Hygge Guidebook

Marit
Hygge Guidebook

Coffee

Our wonderful neighbors own this local coffee shop - a 15 min walk away with nice space to sit and work or meet with friends. Excellent coffee. A local favorite.
68 locals recommend
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters
2201 6th Ave
68 locals recommend
Our wonderful neighbors own this local coffee shop - a 15 min walk away with nice space to sit and work or meet with friends. Excellent coffee. A local favorite.
Also Owned by a neighbor and great spot to hang out! Walking distance in the other direction from Bluebeard Coffee.
10 locals recommend
Lander Coffee
2716 N 21st St
10 locals recommend
Also Owned by a neighbor and great spot to hang out! Walking distance in the other direction from Bluebeard Coffee.
Directly across from Wright Park, this little spot has some strong, good coffee and a little deck outside. There is a Starbucks nearby too but those places are everywhere.
16 locals recommend
Cosmonaut Coffee Co
817 Division Avenue
16 locals recommend
Directly across from Wright Park, this little spot has some strong, good coffee and a little deck outside. There is a Starbucks nearby too but those places are everywhere.

Food scene

A delicious, consistent classic restaurant with excellent food and service for a nice night out.
25 locals recommend
Primo Grill
2701 6th Ave
25 locals recommend
A delicious, consistent classic restaurant with excellent food and service for a nice night out.
Great Neopolitan Pizza and beers. Also owned by neighbors’ family on our street.. close walking distance. Right next to Bluebeard’s Coffee off 6th Ave. Cozy. Hip.
11 locals recommend
State Street Beer Company
606 N State St
11 locals recommend
Great Neopolitan Pizza and beers. Also owned by neighbors’ family on our street.. close walking distance. Right next to Bluebeard’s Coffee off 6th Ave. Cozy. Hip.
An awesome and delicious burger spot nearby also has excellent milkshakes
6 locals recommend
Spanky Burger & Brew
601 S Pine St
6 locals recommend
An awesome and delicious burger spot nearby also has excellent milkshakes
Great, close spot for Greek food that has been a Tacoma staple for a long time.
7 locals recommend
It's Greek To Me
1702 6th Ave
7 locals recommend
Great, close spot for Greek food that has been a Tacoma staple for a long time.
A pan-Asian fusion restaurant with unique decor, great urban feel and excellent food. Close to the Glass Museum and University of Washington bookstore and WA State History Museum. Also on the light rail that connects downtown to public transportation to Seattle.
39 locals recommend
Indochine Asian Dining Lounge
1924 Pacific Ave
39 locals recommend
A pan-Asian fusion restaurant with unique decor, great urban feel and excellent food. Close to the Glass Museum and University of Washington bookstore and WA State History Museum. Also on the light rail that connects downtown to public transportation to Seattle.
Coffee-pot shaped! Famous American roadside attraction. Not really a food place.. and no coffee. More like a rite of passage. No frills, hard alcohol, karaoke, outside patio and eccentric interior. On gritty South Tacoma way. An absolute classic icon and dive, often with live music. A Tacoma original and crazy architecture from times when buildings were shaped like things.
10 locals recommend
Bob's Java Jive
2102 S Tacoma Way
10 locals recommend
Coffee-pot shaped! Famous American roadside attraction. Not really a food place.. and no coffee. More like a rite of passage. No frills, hard alcohol, karaoke, outside patio and eccentric interior. On gritty South Tacoma way. An absolute classic icon and dive, often with live music. A Tacoma original and crazy architecture from times when buildings were shaped like things.
