For a small seaside town with a population of less than 8,000, the restaurants in Gig Harbor, Washington are surprisingly fantastic!
In fact, this is one small town you could build your itinerary around eating at the best Gig Harbor restaurants, and that is what I’m going to do, with my suggestions for the best places to eat in Gig Harbor for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
As a bonus, many of the restaurants and activities are within walking distance of each other and two waterfront boutique hotels – The Maritime Inn and the Waterfront Inn.
Gig Harbor is less than an hour from Seattle, and 2.5 hours from Portland, OR, making it a fantastic day trip from either city. If you are looking for some fabulous places to eat in Gig Harbor, here are my suggestions on how to eat your way around this small town!
Best Restaurants in Gig Harbor
Netshet No. 9 (Breakfast)
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Wake up hungry and head to Netshed No. 9 for a Skillet of Warm Cinnamon Rolls ($7.59) or the Maple Glazed Bacon Cinnamon Rolls ($11.00).
They also have plenty of other fantastic options like the Sausage Breakfast Burger with a fried egg, bacon and cheese, Frenchy’s French Toast with Chantilly creme and a Bartlett pear compote, and Free-Ta-Tas with creamy goat cheese, leeks, and topped with cilantro.
There are so many great dishes on this menu you’ll be tempted to look at or order the lunch options – don’t, as they’ll be a lunch stop later!
Tides Tavern (Lunch)
For lunch, walk over to Tides Tavern, which is a very popular spot, and if the day is sunny, there might be a wait for a table outside.
Over the years the tavern has won many notable awards like “Best Outdoor Dining,” “Best Lunch,” and “Best Bar.”
Order their signature 2-piece Alaskan Halibut and Chips with house-made tartar sauce ($19.99). Since this is just the beginning of our foodie adventure, I suggest substituting a salad for the fries. (You’ll thank me later.)
They also have other tasting items on their menu like a Grilled Steak and Brie Sandwich with Cambozola brie, crispy onion, and Dijon, a Fried Oyster Po Boy with deep-fried fresh Pacific oysters on French bread with all the fixings, and a Curry Salad with pineapple, celery, raisins, house-made cashews and their famous curry dressing.
Travel Tip: For those traveling with kids, Tides Tavern is for 21+ only.
7 Seas Brewing (Beer) or The Harbor General Store (Non-Alcoholic Drinks)
Before dinner, head to 7 Seas Brewing to sample their fantastic beers. You’ll have plenty to choose from, and if you want to do a sampler, the knowledgeable staff will help you select which ones are right for you.
They also have WA cider, gluten-free beer, and non-alcoholic offerings. If you don’t want to go to a brewery, you can also pick up a fizzy tart kombucha at the Harbor General Store, which has delicious homemade kombuchas
One of the nice things about this taproom is that it has views inside the brewery room, it isn’t filled with TVs (except on game days), and has outdoor seating. They don’t serve food, so save your appetite for dinner!
Brix 25° (Dinner)
When looking for a lovely Gig Harbor restaurant to enjoy a classy dinner at, look to Brix 25° for Northwest-inspired American cuisine.
The restaurant is a short walk from the brewery and the menu changes with the season, so there will be plenty of savory dishes to choose from.
We were there in early fall and started with the Mushroom Risotto appetizer special ($8). For dinner, we had the Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut special with fresh huckleberries and a tomatillo sauce ($32) and Harissa Rubbed Lamp Chops with Sardinian couscous, eggplant caviar, baby carrots, pearl onions and Tzatziki ($33).
For dessert we had a scoop of the Ghost Pepper Gelato and Chocolate and Buttermilk Pecan “Pie” ($8).
Devoted Kiss (Breakfast)
Devoted Kiss is along North Harborview Drive, and its position at the end of the harbor gives it one of the best views of all the Gig Harbor restaurants.
If the weather allows, be sure to sit outside, you won’t regret it. During my visit, I ate here twice for breakfast, and I’d recommend both dishes.
I ordered the Ham & Egg Croissant with Boar’s Head ham, pancetta, and Havarti with an egg over medium and pesto mayo ($10.95), and the Breakfast Burrito which comes with a choice of meat, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, peppers, bacon, avocado, and egg inside a tomato wrap ($10.45).
Other tasty choices include eggs benedict three ways, a Heart Heathy Omelet and Belgian Waffles.
Travel Tip: If you sit outside, keep an eye out for otters, seals, and the local racing teams who practice in the harbor.
JW at the Boatyard Food Trolley (Lunch)
Hopefully, you’ve built up an appetite again because it is time for JW at the Boatyard Food Trolley.
If you are on the north side of the harbor you can walk to the food truck trolley, which is about a 25-minute walk, or during the summer season (June to September) hop on the PT Trolley, and of course, you can drive.
