pre‑show bites.
A high‑octane, locally owned Mexican steakhouse where hot‑stone Wagyu and tequila‑forward cocktails headline. Highlighted by national outlets and frequently cited by regional critics for elevating downtown steak night.
Tacoma’s restored 1907 firehouse serves E9’s award‑winning beers and standout tavern‑style pan pizzas. Celebrated by local critics for its crispy, chewy pies and historic setting tied to the city’s first craft brewery.
The city’s cult Korean‑American burger spot made the leap from trailer to brick‑and‑mortar in 2024, a move chronicled by the Tacoma News Tribune. Expect bulgogi‑driven sandwiches, loaded fries, and an ardent local following.
Reopened on Wednesday, February 7, the kitschy, gay cowboy–themed Howdy Bagel in Tacoma returned amid an outpouring of community support after co-owner Jake Carter was killed during a mugging in New Orleans on January 5; a 16-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. I watched the infamous bagel line form early — staffer Gabe Alves de Lima said “it’s been slammed all day” and by 7 a.m. there was already a line — and the shop, which once regularly sold out by noon, was down to about a dozen sesame bagels by 12:30 p.m. A memorial and guest book stood in the center of the shop where patrons left heartfelt notes for Carter, and donations (including a GoFundMe that raised $300,000) plus benefit shows around Tacoma have helped support co-owner Daniel Blagovich and the team. For staff it’s been a mix of grief and relief — Alves de Lima described coming in to prep, throwing a pizza party to soften the return, and feeling that the community’s love made the day easier than expected. Menu highlights include the recommended Lox in a Box — an open-faced sandwich on a Howdy Bagel topped with cold-smoked lox, lemon-dill cream cheese, capers, pickled red onions, Graza olive oil, black pepper, and fresh dill — and the shop is operating Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family‑run since 1948, this Hilltop landmark smokes ribs, brisket, and chicken the old‑school way. Featured by KING 5’s Evening and cherished by generations, it’s a living slice of Tacoma culinary history.
Lincoln District mainstay since 1989, serving soulful pho, bun bo Hue, and southern Vietnamese specialties. A perennial favorite in Tacoma News Tribune’s reader polls and a touchstone for the city’s Vietnamese community.
A soul‑food icon for fried chicken, cornbread stuffing, and peach cobbler, featured on Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives and praised by local writers. Woman‑owned, welcoming, and unmistakably Tacoma.
A 6th Ave original for moonshine cocktails, creative bar fare, and one of Tacoma’s favorite brunches. Reopened after a 2023 fire and continues to draw crowds, as covered by the Tacoma News Tribune.