11 new bars and restaurants to try around Tacoma in December
The year’s end never seems to stop new restaurants. In Tacoma, a cozy new bar with snackable fare has debuted in South Tacoma, while two new wine bars, a tapas bar and more have opened around town.
This list expands on our early fall edition of new restaurants, which included a Yemeni cafe, a sandwich shop from familiar faces, dessert shops and a new food truck corral.
Here’s a look at recently opened restaurants in and around Tacoma.
Juniper Botanical Bar
- 5226 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, juniperbotanicalbar.com
Owner Al McKee has freshened up The Opal Lounge on South Tacoma Way for their queer botanical bar that’s endearingly inviting. It opened just before Thanksgiving with a lounge area, tables with mix ’n’ match chairs and bar seating. Cocktails, each representing a color of the progressive flag, feature house ingredients like lemongrass syrup with wasabi paste, gin and lemon in the Green Flag and Thai tea in the Ace of Cups with vodka and cream or coconut milk. Food leans into a snacky vibe that can also make a filling meal, all with a veg-forward bent. Think fresh lumpia, garlic rice, creamy pimento with crackers and crudité, and a cold bean salad with spiced chimichurri. Kids are welcome until 9 p.m. and during Sunday brunch. Open Thursday-Saturday 4 p.m.-midnight and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Nosy Nif
- 2325 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-337-8522, thenosynif.com
When Sig Brewing Co. opened on this stretch of Tacoma Avenue in 2020, naysayers might have presumed them crazy. Now this stretch near Tacoma’s Brewery District is home to a swell of small businesses for various times and activities of the day. The owners of Pacific NW Beauty Bar, Kimberly Cable and Christopher Stone, took over the space next door for their new wine bar, The Nosy Nif this fall. Find an eclectic selection of mostly Washington wines in a moody library-esque setting, with bar and lounge seating, board games, pre-packaged charcuterie and free popcorn. Open at 4 p.m. Tuesday, 3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday — until 8 p.m.
Valo Winery
- 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma 253-212-0835, valo.wine
Named a “winery to watch” by industry mags, Valo Winery started pouring in Tacoma’s Proctor District in October. The modern space offers ample seating at high- and low-tops, plus two lounge areas and a few bar stools. Enjoy Washington wines from both Valo and winemaker Matías Kúsulas’s Massalto line in flights, by the glass or bottle. Club members receive perks, including discounts and early access to special events, which are likely to include wine dinners led by chef and co-owner Michael Ruhland. Their choice of Tacoma firmly positions the city as a vinophile destination, joining several other wineries that have arrived in recent years. Open Monday-Thursday at 2 p.m., Friday-Sunday at noon.
The Chicken Supply - Tacoma
- Parked outside Beer Star, 4328 6th Ave., Tacoma, thechickensupply.com
This Filipino fried chicken restaurant has become a staple of Seattle, but the owner has Tacoma ties and family living in town. After moving the food truck around for events, it has settled into a fixed home at Beer Star on Sixth Ave. You’ll adore the rice-based batter on thighs and whole wings, double-fried and accompanied by house sauces like banana ketchup and coconut adobo gravy. Pair with coconut collards, garlic rice and marinated veg. The truck is on a brief hiatus as of Dec. 5, as the health department finalizes some paperwork. Usually open Wednesday-Saturday 4-8 p.m.
Miro Tapas
- 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-988-3711, mirotapas.com
Miro Tapas opened in October in the longtime home of Pacific Grill. The restaurant from Robert Stocker, also of Shake Shake Shake and The Boom Boom Room, offers happy hour all day in the bar and lounge. The vision is to serve tapas in a roving style, with trays emerging from the kitchen in waves and tables motioning to take what they want. Early reviews have lamented the pace, so the restaurant has adjusted to also allow normal ordering off the menu. The space is well-appointed with custom artwork and long banquettes in the main dining room. Look for Sunday brunch in coming weeks. Open daily at 11 a.m.
Salted Rim Bar & Kitchen
- 3609 Market Place W., University Place, 253-503-1618, saltedrim253.com
This new bar and restaurant opened in November at The Village at Chambers Bay. The contemporary space boasts high ceilings and ample seating, plus a standing counter in view of a few TVs. In addition to house cocktails, sip on beer and wine while noshing on Asian-inspired bar food, from fried rice to Vietnamese-style wings, a Thai chicken cucumber salad and shrimp po’ boys. Open Wednesday-Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
Shake Shack
- Tacoma Mall, 4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253-285-7126, shakeshack.com
Tacoma Mall has really upped its restaurant game in the past couple of years, and Shake Shack was a big name to land. (Dave’s Hot Chicken is expected to open before the end of the year, too.) The burger brand opened its first Pierce County location and its eighth in the state in November. Find its classic menu of fresh-beef burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, Vienna Beef hot dogs and veggie options like the popular ‘Shroom Burger, plus shakes in classic and seasonal flavors. Order online for convenient pickup, including large boxes of 12 sandwiches to quickly feed a crowd. Open Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Casa de los Chilaquiles
- 5502 Orchard St. W., University Place, 253-212-0914, casadeloschilaquileswa.com
The owners of El Antojo and El Rinconsito had promised a daytime-focused revamp of one of their full-service Antojos Mexican Grill locations. After a spring announcement, it landed in November to crowds right out of the gate. The menu blends Mexican and American brunch favorites. Think masa pancakes and waffles, fruit-forward cocktails, including mimosa flights, menudo and, of course, chilaquiles. You can pick a signature or build-your-own. If you just want tacos, you can get them, too. The portions are generous, and ordering both sweet and savory is advised. Open Wednesday-Sunday at 8 a.m.
Thyme Well Spent
- 5608 Park Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-205-9660, thymewellspentinc.com
Chantel Jackson, known on social media as “The Lunch Lady” and “The Singing Chef,” has opened her first brick-and-mortar cafe in Tacoma’s South End. The petite eatery serves lunch and desserts, offering the neighborhood a light bite from an indie operator. Try the chicken and waffles salad, with fried chicken and waffle bites instead of croutons, a sandwich with various proteins, or a cup of homemade soup. A cold case carries deviled eggs with shrimp, lemon meringue pie, coconut cake and cheesecake. Open Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday noon-5 p.m.
Just A Pizza My Mind - Milton
- 1102 28th Ave. Ct., Milton, instagram.com/just_a_pizza_my_mind
The young couple behind Just A Pizza My Mind has found success roving around East Pierce County, but they now also have a brick-and-mortar location you can always find in Milton. The fun part? It’s a drive-thru! Order up creative pies baked in a wood-fired oven, such as the Hott Boxx with pepperoni, sausage, salami, banana peppers, ricotta and an agave drizzle, or the Greener Grass loaded with veggies — even dill pickles — and cheese. Order ahead for convenient pickup. Open daily at 11 a.m.
Restaurant Masita - Federal Way
- 33310 Pacific Hwy S., Federal Way, 253-235-5976
A self-described Asian fusion restaurant, Masita opened this fall in south Federal Way with late-night hours and a relatively concise menu of Korean-leaning dishes: seafood pancake, tteokkbokki, fried chicken, bulgogi and soft tofu soup. You’ll also find Chinese American options like orange and sesame chicken and fried rice. Open Monday-Sunday (closed Tuesdays) 4 p.m.-2 a.m.