If you are a fish taco lover, the must-order is the Harbor Cod Tacos ($12), which comes with an amazing house-made mayo and a side of salsa. They also have 7 Seas Beer Battered Cod n Chips, Lobster Rolls, and Calamari Steak Strips with chips.
Travel Tip: If you are traveling with children they have kids menu options and Whidbey Island ice cream bars.
Morso, For the Love of Spice, or Heritage Distilling Co. (Pre-Dinner Drinks)
Before dinner, enjoy a glass of wine at Morso or at For the Love of Spice which offers a limited selection of wine tastings.
If you are more into liquor, a stone’s throw from the spice shop is the local distillery Heritage Distilling Co.
JW (Dinner)
A six-minute walk from Morso and next to the Harbor History Museum is JW. Over the years, South Sound Magazine has voted the restaurant “The Best Romantic Dinner” and “The Best Chef.”
Their culinary style is “creative comfort cuisine” and there are lots of tasty items on their seasonal menu like Serrano Wrapped Prawns with avocado cream, charred scallion remoulade and olive tapenade, Wilted Spinach Salad with arugula, radicchio, golden raisins, pine nuts, tomatoes, pancetta and warm hazelnut dressing, and Duck Confit Ravioli with brie, caramelized shallots, and a wild mushroom duck demi.
On Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening they have a Prix Fixe 3 for $30 Menu, which changes seasonally. I ordered off this menu and started with the Fig Crostini with feta cream, candied figs, pistachios, port wine reduction, and crispy prosciutto. Then the Chicken Ratatouille with summer stewed vegetables and ended with pistachio ice cream.
NetShed No. 9 (Lunch this time!)
Before you leave, there is one more return stop at my favorite Gig Harbor – Netshed No. 9, but for lunch this time. You’ve already seen their menu and might have already picked out your order!
I highly recommend the triple-decker B.L.T. with crispy bacon, tomato jam, lettuce, roasted tomatoes and herbed mayonnaise ($11.50). If you like some heat, be sure to order The Eyes of Texas Are on You Chili ($11.50).
They also have other savory options like a Chicken Chop Salad with spring greens, lettuce, green onions, chickpeas, cheese curds, blue cheese and crispy chicken, Pantheon Sandwich with hummus, artichoke, eggplant, onion, and Delicious De Jour Clam Chowder with clams, potato, onion, and cream.
Honorable Mentions: Restaurants in Gig Harbor I Want to Try Next Time
There are plenty of more restaurants I want to try on my next visit to Gig Harbor like The Gourmet Burger Shop, Millville Pizza Co., Susanne’s Bakery & Deli, Taste of Peru and I want to try Morso’s fabulous menu.
I guess I just have to come back! Luckily, there are so many great things to do in Gig Harbor, WA that it’s near impossible to get bored.
All day eating and eating! What fun! I would love to indulge in something like this. 🙂
Loved foodie stop 7 the most where you had lunch 🙂
Indrani, Great pick! I loved the atmosphere of JW, very romnantic, and the Prix Fix menu is such a good deal too!
Also Marketplace Grill between Anthony’s and Devoted Kiss is amazing! Best seafood dishes! Richard is an amazing cook! Carlene the owner makes you feel like family.
Kara, Thanks for the tip! I’ll put that on my list for next time and have a seafood dish. 🙂
I was looking at the pictures of the landscape, looks so beautiful!
These all look so yummy! I could happily eat my way around Gig Harbor. The cinnamon rolls look decadent and the pork chop plate and beer sound divine. It’s almost lunch time as l’m reading this and all of a sudden my lunch sounds so ordinary.. 🙂
Kemkem, That happens to me when I read food posts during meal times too. Love your choices!
Wow, that BLT! My kind of sandwich. Love the views of the water. These places look so peaceful and tranquil.
Charles, The tomato jam on the BLT is amazing! It changed the way I think about BLTs. Gig Harbor is very picturesque. I can’t believe it took me 10 years go there when it is only a few hours away!
Never heard of Gig Harbor before but I’m always up for going to a foodie place. Some of the places here look amazing. This post has made me very hungry!
Claire, You’ll love the foodie scene in Gig Harbor. So many great places to eat and drink and take in the scenery!
What a stunningly beautiful place. I have to say though, that the food sounds so incredible I would probably have to buy an entire wardrobe of bigger clothes when I got home from a trip! 😀
Emma, That was my fist time to Gig Harbor. I didn’t realize how beautiful it was. I could have stared at the harbor and Mt. Rainier all day. While there, I tried to walk as much as possible, but I still think I gained a few pounds. 🙂
Oh man, so many goodies on here! All the food looks so delicious especially being able to enjoy it while seeing the beautiful scenic of Washington. Ok seriously, I can’t stop drooling.
