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    Le Sel Bistro

    4.2 (652 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Le Sel Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    LE SEL BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Ryan O.

    Wasn't very welcomed there. It felt like by the host. Of course I did not have a reservation, which I did not see that you needed to have one online. Host ended up quoting me 45 minutes for a table of two and then the person who was supposed to have lunch with brought their spouse, which made it three and then the person who was the host unfortunately said they did not have any more times for us. While i was waiting for 25 minutes until the other half my party showed up, I did notice there was quite a few tables open in the back with no one sitting there, which makes me believe that that they did have room. I'm giving two stars to the whole fact that's not what you say but how you say it to customers.

    French onion soup
    Sam D.

    If you're looking for a cozy, upscale brunch spot that feels equal parts French café and hidden speakeasy--with views that make you pause mid-sip--this is it. Le Sel Bistro has a warm, elevated charm that immediately sets the tone. Walking in feels like stepping into a Parisian café, with a tucked-away speakeasy-style dining area in the back that makes the experience feel intentional and special. The ambiance is relaxed but refined--perfect for a date, a celebratory brunch, or a slow weekend meal with friends. What we ordered: * Salmon Toast: 8/10 -- well balanced and satisfying * French Toast: 8/10 -- delicious, though I would've loved a few more bananas * Brussels Sprouts: 7/10 -- good flavor, just needed a touch more crisp (another couple minutes would've taken them there) * Pork Belly Benedict: 10/10 -- rich, indulgent, and easily the standout dish * Bloody Mary: 10/10 -- bold, balanced, and done right * Cappuccino: 10/10 -- smooth and thoughtfully presented, complete with a cute sugar stick that made the experience feel extra polished Portions: Everything is generously sized and very shareable, which makes ordering a few dishes for the table feel natural and fun. Service: Overall a 9/10. The hostess could've been a bit warmer, and the initial interaction with our server felt slightly awkward (no "how are you" exchange), but once service got going, the staff was kind, attentive, and responsive throughout the meal. Environment: The expanded, covered garden area is beautiful, but something to note in the winter--it does get cold. Heaters are mainly positioned in the corners, though each guest is given a blanket, which was appreciated. Turning the heat up just a bit would make this space perfect year-round. Cost: This is a $$$ / $$$$ spot, but the quality, portion sizes, and overall experience make it feel intentional rather than overpriced. Queer-friendly, date-friendly, and ideal for a cozy brunch when you want good food, strong drinks, and a thoughtfully curated atmosphere. I'd absolutely come back.

    Watermelon Iced Tea - very tasty and refreshing
    Sharissa L.

    A few friends and I had dinner at Le Sel Bistro on a quiet Friday evening. We had a reservation and were seated on the beautiful patio with views of the water. The cozy touches--blankets and outdoor heaters--made it a lovely spot even as the evening cooled. Our server was friendly and attentive throughout the night. We started with the warm brie, which was delicious and perfect for sharing amongst 3 people. My friends enjoyed the seasonal fish, and we all liked the spring risotto. Unfortunately, my main dish, the filet mignon, was a letdown. Though the asparagus was perfectly cooked and flavorful, the steak was significantly overcooked (closer to well done rather than the medium rare I requested), was tough and dry, and lacked seasoning. The fingerling potatoes were okay, but needed extra condiments (I requested aioli and ketchup) to be enjoyable. Despite the disappointing entrée, the overall experience was pleasant. I'd return for the ambiance and service, and I'd be open to trying different menu items next time.

    Delicious coffee!!!!

