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    The Fish House Cafe

    4.3 (357 reviews)
    InexpensiveSeafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    The Fish House Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THE FISH HOUSE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Fish House Cafe

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    Andrea M.

    Ambiance is great for Tacoma Hilltop culture and diversity. Easy to locate street parking. Friendly customer service food is good but previously frozen nothing fresh but as soon as you walk in the grease smell is so overwhelming. The food is very greasy personally I'd question how often the grease is switched out. But if you have a good stomach to overlook the grease and a nose to handle the heavily burnt grease smell. Enjoy the food it's decent and not bad at all. Personally I'm calling it safe with the lemon cake my stomach can't handle all that grease. Maybe when I was younger but no gallbladder later my tummy ain't having it.

    Menu
    Fred W.

    The food here is incredible! If you are looking for good food at decent prices, you have found it here. They have multiple fish and chicken plates. However, they also do a fantastic Philly cheesesteak sandwich. There are a variety of dishes for you to choose from. I normally get a combination of their catfish, wings, and shrimp. All of their items are cooked to order. The food is fresh and hot. Additionally, they are really nice people. The service is always outstanding. They help the elderly and the disabled. The ambience is kinda cool. There are no tables. It is strictly takeout. There is always something good to eat here. It does get busy at lunch, and they do close in the early afternoon. So, it's best to be there when they open or just after the lunch rush. Enjoy this little gem steeped in the history of The Hilltop neighborhood.

    Fish and chips
    Anthony V.

    This is a hidden gem. It's been around since the 80's. I got the fish and chips and let me tell it's the sh*#. Generous portions and breaded and seasoned perfectly. The service was great. The young lady that greated me was very friendly and smiling. The building is small with limited parking but that's fine. Inside it's just great with photos on the walls of people from the neighborhood. Groing up in the Hilltop I recognized several faces. Do yourself a favor and stop in to enjoy some great food and support a black owned business. You can't go wrong.

    Alaskan whitefish in Cajun light batter and seasoned crinkle fries.
    Jim B.

    The Alaskan whitefish was primed in Cajun spices and served up as were the last to order. Authentic food with a light, flavorful coating and I was in heaven. A little spicy for some maybe bilat just right for me. Recently reopened I have been trying to remember they were just at the top end of the Tacoma Trolley line on MLK Jr way and finally slid in just under the wire. Ordered up fish for me and okra on the side. I'm going to get the Philly cheesesteak next time if I can convince myself not to get fish again. Only a few blocks from home, it was a reasonable dinner investment.

    Ordered fish and chicken wings.

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    13 days ago

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    1 month ago

    I used to go here regularly. It's affordable and flavorful. The vibes are chill and they got a good menu.

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

    I always come back to this black-owned business. I love the decor, but the seafood is why we are here. Good food, great people!

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

    The food is delicious. I have been eating here for 15 years. It only gets better with time.

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

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    27 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Great service and some great food! try there number 8. Comes with fish and shrimp also a side of fries taste wonderful.

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    1 year ago

    Parking sucks, not a place to sit down and eat. Pricey for fish and chips. Not any better than others here.

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    8 months ago

    Food was good but a little high priced but good must try the turkey leg stuffed and seafood with the fish and shrimp fried

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Food is amazing great customer service too. Awesome banana pudding with big portions of food!

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    5 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The food is quality! They take pride in their craft and it shows. 10/10 my fav local spot!

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    I am a regular customer and noticed that they have been closed since Memorial Day; are they permanently closed?

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 9

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    Woven Seafood & Chophouse

    Woven Seafood & Chophouse

    3.9
    (415 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    I had such a great experience at Woven! From the moment we walked in, everyone made us feel so…read morewelcome. The hostesses were friendly, smiling, and very attentive. The restaurant itself is beautiful, modern, clean and has an amazing view of the water. It was prom season, so the restaurant was pretty busy. We did have to wait a little longer for our food but honestly it wasn't a big deal because our waiter was amazing, if I remember correctly his name was Zach. He kept us updated, checked on us often, and made sure we had everything we needed while we waited. The manager Mike also stopped by our table several times to make sure we were taken care of, which I really appreciated. It showed that they genuinely care about their guests' experience. Between the beautiful atmosphere, the incredible waterfront views and the outstanding customer service, we had an amazing evening. Great service for me it makes all the difference and the staff at Woven definitely delivered. I'll absolutely be back and would recommend Woven to anyone looking for a great dining experience!

    We were sent to the bar to wait for our reservation time, but nobody came to pick up us up. That's…read moreokay. Kevin, our waiter, was excellent and personable. The ambiance was lacking. As a restaurant owned by the Puyallup tribe, we were looking for Native influences in the atmosphere, the food - the entire dining experience. We saw it only in some of the displayed art. That was disappointing. It was pleasant, but not unique.