Great little local pizza place to pick up or have delivered. A neighborhood favorite and only blocks away. https://www.sammyspizzatacoma.com/
7 locals recommend
Sammy's Pizza
1308 N I St
7 locals recommend
Great little local pizza place to pick up or have delivered. A neighborhood favorite and only blocks away. https://www.sammyspizzatacoma.com/
New Tacoma hotspot. Brand new - reservations recommended. Good cocktails.https://www.cuernobravo.com/
7 locals recommend
Cuerno Bravo Steakhouse
616 Saint Helens Avenue
7 locals recommend
New Tacoma hotspot. Brand new - reservations recommended. Good cocktails.https://www.cuernobravo.com/
Locations in Proctor District and Point Ruston. A local favorite with your standard (and a few really interesting) flavors.
Ice Cream Social
2521 North Proctor Street
Locations in Proctor District and Point Ruston. A local favorite with your standard (and a few really interesting) flavors.
Consistently voted Best Doughnuts in Tacoma. Our family favorite. Cash only until they run out. Try the French crueler 😋
Pao's Donut and Coffee Shop
6919 6th Ave
Consistently voted Best Doughnuts in Tacoma. Our family favorite. Cash only until they run out. Try the French crueler 😋
New and delicious SouthWestern foodie option with a cool vibe.
15 locals recommend
Cactus Proctor
2506 N Proctor St
15 locals recommend
New and delicious SouthWestern foodie option with a cool vibe.
Awesome deck, great cocktails, incredible food. Wonderful and authentic Italian and local food sourcing. We love this Spot!
Crudo & Cotto
2717 North Proctor Street
Awesome deck, great cocktails, incredible food. Wonderful and authentic Italian and local food sourcing. We love this Spot!
Mexican food and great beer - great selection of salsas and beer choices with a nice bar outside which it the place to be on a sunny day.
20 locals recommend
Brewers Row
3205 N 26th St
20 locals recommend
Mexican food and great beer - great selection of salsas and beer choices with a nice bar outside which it the place to be on a sunny day.
Outside and inside seating. Breakfast, brunch and dinner - this Seattle transplant is a reliable and good spot.
33 locals recommend
Cooks Tavern
3201 N 26th St
33 locals recommend
Outside and inside seating. Breakfast, brunch and dinner - this Seattle transplant is a reliable and good spot.
A true local favorite. It's about a 15-20 min walk from here, which is also nice.
40 locals recommend
Parkway Tavern
313 N I St
40 locals recommend
A true local favorite. It's about a 15-20 min walk from here, which is also nice.
Another local favorite tavern with a nice outdoor seating area. Good food as well.
30 locals recommend
Hank's Bar and Grill
524 N K St
30 locals recommend
Another local favorite tavern with a nice outdoor seating area. Good food as well.
A drive up and drive through option - close by and open LATE and always tasty for take away. Always hopping. There is some outdoor seating but it is a very noisy, busy intersection.
18 locals recommend
Memo's Mexican Restaurant
1703 6th Ave
18 locals recommend
A drive up and drive through option - close by and open LATE and always tasty for take away. Always hopping. There is some outdoor seating but it is a very noisy, busy intersection.
Walkable from our place and a classic, delicious Tacoma instution. Family run.
22 locals recommend
Gateway To India
2603 6th Ave
22 locals recommend
Walkable from our place and a classic, delicious Tacoma instution. Family run.
Close by with delicious and inventive doughnuts, along with the classics.
31 locals recommend
Legendary Doughnuts
2602 6th Ave
31 locals recommend
Close by with delicious and inventive doughnuts, along with the classics.
