16 new restaurants, bars and cafes to visit around Tacoma and the South Sound
In our last roundup, we welcomed a combination doughnut shop and nighttime lounge, a baked potato haven, a super-fresh brunch choice with loads of housemade pastries, a destination for a lesser-seen Korean soup and more.
Since then, a go-to Vietnamese lounge has expanded, and Sixth Ave has a few new-but-familiar faces. Fife now has a cheesesteak spot, and there are a few new choices for Korean fried chicken in several nearby cities.
Here's a look at 16 new restaurants, bars and cafes that recently opened around Tacoma.
▪ 2312 N. 30th St., Tacoma (inside Anthem Coffee), instagram.com/proof_tacoma
Chris Keil, arguably the pioneer of Tacoma's contemporary cocktail scene (Hilltop Kitchen, the original 1022 South J and en Rama), is back in business after a few years outside the industry's public eye. This new concept offers everything fans of his drinks and his team's hospitality grew to love over nearly two decades, as well as lovely little snack-y bites, including house focaccia with pimento cheese and a zippy Caesar. Five days a week they transform Anthem Coffee in Old Town into a cocktail haven and, well, you just have to see it for yourself! Open Tuesday-Saturday 4-10 p.m.
▪ 1001 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-503-3458, laca38th.com
Tuan Nguyen spent more than five years renovating this white-brick building in the Lincoln District. He originally intended it to be two floors — like the popular original La Ca on Sixth Ave — but fire codes stymied that prospect. Nonetheless, you'll find a similarly modern environment to enjoy some great Vietnamese food, including banh mi, banh xeo (a turmeric-golden crispy rice-flour and egg crepe), and several styles of noodle soup. There's also a full bar, and they serve a little later than many of its neighbors. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
▪ 2501 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-302-4009, wilycycleworks.com
The owners of Lander Coffee and State Street Beer Co., Dusty and Alicia Johnson, opened their dream cafe and bike shop just before the end of 2024 (remember that?). Wily is an equally breezy space but for daytime hangs with coffee and beer, and importantly all the things you might need for a happy two-wheeled life. Also: community rides calendar with their Rapido Cycling Club. Open daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
▪ 2705 6th Ave., Tacoma, kingfisherandrye.com
In Crown Bar's stead comes a refreshed neighborhood tavern with a laid-back Euro credo, aided by the existing dark-wood bar from which whiskey, classic-leaning cocktails and beer emerge. The kitchen features pub fare with a few twists — you'd be remiss to skip the spice bag! In addition to standard nighttime hours, they hope to fill a slight void on the Ave for lunch, too. Open daily at 11 a.m., until late Friday-Saturday nights.
▪ 2715 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-352-7179, instagram.com/grannrestaurant
Chefs Jacob Reginald Howell and Denzel Johnson introduced their highly anticipated fusion restaurant on Sixth Ave in March, with a grand opening April 4. The menu interlaces Southern barbecue and Creole traditions with Indian ingredients and dishes, such as the signature butter-chicken pasta and tandoori ribs. Don't miss the curried gin cocktail (trust!) and yield to the seriously good vibes. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4 p.m., reservations recommended.
▪ 1039 Regents Blvd, Fircrest, 253-565-9367, salamonespizzeria.com
Salamone's Pizza started in the Stadium District in 2018, expanding to a University Place pub setting a few years ago. They left that spot in favor of what was Sammy's Pizza in Fircrest, where Slice Garden now offers the same New York-style pies as the original Salamone's, plus other styles of pizza both whole and by-the-slice. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
▪ 4234 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, 253-301-3535
The sign for this Korean restaurant in University Place has been up for quite some time, but the doors finally opened in late March. The menu begins with the specialty — Korean chicken wings in classic or sweet-and-spicy, joined by buchimgae (seafood, kimchi or veg pancake), dumplings, japchae, a few soups and tteokbokki. Meal combos combine soup and kalbi, for instance, or bibimbap and pork bulgogi. Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
▪ 3628 S. 35th St., (at Tacoma Public Utilities office), welovecampfire.com
Tacoma's wood-fired coffee co. had been hard at work on this second location for a while (and dealt with a spat of vandalism in February at the original cafe on Market Street downtown). But Owners Quincy and Whitni Henry powered on to debut their cafe inside the Tacoma Public Utilities building, near the refuse center, late last year. As a former cafeteria, they have some kitchen space that allows for more baked goods, including housemade cinnamon rolls. Open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
▪ 3120 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-319-8181, es-brewing.com
▪ 3155 Harboview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-509-0101
Gig Harbor Brewing, one of the older craft breweries that despite the name has always physically brewed in Tacoma, changed hands earlier this year. Matthew Burnett bought the business and has updated the name and beer recipes. Evergreen State Brewing hosted opening parties at both taprooms in March, introducing sips including a blonde ale and a brown ale. Taproom hours vary, but both are open daily in the afternoon and evening.
