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    Manuscript

    3.9 (141 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Manuscript

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    On-site management services

    Manuscript Photos

    Business Info

    MANUSCRIPT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Live music
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Manuscript

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    Reviews With Photos

    Pasta Rustico
    Emma T.

    Went with a group of six on a Sunday evening, and the staff was super accommodating getting us seated and taken care of. Service was a little slow at times, but everyone was very friendly. The food was fine, though nothing particularly memorable, and the menu felt a bit all over the place. Overall, everything was just alright -- I'd be open to coming back for brunch. The place is very cute! Lots of food real plants, and cool vibes.

    The brunchwhich, we chose the eggs and avocado option and added bacon. SOOOO good.
    Amanda V.

    My bestie and I wanted to go somewhere with a nice brunch and drink menu and happened upon Manuscript. Parking is a little difficult as they don't have their own lot but I'm sure if you're local to Tacoma, you're used to that. We ended up parking down the block and took a nice little walk since it was sunny. When we came in there was a live dj and were quickly greeted by the host. She said the wait would only be a few minutes while she cleared a table. She was so sweet and never stopped moving, she was taking care of the front of house like no body's business. Shorty after we were greeted by our waitress and put in our drink orders. Coming from someone who is very indecisive, I loved their nice little brunch selection. There was a little something for everyone. We decided on the Brunchwhich and the Purgatorio. Although our food took some time to come out, we understood it was quite busy. We got to enjoy our drinks and the live music in the meantime. My goodness was it worth the wait. Everything was delicious and hot. The purgetorio was nice and tomatoey. The sandwich had the best sourdough bread and the butteriest avocado. If you're looking for a cute little brunch spot, this place was perfect. We could not get over how great the service was from all the staff.

    Cranberry mimosa
    YaoEun L.

    What a fun place to come for brunch. Very cute spot with amazing service. From the very first interaction, everyone was phenomenal. They got humor and optimism. There is no parking lot and on the day we visited it was quite difficult to find parking. I got the classic breakfast with bacon, eggs, and toast and a cranberry mimosa. It all tasted great but I felt like I needed a little more. I was left lacking. Condiments came in little cups which you need to ask for. Mimosa was great.

    Daysi G.

    I was there this past Sunday and let me tell you, Jana and Joshua were the nicest most attentive, friendly and welcoming ppl ever!! I have visited before just for drinks on a Friday night and had a great experience. This Sunday it was brunch and everyone went out of their way to make us feel special. I can't wait to go back on a Saturday for brunch to experience the DJ vibes. The food was delicious and the drinks were perfect. We will definitely be back and bring our friends. I love the cool night club atmosphere.

    Silvia P.

    Great service with a very efficient team! The internal design is very innovative, with several pieces of art that could cost a couple of $k. And the food was excellent!

    Stopped in for a drink, bread, salad, and pizza.
    Laura H.

    There are a lot of things I love about Manuscript! The ambiance is really cool. You can see the food being freshly made. They have a lot of vegetarian options. I had the Orchard Brassica Salad. It was fantastic! Lots of delicious veggies. I really enjoyed the squash and the option of adding avocado. It's definitely one of the best vegetarian salads in Tacoma. My partner ordered the bread and butter and a slice of pizza. Don't skip on the bread and butter! It was so delicious. And the pizza. The crust is amazing. The only critique I have is that there were only two tables in there (three by the time I left), but I couldn't get out server to stop by and I wanted to order another drink. Otherwise, everything was delicious.

    Butterfly tirimasu (a lavender lemon cake)
    Veronica C.

    On vacay in Washington, my best friend and I met up for drinks and grub at Manuscript in the downtown Tacoma area after I did a search for newer restaurants in the area and I am so happy I chose to give it try! Manuscript is a cool place! Decor was fun, restrooms clean and comfortable and the outdoor seating was perfect for us to catch up. Only downside of this visit was that they sold out of the dish we really wanted to try "Coconut Caccatorie" which I know we definitely would have loved but the Bucatini pasta was still quite tasty- the sauce was flavorful and tasted as though it was homemade with extra love!! Drinks and dessert were also top notch and we will definitely be back my next visit to Washington in a few months. I really hope then we will have the pleasure of trying the coconut cacciatore!