    Photos
    Awesome open kitchen.
    Awesome open kitchen.
    2024.09.23. Paella $34 (clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, long beans, roasted tomato, cotija) at Woven Seafood & Chophouse
    2024.09.23. Paella $34 (clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, long beans, roasted tomato, cotija) at Woven Seafood & Chophouse
    Mango Sticky rice, mango and pineapple flavors! Woven's Mai Tai, hibiscus pineapple foam topping was key with yuzu and rum flavors!

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    Mango Sticky rice, mango and pineapple flavors! Woven's Mai Tai, hibiscus pineapple foam topping was key with yuzu and rum flavors!
    Lobster Shop

    Lobster Shop

    3.8
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$$

    Came for a large family dinner and immediately wowed by the view!…read more Drinks were good, staff were friendly and attentive. Apps came out - fried calamari, lobster dip and crab cakes. Both I liked both the calamari and crab cakes more than the dip, but that's just a personal preference bc people in my party were going back for seconds and thirds of the dip! We were a very large (25+ party) so it took a little bit of time for the food to come out (but the apps held me over and it was fine). For my entree I got the 13 oz lobster tail and it was DEFINITELY huge!!! I've had lobster that was more tender, but the size of this was huge and I'm not a big asparagus girl, but the mashed potatoes were DIVINE!! Ended the night with the flourless chocolate cake and it was dense and rich and gooey- hands down the best flourless chocolate cake I've ever had. I'm not often in the Tacoma area but a lovely restaurant with a gorgeous view!

    A bit overrated, honestly…read more I've been here multiple times and the food is really a hit or miss. There's really no better way to explain it. A fun happy hour menu with plenty of variety but again, nothing to rave about. You're paying for the ocean view, and decently upscale type of vibe. Good service overall, I've never met a bad server here. (5 stars for service) Plenty of better options in the area, but a must try for the ambiance. Cheers to good eats Yelpers! Xx

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Connecticut Lobster Roll
    Connecticut Lobster Roll
    Lobster Shop

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    Harbor Lights

    Harbor Lights

    3.4
    (556 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Harbor Lights. The incredible institution of Harbor Lights…read more I've been coming to Harbor Lights for probably around 45 years -- my mom and dad long before me. Back before it was sold, my dad would come in, sit at the table, and instantly a Manhattan was placed in front of him. That wonderful, old-type service. The new owners have been around for a while and did a wonderful refresh on the property. They kept a lot of the household favorites on the menu -- mine being the shucked and sautéed crab legs. Extremely decadent and pricey, but well worth it. Anytime you're wanting to come for a birthday or a special event, I highly recommend this dish. If you're coming by yourself or just as a table of two, try getting a table in the bar. It's intimate and cozy, and probably only seats 20 people. I live out of state now, but I make this a priority whenever I'm back in beautiful Washington State. Definitely a Tacoma institution.

    I've been coming to Harbor Lights for years--mainly for what used to be my all-time favorite shrimp…read morecocktail and to check out their special fruit drinks. Today was supposed to be a quick, light stop after work: shrimp cocktail, a couple drinks, and some time in the old Harbor Lights bar. Walking in, I was immediately reminded of one of my biggest frustrations with this space. Yes, it's small--but the outdated tables and chairs make it far too easy for people to block the walkways. And when those walkways are filled with loud, inappropriate, "stuck-in-1976" commentary from intoxicated older men acting like they're still in their 20s, it makes navigating the room even more uncomfortable. At one point, we were stuck sitting there listening to them loudly joke about having female urologists and proctologists--one word: GROSS. Speaking up doesn't feel like a safe or worthwhile option--it just escalates things. The bar could absolutely keep its charm while still evolving into a more comfortable, modern, and inclusive space. Then there's the menu situation--multiple menus stacked in front of you like a paper shuffle. It's unnecessary and could easily be streamlined. Now, the drinks... this is where things really fell off. Harbor Lights used to be known for strong drinks--that reputation feels long gone. I ordered a vodka-based drink and it went down like juice--no taste, no kick, nothing. When I asked for a double on the second round, the bartender laughed and said all their drinks are doubles and that they don't measure, claiming there was 2 1/2 oz of liquor in it. We watched him make it: no measuring, just a free pour over ice, stopping well short of the top, then filling it with rhubarb-strawberry purée. When it arrived, it felt more dropped on the table than served. I gave it a fair shot--a big sip--and again... no vodka taste whatsoever. No burn, no effect. I know my liquor, and this didn't add up. It really makes you question what's actually being poured. And then... the shrimp cocktail. How do you mess this up? This was the one thing I could always count on. It's always been unique and consistently good--but this time? Way too much horseradish. Completely threw off the balance. I still ate it, but it was not the same experience at all. Overall, this visit was disappointing. Between the uncomfortable atmosphere, lackluster drinks, and a once-reliable favorite falling short, Harbor Lights just isn't what it used to be.

    Photos
    Harbor Lights
    Manila Clams $15 HH Price!
    Manila Clams $15 HH Price!
    Very generous pour of their house white, and Alaskan Amber. $5.5 each HH price!

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    Very generous pour of their house white, and Alaskan Amber. $5.5 each HH price!

    The Fish House Cafe - seafood - Updated July 2026

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