Where to eat and drink on Thanksgiving Day around Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup

A few days ago, my work line rang with an out-of-state area code. The caller asked if she could make a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner, and I had to inform her that I am not a restaurant, but I am a restaurant writer.

This scenario is not unusual — it happens a couple times a month. I haven’t untangled why or how, but my publicly available phone number sometimes shows up in Google search results for restaurants I’ve covered, usually ones that haven’t yet opened or otherwise have eschewed landlines.

I had a nice chat with the lady on the other end. It turns out she is traveling to Tacoma for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit family, but they don’t want to cook. The restaurant she thought she was calling won’t be open that day, but I told her there are definitely some options. I asked if her family enjoyed Korean food, and she replied enthusiastically. I encouraged her to try The Grill in Lakewood, where platters overflow with ribeye, brisket, short rib, bulgogi, beef belly and pork jowl.

To join our list of places to pre-order desserts, sides or your whole Thanksgiving meal, here’s a look at restaurants around Tacoma that will be open — some just by day, and some with specials for the holiday.

Bar Bistro

• 1718 99th St. E., Tacoma, 253-537-3655, barbistrotacoma.com
• Thanksgiving reservations (required): 2-7:30 p.m.

On an otherwise quiet intersection in Midland, Bar Bistro will offer a special three-course menu. Choose the 12-ounce smokey turkey and ham option for $36 or 14-ounce prime rib for $65. Both mains are accompanied by house stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green beans, collards, a deviled egg and a dinner roll. Upgrade the beef with lobster for $20. You can also customize an extended meal for $20, which adds a choice of soup or salad and dessert — crème brûlée, carrot or chocolate cake. A vegetarian choice is available.

Stanley & Seaforts

• 115 E. 34th St., Tacoma, 253-473-7300, stanleyandseaforts.com
• Thanksgiving hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

This hillside restaurant with a view is a go-to for special holiday occasions. On Thursday, enjoy a three-course menu for $58. Start with a cup of soup (lobster bisque, clam chowder) or a salad (Caesar, bleu cheese or “torched fig”). The main event can be a traditional turkey plate, or lean into 10 other options including a seafood trio (scallops, shrimp, salmon), sea scallops with an almond crust, crab and shrimp fettuccine or an herbed pork chop with apricot chutney. Finish with dessert, of course: pies of pecan, pumpkin or key lime, plus cheesecake and a flourless chocolate torte. Reservations highly recommended.

LeLe Gig Harbor

• 4747 Point Fosdick Dr., Gig Harbor, lelegigharbor.com
• Standard hours: Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

The Vietnamese family behind Lele Gig Harbor has been a mainstay of the Tacoma area for more than 20 years. Some recommended dishes for the Thanksgiving holiday include the house salad with herbs and roasted peanuts, panang or Viet curry, and the rice combo with satay, egg rolls and fried rice. A full bar with specials on Japanese whiskey flights completes the experience.

Woobling Korean BBQ

• Tacoma Mall, 4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253-267-1876, woobling.com
• Thanksgiving hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Outside of national holidays like Thanksgiving, Woobling (which also has a Bellevue location) is one of a very limited number of late-night restaurants in the area. On Nov. 27, it will open at its normal time and serve its standard menu until 9 p.m. Order KBBQ combos or just the meats you like, served with banchan, of course. Add shareables like corn cheese, sliders and K-tacos for the kids.

Chosun Korean BBQ

• 1616 S. 325th St., Federal Way, 253-517-5355, chosunkbbq.com
• Thanksgiving hours (standard): 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

There are ample choices for Korean in Federal Way, and though it’s a hop from Tacoma, Chosun will be serving a special buffet ($59.99) all day on Thanksgiving. Feast on favorites and nearly two-dozen “off-the-menu” dishes. The restaurant’s meat selection includes wagyu and USDA prime cuts.

