Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tacoma

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Tacoma? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Primo Grill

4.8

4.8 (1745)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Primo Grill is a chef driven Mediterranean by Northwest restaurant showcasing the best of local bounty. Local wild caught fish, meats from local farms and foraged produce feature from the grill and brick oven. Owners Chef Charlie McManus and Jacqueline Plattner offer a relaxed yet sophisticated experience with an emphasis on Washington wines and hand muddled artisanal cocktails.

Top review

Patti

Dined 2 days ago

The food was excellent! Everything was great . We will definitely be back.

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Popular dish

Hazelnut Brownie Sundae

4.8

4.8 (1283)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Gig Harbor

About the restaurant

Experience the freshest family favorites in Uptown Gig Harbor at the Greenhouse restaurant. This casual, family-friendly eatery features seasonal menus, bursting with local produce, seafood and spirits. Helmed by renowned chef Erik Smith, each dish is created to order, using responsibly, locally sourced ingredients, artfully prepared and plated in an elegant, inviting ambience.

Greenhouse features full lunch and dinner menus, as well as appetizers, small and large bites and decadent desserts that change daily. It also offers a special Twilight Menu, with three-course meals ranging from light to hearty fare, and a Happy Hour menu that is featured in the bar. The extensive wine and beer list also changes daily, spotlighting local microbreweries and wineries, as well as perennial favorites that pair perfectly with the menu options. Greenhouse is open for lunch and dinner; information about private bookings for parties, meetings, receptions and corporate events is available on request.

Top review

Heidi

Dined 1 day ago

We had our anniversary celebration there! We hit the 3 course early bird special with a great selection of choices! Our server was fantastic! She brought us a small bit of champagne for a toast! I had chicken piccata linguini and my husband had skirt steak. Both meals were delicious! We will definitely come back again.

Pimienta Bistro and Bar

4.8

4.8 (520)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Federal Way

About the restaurant

Pimienta Bistro and Bar is an urban fusion of Latin American cuisine. Chef Blanca Rodriguez takes great care to create a delectable piece of art for every guest, appealing to every sense.

We strive to provide exemplary service each and every visit for our guests. We invite you to our restaurant, where you will find a combination of an eclectic, rustic atmosphere that captures the best of European cuisine with a Latin American flair.

Our mission is to create something memorable with every dish we present our guests. And with every delectable plate,

we will deliver a superior service making us a stand-alone restaurant in our neighborhood.

We love our friends and neighbors from NE Tacoma, Brown’s Point and Federal Way that frequently drop by for a delicious weekday meal or for leisurely weekend dining.

We also enjoy the regular visits from our friends in Oregon and others on their travels throughout the Seattle-Metro area.

Top review

Mary

Dined 6 days ago

You can always count on excellent food with Chef Blanca. We had the scallops, lamb and prawns and tried every dessert. Each one was a masterpiece. Her cocktails alone are worth the trip. This time we really enjoyed the music as well. This is an intimate place run by wonderful people. Our server was fantastic, personable, knowledgeable and observant. She was on top of every detail.

WildFin American Grill-Tacoma

4.6

4.6 (1736)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Tacoma

About the restaurant

"THE CATCH OF THE NORTHWEST” WildFin American Grill is your neighborhood restaurant, casual, affordable with a comfortable sense of style. WildFin is the place where friends and family gather to eat, drink and share life’s occasions. A safe adventure, a warm haven on a cool Northwest day. WildFin’s menu selections feature the finest the region has to offer, from Northwest meats, fresh fish, seafood, and produce. Our beverage selections include the best of the Northwest beers and wines, along with WildFin classic cocktails. At WildFin we are committed to delivering outstanding hand crafted food and beverage that will always exceed your expectations. WildFin’s service will accommodate your every need, whether it is a quick lunch, a casual dinner or a gathering with old friends.

Do not pre-pay for parking. Bring your license plate number when you check in and the Hosts will assist you with validating.

Please call the restaurant for reservations for parties of 5 or more.

Top review

Cindy

Dined 6 days ago

Always have a good experience at Wildfin. Food and service were great again.

