Have a pint at Narrows Brewing then head next door to Boathouse 19 and find a table overlooking the marina.
Pimento cheese and pickled veggies is a favorite downtown at En Rama.
As lifelong Pacific Northwesterners, we’ve learned to stick around in July and August when the summer truly sets in. It can take halfway through July before we leave extra layers at home, before the tucked-in undershirt comes off, and sock-free sandals have their day. The peak of summertime is nearing, and we’re doing our best to enjoy it in small, close-to-home ways like eating meals in the back yard, walking to the beach, riding the ferry, and choosing restaurants with patios for dining in the sun (well, often the shade, but in the fresh air nevertheless).
E9 Brewing Co. downtown serves up pizza and brews on the covered patio. They’re always creating special appetizers to keep things fresh.
So. Want to go out and really be out, out in the open air, beneath a colorful umbrella, on a shaded patio, beside a bustling sidewalk, on a deck overlooking the water, pulled up to a bar counter by the street?
We’ve gathered Tacoma’s outdoor dining spots by neighborhood to get you started (tell us if we missed any of your favorites!). Take a look at our list of restaurants, cafes, and bars with outdoor seating, then get yourself away from the screen, out the door, and into the life of Tacoma’s summer. See you out there!
Eat Outside! Tacoma Outdoor Dining Neighborhood Guide
Because of our significant rainy season (fall, winter, spring, early summer) we don't have as many big patios here as you might find in cities with drier climates, but when the sunny days arrive, the patio chairs come out, the umbrellas open, and the tables fill up.
Here's a list of cafes, restaurants, and bars where you can find some open air seating. These range from full patios with plenty of tables, to a few tables on a deck or seats along a sidewalk. Call ahead if you’re curious!
It’s time to branch out, but I can’t stop ordering the Melon Seed’s “Spiked” Tuna Salad!
Eat fish and chips al fresco at Northern Fish in Old Town.
Downtown
Find a shady sidewalk table at the Rosewood in Proctor.
En Rama - patio
Cider & Cedar - patio
Matador - patio seating along the sidewalk
Wooden City - just a few outside tables
McMenamins Elks Temple - sidewalk tables on Broadway and a full patio at the Spanish Bar midway up the Spanish Steps
E9 Brewing Co. - covered patio
Camp Colvos Brewing & Pizza Co. - patio
Sig Brewing Company - patio
Camp Colvos Outpost - patio, dogs welcome
Corina Bakery - tables along the sidewalk
We tried The Mariner deep dish pizza with shrimp at Katie Downs on the Ruston Way Waterfront.
Stadium
Hanks Bar & Pizza - patio
Shake, Shake, Shake - patio
Parkway Tavern - seating along the sidewalk
Poquitos Tacoma (took over the Rhein Haus building) - patio
Le Sel Bistro - covered deck
Hilltop
Bar Rosa - high bar seating along the sidewalk
1022 South J Bar - a few patio tables
Dock Street
The Fish Peddler - patio
Rock the Dock Pub & Grill - deck on the dock, dogs welcome
Old Town
Northern Fish - a couple of tables, and plenty of places on the Old Town Dock next door
Anthem Coffee - seating along the sidewalk and beside Old Town Park
Curran Coffee - a few sidewalk tables
Visit Ruston’s Garden of Eatin’ at The Antique Sandwich Co.
Go for a wine tasting and small plates with the regulars at Wildside Wine in West Tacoma.
Ruston Way Waterfront
The Ram - waterfront deck
Duke's Chowder House - waterfront deck
Katie Downs Tavern & Eatery - waterfront deck
Harbor Lights - small waterfront deck
Woven Sushi & Chophouse - waterfront deck
Lobster Shop - waterfront deck
Anthony's (Point Defiance) - waterfront deck
Point Ruston
Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen - patio
Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar - patio
Wildfin American Grill - patio
Boran Royal Thai Cuisine - patio
(Real) Ruston
The Antique Sandwich Co. - Garden of Eatin’
Macaluso’s Italian Restaurant - a few tables along the sidewalk
Coles Bar & Grill - high bar seating along the sidewalk
North End on Pearl - beer garden
Proctor
Crudo & Cotto - deck
Rosewood Cafe - tables along the sidewalk
Cactus - tables along the sidewalk
Brewers Row - high bar seating along the sidewalk
Cooks Tavern - patio
6th Ave
Espresso Yourself in Fircrest offers patio tables for enjoying your sandwich or scone and coffee.
Asado - a few cocktail tables outside with a roll-up door that opens up the interior too
Field Bar - sidewalk bar counter
State Street Beer - patio
Beer Star - patio, food trucks come to visit or bring your own grub
Tacoma Pie - fenced patio and bocce ball court
West Side Waterfront
Boathouse 19 - deck
Narrows Brewing - deck, no food served (well, we actually do count the snack mix), but you can bring your own!
West Tacoma
Wildside Wine - table along the sidewalk
Coopers - patio
This beautiful shrimp bowl at The Church Cantina on South Tacoma Way is still calling my name.
Fircrest
Espress-O-Yourself Neighborhood Coffee House & Deli - patio
University Place
Chambers Bay Grill - patio with a sunset view over Chambers Bay Golf Coursee
Oakland Madrona + south Tacoma
Tots and the veggie sandwich at Dusty’s Hideaway on McKinley Hill taste good out on the deck.
Melon Seed Deli & Frozen Yogurt - sidewalk deck with 3 umbrellaed tables & a roll-up garage door with bar counter
Side Piece Kitchen - fenced sidewalk seating
South Tacoma Way
The Church Cantina - a couple of tables along the sidewalk
The Mule Tavern - patio
Howdy Bagel - a couple of tables along the sidewalk
McKinley Hill
Top of Tacoma - patio
Dusty’s Hideaway - deck and lawn seating
Steilacoom
Topside Bar & Grill - rooftop patio
Shrimp tacos, flatbread, and nachos are some of our favorites at The Top of Tacoma. But don’t shy away from their soup of the day if it’s calling your name; always tasty.
KEEP IN TOUCH ABOUT TACOMA LIFE, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, HOMES, AND A BIT ABOUT US.
