Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Tacoma

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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 (788)

$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

Sally

Dined 5 days ago

Great meal last night! Marzano's always great food!

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Toscanos Italian Grill

4.8

4.8 (544)

$30 and under

Italian

Puyallup

About the restaurant

Toscanos Italian Grill, located in Puyallup, Washington, is an Italian casual dining restaurant serving a wide variety of fresh seafood, fine wines and aged steaks. The soft lights in the dining room along with the warm wood create a cozy atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients available at Toscanos Italian Grill.

Start out your meal with one of the restaurant’s many appetizers such as our Signature Martini Clams. In addition to an extensive dinner menu featuring perfectly cooked aged steaks, Toscanos Italian Grill serves happy hour seven days a week from 3p to 5p. The restaurant also offers two private dining areas. To go regular menu, as well as family sized meals, and to go. Order our menu for take out at https://www.toasttab.com/toscanos-italian-grill

Top review

Russell

Dined 4 days ago

Sunday brunch on the patio was fabulous! The espresso Martinis were amazing, the food delicious, and the staff provided superb service.

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4.8

4.8 (1427)

$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

Steve

Dined 1 day ago

A delightful anniversary dinner last night. The food was very good, the wine terrific and the service was just excellent. Green House can be awfully noisy (some baffles would help a lot) but compared with other visits the restaurant was not terribly busy, consequently the noise level was better. There is no way around it: this place is expensive. It’s also worth it.

Pimienta Bistro and Bar

4.8

4.8 (545)

$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

juneVIP

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Very nice small intimate restaurant with beautiful decor in an unlikely location. Excellent cocktails, crispy chickpeas, wonderful smoked pork belly, saffron chowder, paella & fresh hot rustic bread. Highly recommend Pimienta for casual or special occasions. Service very good.

The Windmill Bistro

4.8

4.8 (792)

$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

Samantha

Dined 5 days ago

We had a great brunch at Windmill Bistro! They accommodated all of our needs (outside seating, staying longer) and the food was outstanding. Loved the drink variety and ambiance! We’ll be back for more celebrations!

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Popular dish

Crab Cake

Cooper's Food and Drink

4.7

4.7 (12)

$30 and under

American

Tacoma

About the restaurant

Cooper’s Food & Drink is a locally owned restaurant and bar dedicated to providing a superb dining experience with excellent service. We proudly serve regionally sourced ingredients and beverages.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Excellent agency, the staff was super friendly, we loved the attention

Black Angus Steakhouse - Puyallup

4.6

4.6 (2587)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Puyallup

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 your 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

Jeanie

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

We always enjoy the campfire menu for two persons and feel it is a good value when using our coupons. We enjoyed our ribeye and our New York strip, along with our baked potatoes and appetizers. They were out of green beans so we enjoyed our broccoli with garlic. Yummy!

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Experience

Rum Experience Dinner

Primo Grill

4.6

4.6 (1813)

$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

Quitta

Dined 2 days ago

Our experience here was great! Staff were very knowledgeable about the menu and daily specials. Servers were also nice and super attentive. Food was absolutely amazing! Wish they offered smaller dessert portions.

Anthony's - Gig Harbor

4.5

4.5 (2000)

$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

Julianna

Dined 6 days ago

Very accommodating staff and outstanding views Food was fantastic and fresh

Black Angus Steakhouse - Federal Way

4.4

4.4 (2914)

$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

Mark

Dined 3 days ago

It was a great place to celebrate my wife’s 72nd birthday. Thanks Black Angus.

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Experience

Rum Experience Dinner

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