Tacoma Restaurants: Restaurants on Tacoma Waterfront
In this article we share a few of our favorite restaurants on Tacoma Waterfront.
Tacoma Wa boasts a long beautiful waterfront wrapping along the southern Puget Sound, making it a prime spot for fantastic waterfront restaurants with breathtaking views. Most of the restaurants are situated on Ruston Way but there are additional ones to be found near Titlow, Thea Foss and even NE Tacoma. Enjoying a meal with friends and family right on the the water is a must for locals and visitors alike. From seafood to pizza, these are a few of our favorite waterfront restaurants in the city.
The Fish Peddler
The Fish Peddler is located right on Thea Foss waterway in between Downtown Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma. They serve up some of the highest quality seafood and proteins available, as they are owned by the Pacific Seafood Group who is a huge seafood harvester, supplier and buyer.
They have delicious grilled or seared salmon dishes, but no waterfront seafood spot is ever complete without a solid fish and chips.
Duke’s Seafood
It doesn’t take much googling to find that Dukes is at the top of most peoples list when it comes to food in Tacoma, so a visit to Duke’s is a must for any seafood lover. But it's not just the waterfront vibes that makes Duke's a standout. They have repeatedly been voted one of the best seafood restaurant in the NW and continue to make Tacoma a destination for waterfront dining.
The restaurant is located in North Tacoma on Ruston Way and offers spectacular views of Commencement Bay, NE Tacoma, Vashon Island and the port of Tacoma. On a clear day you can even see both the cascades and the olympic mountain ranges. When the weather cooperates folks can also have the option dine outside on the deck perched above the waves.
We love just about everything on the menu but we recommend keeping it simple and starting with the stuffed halibut, or keeping it simple with the Oh My Cod! Fish & Chips and one of Dukes Award Winning Clam Chowders.
Wild Fin
Wild Fin is one of the finest dining establishments on the Tacoma waterfront. They have local NW favorites and hand-crafted dishes, with a priority placed on using locally sourced produce and ingredients, sustainably caught seafood, and local farm raised meats. Dining at WildFin is truly a unique and unforgettable experience, because it is situated right at the end of the newly developed Point Ruston area. It is not a cheap meal, by any means, but we think it is quite fairly priced considering the service, location, food quality and locally sourced ingredients.
We have eaten most of the menu at Wild Fin but a few standouts are the fish tacos, rib eye dish, and the seasonal salmon.
Boathouse 19
Boathouse 19 is one of the only waterfront restaurants on Tacoma’s west side, which means this is spot for sunsets! A visit to Tacoma’s West Side would be incomplete without a meal at Boathouse 19 which is located at the bottom of S 19th St hill next to the Narrows Marina. The good vibes, local seafood, and gorgeous views of Puget Sound make for a truly one of a kind dining experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to dine at this stellar location with a priceless view you won't find anywhere else in the city.
Boathouse 19 has absolutely delicious deserts like the brownie sundae or one of their pie in a jars, but we recommend starting with the smokehouse burger, one of our fav’s in all of Tacoma.
Katie Downs
Katie Downs is a down to earth waterfront eatery and bar with an indoor dining room and an outdoor deck with wrap around views of Commencement Bay. Situated on Ruston Way, you can not only catch amazing sunsets from your table but if you’re a sports fan they’re always showing the games on one of their many large TV’s throughout the inner dining room.
Being a waterfront restaurant you may be thinking “yeah yeah more seafood?!? But this place actually serves up one of the best deep dish pizzas in all of Tacoma. their menu also includes delicious sandwiches, steaks, burgers, salads, and yes, a few seafood dishes – all made with fresh ingredients with a wide selection of local and international beers on tap, as well as an extensive wine list and craft cocktails.
There’s isn’t much on the menu that we don’t recommend, but a pizza is generally what we suggest for first timers. Our favorite is a custom 12” pepperoni and smoked bacon.
Northern Fish Co
Northern Fish Co is a simple, no frills fish spot. It has been in the Tacoma community for over 100 years, offering fresh seafood, smoked fish, ready-to-cook items, as well as takeout. Northern Fish Co is well connected with local seafood vendors, ensuring they always have the freshest seafoods at competitive prices.
Located at bottom of McCarver hill and Ruston Way, Northern Fish Co has a very small restaurant attached where you can order to go or eat at one of the several outdoor tables and benches. Keep in mind this is not a spot to eat for rainy days, as there is no indoor dining available.
We recommend keeping it simple and going with the Cod N Chips and Clam Chowder.
Summary
These Tacoma waterfront restaurants all offer different vibes, but they all have local seafood and bangin’ views. Whether you're looking for a casual spot to eat out or a fine dining experience, Tacoma’s waterfront spots got you covered. Whether you live here or just happen to find yourself in Tacoma, make sure to check out at least one of these waterfront restaurants.