    One of my favorite little hidden gems in Tacoma. From the moment you walk into Le Sel Bistro, you're greeted with a warm smile and a welcoming atmosphere that instantly makes you feel comfortable. The space is cozy and inviting, and the service is always exceptional. Breakfast here is something special - enjoying a delicious meal while taking in the beautiful water views makes it such a relaxing experience. Every dish I've had has been thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious. What really stands out, though, is the staff. You can genuinely tell they enjoy what they do, and that positive energy shows in their disposition and the care they bring to the experience. They even offer outdoor patio seating year round with heaters and blankets to keep you extra cozy! Places like this are the ones you hold dear and keep coming back to and get excited to share with others. I've never been disappointed and always look forward to my next visit. (Collection of pictures I have taken from recent visits in the past couple months)

    Menu
    Angi C.

    This continues to be some of the worst service I've had in Tacoma. I love to support local, small businesses. Food is great- service- I can't even began to express just how bad it was. From the hostess, to the server- all around- this place needs serious help with customer service.

    Mushroom omelette
    Teresa M.

    What a fun little impulse buy for me! I was walking down the street when I noticed La Sel. I really love trying new places so I scoped out their menu and opted to go. This is a super, super small place and reservations are definitely a good idea. We'd arrived shortly after opening and were able to get a table inside, though I was told that their patio is heated. The apple cider mimosa I got was really good! My parental unit saw that they had hot buttered rum and decided to go with that - it looked really good and he'd definitely have another one. The mushroom omelet I got was great! Just a mushroom omelet, nothing crazy, but it was done really well. The potatoes I received were on the cold side (sad panda!), but overall tasted good. It's a little on the pricey end, but it was a great brunch and I definitely see myself coming back!

    Jambon de Paris
    Juliana M.

    The food is SO good here, the only problem Is the consistently slow service. Very reasonably priced restaurant for French cuisine. The place is beautiful inside, but the seating is very limited and having a reservation is is highly suggested

    BTA eggs benedict
    Shannon W.

    I went here with 2 other people for brunch on a Sunday without reservations and was very lucky to get a table due to a reservation cancellation. Even though it was cold and we were in the outdoor seating, the area was covered and we were provided blankets at the table. It was very cozy with just a few tables there and the food we ordered was very good. I got the egg Benedict which was made perfectly, my friend got french toast, and my husband ordered the Le Sel burger which they both said they enjoyed. The service was very attentive and we enjoyed our time here! Would definitely come again and next time we will make reservations.

    Full Breakfast w/Bacon
    Rachael W.

    Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Love. This. Spot. Food was delicious, service was amazing, inside was cozy and clean. My only complaint is that they don't do individual cups of coffee, you have to order a French press with a couple cups or more of coffee, but that's not a deal breaker. Also, a little on the pricier side, but worth it for the views and ambiance. Oh! They also have outdoor seating that we will have to use next time we're in town, there's heaters in the ceiling above and each chair had a blanket on it as well.

    Kyle S.

    Le Sel is my favorite Tacoma brunch spot. I love this place - the ambiance, the view, the food, and the service are always top-notch. I've never sat inside, but I'd love to spend a visit writing over a steady stream of drinks in the lovely tiny bar area. Instead, we always sit on the balcony overlooking the port of Tacoma with space heaters and a variety of plants adorning the space. It feels nicely secluded no matter how many people are on the balcony with you. It feels like visiting a friend's home. I deliberate over the menu, but I always end up getting the a la banane French toast. It's incredible. Their omelettes, pastries, and coffees are all excellent as well. Aside from the occasional chill outside, I have no complaints. Le Sel is a Best-Of-Tacoma spot, and you owe it to yourself to enjoy their hospitality.

    The Maria Bloody Mary! So very good!
    Alden C.

    Wow! It's almost been eight years since we were last at Sel?? Well, I guess time flies. It has been on Steve's and my mind to go back for a while now but we just had to commit ourselves to making a reservation which seem to be mandatory to go to this wonderful French restaurant in Tacoma now. It isn't hard to make one it's just a simple thing to apply yourself in making one. Well, the food is as good as I remember it. We started off with warm brie cheese with pear slices and bread. That was a great appetizer and had great portions to make it shareable. It was very fresh and the brie was in peak form. I then got a slice of Quiche which I haven't had in ages so that was really an amazing return to make. This was perfect in the savory department and the crust was wonderful! I got a small cup along with my meal of French Onion Soup... one of the best I've had in a very, very long time. I got a Bloody Mary in which there are several different ones to pick from off of the menu. I got the Maria which is had Tequila in it which was great! Absolutely no complaints with our return visit to Sel. The food is as good as ever... maybe even better than from our first visit.

