Incredible Waterfront Restaurants for Tacoma and South Sound Families

The sun is shining, you’ve spent a full day outside with the littles and now it’s time to eat. But that’s no reason to head inside and cook a meal. A gorgeous summer day calls for eating on the waterfront.

There are plenty of waterfront restaurants to choose from in Tacoma and the South Sound. Whether you decide to sit out on the patio to feel the breeze off the water or grab a table inside for just the view, these local restaurants are great for the whole family.

Anthony’s at Point Defiance

When my family can’t get on the ferry, the next best thing is parking ourselves somewhere to get up close views while we stay in town. Perched right on the Sound, near the Point Defiance ferry terminal, is Anthony’s — a mainstay for classic Northwest fare.

On our visit, the waitstaff was ready for families with booster seats, high chairs, kids cups and menus with crayons. This made our impromptu trip (sans activity bag) totally doable. We snagged a booth in the back corner, but all tables looked set up to optimize for views. There is an outdoor patio, but no umbrellas for shade, so bring sunscreen if you plan to eat outside. As a bonus, you can walk to Anthony’s from Owen Beach. Copy our itinerary and do some water play in the morning then stroll over for lunch.

Kids menu favorites: My kids enjoyed the buttered noodles and lemonade (one of those days), but if your crew is game for some protein, the fish ‘n’ chips looked like the house specialty.

Location: 5910 N. Waterfront Dr., Tacoma

Duke’s

There is no shortage of restaurants along Ruston Way, but lots of them need to be reserved for a parents’ day out. Luckily, Duke’s delivers with family friendly vibes and sweeping views of Commencement Bay. We love to hitch up the bike trailer and ride on this path, so we made a trip over and grabbed seats on the spacious outdoor patio. High chairs and crayons are available and the kids menu has more than your standard three options. If, like us, you need some playtime after the meal, the playground at Old Town Park is just up the hill.

Kids menu favorites: My 4-year-old opted for the Jr. Burger with sweet potato fries.

Location: 3327 Ruston Wy., Tacoma

WildFin at Point Ruston

WildFin is perfect for families who are looking for somewhere to celebrate an occasion or have grandparents visiting. If you get seated at the right table, you’ll catch Mount Rainier when she peeks out from the distance. We’ve only been for dinner, but I’ve heard good things about their brunch. High chairs and boosters are both available, but the booster seats aren’t compatible with the outdoor chairs. Your kids will surely see the Point Ruston Playground down below, so head over after your meal to let those wiggles out.

Kids menu favorites: Wildfin has a three course kids menu, with a Tillamook grilled cheese that we’ve never strayed from. A plate of veggies comes out first and I’m always shocked how my kids will happily munch on carrots and celery when they’re served by anyone other than me.

Location: 5115 Grand Loop, Tacoma

Farrelli’s at Point Ruston

Sometimes, only pizza will do, and that’s when you can sit on the second floor of Farrelli’s and get your slice fix perched above the Puget Sound. It’s not advertised, but if you ask, Farrelli’s will bring out pizza dough for the kids to play with. There’s nothing like a sensory activity to keep my toddlers occupied while we wait for food to arrive! If you’re headed over this summer, bring a bathing suit or extra clothes and spend some time at the splash pad right in front of the dining area.

Kids menu favorites: Farrelli’s has all the classics for kids: spaghetti, mac and cheese, boneless wings, and — of course — pizza.

Location: 5104 Grand Loop, Tacoma

Boathouse 19 Bar & Grill

Tucked away in the Tacoma Narrows Marina, Boathouse 19 is a casual spot to bring the family. We enjoy taking in views of the Narrows Bridge and my kids love talking about all the different boats they can see up close. High chairs and boosters are available, but somehow both kids ended up on my lap — you win some, you lose some. Titlow Park is nearby, so there’s easy access to the playground and beach before or after your visit.

Kids menu favorites: My son delights in anything miniature, so the slider cheeseburgers were a big hit!

Location: 9001 S. 19th St., Tacoma

Chambers Bay Grill

You’ll catch panoramic views of Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, and one of the top golf courses in the country at Chambers Bay Grill. The inside is nothing to look at, so outdoor seating is a must here to really appreciate the stunning scenery. Service was kind but slow, so you might want to bring something along just in case the crayons aren’t cutting it while you wait. We visited Playground by the Sound after our breakfast to continue admiring the views while the kids burned off some energy.

Kids menu favorites: The classic American fare hit the spot and the kids were sold with the adorable teddy bear pancakes. If we went back for lunch or dinner, I’m certain mini corn dogs would have been the crowd favorite.

Location: 6320 Grandview Dr. W., University Place

Netshed No.9

Outdoor dining at Netshed No.9 is open year-round, but is even more special in the summer. You can roll straight down to the deck from their ramp with a stroller, so you don’t even need to make a pit stop to unload. Situated between two docks, I felt like I was on vacation sipping coffee while boats puttered along in the distance. This is primarily a brunch or lunch spot with special evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays until Labor Day, so take advantage of sunset dining while you can!

Kids menu favorites: The kids menu has all the breakfast favorites, making it very hard to choose between french toast sticks, waffles and pancakes. In the end, we went with classic, cast iron waffles topped with whipped cream — they were a big hit!

Location: 3313 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor

Topside Bar and Grill

My friend in Steilacoom has been nudging me to get to Topside, and this summer we’re making it happen! You can often expect a wait for an outdoor table at this popular neighborhood spot, especially for brunch. If you go on a Wednesday, you can catch the farmers market from 3–7 p.m. and a summer concert series kicking off around 6:30 p.m.

Kids menu favorites: The kids menu has all the usual suspects, plus teriyaki chicken skewers and pulled pork sliders for more adventurous palates.

Location: 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom

Hama Hama Oyster Saloon

If you’re ready for an adventure that’s farther afield, the Hama Hama Oyster Saloon is an incredible waterfront dining experience on the Hood Canal. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, some advanced planning is recommended for this excursion. Reservations open Monday at 9 a.m. for the same weekend, and if you can secure a slot, you’ll be rewarded with two dozen oysters and a picnic table under a wooden A-frame. You can risk it as a walk-in, but I haven’t been brave enough to make the drive without a guarantee. There’s no indoor option, so come prepared to embrace nature. It’s really a bonus, since the whole family feels better when the kids can use outdoor voices.

Kids menu favorites: Full disclosure: My kids don’t eat oysters (yet!), but they were satisfied by the grilled cheese, pickles and coleslaw.

Location: 35846 US-101 Suite B, Lilliwaup