Everyone has their favorite Thai place. This is ours. It is downtown and has clean, fresh flavors. Family run and excellent.
6 locals recommend
Galanga
1129 Broadway
6 locals recommend
Everyone has their favorite Thai place. This is ours. It is downtown and has clean, fresh flavors. Family run and excellent.
Our fovorite spot for take-out sushi. Delicious and Mother-Daughter owned and run. Not many places to sit but great, fresh sushi and - chicken terriyaki, which is really the most popular regional dish
Sake Sushi and Grill
5738 North 26th Street
Our fovorite spot for take-out sushi. Delicious and Mother-Daughter owned and run. Not many places to sit but great, fresh sushi and - chicken terriyaki, which is really the most popular regional dish
Good Pho! And close by on 6th Ave. It gets pretty roudy at night - directly next to a marijuana dispensery. My children's favorite is Pho King (yes.. they love to pronounce it, of course) on MLK Jr. Parkway but this may not be the safest area to walk at night.
8 locals recommend
La Cà Bar
606 S Junett St
8 locals recommend
Good Pho! And close by on 6th Ave. It gets pretty roudy at night - directly next to a marijuana dispensery. My children's favorite is Pho King (yes.. they love to pronounce it, of course) on MLK Jr. Parkway but this may not be the safest area to walk at night.
A Portland transplant with good sushi and it is right by the movie theater at Point Ruston.
Mio Sushi
5051 Main Street
A Portland transplant with good sushi and it is right by the movie theater at Point Ruston.
A superb view and great waterfront dining near the ferry to Vashon Island. A classic Seattle - Tacoma fish restaurant.
30 locals recommend
Anthony's At Point Defiance
5910 N Waterfront Dr
30 locals recommend
A superb view and great waterfront dining near the ferry to Vashon Island. A classic Seattle - Tacoma fish restaurant.
Fancy and great seafood - one of many like Duke's and Harbor Lights - that rim the waterfront and have excellent summer decks on the water.
31 locals recommend
Lobster Shop
4015 Ruston Way
31 locals recommend
Fancy and great seafood - one of many like Duke's and Harbor Lights - that rim the waterfront and have excellent summer decks on the water.
Stylish Mexican-inspired menu and a nighttime hotspot on Pacific Ave downtown.
116 locals recommend
The Matador
721 Pacific Ave
116 locals recommend
Stylish Mexican-inspired menu and a nighttime hotspot on Pacific Ave downtown.
4 restaurants/bars - all different themes - and a hidden bar you have to find by wandering the hotel. Lots of fun for an evening - always a lot happening here.
60 locals recommend
McMenamins Elks Temple
565 Broadway
60 locals recommend
4 restaurants/bars - all different themes - and a hidden bar you have to find by wandering the hotel. Lots of fun for an evening - always a lot happening here.
Fondue Restaurant: Romantic and fun. Go for one course (appetizer or dessert) or order the three course meals/specials. Kind of pricey but really nice.
18 locals recommend
The Melting Pot
302 108th Ave NE
18 locals recommend
Fondue Restaurant: Romantic and fun. Go for one course (appetizer or dessert) or order the three course meals/specials. Kind of pricey but really nice.
Poquitos Tacoma
Walkable from our house.. good brunch with a speakeasy feel.
82 locals recommend
Dirty Oscar's Annex
2309 6th Avenue
82 locals recommend
Walkable from our house.. good brunch with a speakeasy feel.
Nice. Trendy. Good food.
27 locals recommend
The Table
2715 6th Ave
27 locals recommend
Nice. Trendy. Good food.
Classic truck stop diner on South Tacoma Way. Great, huge breakfast. Might be cash only.
Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe
2601 S Tacoma Way
Classic truck stop diner on South Tacoma Way. Great, huge breakfast. Might be cash only.

