Windermere Professional Partners

10 of Our Favorite Restaurants in the Proctor District

December 14, 2019

Treasured for its small-town feel and its close-knit community, Proctor is the perfect neighborhood to spend a Saturday in! The Proctor District also has several excellent dining options, whether you’re in the mood for some sit-down Italian or Mexican cuisine, or just want to grab a beer with a friend!

Check out these 10 recommendations from locals for ideas on where to dine out next:

Pomodoro Italian Restaurant & Bar: Classic Italian Cuisine

Location: 3819 N. 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Offering a casual and comfortable atmosphere to its diners, Pomodoro is a family-operated business that’s a top choice when it comes to enjoying some delicious Italian cuisine! Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just grabbing happy hour, Pomodoro prides itself on being a spot where you can wind down and enjoy life!

Those who love wine are especially in luck; they make wine pairing recommendations with their delicious food, and their selections always go together well. As for food, REALTOR® Katsumi Purbeck raves about their pasta: “The Smoked Salmon Penne is the bomb and my favorite. But there's something about Pomodoro's homemade blue cheese dressing. Soooo delicious and lots of garlic!”

East West Cafe: Authentic & Fresh

Location: 2514 N. Proctor, Tacoma, WA 98406

“I love Asian food, and they have multiple options,” recommends REALTOR® Keryn Giguere. “East West Cafe has Vietnamese dishes, Korean Chap Che, curries, and stir frys. It’s awesome for when you can't decide on one type of food.”

East West Cafe serves up flavorful dishes from family recipes that use fresh ingredients and no MSG! REALTOR® Laura Oellerich recommends East West for their great vegetarian options. REALTOR® Kelli Jo Hjalseth recommends you stop by for takeout and order a platter of fresh spring rolls (which she shares are always a crowd pleaser!).

Cooks Tavern: A Menu From Around the World

Location: 3201 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Cooks Tavern serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner all week long. We love the upscale diner feel and haven't had a bad meal there yet! Cooks is great for lunch or dinner.

With their inviting atmosphere and constantly changing menu, there’s always a reason to go back. We love their rotating menu that changes every four months, when they feature cuisine from a different country. Cooks will even update the decor to match! Their lemon chicken, however, is a staple on the menu and one of our all-time favorites.

An eclectic menu of small and large plates (plus a kids menu!) ensures there’s something for everyone, and they even have 14 beers on tap and a selection of cocktails and wine to choose from.

To pretty to not share.. #californiabenedict #breakfast #proctordistrict

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Knapp’s Restaurant: Your Classic Neighborhood Diner

Location: 2702 N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98407

“There is just something about Knapp's Restaurant at 2707 N. Proctor that seems especially well-suited for a good-ole fashioned meal that sticks to your ribs,” observes REALTOR® Krista Osborne. “Inside it reminds me of a place that in the early 1900s, people might roll up in their long-nosed cars with spoked wheels or whitewalls to feast before the start to their busy work day, mid-day as they discuss lumber loads and fur exchanges, and in the eve, on the way home from work for a good stiff drink and a cigar.”

While Knapp’s has an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and more, breakfast seems to be a popular choice, and with their huge menu of omelettes, hot cakes, and breakfast combo meals, it’s no surprise! Many enjoy sitting in the smaller booth section reminiscent of an east coast diner.

Kelli Jo agrees: “Knapps is a must for old school Proctor. It’s the best place for breakfast after your Saturday stroll and farmer's market visit.”



Peaks & Pints: A Must-Visit for Beer Connoisseurs

Location: 3816 N 26th St B, Tacoma, WA 98407

Peaks & Pints is my new favorite ‘go to’ place in Proctor District!” says REALTOR® Erin Farquhar. “They have great sandwiches, a wonderful selection of beer on tap, and plenty of bottles to choose from to take home. I like that it has an open, airy industrial feel yet is still comfortable and inviting. I think this is just the type of gathering place Proctor was really needing!”

This 21+ establishment offers an incredible selection of beer—in fact, they have 23 beers on tap and 600 different canned and bottled beers to choose from in the store! Don’t like beer? Peaks & Pints also carries cider wine, coffee, and kombucha! Take a look at what’s on tap today.

Terrys Office Tavern: A Neighborhood Institution

Location: 3410 N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Terry’s Tavern has been around since 1936, and it used to be a soda fountain and pub where neighbors could come together to enjoy an ice cream and a cold beer. These days, you can still head to this favorite local establishment for a beer, but their menu also includes a large selection of burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and more. They have tavern food and a tavern atmosphere, but they also have a roaster and the chicken is awesome! And don't miss the jojos - they're unique, flavorful, and huge!

Europa Bistro: Bon Appétit!

Location: 2515 N Proctor St Tacoma, Washington

Featuring fine Italian cuisine, Europa Bistro is owned and operated by the Russo’s, and diners get to enjoy authentic Italian dishes made by Chef Alfredo Russo from Napoli, Italy! They serve gluten-free and vegetarian options, and they even host a cooking class once a month. Head over to their Facebook page to check out some photos of their mouthwatering creations!

#TacoTuesday #BrewersRow #MatchlessBrewing #Yum #YayTacos

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Brewer’s Row: Beer + Tacos!

Location: 3205 N 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Brewers Row, the Proctor area's most recent addition, offers a refreshing take on Mexican in a casual atmosphere. The perfect go to for a quick delicious bite and a beer!” says Kelli Jo.

You can start the day at Brewer’s Row with an espresso beverage, in-house baked pastry goods, or their Mexican breakfasts, and then circle back for lunch and dinner! Their selection of 24 beers on tap and over 65 cans and bottles to choose from ensure there’s something for everyone, and of course, don’t miss out on their tacos!

Order their taco platter with avocado crema and salsa verde sauces, then pair with one of their great selection of beers on tap. Yum!

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Wine drinking with @millercleary #cheers

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Rosewood Cafe: Cute, Charming & Cozy

Location: 3323 North 26th Street Tacoma, WA 98407

Although it's outside of the Proctor core, Rosewood Cafe has been a longtime neighborhood favorite and has continued to serve great food even after it changed hands. A favorite is their Rosewood Deluxe sandwich or the Northwest Garden salad, which has tons of fresh veggies and you can add garlic chicken on top. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, which makes it pretty family-friendly too.

Located between Tacoma’s Proctor District and Stadium District, Rosewood Cafe offers a large menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, tantalizing appetizers, and desserts! Keryn loves Rosewood for their delicious sandwiches, and REALTOR® Sheryll Tan recommends their soup, salads, and sandwiches! You can take a look at their complete menu here.