17 new restaurants, bars around Tacoma with modern teriyaki, tamales, Thai, more

After a holiday reset and the ensuing new-year chaos, we’re back with another edition of new restaurants and bars around Pierce County.

In Tacoma, a barbecue restaurant is back up and running after a blip with the health department, downtown has another sushi spot (plus ramen!), and a long-awaited bar has finally returned.

In Lakewood, a new Vietnamese restaurant has an unusual setup, and a neighborhood bar with a pool table has debuted between Bonney Lake and Buckley.

Our last list highlighted some end-of-2025 additions, including The Chicken Supply at Beer Star (TNT Diner-recommended), a bustling Mexican diner and an unexpected lunch spot in the South End.

Here’s a look at new restaurants in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup and beyond.

Fusion Bistro Bar & Lounge - University Place

• 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253-352-8053, facebook.com

The sign for Fusion Bistro had been hanging outside the old Grassi’s for years. It finally happened: The new restaurant opened in October with a vast menu of seafood boils, Asian noodles, stir-fries, curries and more. Choose your sauce and spice level for the bags of seafood, available in select combos or build-your-own starting at $17/pound for crawfish to $60/pound for king crab legs. Other dishes range from Vietnamese banh mi and pho to Singapore-style noodles, Chinese hot pot and fried rice. Most dishes hover around $15-$21. The dining room is painted a rich orange, and the bar with beer, wine and spirits has a little, thatched roof. It also serves a bit later than most. Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

We B Smok’n BBQ

• Inside Evergreen State Brewing, 1901 Dock St., Tacoma, webesmokinbbq.com

Evergreen State Brewing took over this unique space on Thea Foss Waterway last summer. We B Smok’n opened alongside the taproom but ran into some permitting issues with the health department, leading to a few weeks offline. The restaurant officially reopened in November with a shiny new smoker hooked up inside the kitchen. Enjoy barbecue platters with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and hot links (two meats with two sides and cornbread starts at $26), or sandwiches for $12-$17. Sides include beans, collards, slaw and “dirty mac.” Open Thursday-Saturday 3-8 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Terry’s Bar & Grill

• 3410 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-752-6262, terrystacoma.com

The old dive looks nothing like it did, but that’s OK — owners Jeff and Helen Fraychineaud, also behind The Parkway, Hanks, Coles and West End Pub, hope Terry’s is now built to last another century. In addition to the custom woodwork adorning the ceiling, the walls and the seating (in the bar and in the covered, heated patio), the brand-new kitchen has been cooking up a fresh menu since late December. Pressure-fried chicken and jo’s remain, joined by a fried chicken sandwich, comforting plates including a slab of meatloaf over creamy potatoes, and addictive hand-cut fries. Beers are largely regional, and the back bar is full. Pizza fans, fear not: Pies will eventually bake in a separate building/pub next door. Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

En Sushi

• 705 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-267-1020, instagram.com/ensushi.tacoma

This Japanese restaurant replaced Amor Wine & Tapas, which closed last spring, in December. Owner James Lee, who has three other restaurants in the region, worked with the overall footprint of the former tenant but turned the drinking bar into a sushi bar. Specialties include tataki, where the protein is lightly seared, and an array of fresh fish — a small sashimi plate (9 pieces with salad and miso soup) goes for $29.99, while basic maki start around $9 and fancy rolls $16-$22. Ramen and noodles also feature prominently, including katsu and three styles of ramen. Expect a wait on weekend evenings; order online for pickup. Open Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Prohibition Cellars

• 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 425-574-7600, prohibitioncellars.com

Tacoma’s winery boom continued into 2026 with the introduction of Prohibition Cellars in February. Owners Sabrina and Sandor Faludi have been making wine in Woodinville since 2017, but Sandor’s viticultural history dates back decades — generations, really — to his family’s homestead in southern Hungary. The couple saw a vibrant market in Tacoma and landed next to another winery tasting room from Seattle’s Structure Cellars. In the sleek bar at Prohibition, have a glass of mostly Washington reds and interesting whites, and consider a membership for exclusive perks. Open Wednesday-Sunday 2-9 p.m.

