When the weekend rolls around we think about one thing: brunch. Sweet or savory, coffee or mimosas, pancakes or waffles: the possibilities are endless. We know you want food that tastes as great as it looks on your Instagram feed—that’s why we gathered this list of our favorite brunch spots in Pierce County, so next time you’re in town, you’ve got your bucket list dialed in. Happy brunching!
Art House Cafe - Tacoma, Washington
Located in Tacoma’s historic Stadium District lies Art House Café . This charming, cozy restaurant serves strong cocktails, breakfast, lunch, and locally-sourced coffee. Their menu changes frequently so they’re always using whatever fruits and vegetables are in season. While enjoying your house-made cinnamon roll or breakfast hash, make sure to check out the art on the walls which is all done by local artists and for sale! Reservations are recommended so try and plan ahead.
Buttered Biscuit - Sumner, Washington
Located in Sumner, the Buttered Biscuit has one of the biggest brunch menus we’ve ever seen! Self-described as “good old-fashioned food from Gramma’s kitchen” they serve the classics like eggs benedict, waffles, and biscuits. But they also have some crazy house specials like strawberry cheesecake pancakes and birria breakfast nachos. Because of their huge menu, you’ll have to visit a few times to try everything, but we consider that a good thing!
Devoted Kiss Cafe - Gig Harbor, Washington
Devoted Kiss Café is an adorable building, right on the waterfront in Gig Harbor. They serve brunch everyday until 2 p.m. so no need to wait for the weekend here! They’re a great option for anyone with dietary restrictions, almost anything on their menu can be made gluten free and they have vegan options as well. Our recommendation? A latte featuring locally roasted coffee and one of their made-from-scratch iced cinnamon rolls!
The Rose Restaurant - Puyallup, Washington
Local and family-owned, The Rose Restaurant has been serving classic American diner style brunch in Puyallup for over 35 years. All of their ingredients are sourced from local vendors, so by stopping here for brunch you’re supporting more than just one small business. Dogs are also allowed inside the restaurant so you can truly bring the whole family here!
Moon Rise Cafe - Lakewood, Washington
Moon Rise Café is a quaint little breakfast and lunch spot in Lakewood. They’re locally owned with friendly staff and are a great place to bring kids. They offer an extensive menu with a great mix of breakfast and lunch options for those of us that lean more towards a soup and salad vibe for brunch. They also have a huge coffee menu with over 25 different flavors you can add to your latte or matcha!
Poodle Dog Restaurant - Fife, Washington
The Poodle Dog in Fife feels totally retro, probably because it is! It opened its doors in 1933 and not much has changed in the 80 years since; it’s also one of the best known restaurant landmarks in Washington State. The original owners prided themselves on serving great food to friends and neighbors, and this tradition holds strong today. They offer classic comfort food that comes in huge portions for reasonable prices. Poodle Dog is a must-try if you’re in the area!
Cooks Tavern - Tacoma, Washington
While they’re open for every meal, Cooks Tavern is a required visit for any brunch lover. Their menu changes monthly, each time highlighting a different type of cuisine from somewhere in the Americas. At the time of this blog post, they’re currently serving a menu inspired by the Mississippi Delta with southern favorites like beignets, chicken and waffles, and more. They’ve also got a huge cocktail menu for brunch that rotates based on the food's theme. Due to their always-changing menu, you’re guaranteed to never get sick of seeing the same things on the menu over and over again!
Mary Mary’s Cafe - Spanaway, Washington
Mary Mary’s Café is a mom-and-pop restaurant with homestyle cooking and massive portions. They have amazing staff that run the cafe like a well oiled machine and are sure to make you feel like family when you dine there. They offer seasonal and holiday specials alongside their rarely changing set menu. If you’re a breakfast purist, this is the place for you! No frills, just great food.
Gilham Mercantile & Bakery - Roy, Washington
Inside a little green barn-style building on the side of the road is Gilham Mercantile and Bakery. They offer an entirely from scratch menu with waffles, breakfast burritos, and incredible baked goods like cupcakes, savory biscuits and cinnamon rolls. If you come for brunch you have to make sure to get a box of pastries on your way out, you won’t regret it! They also offer great coffee and have a different special drink that changes daily.
Tim’s Kitchen - Puyallup, Washington
If you decide to stop by Tim’s Kitchen, be sure to try their hand-breaded chicken fried steak or their freshly-baked biscuits and gravy, that’s what they’re known for! Tim’s is a classic brunch spot in Puyallup for anyone and everyone, but is especially great for families. They offer tons of seating and a big menu, so every person at your table will definitely find something they love.
As you can tell, we obviously take brunch very seriously over here. But, it’s possible we might be missing out on something great. Let us know if there’s any brunch spots we missed and need to try, or if we listed your favorite! Sound off on @traveltacoma on Instagram and Facebook.