Cooper’s Food & Drink

• 5928 N. 26th. St., Tacoma, 253-503-0329, coopersfoodanddrink.com
• 2400 Marvin Rd. NE, Lacey, 360-995-5972
• Thanksgiving reservations (required): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

This casual, family-friendly restaurant in Tacoma’s West End has become a go-to for special holiday meals, and the owners added a second location in Lacey this year. This year’s dinner ($44 adults, $19 kids) lets you choose a salad or roll, a main of rosemary and garlic-butter-roasted turkey or a portobello mushroom stuffed with brie and caramelized onions (vegetarian), and a slice of pumpkin pie or an apple tart. Whatever you desire, it comes with all the sides: mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, candied yams, herbed stuffing, gravy and classic cranberry sauce. Bonus: a deviled egg!

The Huckleberry Club

• 1014 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, instagram.com/the_huckleberry_club
• Hours: 4 p.m.-midnight

Hilltop’s new-last-year neighborhood bar, known for awesome baked potatoes, salads and come-as-you-are atmosphere, will open for the evening (as it usually does). Look for a special holiday menu, plus “wild drink specials.”

Doyle’s Public House

• 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, doylespublichouse.com
• Standard hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m.-2 a.m.

Doyle’s 365 reputation needs no introduction. While Thanksgiving pre-orders are sold out, the kitchen will have plenty of special dinner plates available for dine-in. And heck, wouldn’t it be better at the bar? The usual menu and all the drinks will also be available, as is tradition.

Top of Tacoma

• 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, instagram.com/topoftacoma
• Thanksgiving hours: open at 4 p.m.

This McKinley haunt will open for the evening with a few specials. Nosh on a grilled Thanksgiving-leftover-style sandwich — carved turkey, beef patty, housemade cranberry sauce, white cheddar, rosemary mashed potatoes. You can also enjoy those things separately as sides or on a dinner plate that adds cornbread stuffing and balsamic Brussels sprouts. Cups of steak chili and pierogies with cabbage, onion, potatoes and cheese will also be available, as will the full bar.

McMenamins Pub at Elks Temple

• 565 Broadway, Tacoma, 253-300-8754, mcmenamins.com/elks-temple
• Thanksgiving hours: daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

The Pub at McMenamins is a great Thanksgiving bet as it’s connected to the eclectic hotel, which means it’s always open. In addition to some of the pub’s everyday menu, settle into a booth or the bar for a turkey plate with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, traditional dressing, green beans with garlic, smoked cranberry relish and a dinner roll for $28.75. (Vegan option available for $23.) Other specials include wild Alaskan cod with herbed cream sauce, a vegan plate and pumpkin cheesecake. Reservations highly recommended.

Johnny’s Dock

• 1900 E D St., Tacoma, 206-452-6695, johnnysdocks.com
• Thanksgiving hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Following a multi-year hiatus, Johnny’s Dock reopened this summer under new ownership. The menu blends seafood mainstays like chowder, crab cakes, steamed clams, plus various fish and meet entrees, with Indian fare. Add shareables like pakora and naan to tandoori platters, kebabs and curries. Reservations recommended.

7 Seas Brewing - Gig Harbor

• 2905 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 7seasbrewing.com
• Thanksgiving hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

7 Seas will open its taproom early on Thanksgiving for the town’s Turkey Trot. The brewery’s resident food truck, The Galley (by Millville Pizza Co.) will be serving up breakfast. Everyone is welcome, but race participants can show their bib for a $1 off pints. The bar will also offer “holiday breakfast beers” including a Brutmosa (the Brut IPA with OJ), a cold-brew stout and Heidelberg red beers. The Tacoma taproom will be closed all day Nov. 27.

Daffodil Bowl

• 1624 E. Main Ave., Puyallup, 253-845-9166, daffodilbowl.com
• Thanksgiving hours: 4-11 p.m.

This Puyallup bowling alley will open in the afternoon for black-light bowling with music, plus food and drink specials. Book ahead online or by phone to reserve a lane for up to six people ($40 for one hour or $80 for two). They will also accept walk-ins at $12 per person, which includes shoe rental.

This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 5:15 AM.