Food scene
Go for the amazing natural wines and Amaro based cocktails, but stay (and return) for the food. When I’m in town, I work here once a week, so you may spot my name on menu sleeve. I love these people. I love this place. It’s absolutely my top recommendation for food in Tacoma.
Field Bar & Bottle Shop
2614 6th AveGo for the amazing natural wines and Amaro based cocktails, but stay (and return) for the food. When I’m in town, I work here once a week, so you may spot my name on menu sleeve. I love these people. I love this place. It’s absolutely my top recommendation for food in Tacoma.
Lander Coffee
2716 N 21st StMy favorite coffee in town. They also sell some mugs I make.
Our go to pho place, but mostly I recommend the barbecue chicken with rice dish. Wow.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
La Cà Bar
606 S Junett StOur go to pho place, but mostly I recommend the barbecue chicken with rice dish. Wow.
A quick walk and a cozy ambiance with lovely baristas.
68 abantu bendawo batusa
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters
2201 6th AveA quick walk and a cozy ambiance with lovely baristas.
Fun tiny mid century cocktail lounge. Doesn’t look like much from the outside, but packs a lot of character and yummy things into a spall space.
The Boom Boom Room Tacoma
3016 6th AvenueFun tiny mid century cocktail lounge. Doesn’t look like much from the outside, but packs a lot of character and yummy things into a spall space.
State Street Beer Company
606 N State StTasty pizza and beer a short walk away
Bar Rosa
1202 South 11th StreetTasty wood fired pizza, great salads, and veggie dishes too.
Thai Pepper
701 Pacific AveOur favorite Thai
Really delicious cheap food. Run by a very sweet family. The family combo is a great deal.
North China Garden
2303 6th AveReally delicious cheap food. Run by a very sweet family. The family combo is a great deal.
Indo Asian Street Eatery
110 N Tacoma AveSweet Rice
8425 South Hosmer StreetThe spice sausage is the best
Sightseeing
This is a big park with old trees, beautiful views, a beach, and lots of walking trails to explore. There’s a dahlia garden, zoo, and aquarium to visit as well. I’ve seen orcas playing off the tip of the park, so keep your eyes peeled!
118 abantu bendawo batusa
Iphakamisa i-Point Defiance
5400 North Pearl StreetThis is a big park with old trees, beautiful views, a beach, and lots of walking trails to explore. There’s a dahlia garden, zoo, and aquarium to visit as well. I’ve seen orcas playing off the tip of the park, so keep your eyes peeled!
The exhibits are wonderful and you can also watch glass blowers working every day. The cafe is also lovely. They sometimes host music performances as well. I just love this museum.
268 abantu bendawo batusa
Igumbi leGlass
1801 Dock StThe exhibits are wonderful and you can also watch glass blowers working every day. The cafe is also lovely. They sometimes host music performances as well. I just love this museum.
Lovely to walk along the beach at low tide and catch a view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Also a decent spot to fish if you’re into that!
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Titlow Park
8425 6th AveLovely to walk along the beach at low tide and catch a view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Also a decent spot to fish if you’re into that!
Neighborhoods
6th has it all. Coffee, food, record stores, vintage stores, dive bars, and nice cocktail bars. It can get a little seedy at night, so if I walk, I usually walk on an adjacent neighborhood street. But I’ve never actually encountered any issues, so no need to fear it, just be cautious with all the dive bars late at night.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
6th Avenue
6th Avenue6th has it all. Coffee, food, record stores, vintage stores, dive bars, and nice cocktail bars. It can get a little seedy at night, so if I walk, I usually walk on an adjacent neighborhood street. But I’ve never actually encountered any issues, so no need to fear it, just be cautious with all the dive bars late at night.
In the summer time there’s a farmers market every Saturday with great fresh foods and hand made goods. But even when there isn’t a farmers market, there’s great restaurants and boutiques as well as grocery stores and specialty shops. It’s cute to walk around and explore.
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Proctor District
In the summer time there’s a farmers market every Saturday with great fresh foods and hand made goods. But even when there isn’t a farmers market, there’s great restaurants and boutiques as well as grocery stores and specialty shops. It’s cute to walk around and explore.
It’s named for the high school from 10 Things I Hate About You. Stadium High could also double for Hogwarts. But there’s also yummy places to eat, a grocery store, Wright Park and Arboretum, and Kings Books. It’s a pleasant walk through the neighborhood to get there and definitely worth visiting Kings and Shake Shake Shake.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Stadium District
It’s named for the high school from 10 Things I Hate About You. Stadium High could also double for Hogwarts. But there’s also yummy places to eat, a grocery store, Wright Park and Arboretum, and Kings Books. It’s a pleasant walk through the neighborhood to get there and definitely worth visiting Kings and Shake Shake Shake.
Lincoln is Tacoma’s international District. Amazing food and often farmers markets and parades.
Lincoln International District
Lincoln is Tacoma’s international District. Amazing food and often farmers markets and parades.
Specialty shopping
Kings Books has an amazing selection with new and used books. This is my favorite local book store.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
King's Books
218 St Helens AveKings Books has an amazing selection with new and used books. This is my favorite local book store.
Great plant selection and seasonal flowers as well as handmade pottery. Some of mine!
7 abantu bendawo batusa
The Fernseed
2703 N Proctor StGreat plant selection and seasonal flowers as well as handmade pottery. Some of mine!
Artist & Craftsman Supply Tacoma
616 St Helens AveGreat selection of art supplies
Scorpio Rising
2709 6th AveCool vintage selection
Proctor Art Gallery
2702 N Proctor StDon’t miss Howdy Bagel
Live Music
Great concerts
McMenamins Elks Temple
565 Broadway