Where Tacoma Wakes Up Right

Aug 6

The 6th Ave Classic That Locals Love.

The people voted, and unsurprisingly, the FC team found themselves at Shakabrah Java on 6th Ave. Known not just for its legendary breakfasts, but also for its laid-back, community-first vibe, Shakabrah is the kind of place where locals gather, friends meet, and newcomers feel instantly at home. The walls are covered with colorful posters for upcoming shows, local events, and art happenings, a living bulletin board of Tacoma culture.

Whether you’re posted up at a front table with a drip coffee or tucked into a table in the back for full service. Grab a bite up front and bus your own table, or settle in for the full dine-in experience. Either way, the energy is warm, eclectic, and unmistakably local.

The three of us sat down family-style, sampling a solid spread of breakfast staples.

We dove into the Farmer Omelet, packed with ham, onions, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese, all wrapped in fluffy, farm-fresh eggs. It was the perfect balance of fresh, earthy flavors. Not a fan of ham? They also offer bacon, sausage, or avocado as alternatives.

“Shakabrah isn’t just a place to eat, it’s a place to be.”

The monster-sized pancake stole the show, larger than the plate and stacked with chewy, fluffy, buttery goodness, topped with melting butter and a generous pour of maple syrup. Honestly, we couldn’t get enough. Devouring this beast may well call for a post-breakfast nap.

We also savored the Big Country Breakfast, featuring buttermilk biscuits smothered in rich, savory sausage gravy, crispy yet tender Shakapotatoes seasoned to perfection, three perfectly cooked over easy farm fresh eggs that burst with flavor, and bacon cooked just right and packed with the flavor of the gods.

Add in great drip coffee and you’ve got yourself a legendary breakfast feast in one of Tacoma’s most beloved gathering spots. Shakabrah isn’t just a place to eat, it’s a place to be.