Sightseeing

This is a gorgeous park with waterfront trails and kayak rentals; hiking paths through large Pacific Northwest forests with overlooks of the Puget Sound. My children have both seen pods of orcas from the beach! We have also seen whales.
118 locals recommend
Point Defiance Park
5400 North Pearl Street
118 locals recommend
This is a gorgeous park with waterfront trails and kayak rentals; hiking paths through large Pacific Northwest forests with overlooks of the Puget Sound. My children have both seen pods of orcas from the beach! We have also seen whales.
A Tacoma original historic park with renovated conservatory and ponds and spray park, swings, playgrounds for kids and lawn bowling (bring your own bocce balls or borrow ours) and a great 2 mile round trip walk from our place.
84 locals recommend
Wright Park
501 S I St
84 locals recommend
A Tacoma original historic park with renovated conservatory and ponds and spray park, swings, playgrounds for kids and lawn bowling (bring your own bocce balls or borrow ours) and a great 2 mile round trip walk from our place.
Can go as an passenger on this ferry just for fun or take a car to explore quiet Vashon Island right next to Tacoma. The Bremerton to Seattle ferry is also the absolute best way to approach Seattle. Highly recommend taking the long way to Seattle via ferry - do this.
Vashon Ferry Lanes, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Can go as an passenger on this ferry just for fun or take a car to explore quiet Vashon Island right next to Tacoma. The Bremerton to Seattle ferry is also the absolute best way to approach Seattle. Highly recommend taking the long way to Seattle via ferry - do this.
See explanation in food scene section. It’s iconic and a little scary. Featured in several “roadside America” must-see list and a Tacoma rite of passage.
10 locals recommend
Bob's Java Jive
2102 S Tacoma Way
10 locals recommend
See explanation in food scene section. It’s iconic and a little scary. Featured in several “roadside America” must-see list and a Tacoma rite of passage.
This website is your one-stop guide to planning a hike nearby. A great site with reviews of the hike and current trail conditions. https://www.wta.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNXs24P-9wIV9AjnCh3NPgmrEAAYASAAEgKRffD_BwE
15 locals recommend
Washington Trails Association
705 2nd Ave
15 locals recommend
This website is your one-stop guide to planning a hike nearby. A great site with reviews of the hike and current trail conditions. https://www.wta.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNXs24P-9wIV9AjnCh3NPgmrEAAYASAAEgKRffD_BwE
An absolute must visit! Paradise is the closest high elevation spot on the mountain. It is about 60 min to the base of the mountain and another 45 up to Paradise. Plan a bathroom and stretch break in Ashford. We enjoy stopping in at Whittaker Mountaineering on the way too - cute, well-stocked hiking and gift store and outdoor restaurant. Ice cream spot is close by too.
607 locals recommend
Mount Rainier National Park
607 locals recommend
An absolute must visit! Paradise is the closest high elevation spot on the mountain. It is about 60 min to the base of the mountain and another 45 up to Paradise. Plan a bathroom and stretch break in Ashford. We enjoy stopping in at Whittaker Mountaineering on the way too - cute, well-stocked hiking and gift store and outdoor restaurant. Ice cream spot is close by too.
Outstanding zoo featuring local and regional animals and sealife. Great underwater shark tank! Fun shows as well.
338 locals recommend
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl St
338 locals recommend
Outstanding zoo featuring local and regional animals and sealife. Great underwater shark tank! Fun shows as well.
Gorgeous spot about 3.5 hours away. On your way to the Ocean beaches. Short and longer hikes are possible.
29 locals recommend
Hoh Rainforest Olympic Nat’l Park
5629-4911 Upper Hoh Rd
29 locals recommend
Gorgeous spot about 3.5 hours away. On your way to the Ocean beaches. Short and longer hikes are possible.
Iconic Pacific Northwest beach! Many of them on the Olympic Penninsula are just gorgeous. Plan for cold winds and possible showers but that only adds to the atmosphere. Swimming is not recommended at most beaches on the Pacific with the exceptions of those closer to Ocean Shores. The waves are very strong and their are logs rolling in the waves. You know something is up when the local signs say, "Caution! Logs kill!" or something to that effect. Yikes! BUT it is still beautiful and you will want to wander a while.
70 locals recommend
Rialto Beach
Mora Rd
70 locals recommend
Iconic Pacific Northwest beach! Many of them on the Olympic Penninsula are just gorgeous. Plan for cold winds and possible showers but that only adds to the atmosphere. Swimming is not recommended at most beaches on the Pacific with the exceptions of those closer to Ocean Shores. The waves are very strong and their are logs rolling in the waves. You know something is up when the local signs say, "Caution! Logs kill!" or something to that effect. Yikes! BUT it is still beautiful and you will want to wander a while.
Great place downtown to rent kayaks and - this and Dock Street Marina - explore the boat marina and downtown bay.
Foss Harbor Marina
821 Dock St
Great place downtown to rent kayaks and - this and Dock Street Marina - explore the boat marina and downtown bay.
A great Tacoma classic - we are known for Glassblowing.. even in the middle schools in town! Dale Chihuly was from Tacoma. Great hotshop, giftshop and exhibits and hands-on activities. Right by some amazing waterfront restaurants with decks as well.
268 locals recommend
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock St
268 locals recommend
A great Tacoma classic - we are known for Glassblowing.. even in the middle schools in town! Dale Chihuly was from Tacoma. Great hotshop, giftshop and exhibits and hands-on activities. Right by some amazing waterfront restaurants with decks as well.
Incredible History museum that highlights Tacoma's indigenous people.
87 locals recommend
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Ave
87 locals recommend
Incredible History museum that highlights Tacoma's indigenous people.
Great small museum with Pacific Northwest regional art and rotating large shows. Downtown near lots of good dinner spots.
167 locals recommend
Tacoma Art Museum
1701 Pacific Ave
167 locals recommend
Great small museum with Pacific Northwest regional art and rotating large shows. Downtown near lots of good dinner spots.
Great place for picnics, beach walking and kayak rentals. Local favorite and recently renovated.
36 locals recommend
Owen Beach
5605 Owen Beach Road
36 locals recommend
Great place for picnics, beach walking and kayak rentals. Local favorite and recently renovated.
Nearby beautiful college campus - great for walks from the guest house.
33 locals recommend
University of Puget Sound
1500 N Warner St
33 locals recommend
Nearby beautiful college campus - great for walks from the guest house.