    Cute holiday entrance seating

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    5 days ago

    Ambiance and food/drinks are top- notch. I think we hit a bad night with our service. Still, I highly recommend.

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    1 month ago

    Sat on the garden patio and enjoyed the great vibe and service. Loved the lemon drop too.

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    5 months ago

    Excellent ambience, great food and service. This was our first time visiting and we will be back.

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    Page 1 of 17

    Le Sel Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Le Sel Bistro

    Is there a bar area to sit for drinks?

    Are reservations recommended? How likely is someone to get a table if they walk in on a Saturday or weekday?

    It’s a very small restaurant; try to get reservations. It’s a little bigger in the warm weather because they have a good sized outdoor space.

    Do you have outdoor heaters?

    Are doggies really allowed?

    Yes, on our patio

    Gluten free options?

    We make everything from scratch and can accommodate Gluten free options and exchanges for some menu items. However, we do not carry Gluten free breads.

    Any outside seating with dogs?

    No, very small place. Depends on how large your dog is, I supposed you can call them and ask if the dog can be seated on your lap or an adjacent chair.

    For the reservation fees, do you get that back?

    Hi there, there is no reservation fee. The credit card is to hold your reservation and it’s only charged if you don’t show up without canceling.

    Is the restaurant 21 and over?

    No I brought my 19 year old sister no problem.

    What time does Sel open for breakfast on the weekdays?

    They open at 9am. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

    What size group can you accomodate? Looking for a venue to host a shower.

    Hello. To better serve you, I have forwarded your query to the restaurant. Please feel free to email them at… Read more

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    Boom Boom Room - Boom Boom Room Bar

    Boom Boom Room

    4.3(274 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Romantic vibe
    Takes reservations

    The BBM has been on my list for some time & I am so happy I finally got to try it out!…read moreFirst thing's first, it is a small and intimate space with cozy and ambient vibes. Seating is limited, but the bar is fully stocked! We ordered the chicken caesar salad and the Lil Saigon Sliders. The salad was fresh and crunchy, chicken well seasoned and tender, and the caesar dressing was BOMB! But those sliders..... WOW. The sliders bring everything you love about a banh mi to a mini slider that is the perfect snack size (although, they were so good we ended up ordering another) Our waitress was super kind and helpful with ordering, even suggesting a cocktail that was delicious. I can't stop thinking about how surprisingly good everything was and I cannot wait to come back for more!

    Honestly... I'm not sure where to start here we had a reservation, ten of us together. They put us…read morein the Sinatra Room which is *sweaty* hot. The waitress even mentioned it was hot in this room and when we commented on it she just said yeah it sucks. I have Celiac so this is not a dietary choice, it's a medical restriction. I asked about gluten free options and she said nothing is gluten free (even though the website says it gluten free options available). She then said the best option for me would be the mushrooms or the wings because they are lightly breaded and she is gluten free and does well with those. We paid for our drinks and left. I won't be coming back and it's not because of the menu.