Lieurene, Glad to help out. 🙂 There are so many drool-worthy foodie stops in Gig Harbor!
All that lovely food to have plus as a bonus a whole lot of activities. The fact that all this is there in the beautiful environs of Gig Harbour is the icing on the cake. I would love having my lunch outdoors on a sunny day and feast my eyes on the amazing views. A Gondola ride is something else that is up my alley.
Sandy, The views in Gig Harbor are amazing! I hope you get to visit one day!
Oh wow– this is my kind of trip! I would love to do the same trip. I’m impressed w/all the food pics and the craft beer options. Seems amazing!
Nathan, You’d so love Gig Harbor. I hope you get to visit one day soon!
Gig Harbor is one of my favorite Washington towns and I definitely visit every time. I love to go on the harbor and have breakfast or lunch. It’s so pretty, and the air is usually so crisp and clean. It’s a great way to start your day!
Corinne, Glat to meet another lover of Gig Harbor. Isn’t it amazing?!!
They’d have to roll me out of Gig Harbor after all that! Love the look of the cinnamon rolls and the ghost pepper gelato – is that as scary as it sounds? I’d love the gondola ride too but I think I’d be better off hiking to enjoy more of those lovely places to eat. Thanks for the tips on where’s suitable for kids too.
Emily, Thanks so much for commenting. The ghost pepper gelato was very mild with the heat, which was nice. I think kids would really get a kick out of the trolley food truck. I know I did!
Wow! What an amazing list. Of course, I’d like to try everything, but the cinnamon rolls were super tempting, and the Free-Ta-Tas with creamy goat cheese, leeks, and topped with cilantro from Netshed made my mouth water, just thinking about them!
Tami, I so want to try the Free-Ta-Tas next time I am there. I swear I spent at least 20 minutes deciding what to get as there were so many things I wanted to try.
The kombucha looks delicious! It’s certainly better homemade than bought in the stores! Do you have a favourite one?
Viki, I like all kinds of kombucha – particularly ginger and berry ones. How about you?
Love gondola rides . This would be great progressive dining.
Cindy, You definitely won’t go hungry in Gig Harbor. 🙂
WOW I am hungry now! Every entry kept getting me to say ok this one is my fave thing to eat at the Harbor! Wow coffee, drinks, breakfast burritos, halibut, and this gooey rolls are to die for! Yum I love eating the local food!
Stacey, If I lived in Gig Harbor I’d have to give up my car and walk everywhere so I don’t end up tipping the scales in the wrong direction. LOL.
Foodie guides are always so helpful – I would want to visit 7 Seas Brewing and have one of their samplers, try SUP for the first time and enjoy the Gondola ride, sounds so relaxing and romantic!
Danielle, That sounds like a perfect day! SUP, beer and gondola!
Well, now I am hungry! That’s cool you can do a gondola ride in Washington – I never would have guessed that!
Katie, I was so surprised and thrilled that Gig Harbor had a gondola ride! Cynco has a serious passion for gondola and it shows. 🙂
Gig Harbor looks like such a fun and delicious place to visit! Thanks for all the great restaurant recommendations – I’m a total sucker for really fresh fish n chips 🙂
The Family Voyage, There were a couple of places that have fish n’ chips – including JW at the Boatyard. And, you are in luck, it’s always fresh in the PNW. 🙂
The Green House in Uptown is a wonderful place to eat! Also, if Asian influence is your thing you will love Lele’s delicious menu choices!
Pamo, I will have to check those places out the next time I go. Thanks for the tips!
A stop at Market Place Grill is a must… the food is awesome and the owners are great..
Debbie, Good to know. I will check it out next time I’m there. Love getting local recommendations.
Debbie, Good to know. I will check it out next time I’m there. Love getting local recommendations. They are the best. 🙂
Lara, Great job of capturing the essence of our waterfront attractions and food options in Gig Harbor! One more you can add to your list is our seasonal waterfront farmer’s market. It runs from 3pm to 7pm every Thursday starting June 1st and runs through the end of August. It’s located in our waterfront Skansie Park and has a bountiful array of fresh produce, flowers and other local items. There are also several hot food lunch options. Your readers can tie up their boats at the dock and be right at the farmer’s market. Thanks again, your blog post was outstanding! -Ron Williams, Gig Harbor city administrator
Ron, Thank you so much for commenting and sharing the information about the Farmer’s Market. I was there in September so I didn’t get to experience it, but I love local markets. I will have to plan a trip to Gig Harbor when the market is running.
Don’t forget Millville Pizza co.!
Jason, They weren’t open yet when I was there. Will check them out next time I go. 🙂
Beautiful post and photos! The Ghost Pepper Gelato sounds intriguing, as does the gondola experience! Washington is a beautiful state…looking forward to exploring it more.