Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Tacoma

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Marzano Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (961)

$30 and under

Italian

Parkland

About the restaurant

The chefs at Marzano's attain the freshest ingredients to prepare authentic Italian cuisine. Owner Elisa Marzano grew up in Vicenza, Italy, and consistently refers to these roots to design Marzano's unique yet classic menu. Once a quaint two-bedroom home, the restaurant was transformed but still keeps the rustic, home-like feel for an inviting, welcoming atmosphere. The pleasing combination of intimate lighting and natural window light make it the ideal spot for either lunch or dinner. A top menu choice is the boscaiola, which features a creamy tomato and Bolognese sauce over rigatoni pasta, topped with various spices and forest mushrooms. Guests can enjoy complimentary bread and salad with every entree, so eating at Marzano's can ensure a satisfied appetite. Marzano's also aims to please those with various dietary needs, such as diners who desire gluten-free options.

Top review

Zack

Dined 5 days ago

We go there to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and sometimes just to go out with friends. Always a great experience and terrific food. zw

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4.8

4.8 (1666)

$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

Sandra

Dined on May 28, 2026

Went for our anniversary and started out with complementary champagne. We ordered 2 special’s the duck breast and macadamia nut crusted haddock. For a starter we had the pork belly which was also a special. Everything was excellent as was the bottle of Pinot Noir. To finish our awesome dinner we had the flourless chocolate cake. Our server was very attentive. Excellent place to celebrate our anniversary.

The Windmill Bistro

4.8

4.8 (924)

$30 and under

American

Sumner

About the restaurant

Located at Windmill Gardens, The Bistro is an upscale casual restaurant that serves a seasonal, made-from scratch menu in a refreshing atmosphere featuring a loft wine lounge and outdoor dining garden.

We invite you to join us. Come relax and enjoy delicious food and the best service you’ll find anywhere.

Top review

Ana A

Dined 6 days ago

The food was delicious, the waitress was very helpful, friendly and attentive. Overall it was a wonderful experience. We will definitely be back.

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Popular dish

Crab Melt

Perry's Cocktail Bar and Bistro

4.8

4.8 (84)

$30 and under

American

Puyallup

About the restaurant

Perry's is a place to sip and share. We believe in making quality food and drinks accessible and fun for our community. We feature hand-crafted cocktails, a seasonal rotating menu, and a great atmosphere.
21 and over establishment

Top review

KristofferGold

Dined on May 24, 2026

Dining at Perry’s is always a fantastic experience! The food was delicious and Sam and Alex provided wonderful hospitality. I’ll be back soon!

Brix 25 Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1934)

$31 to $50

American

Gig Harbor

About the restaurant

Mother’s Day Brunch - a spring‑forward, chef‑crafted midday celebration with cocktails, savory seasonal dishes, and a relaxed pace made for lingering with the people you love.

Since its opening, Brix 25 Restaurant has been hailed as one of the best restaurants in the Northwest. Brix 25° is Seasonal Northwest Cuisine. Chef/Owner Thad Lyman updates the menu seasonally and whenever the mood strikes, working with his team in an open kitchen. The menu is rustic and refined, rooted in Northwest products, embellished with classic cooking techniques.

We are small and proud to be an intimate restaurant. Being smaller allows us to focus on delicious food, inventive hand crafted cocktails and a curated, Northwest focused wine list.

Located on the waterfront in downtown Gig Harbor, our foremost goal is that every guest has a memorable experience. Brix 25 is the perfect fine dining experience for romantic occasions, anniversary's, family gatherings, business dinners or just because.

Top review

Curtis

Dined on May 10, 2026

Brix 25 is one of our go to spots for great food. It has never let us down.

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Experience

Cocktail Hour at Brix 25

Experience

Half-Priced Bottles of Wine

Anthony's - Gig Harbor

4.7

4.7 (2179)

$30 and under

Seafood

Gig Harbor

About the restaurant

Welcome to Anthony's at Gig Harbor! Nestled in the Finholm Marketplace right on the Harbor offering outstanding views on the marina and Mt. Rainier. Enjoy premium Northwest seafood complemented by local produce, Northwest wines, mircrobrews and more. You can also enjoy downstairs in our Shoreline Room lounge, which has a cozy atmosphere and creates a sense of being right on the water.

Top review

Mary Catherine

Dined 3 days ago

I had a most delightful lunch. The service, (Ted and Amanda) was right on. And my Fish and Chips beyond good. I always eat my desert first and the Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse was a fantastic start to my great meal. And, yes, I will be going back!! Oh, I forgot the fantastic of the Harbor!!/

Primo Grill

4.6

4.6 (1906)

$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 Seth and Rebekah Rose offer a relaxed yet sophisticated experience with an emphasis on Washington wines and hand muddled artisanal cocktails. Perfect for date nights, a casual dinner or a private event in Tacomas 6th ave district.

Top review

Malcolm

Dined 1 day ago

Nice evening at Primo as usual We like this place

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Popular dish

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Popular dish

Spaghetti Carbonara

Pimienta Bistro and Bar

4.6

4.6 (584)

$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

Linda

Dined on May 23, 2026

Wonderful service and delicious food! Would definitely recommend.

Black Angus Steakhouse - Federal Way

4.4

4.4 (2940)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Federal Way

About the restaurant

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on you own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget. To learn more visit www.blackangus.com.

Top review

Billy

Dined today

The tasting experiences was great! Highly recommended!

McMenamins Elks Temple

4.4

4.4 (1913)

$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 omelets, and for dinner, elevated burgers and pizzas with an ever-changing seasonal menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest.

Top review

Diana

Dined on May 25, 2026

We went to eat before a comedy show and very much enjoyed our experience. We did get confused by where to go for this restaurant due to all the levels but obviously found it. Great building!

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