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    Sinatra Room

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    Manuscript - Orchard Brassica Salad

    Manuscript

    3.9(134 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The atmosphere & decor felt great and relaxed, we went early in the evening before it got crowded…read more I hate the QR code for a menu. I understand why restaurants do it, but I hate it. If I hate to scan a QR code for a menu and there aren't even pictures, what's the point? I don't need a fancy menu, but a printed menu is nicer. We got the Skillet Smashed Fingerlings/potatoes appetizer to start, very delicious! My dinner companion got the Classic Smash Burger. She said the burger was great, and she knew there were going to be caramelized onions, but there was a lot packed in the middle of the patty. The novelty wore off quickly. She still said it was good overall. I ordered the Scarlet Rosemary (chicken and homemade pasta), and it was really good. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was fantastic, but the only problem was; there wasn't enough of it (sauce) and when the dish cooled as we ate, you couldn't taste the sauce much. About 7-10 minutes after getting our food, my friend took a bite of my pasta and said "I don't taste any flavor at all" and I realized I was mostly tasting the chicken at this point and I was sliding the pasta in the very small bit of sauce on the plate. I would suggest don't be stingy with the sauce because it was great. Otherwise the food was wonderful and we'll plan on going back.

    I took my friend here as a birthday treat. He was craving pasta and I thought this might be a good…read moreplace for that. We enjoyed our food! The service was attentive and good. The only disappointment was we really did not like our tiramisu cake. It contained way too much alcohol for either of our liking and we both don't drink alcohol. This was the strongest alcohol I've ever had in a tiramisu cake. The environment has a unique vibe but the seating was not comfortable and the tables were very small.

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    Manuscript - Dining area

    Dining area

    Manuscript - Eda-bim bap

    Eda-bim bap

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    Devil's Reef - Love the bar

    Devil's Reef

    4.1(191 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Really cozy spot nestled in downtown Tacoma. We came in a little after 5, it took our eyes a bit to…read moreadjust to the darkness but were delighted with the lantern-lit atmosphere and the moody ambient music. To the layman it may seem like just a dark "pirate" or "tiki bar", but the focus is really more centered around Lovecraftian and cosmic horror - not something you see you often but very much appreciated among those who are familiar. The menu is accessed by QR codes on the table. They have an *extremely* long list of cocktails, all named appropriately with the theming, but somewhat lacking in variety. Most of the cocktails are some combination of rum, spices, lime/lemon, and maybe something else fruity or sweet. My wife had a Ships from Far Shores while I enjoyed an Astro Orbiter. Their menu has an indicator of how strong each drink is, and it doesn't lie. The Astro Orbiter tasted great but was indeed quite strong. The staff were extremely polite and a pleasure to talk to. Unfortunately their kitchen was closed the evening we went, so we weren't able to grab any food, but hopefully we'll to try some the next time we stop by.

    Great place! Stopped in to enjoy some tiki drinks. There is…read moreno sign on the outside here do you need to kind of know where it's located. Inside is on the dark side. There are lots of low cool lighting. It's not huge but there are several tables and a bar to sit at. It's decorated in cool Island/tiki style. The drink menus is big. We did not eat but the food coming out looked delicious. We ordered at the bar and sat at a high top. The drinks were very good. Great place for date night or yo meet up with sone friends. If you enjoy a hood tiki drink , this is definitely a place to visit.

    Photos
    Devil's Reef - Signature drink~ Devil Reef was pretty & boozy! *Recommended

    Signature drink~ Devil Reef was pretty & boozy! *Recommended

    Devil's Reef
    Devil's Reef

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    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Wines, Champagne, Bubbles, Cava, Prosecco

    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant

    3.7(120 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I want you to celebrate my friend's birthday. I've been here twice now for a girls brunch…read more Both times the establishment has been very accommodating wasn't as busy so seating was easy. They are little staffed so service was slow, but it was understandable since she would explain each time and apologize to each time she came to the table for the delay I would definitely recommend four girls brunch. Everything girly they have really great areas to take photos.

    I really wanted to love this place because the atmosphere is nice and it has a lot of potential,…read morebut unfortunately our experience was just okay. The food itself was decent, but definitely overpriced for what you get. We ordered a cheese plate and a salad. It took well over 45 minutes just to receive the cheese plate, and then another 35+ minutes for the salad to come out. That felt excessive, especially considering the restaurant wasn't busy when we first arrived. There was a bridal shower happening, which is totally understandable and of course events can impact service. However, at the time we were seated, it wasn't crowded at all. The service was also disappointing. Our waitress rarely checked in, and we eventually had to go up to the bar ourselves to ask for napkins and water refill. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but for the prices and the wait times, I expected much better service and efficiency. I understand maybe we caught them on a off day, but for being my first experience I'd consider giving it another try, but improvements in attentiveness and timing would make a big difference.

