These are the best year-round patios in Pierce County, according to you

When atmospheric rivers aren’t catapulting rain upon us, it can be quite pleasant to sit outside for dinner or a cocktail no matter the time of year.

We recently updated our guide to Tacoma-area patios with more than 130 restaurants and bars, from Gig Harbor to Enumclaw, DuPont to Puyallup. Many of these outdoor areas have been upgraded with roofs and heaters, their beams adorned with bistro lights and planter boxes for a comfortable, even preferred experience year-round.

Last week, we asked TNT readers to vote for their favorite winter-ready patio in Pierce County. Here are the Top 5, each with 7 to 9 percent of more than 350 tallies. Read on for the rest of the Top 10, and TNT Diner’s picks for the most underrated year-round patios worth visiting.

THE PATIO AT ALMA MATER

1322 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253-507-7289, almamatertacoma.com

As an outdoor-only restaurant, one would hope The Patio at Alma Mater had their setup down to a science — and they have since unveiling the concept in Summer 2020. Not only is most of the courtyard covered, but many tables also boast their own electric heat lamp, making for one of the coziest outdoor experiences in town. Because you order at the counter, it’s no wonder it’s become a go-to destination for work lunches, group dinners and families with young children looking to get out of the house. Looking forward, we are eager to experience new executive chef Ramon Shiloh’s Urban Native Philosophy Kitchen, set to debut next year. Try a few items already on the menu, such as baked salmon on bread with blue cornmeal chowder and a ground bison burger with smoked paprika cacao mole.

COOPER’S FOOD & DRINK

5928 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253-503-0329, cooperstacoma.com

This patio is actually more of a semi-outdoor courtyard directly attached to the main building — the space flows directly into the dining room. Fully covered with bistro lights overhead and the upper half of the walls open to the great outdoors, sitting here is almost like sitting inside. The eclectic pub menu here ranges from chicken parmesan and a $19 steak to a fishwich and beef on weck, plus salads, soups (lobster bisque, broccoli and cheddar) and burgers of course. Every day is happy hour here, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with $4.25 well drinks, $3 Rainiers and $1 off draft beer and wine, plus $12 pizzas, a $9 burger and $2 off most appetizers.

7 SEAS BREWING - GIG HARBOR

2905 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-514-8129, 7seasbrewing.com

Complementing its much larger Tacoma taproom and production facility, 7 Seas last year moved its Gig Harbor taproom from its longtime shopping plaza home to this gem of a waterfront location. The outdoor deck is much larger than the interior here, boasting “postcard” views, according to co-founder Mike Runion, of the marina and Mt. Rainier. For the new taproom’s first winter season, they have added tents, fire pits and heaters. Enjoy it while it lasts, sort of: If all goes to plan, this building will be torn down next year for 7 Seas to build a brand-new one in its stead. When that happens, they will find a temporary home nearby.

LE SEL BISTRO

229 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253-327-1015, leselbistro.com

This bistro looks tiny from the street; the deck patio with water views is an unexpected retreat. In fact, it triples the capacity, as the dining room has only four tables. Fully covered, with ivy-covered brick walls and wicker chairs with plush cushions, it’s no wonder Le Sel Bistro’s patio has become one of the most sought-after outdoor spaces in Tacoma. Reservations are highly recommended for brunch even on weekdays, as well as dinner served nightly, where you can sink into classic bistro dishes like steak au poivre and lamb chops in port. Choose the “garden patio” when booking.

FARM 12 - PUYALLUP

3303 #B 8th Ave. SE, Puyallup, 253-697-9486, farm12.org

A nonprofit restaurant and events center, Farm 12’s restaurant was built with every season in mind. Grab a coffee and pastry from the wonderful in-house bakery, then find a seat near the fire pit in the front stone courtyard, bistro lights strung overhead. Enjoy a full breakfast, lunch or dinner in the covered main room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that roll up garage-style. For the holidays, the space transforms into something of a ski lodge, but honestly, located on a working farm, it always feels like a home away from home.

Moving into the Top 10, the winners were:

▪ E9 Brewing & Pizza Works — fully covered with warmth from heat lamps and an 800-degree Fahrenheit wood-burning pizza oven

▪ Beer Star Tacoma — with a large fire pit, a bleacher-style area, and a tented stretch of picnic tables to enjoy one of dozens of beers, cider and wines on tap

▪ Cactus Proctor — another example of a built-in patio, fully covered with drop-down sides to keep the elements out

▪ Topside Bar & Grill — a fully covered deck patio overlooking the Sound toward Anderson Island

▪ Hank’s Pizza — thanks to a new roof, this patio is now fully covered and equipped with televisions to catch the game or meet up with friends

TNT Diner’s Patio Picks

The poll included 20 choices, and there are a few that garnered only a handful of votes that deserve your attention.

Parky’s Pizza Bar

3551 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253-212-2367, facebook.com/parkyspizzabar

New owners Dylan and Kim Ashley have totally rehabbed this 80-plus-year-old bar in Tacoma’s McKinley neighborhood. The back patio at Parky’s Pizza Bar is now fully covered and equipped with a fire pit.

The Mule Tavern

5227 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-212-3112, themuletavern.com

One of the best cocktail bars and dive bars in Tacoma, The Mule Tavern has quietly always had a back patio, and since last year has added a roof and heat lamps.

Off Camber Brewing

6506 114th Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup, 253-312-8796, offcamberbrewing.com

This Puyallup brewery exists in the garage of owner James Brandt, and unless you’ve been, you might not realize the full-fledged beer garden he has built, partly-covered and equipped with heat lamps for a low-key hang. Food trucks regularly park in the driveway.

Crudo & Cotto

2717 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-292-1120, crudoandcotto.com

Located in an old Craftsman house, the attached deck patio is covered top to side, with lights for ambiance and heat lamps for warmth as you relish chef Giampaolo Falchetti’s seafood-focused cuisine at Crudo & Cotto, one of Tacoma’s best restaurants.

Marzano

516 Garfield St. S., Parkland, 253-537-4191, dinemarzano.com

Parkland’s fine dining Italian restaurant also calls an old house home, and the pandemic inspired the addition of individual dining tents, each with a table suitable for two to four people. Make a reservation here to feel like you’re on a much more expensive Italian island retreat.

Hop Pharm

3216 Judson St., Gig Harbor, 253-525-1369, hoppharm.com

This Gig Harbor taproom quietly opened earlier this year next to Harbor Health and Apothecary Pharmacy. The main bar itself is small, but large accordion doors open to a fully covered patio with a built-in fireplace. Enjoy a thoughtful array of regional beer, cider and wine on draft.

This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 6:00 AM.