Mikey’s Public House

• 1702 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-2763, mikeyspublichouse.toast.site

This address has been home to pizza, beer and cocktails for years, mostly recently as the only Pierce County outpost of the Seattle-based Zeeks Pizza. But local owner Michael Goronkin said goodbye to the chain in favor of his own concept this year. The new business serves an updated menu of 12-inch and 18-inch, New York-style pies, as well as slices for lunch, alongside salads, apps, wings with myriad sauces and cannoli for dessert. Events like trivia, karaoke and a Beer Week brunch have already begun. The Frog Bar idea plays into the mezzanine bar area, and when the weather cooperates, a sizable and somewhat secluded back patio. Open daily 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Taqueria Mi Rancho

• 2903 72nd St. E., Tacoma, 253-341-3231, instagram.com/taqueriamiranchotacoma

A new Mexican food truck parked at the intersection of 72nd and Waller in January. Proteins for tacos, tortas, burritos and sopes include carne asada, pollo and al pastor. The menu also offers chicken fajitas, a carne asada plate, pechuga de pollo and the ever-popular quesabirria. Call ahead for convenient pickup or order in person and wait outside or in your car. Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Mimi Teriyaki #2

• 759 S. 64th St., Tacoma, 253-260-6464, instagram.com/mimiteriyaki2

This teriyaki spot on the corner of South 64th and Yakima has a new owner with a new menu, but the name remains the same. Things feel a bit more modern here, at least in terminology. The Sticky Situation would be the signature grilled meat (request extra sauce on the side if you like it saucy). A spicy version is called Hot Chick, and deep-fried goes by Fry Me to the Moon. Veg options include tofu and fried cauliflower. Choose two sides — among them a mac salad, cucumber salad, stir-fried green beans and edamame. Between buns, try a grilled chicken teriyaki, Nashville Firebird or katsu. Most dishes go for $13-$18 and the portions feel generous. Online ordering available, but dine-in an option at several tables in a comfortable dining room. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Red Wagon Burgers No. 6

• 5510 Orchard St. W., University Place, 253-503-1849, redwagonno6.menu11.com

Another in the Red Wagon franchise family, this new location joined the shopping plaza just on the cusp of University Place and Tacoma. (If visiting during the day, take note of the also-newish Casa de los Chilaquiles, the Mexican diner that’s attracting crowds especially on weekends.) Burgers — with third-pound or quarter-pound patties — come standard with a toasted and buttered bun, house sauce and LTOP. Non-beef options include a fried chicken breast, fried fish and a veggie patty. The menu also reaches into cheesesteaks and various fried sides, from mushrooms to jalapeno poppers. Online ordering available. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

La Salsa Mexican Food

• 8904 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253-625-7867, instagram.com/lasalsaofficial

This address (enter the shopping plaza off Steilacoom Boulevard) was last home to a great but short-lived Vietnamese hot pot spot, May Cafe. La Salsa snagged the opportunity to move into its own storefront, but for now the owners will keep their B&I Marketplace location, too. The Mexican restaurant specializes in Oaxacan dishes like tlayuda, a plate-sized tortilla covered in black beans, crunchy cabbage, quesillo, tomatoes, avocado and meats (or chapulines — grasshoppers); picaditas, a sope-like vehicle with a bean spread, queso, salsa and a protein; and cemitas, similar to a torta but instead a brioche-style, sesame-seed bun. Tamales also come in the corn-leaf version as well as the Oaxacan iteration, steamed in banana leaves. Open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Bánh Mì Bà Ba

• 8730 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253-226-3150, banhmibabatacoma.com

The dining room at the new-in-February Bánh Mì Bà Ba also boasts a cute seating area with the tiny plastic stools emblematic of Vietnamese street culture. Order a strong coffee, fresh sugarcane juice or che and a sandwich — on house-baked bread — from the counter to enjoy here. If you prefer a restaurant-style table, booths line the long wall of this unexpectedly large space next to Stixx Dough, a mochi doughnut shop. Other specialties include a quail egg bao, fried chicken wings in a sweet chili sauce and rice-paper “pockets” filled with shrimp, pork, mushrooms and vermicelli. The menu is likely to expand as the family settles into things. Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Nana Thai