    Photos
    The Powder Room Champagne Bar & Restaurant - Cocktail Menu

    Cocktail Menu

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    Rosé Menu

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    Small bites, salads and sides menu

    Busy Body - The cheerful bar

    Busy Body

    3.9(51 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    This place is ADORABLE when it's the holiday season!…read more We came this past Friday and it was starting to get crowded. It's a small place so definitely show up when they're about to open (4pm) bc it'll get crowded by then! Their seating is small so the booths are really for 2 ppl. We were a group of 3 and made it work! Our server was nice and patient with our questions! He said they do this "Christmas pop up bar" during the holidays and fully revamp their menu to be holiday-themed. Everything will be taken down and full menu back in January. I got the Christmapolitan which was lovely! My friend got the cocktail that was named from the Die Hard movie, "Yipee, kai-yay MF" lol. It was pretty good and came in a cute Santa mug with only Santa's bottom half The popcorn chicken was crispy and juicy! Their fries are BOMB, loved the crispiness of it. I got the hot chicken sandwich and it was crispy but kinda got messy and saucey towards the end...overall, pretty good food for what we had and drinks. For the holidays season, they have mugs and shot glasses for purchase to take home.

    I went to this bar to meet friends for a birthday. They informed me there was an open seat next to…read morethem at the bar, while the rest of the group was seated at a table. When I arrived, there was no greeter or host present. I went to the empty seat, briefly set down my coat, and dropped off the birthday gift. When I returned to the seat moments later, a member of the wait staff approached me and said, "What do you think we are doing? We seat people here." I asked whether that was how customers are typically greeted. She then stated that I had "tons of privilege" and directed me to leave the bar, including while I was standing near the door waiting for my friends. I understand that businesses have seating policies, but in this instance there was no clear signage or staff guidance upon entry. The situation was handled in a way that escalated rather than clarified the issue and detracted from what was intended to be a birthday celebration. Added after response from owner: You are certainly free to report your side of the story. I was greeted by your staff with the line, "Who the hell are you!" I asked, "Do you greet all of your customers that way." She then berated me and told me that she does if they just walk in and skip the line. Like most bars, with no one present at the front I assumed bar seating was open. Upon greeting my friends I took the seat. In regards to threatening remarks, the only threat I made was that I would leave a review. I used no harsh language and proceeded to the front of the restaurant to wait for my friends who decided to cash out. Your staff member proceeded to continue to berate me and tell me I would be trespassed if I didn't leave the restaurant and stand in the rain. I did leave while she continued to scream at me. Since I did not have context for what you described a simple, "Hi, we seat at the bar here and this is someone else's seat" would have been a great way to greet me. Don't assume I had bad intent just because I was trying to patronize the establishment. I highly suggest you read your reviews and quit attacking your patrons. Based on what I have read you have a serious problem with staff behavior. You spend all of your time on here defending bad practices instead of improving your service. I am happy to say that I will never patronize your business. In addition you lost 14 other customers due to your actions. I was told I must have privilege just to walk in to meet my friends at a bar. You have a clear over inflated sense of self worth to assume your bar is so great that treating customers this way will keep you in business. Best of luck, and you are correct, a place where staff greet you by yelling at you is not a great fit for me. It likely isn't for others as well.

    Photos
    Busy Body - So pretty!

    So pretty!

    Busy Body - Krampus holiday cocktail  with option to purchase mug

    Krampus holiday cocktail with option to purchase mug

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    Filipino Spaghetto Poutine!

    Le Sel Bistro - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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