My Tacoma’s Greatest Hits
An ever-evolving travel guide to Tacoma, WA
Because my Portland guide has been so popular among guest travelers and new friends (which is so exciting and basically a dream come true for me), I decided to put together a few of our favorites from our newest home, Tacoma, Washington.
Despite only being here for two years, I feel like we’ve put a decent dent in our Tacoma wishlist. But there’s always somewhere new to try, so if I’m missing anything, let me know where to go next!
Eats
Breakfast/Brunch
Howdy Bagel via Instagram @howdybagel
Howdy Bagel There are few restaurants Alec and I stan so hard as Howdy Bagel. Once a farmer’s market vendor, this cute husband team had people lining up down the block waiting for hours week after week for a little taste of these amazing “Tacoma-style” boiled bagels. As a former New Yorker, these bagels pass every test. The shop’s overall aesthetic is so chic and trendy, but it’s more of the icing on an already really incredible cake. 15/10.
Art House Cafe A quaint brunch spot located in Stadium District showcasing local artists and serving amazing food. They make a mean dutch baby, just sayin!
Dirty Oscars Annex Quintessentially gritty Tacoma, DOA is a great spot for brunch with huge portions and unique drinks. It’s giving dive bar but with fantastic food. I highly recommend the chicken and waffles and you can never go wrong with their stuffed cheesy tots!
Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):
La Sel Bistro This Stadium District bistro comes highly recommended for brunch.
Sidepiece Kitchen Newly opened in South Tacoma after successfully outgrowing a co-kitchen space in a year, Sidepiece is known for their incredible biscuit and cheesecake creations.
Lunch/Dinner
Field Bar & Bottle Shop via Instagram @fieldtacoma
En Rama A cozy cocktail bar downtown with an outdoor patio and amazing Italian PNW-focused foods. This reminds me a lot of the Portland vibe and it never disappoints.
Field Easily my favorite dinner and drinks spot in Tacoma, Field, is a cozy and chic space perfect for both dates and casual get-togethers. They have an awesome selection of natural wines and an ever-changing seasonal menu of shareable plates.
Bar Rosa Perfect friendly neighborhood trendy yet casual pizza and cocktail joint. It’s dark, cozy, fast, friendly service, and the pizza and drinks always hit. Highly recommend the spicy greens pizza if you’re a broccolini lover.
Crudo and Cotto Cute Italian restaurant with locally sources ingredients. It’s located in a repurposed house so it feels especially cozy and quaint.
State Street via Instagram @statestreetco
State Street Trendy neighborhood bar with local craft beer, wine, pizza, and an outdoor patio.
Peaks and Pints If you’re a sandwich and beer girlie, you’ll like it here. They have a large selection of local beers, great sammies, and rustic PNW cabin charm.
Wooden City Pizza, shareable plates, and trendy cocktails in a really, vibrant, always bustling industrial-meets-PNW space. Reservation recommended, this spot is hot.
Moshi Moshi - Yummy, cozy ramen and cocktail bar in Stadium District. If you’re more into a variety of Southeast Asian cuisine, check out Indoasian next door!
Cuerno Bravo I am truly not a steak girlie, but this steakhouse is so delicious. They pay as much attention to the sides and drinks as they do to the quality of the steaks, and it really shows.
The Lobster Shop Newly reopened, this waterfront bar and restaurant is so perfectly Tacoma. In my opinion, the full dinner menu can use a little more love but you’ll certainly catch me there for happy hour oysters or grabbing a giant lobster roll for lunch!
The Lobster Shop via Instagram @thelobstershop
Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):
The Table Trendy, cozy PNW-focused farm-to-table bistro off of 6th avenue. Great for special occasions and date nights.
Table 47 Another trendy local food focused spot in Gig Harbor.
Indita Mia Authentic Mexican food that looks incredible online.
Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)
Lander Coffee via Instagram @landercoffee
Jin Jin Matcha Stunning chic tea shop downtown. They always have delicious and unique seasonal drinks with quality matcha and wellness add-ins.
Lander Coffee - Minimalist-chic coffee spot in Old Town. Lots of space to sit and work, and the lighting!! *swoon*
Curran Coffee Another cute corner coffee shop in Old Town with yummy, not too sweet seasonal drinks including astrology-themed coffees!
Anthem Coffee A local Tacoma chain, Anthem serves a consistent cup of coffee making it a great alternative to Starbucks!
Olympia Coffee Roasters with one Tacoma location, and others in Seattle and of course, Olympia, they have such cute spaces, great specialty coffee, and tea drinks.
Drinks (Alcoholic)
Bar Rosa via Instagram @barrosatacoma
Field Easily my favorite drinks spot in Tacoma, Field, is a cozy and chic space perfect for both dates and casual get-togethers. They have an awesome selection of natural wines and a wine club!
Bar Rosa Perfect friendly neighborhood trendy yet casual cocktail joint. It’s dark, cozy, fast, friendly service, and the drinks always hit.
The Living Taproom Cool self-serve tap spot with a chic modern interior. Think lots of light wood, plants, and spiked seltzers on tap.
Seven Seas - A huge brewery and taproom in the brewery district downtown in a really unique, industrial yet cozy space. They don’t serve food so be warned, but you can bring your own food in or go when they have a pop-up with a local restaurant.
Narrows Brewing There are few better places to watch the sunset in Tacoma than Narrows with a guaranteed view of the water and Narrows bridge. They also have a bustling community of trivia-goers on Thursday nights!
Peaks and Pints - They have a large selection of local beers served with rustic PNW cabin charm.
The Living Taproom via Instagram, @thelivingtaproom
Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):
Incline Cider Co and Taproom Located in Brewery blocks, has outdoor seating and a selection of ciders.
The Mule Tavern Cute lil “craft dive bar” in South Tacoma.
Blind Pig Craft cocktail bar in Proctor District.
Shopping
The Fernseed via Instagram, @thefernseed
The Fernseed With 2 locations in South Tacoma and Proctor District, Fernseed is my favorite place to shop for plants and floral arrangements. It’s such a friendly and inviting spot for seasoned plant parents and aspiring amateurs alike. Plus, the plants are cared for and healthy, which makes it easier to support!
Proctor Mercantile Cute home and gift shop in Proctor with great cards, candles, and small gifts.
Compass Rose Stunning curated gift shop in Proctor with a little something special for everyone!
Norse and Sea Located a short drive away in Steilacoom, Norse and Sea offers an abundance of gifts for adults and children with a special focus on Scandinavian brands.
Sunny’s General Store via Instagram, @sunnysgeneralstore
La Paloma Plants, art, vintage, and gift store in Old Town.
Sunny’s General Store Owned by the same couple as Jin Jin Matcha, Sunny’s offers curated plants, ceramics, and small gifts in downtown.
Stocklist Goods Locally-focused home goods and gifts located downtown.