    Skillet Smashed Fingerlings
    Millicent Bystander B.

    The atmosphere & decor felt great and relaxed, we went early in the evening before it got crowded. 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.

    The Brunchwich
    Scott K.

    3 stars - Fine We went here for brunch on Sunday. It was very busy, and we had to wait a little bit before we were seated at the bar. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. Overall, our experience was okay, but it took a long time for our food to be served. We waited approximately 40-50 minutes, which is a long time to wait even when you are at a busy restaurant. I want to emphasize that this was not our server's fault. The restaurant was clearly understaffed, and they were doing their best to accommodate everyone. The food itself was good and reasonably priced. Some of the portions could have been larger. They also left the berry jam on the lemongrab baby even though I requested that be put on the side. They offered to make another one, but I did not want to be a hassle.

    Truffle fries
    Zack G.

    When truffle fries are on the menu, I always say yes. Incredible, delicious. A must. Frutti di Mare had the most flavorful salmon and pasta sauce. The salmon had the perfect texture too, it fell apart in my mouth. The drinks and ambiance were nice too. Overall a nice dinner out for sure!

    Helene B.

    This was an absolutely amazing culinary experience! We came to this place for my sibling's birthday dinner! The ambiance was so cozy and unique and the service was friendly and attentive! They have a great beer, wine, cocktail, and mocktail menu and we all adored our entrees. The entrees all had a recommended wine pairing. GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS!

    Frosted Manifest Martini Style
    Eddie J.

    Looking for a great brunch spot with a cool vibe in Tacoma? Then head over to Manuscript located on Tacoma Ave in the Stadium District. We finally stopped in after reading that Manuscript was included on "The Best Restaurants in Tacoma" list according to Seattle Eater. Recommendations: (1) Try the Pork Belly Hash. It's phenomenal. (2) For a tasty cocktail, try the Frosted Manifest (Martini Style) if it's still on the seasonal menu.

    Kyle S.

    This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Everyone involved was committed to going above and beyond for us. This place has a great atmosphere, with colorful ambient accents providing most of the light. There's a gorgeous chandelier that looks like an upside-down tree and a fabulous bar. It's a versatile space that's as appropriate for a date night as it is to bring your parents. Every employee seems personally invested in the experience. As we were seated, the hostess Jana gave us a thorough rundown of the restaurant, giving the place an illustrious feel. Our server Zabé(?) (she said her name was like Bobby with a Z) was outstanding - cheerfully involved in our food/drink selections, sharing recommendations and clearly enthusiastic about the offerings. Jana noticed that we were on a date and made efforts to give us a better experience. I moved to sit next to my partner instead of across from her, so Jana spun the table lengthwise to give me some space, and then suggested that we could move to a corner table where we'd be even more comfortable. Every employee buzzed around the restaurant doing anything that needed doing - I saw the hostess clearing tables, the bartender delivering food, and the manager slinging drinks. I got the Stracotto, which is beef chuck braised in red wine and herb for 8 hours. It was incredible. My partner got the Bucatini Pomodoro, and I'd recommend getting it with the sausage. The drinks featured the most complex tastes of any cocktail in Tacoma. I got the Eucalypto, which left me smacking my lips to sift through the different flavors, and we got two Bartender's Choice drinks. It's not on the printed menu, but on the website you can choose your base liquor + 2 flavor profiles and let the bartender have fun. It was clear that they did; the first one tasted like an orange gatorade, but the second was an Amaro drink with an herbal flavor, and it was a great way to end the evening. Our experience was so amazing that I had to speak to the manager to express our delight. As we left, we were bid fond farewells from each of the staff and told to come back for brunch. We 100% will.

