GRANN — Restaurant in Tacoma

We were excited to try this place, we had frequented Our Table before and liked the space but always felt it was a little stiff. The folks at Grann really breathed some life into the spot, made it lively, chic, colorful and welcoming. I like to see a slim menu that is precise, streamlined and well thought out and Grann is checking all the boxes. Drink menu is the same, you can tell there are people with creativity and experience building the drink list. We had the Detroit Red: bold, flavorful, complex and smooth, the In Grann Fashioned: smokey, dark, velvety and strong, the Mango Lassi: thick, tart, sweet and well balanced. The food…some of the best food I’ve had in Washington. These people aren’t playing. There wasn’t one thing we tried that wasn’t a 10! Pani Puri has always been one of my favorite Indian street foods, I was excited to see the Grann version and it did not disappoint. Fire!!! So flavorful and uniquely made, the crunch and the salty creaminess of the pimento cheese was heaven. It really set the stage for our entrees. When you get the heads along with your shrimp dish you know they are going to be fresh. If you’re not sucking the heads you’re not living. The gravy was bold and savory, shrimp perfectly cooked. I want to talk about the collard greens. The. Best. I’ve. Ever. Had. The coconut masala does something magical here that is hard to explain but it absolutely SLAPS! I could just eat a bowl of that and leave happy. My husband’s Butter Chicken Agnolotti was creamy and tender, like literally everything else it was bursting with flavor. We finished up with Beignets and they were pillowy soft, subtly sweet with a dusting of pistachio. We wanted to try so much more but the portions sizes were perfect and we were so so full. Can’t wait to go back and try every single item on the menu. All together we got: two cocktails, three NA drinks, one app, 3 sides, two entrees, a desert and our bill was 160. I think that is more than fair for what we got. The service was fast, attentive and authentically friendly, the staff genuinely seem to like their jobs and each other. The kitchen churns the dishes out like a well oiled machine, we didn’t wait long for any of the food or drinks and the pacing was experienced and efficient. Restaurant and bathrooms were clean and organized. Definitely make a reservation, they get busy and for good reason! It is so refreshing to see a place like this in Tacoma. It’s bold, unique, well executed but even more than that leaves you with a feeling of contentment transcending feeling full after leaving a restaurant. It almost feels like leaving a dear friend or family’s house after a lively celebration filled with good food, drinks, music and conversation. Grann feeds your soul too and that’s truly beautiful. In a time where countless mediocre restaurants are opening up, all selling the same underwhelming dishes, with a redundant whitewashed vibe and high prices, Grann stands out. We...

Okay, so... if you've been to anyplace on 6th Ave. you already know parking Sux!... but once that's dealt with, stepping into the Grann Restaurant on a cold day will immediately fog up your glasses. It's like a big family get-together, warm, inviting, and a little bit loud. We had reservations, and it was a good thing too because the place was very busy. Despite that, we were seated quickly, and the service was wonderful.

I'm a typical guy who admittedly doesn't look as carefully as he should at some things. I tend to glance at a drink menu and pick the cocktail with the whiskey in it. Just wow! So, I missed the part where it said "smoked curry" and was not expecting the flavor profile I got, but it was really good. I rarely get two cocktails with any dinner, and they poured me a generous glass of Jameson-rocks as a follow-up.

My wife ordered the crispy chicken skins as an appetizer. I have never had chicken skins, nor would I have ordered them myself, but holy cluck, were they good! Enough spice to bring the heat but not enough to overwhelm. Then, something deliciously green over the top that had a citrus tang to it. As a 58 year old, it's hard to find flavors that surprises and delight, but when the appetizer does that for you, you know you're in for a good meal.

I ordered the Tandoori ribs, my wife ordered the butter chicken, and we got a side of the coconut masala greens to share. The butter chicken came as a stuffed pasta in a 100% comfort food sauce. I'm not sure how else to describe it other than it would make you feel better regardless of what your day was like prior to walking into the Grann.

But... the Tandoori Ribs? Yes Please! Look... I have a Traeger. I know a thing or two about cooking. I start my ribs on a Sunday morning, smoke rolling all day to eat them that evening. But Nope... When Denzel came to our table and asked if we had any questions about the food, I said, "Can you teach me how to make these?!" He said, "I got you!"

Literally... with all joking aside, these are the best ribs I've ever had... and the greens? The hits just keep coming. I'm not from the South, but having served a lifetime in the military, I've been around, and I've had some dang good greens... again, nope. These were on a whole other level.

To sum up my thoughts, they care. It becomes immediately obvious that no one just works at Grann. They love what they do, and they really care about...

A Must-Try Fusion Gem in Tacoma! If you’re looking for a restaurant that surprises you in the best possible way, Grann is the spot. We came here for my birthday, and from the first bite to the last, we were absolutely blown away.

We tried the Tandoori Ribs, Pimiento Pani Puri, Butter Chicken “Pasta Pillows,” and Smoked Beef Briyani, and honestly? Every. Single. Dish. Was. Incredible. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender with a smoky, spice-laden glaze that had us licking our fingers. The Pimiento Pani Puri was the perfect crispy, creamy, tangy bite, a brilliant take on a classic. The Butter Chicken “Pasta Pillows” were rich, comforting, and unlike anything I’ve ever had before. And that Smoked Beef Briyani? Deeply spiced, layered with BBQ beef that melted in your mouth.

The Coconut Masala Greens deserve a special shout-out. The chefs caught us mid-bite making “oooh” faces, and they were beaming when they saw our reactions. It’s that kind of place where the food isn’t just good, it’s made with passion, and they genuinely care about your experience.

Drinks? Love Jones (Mango Lassi) and Detroit Red were both chef’s kiss, complex and flavorful, refreshing without being too sweet.

And the cherry on top? Because it was my birthday, the staff surprised us with Gulab Jamun Beignets and sang two versions of Happy Birthday!

Grann isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a full-on experience. Incredible food, warm hospitality, and a concept that truly brings something fresh to Tacoma. If you haven’t been yet, go now. You...