McMenamins Elks Temple

4.6

4.6 (1757)

$30 and under

American

Tacoma

About the restaurant

McMenamins Elks Temple Pub serves classic Northwest fare in a room with a view. You can’t help but gaze through the soaring windows toward Foss Waterway, but be sure to look up, too, for a fantastic display of chandeliers. From early breakfasts to late night cocktails, the pub is open to all ages serving breakfast classics like benedicts and scrambles, and for dinner elevated burgers and pizzas with an ever changing seasonal menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
*Patio seating is first come first serve.

Top review

Samantha

Dined 6 days ago

This was fabulous for our large group. Excellent food and friendly service. A winner every time.

Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (858)

$31 to $50

American

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Join us for a unique experience with an amazing view:

Breakfast Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:00am to 11:00am/
Lunch Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:00am to 3:00pm/
Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 2:00pm/
Dinner Daily from 4:00pm to 10:00pm/
Select Happy Hour daily 3:00pm to 5:00pm/
New Late-Night Menu available 10:00pm to 11:00pm Friday and Saturday/

We offer complimentary Valet service for guests dining at Copper & Salt. We do not validate parking outside of our Valet service.

Top review

Brent

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

We recently visited the Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen on a weekday evening for a special occasion. The environment is very nice with a great view of the Sound! But during our visit a table was occupied by a single individual wearing headphones and working on a computer. Meanwhile our “special seating” was away from the window, and in part looking over the lone person working at a table for four. The staff was friendly and helpful, except for the bartender. She ignored me, then acknowledged me when I took another place on the other end of the bar, told me she’d be right back, and then ignored me long enough that I walked away and wasn’t served. Our dinner began with the House Whipped Ricotta, which was excellent! But beyond that, the meal we had wasn’t exceptional. We enjoyed our halibut and seafood buccatini, which were well prepared, but for this price, this review should reflect a much better experience. The Copper & Salt is a very good restaurant, but we’ll continue to look for a place for our special celebrations.

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4.5

4.5 (235)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Tacoma

About the restaurant

At Amor we are building a vibrant fare with Northwest ingredients but using the traditions of the great cuisine countries of the world: Spain, Italy, France, Morocco and more. We want you to experiment and try our tapas as part of your dining experience. Please order and entrée if you would like, but indulge in the tapas and the experience.

The small plates will be delivered are so much fun.

Please also spoil yourself with the ample purveyed wines from around the world. Our food is meant to be eaten with wine so also see our pairings. Warm yourself through our beautifully appointed dining room while you share the love of each other and your friends.

Top review

Eric

Dined 7 days ago

Overall this was a really nice experience. Alex the bartender/mixologist was super awesome as well as Noel & Nadine. This group is an obvious asset to this establishment. The service exceeded all expectations. … Truly above and beyond That being said it was a new experience for us and we found the menu slightly confusing. We ate from the preset menu as to get samples of the fare. Due to personal tastes some of the food didn’t get eaten and I felt bad wasting it, but it was no reflection of the quality or preparation. However, we will definitely return and order more appropriately. It was a bit louder than I was expecting as I had intentions of a quiet romantic dinner out. It still was romantic, but it was definitely on the livelier side. It was even a topic of conversation throughout the weekend that followed on what a nice time that was had. Definitely would be fun to go with larger groups as well.

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Experience

New Years - Special Tapas Menu

Puyalapabs Café

4.5

4.5 (139)

$30 and under

American

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Puyalapabs Café offers a beautifully intimate Northwest setting featuring steaks, seafood, Asian cuisine, and other regional favorites. 21+ only.

Top review

Reid

Dined 7 days ago

Puyalapabs cafe was enjoyable. We had the 2 person chineese deal. food was a good value. Had more than a portion for two people. Had leftovers to take home. Was a good experience. .

Texas de Brazil - Tacoma

4.4

4.4 (3031)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Texas de Brazil, is a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, that features endless servings of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausage as well as an extravagant salad area with a wide array of seasonal chef-crafted items.

Top review

Darius

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Amazing food, great drinks,and great ambiance.

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WOVEN Seafood & Chophouse by Roy Yamaguchi

4.3

4.3 (495)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Tacoma’s newest waterfront restaurant, Woven Seafood & Chophouse, is a Roy Yamaguchi concept owned by The Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Woven celebrates a rich fusion of culinary traditions, honoring Yamaguchi’s Japanese heritage and pioneering Hawaii regional cuisine, along with the traditions of the Puyallup Tribe and the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

Top review

Lori

Dined today

The food was great, loved everything we ordered. The service was 5 star. We will be back very soon!

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