    Hamburger, eggs, bacon, and the seasonal manifest drink

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    29 days ago

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    6 days ago

    Service and vibes were good. Drinks were also good. I ordered pasta and it was very bland and lacking in overall flavor.

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    5 months ago

    Great food and wonderful ambiance! Attentive staff and fun indoor / outdoor dining area. Perfect for small groups

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    Page 1 of 4

    Manuscript Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Manuscript

    Is this establishment 21 plus only or are kids welcome?

    We are all ages until 10pm!

    What are the average wait times on a Sunday for a party of four, say 10am?

    You probably won't get a table. Reservations are recommended.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    En Rama - Raspberry Sorbet (vegan)

    En Rama

    4.3(298 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    •$$

    Been here for drinks before COVID and finally made it back for dinner and it absolutely lived up to…read morethe hype! The atmosphere is warm and lively, the location is perfect, and the entire staff made the experience feel elevated without being pretentious. We had a 5:15 dinner reservation and the restaurant was already packed, which honestly says a lot. The staff was incredibly kind and knowledgeable about both the wine list and menu, and every recommendation felt thoughtfully curated. The food was phenomenal. We have the chef special which was a chicken skin dish and the short rib pasta with the added burrata; flavorful, well-balanced, and beautifully presented. You can tell a lot of care goes into every dish. Definitely one of those places that feels just as good for a casual night out as it does for celebrating something special. Already looking forward to coming back.

    This was one of my go to spots, so it pains me that its such a diff vibe and the service level went…read moredownhill. This spot is off A street and is located within the big grey building that is the post office. You'll enter where there's stairs on both sides of a grey wall/stone structure. And once you're in, take a right and and the restaurant will be straight ahead. And of course parking, downtown is mostly street parking. And you have to pay during certain hours, so look at the signs to enure you don't get a ticket because the police are pretty well known to not give any grace. Made a reservation online to celebrate a birthday. (And just FYI with the small print, if you cancel less than a day before or a no show, you are subject to a $20 fee PER person). Alright, so this spot has no air conditioning even though its pretty small in there, so I'd recommend sitting outside. Or else, the inside can become a sauna especially in the summer. Had initially requested to sit inside, totally forgetting about the no A/C and my friend who has never been here requested to sit outside. But the server became short with us and was less than pleasant but had intially agreed to take us outside. So it was a confusing situation. And I was embarrassed to bring my friend here because they were talked at and not to and was suggested to sit at a dirty table at that. Food was mid and wasn't as good as it used to be. There wasn't much flavor in either dish.

    Photos
    En Rama - Right outside the resturant entrance

    Right outside the resturant entrance

    En Rama - Oreo Cheesecake

    Oreo Cheesecake

    En Rama - New fashion

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    New fashion

    Devil's Reef - Love the bar

    Devil's Reef

    4.1(201 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$

    I love the atmosphere because I love a good decorated bar cause I feel like there's not much…read morethey're usually like pretty basic or rustic and this one is like pirate deep sea underwater themed. I love the drinks. They're pretty strong. Not the best place for parking though because it's literally right up the road from McMenamin's.

    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.

    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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    Busy Body - The cheerful bar

    Busy Body

    3.8(59 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 really like Busy Body. The theming, the food, and the drinks are always enjoyable. The seating…read morecan either be reasonably isolated and cozy with your date or open and convenient to mingle around a large group. The hanging spheres, the loud colors, and the wall art combine to make you feel like you've stepped into another time. I appreciate how they go all out with their holiday decorations! They've got a delicious chilled ube drink called Wildcat, and a Busy Buddy special which is a shot of fernet + a Miller, which is a must every time we go. I appreciate the filipino-infused menu; the sandwiches are succulent, and the fries delectable. I've found the service is usually pretty cold - like they want to take your order and get you out of their face. But they're always prompt and double-check to make sure that what you ordered is what you actually want, which I appreciate.

    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

    Busy Body - Filipino Spaghetto Poutine!

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    Filipino Spaghetto Poutine!

    Manuscript - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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