University of Puget Sound
From Chris Sheppard, '08, Assistant Director of Admission:
Rosewood Café
3323 North 26th Street
Tacoma, WA
Only six blocks from campus, this charming and cozy spot is great for all occasions – lunch, dinner, or coffee. The menu offers a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and deserts to please both vegetarians and meat lovers – from black sesame chicken salad and Italian meatball subs to roasted curried eggplant potpie and smoked cheddar and bacon macaroni.
Primo Grill
601 South Pine
Tacoma, WA
Zagat-rated Primo Grill features Mediterranean tapas (steamed mussels and parmesan polenta), gourmet wood-fired pizzas (think “prosciutto, fig and goat cheese”), and enticing pastas (try the wood roasted mushroom lasagna). Close to campus, this contemporary restaurant is classic but casual, and especially good for dinner.
Anthony’s
5910 North Waterfront Drive
Tacoma, WA
A bit of a Washington institution, Anthony’s is your quintessential Pacific Northwest seafood restaurant. The menu features oysters, clam chowder, seafood salads, prawns, shrimp fettuccine and more. Located on Tacoma’s waterfront in beautiful Point Defiance Park, Anthony’s is a good spot for the entire family. Be sure to order one of the salmon dishes for a complete Pacific Northwest experience.
Silk Thai
3401 6th Avenue # F
Tacoma, WA
Thai restaurants are plentiful in Tacoma but Silk Thai is a perennial favorite among the Puget Sound community. Only a few short blocks from campus, it blends quality dishes with an inviting atmosphere – An extensive menu includes Bags of Gold wontons, “Super Wild Shrimp,” Five Spice Crispy Duck and Yellow Curry chicken and has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. But plan ahead, this place can be packed on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Indochine Asian Dining Lounge
1924 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA
A bit further from campus than Silk Thai (just over 3 miles), Indochine boasts some of the best Thai & Asian fusion cuisine in the region. House specialties include grilled lemongrass chicken, honey-glazed walnut prawns, and Oceans Five featuring prawns, calamari, fresh fish, clams and scallops in a habanero, lime and cilantro reduction. Located in a gorgeous, old brick building in the heart of Tacoma’s downtown museum district, trendy, Zagat-rated Indochine is the place to go if you’re serious about Thai food.
Metropolitan Market
2420 North Proctor Street
Tacoma, WA
“The Met” is not your typical grocery store. Located in the nearby Proctor district, it features a world-class deli, a selection of gourmet soups (the creamy Tomato-Basil is a classic), imported cheeses, a top-notch bakery, and quality local produce. Grab a soup and panini or salad, and walk over to nearby Puget Park for an enjoyable afternoon.
Shakabrah Java
2618 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA
On any Saturday or Sunday morning during term, you’re bound to run into a few Puget Sound students at Shakabrah, one of Tacoma’s popular brunch spots. Located in the Sixth Avenue District, the portions will satisfy both stomach and wallet. Free coffee refills plus a selection of books, board games, and newspapers will encourage you to linger.
Metronome Coffee
3518 6th Avenue #101
Tacoma, WA
With six independent coffee shops within a mile of campus (in addition to the two on campus), Tacoma affirms the Northwest cliché that great coffee is ubiquitous here. Each café has its own personality, and edgy, “hipster” Metronome, three blocks from campus, offers freshly roasted, scrupulously prepared coffee (your choice of a French press, pour-over, or “tri-fecta” brew). The late hours and warm fireplace make it a great off-campus study spot.
Gateway to India
2603 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA
A long-time fixture of the Sixth Avenue District and a good spot for vegetarians, Gateway offers a wide selection of classic Indian dishes – including samosas, tandoori, sag paneer, and subji biryani. The lunch buffet is particularly popular with the Puget Sound community.
Gibson’s Frozen Yogurt
8 North Tacoma Avenue
Tacoma, WA
Located in Tacoma’s Stadium district, Gibson’s offers delicious, self-serve frozen yogurt (with a selection of over 30 toppings) and smoothies. Try some warmed apple pie in the bottom of your frozen yogurt! And while you’re there, walk over to nearby King’s Books or Stadium High School, housed in a gorgeous old building (originally built as a hotel) and featured in the film “Ten Things I Hate About You.”
Asado
2810 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA
For high-quality Argentinian food made with fresh, Pacific Northwest ingredients, try Asado, a trendy and casual but intimate restaurant in the heart of Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue District. Voted Best Latin American Restaurant in Evening Magazine's 'Best of Western Washington' for three years running, Asado also features a good list of Argentine wines. Open late and known for its selection of grilled steak, it’s a great dinner option.