▪ 8042 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-331-0205, elboqueronrestaurantandbakerywa.com
This new bakery and cafe in the South End specializes in Salvadoran fare, starting with pupusas but extending to generous plates of beef, chicken and seafood. Try the carne horneada, a beef-and-bacon roast with deep flavors built with pineapples, peppers and plums, served with rice and two thick tortillas. From the bakery, stock up on traditional pan frances, semitas and quesadilla — not the corn kind but rather a barely-sweet sesame bread with salty cheese that's often enjoyed with coffee. Open daily at 9 a.m.
▪ 4802 Pacific Highway E., Fife, 253-235-5794, instagram.com/phillynsmash
A former Herfy's Burger location in Fife is now Philly N Smash. The kitchen still slings cheeseburgers but in more of a smash, but as the name implies, cheesesteaks dominate the menu. In addition to the classic, you can get the sandwich with bell peppers, mushrooms, jalapenos or BBQ-style. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
▪ 214 39th Ave. SW, Puyallup, 253-904-8302, mukjakoreanbbq.com
In a space that has been somewhat cursed since its days as The Hub, a Korean barbecue restaurant is trying its hand near South Hill Mall. (Tacoma Mall also welcomed Woobling KBBQ last year, originally called The Knot.) Mukja has all the staples — ribeye, short rib, kalbi, brisket, pork belly and jowl — to grill, available in various combos with rice, salad, soup and banchan. Fried chicken, corn cheese and a few dumpling dishes round out the menu. The bar serves beer, wine, soju and cocktails. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
▪ 6210 29th St. NE, Tacoma, 253-235-5489, facebook.com/vecindaddeseattle
At this new restaurant in Northeast Tacoma, just blocks from the Federal Way city line, the theme is El Chavo del Ocho, a beloved Mexican television show. Beyond the usual, specialties include gueritos de camaron (shrimp-stuffed spicy yellow peppers), tacos de canasta (steamed tacos with beans and chicharron), lengua salsa verde and tamarind-chipotle ribs. The menu also lists several tortas, a chorizo-patty burger or birria-style burger. On weekends, brunch brings various chilaquiles and egg dishes, plus fruit pancakes. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
▪ 1913 SW Campus Dr., Federal Way, 253-838-2525, chicko-wa.com/federalway
Chicko Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant, has spread south, following two locations in Kirkland and Burien. Dabble in eight varieties, from buldak (sweet'n'spicy) and soy garlic to 'cheese snow.' You can pick your cuts and even go boneless. Pair with 'shake shake' fries, dusted with salty, cheesy seasoning, pickled radish and a soda. Online reviews rave about the very hot, very juicy meat and sauces. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
▪ 31260 Pacific Highway, Federal Way, 206-429-2303
Another newcomer to the vast Korean scene in Federal Way, Moon's focuses on street food, including jjolmyun (spicy, sweet'n'sour cold noodles topped with crunchy cucumber and cabbage), creamy 'rose' tteokbokki and katsu with finely shredded cabbage and rice. There's also various kimbap, rice bowls and mandu. Their neighbor, Yi's Traditional Korean Beef Soup, recently expanded to Lakewood. Open Thursday-Tuesday noon-10 p.m. (closed Wednesday).
▪ 35002 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way, 425-830-9749, sushihanafedway.com
The family behind Blue Island Sushi, a conveyor-belt sushi spot in Federal Way, has added a finer take in the space next door. Apps offer more than the usual, as in the takoyaki, soft-shell crab and salmon kama (collar). In addition to rolls, the sushi counter slices an array of fresh fish for nigiri and carpaccio, while the kitchen serves ramen, katsu and yakisoba. Open Wednesday-Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for lunch (noon Sunday), taking a late-afternoon break before reopening at 4:30 p.m. for dinner.
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