Shopping & Entertainment

Point Ruston is a development on the waterfront of Tacoma with a movie theater, a wide assortment of restaurants, a spray park in summer for the kids, bike rentals, walking connections to Point Defiance Park, and an indoor farmers market with local and regional foods and crafts.
109 locals recommend
Point Ruston
5020 Main St
109 locals recommend
Point Ruston is a development on the waterfront of Tacoma with a movie theater, a wide assortment of restaurants, a spray park in summer for the kids, bike rentals, walking connections to Point Defiance Park, and an indoor farmers market with local and regional foods and crafts.
Great, local and independent movie theater nearby. Offers different selections than the big theaters and has beer, wine, ice cream, candy and the best popcorn. A true local favorite.
64 locals recommend
The Grand Cinema
606 Fawcett Ave
64 locals recommend
Great, local and independent movie theater nearby. Offers different selections than the big theaters and has beer, wine, ice cream, candy and the best popcorn. A true local favorite.
Good movie theater with comfy reclining chairs in a great location. Point Ruston area has good restaurants to eat at before or after the movie as well as a local favorite ice cream place, Ice Cream Social.
49 locals recommend
Century Point Ruston and XD
5057 Main St
49 locals recommend
Good movie theater with comfy reclining chairs in a great location. Point Ruston area has good restaurants to eat at before or after the movie as well as a local favorite ice cream place, Ice Cream Social.
Saturday Farmer's Market. A huge favorite of Tacoma - flowers, booths with delicious food and shopping at unique local stores nearby.
21 locals recommend
Proctor Art Gallery
2702 N Proctor St
21 locals recommend
Saturday Farmer's Market. A huge favorite of Tacoma - flowers, booths with delicious food and shopping at unique local stores nearby.
Adorable Tacoma Merch!
T Town Trading CO.
2614 N Proctor St
Adorable Tacoma Merch!
All kinds of local things to buy - great local inventory.
12 locals recommend
The Pacific Northwest Shop
2702 N Proctor St
12 locals recommend
All kinds of local things to buy - great local inventory.
A real classic, pared down local movie theater with cheap movie ticket prices and amazing popcorn. A real local favorite that the city residents fought to keep!
24 locals recommend
Blue Mouse Theatre
2611 N Proctor St
24 locals recommend
A real classic, pared down local movie theater with cheap movie ticket prices and amazing popcorn. A real local favorite that the city residents fought to keep!
Stadium Golf

Grocery Stores

A grocery store that is almost too fun to shop at... Lots of lovely things and the standards. Another grocery store selling standards, Safeway, is across the street.
96 locals recommend
Metropolitan Market Tacoma
2420 N Proctor St
96 locals recommend
A grocery store that is almost too fun to shop at... Lots of lovely things and the standards. Another grocery store selling standards, Safeway, is across the street.
So close by! If you need something but don't want to go to the trouble of making a longer trip.. it is just blocks to this little, local gem. Wonderful meats, wine, some produce, some basic goods.. just a little bit of everything and great owners. Has "Oo la la Burgers" as a walk up restaurant on the corner. We love this place.
Dave's Meat & Produce
1312 N I St
So close by! If you need something but don't want to go to the trouble of making a longer trip.. it is just blocks to this little, local gem. Wonderful meats, wine, some produce, some basic goods.. just a little bit of everything and great owners. Has "Oo la la Burgers" as a walk up restaurant on the corner. We love this place.
15-20 min drive if you need a TJs fix
Trader Joe's
15-20 min drive if you need a TJs fix
Great local grocery store near Wright Park that treats its long-time employees well. a great local place.
61 locals recommend
Stadium Thriftway
618 N 1st St
61 locals recommend
Great local grocery store near Wright Park that treats its long-time employees well. a great local place.
A classic large store close by. Go to the nice one on Proctor and then you can get things also at Metropolitan Market across the street too
24 locals recommend
Safeway
2411 N Proctor St
24 locals recommend
A classic large store close by. Go to the nice one on Proctor and then you can get things also at Metropolitan Market across the street too
Because Costco is great …
99 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
2219 S 37th St
99 locals recommend
Because Costco is great …

City advice

Customs and culture

Safety

Always lock house doors and shut windows when leaving. Lock cars. Don’t leave things visible. Sadly, any open door or window is a temptation for burglars. :( It’s a very safe and cozy neighborhood but this does happen…