• 773 S 38th St., Tacoma, 253-572-9132, nanathaiteriyaki.com

Since 2020, Nana Thai grew a loyal fanbase from the food court of Freighthouse Square, but when news of likely demolition spread, the family searched for a more permanent storefront. They found it in the former Bambu dessert shop in the Lincoln District and opened the doors in February. The menu carries familiar Thai hits — curries, tom yum, crying tiger beef, pad see ew — but the recipes feel different than some local peers. The pad Thai is light and bright, served in-house on a silver tray, while street-food dishes add variety. Definitely share the garlic pork ribs, marinated and deep-fried, sprinkled with cilantro and fried garlic. The space is small, with just a few tables, but pleasant with warm service; call for takeout. Open Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Burritos California

• 820 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-212-1836, burritoscaliforniawa.com

One of very few 24-hour restaurants in the area, the Burritos California chain opened in the Lincoln District last year, replacing the longstanding Burger Ranch. As the name implies, burritos reign here (most $10-$11), from the namesake with steak and potatoes to a fajitas-inspired one and several breakfast-all-day options. Tacos, chilaquiles, various tostadas and birria in many forms, from nachos to mulitas, are also on the menu. If not in-person at the counter or at the drive-thru window, order ahead online for pickup or delivery. Open 24/7.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

• 4502 S. Steele St. (Tacoma Mall), Tacoma, 253-201-1115, daveshotchicken.com

The excitement around the early-2026 debut of Dave’s Hot Chicken hasn’t dwindled: The wait remained long even on a Thursday night in March, when at least two dozen parties were poking at their phones while waiting for their food. The streamlined menu offers tenders, sliders and “bites,” which are ostensibly nuggets. Prices start around $5 for a single tender, served with a slice of white bread, a few pickles and a little cup of house sauce; the No. 1 combo of two tenders and fries goes for $13.99. To drink are shakes and slushies fashioned after throwback drinks like Hi-C Fruit Punch and Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade. Open Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight.

Shake Shack

• 4502 S. Steele St., Tacoma, 253-285-7126, shakeshack.com

Another big name to land at Tacoma Mall, Shake Shack opened last November. The flagship quarter-pound burger, which comes standard with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and house sauce (no onion, but you can add some slices for free), starts around $8 for a single and $10.50 for a double. The brand has also become known for its veggie options, including a custom mushroom-quinoa-farro-potato patty and a fried portobello mushroom stuffed with cheese. Seasonal shakes currently include tiramisu and a gochujang-laced caramel. If not ordering in-person, order online for pickup.

Happy Teriyaki & Burger - Puyallup

• 1415 E. Main Ave., Puyallup, 253-446-2134, order.online/store/-40655555

Not to be confused with the other Puyallup restaurants with “happy” and “teriyaki” in the name, Happy Teriyaki and Burger opened in the Valley Plaza shopping mall in February. The menu offers the usual of teriyaki or katsu-style meat with rice, yakisoba, Chinese American “wok” dishes and fried rice. Burgers range from a classic LTOP to ones with teriyaki sauce and pineapple or bulgogi beef. Online ordering available. Open Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

South Prairie Bar & Grill

• 121 State Route 162, South Prairie, 360-897-7788, southprairiebarandgrill.com

Between Bonney Lake and Buckley, this new bar and grill opened in January ready for catching the game or shooting a game of pool. The sizable food menu includes apps from chicken wings to “Hawk eggs,” a cream cheese popper of sorts with shredded chicken and jalapenos; sandwiches like a candied BLT and smoked sausage wrapped in a toasted garlic-cheese roll; burgers, pizza and salads; as well as plates of steak and seafood. Most dishes run $12-$18, but steaks are $23-$25. Happy runs Monday-Thursday 3-6 p.m. and all day Sunday with deals on appetizers and drinks. Open at 10 a.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. on weekends, with late-night hours on Friday and Saturday.

This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM.