Business Community

Even more Devoted: Popular North Harborview spot growing into adjacent space

A popular breakfast and lunch restaurant on the waterfront in Gig Harbor will soon be growing, adding dining tables inside and out and enlarging its kitchen space.

Devoted Kiss, at 8809 North Harborview Drive, will likely close for a month while undergoing construction, said co-owner Christina Dengler. Depending on when the city approves building permits, the restaurant hopes to close for four weeks in March and reopen in early April.

The owners, Dengler and husband Richard Dengler, plan on growing the restaurant footprint using adjacent space formerly occupied by Salon Riviera. They submitted permit applications on Feb. 9. 

More tables …

When it reopens, the restaurant will have 66 tables inside (up from 40) and 30 more outside (up from 14).

“What we’re most excited about is to take the last 15 years’ worth of problems and find solutions for them,” Christina Dengler said.  “It’s always fun as a business owner to do that.”

Christina Dengler in front of Devoted Kiss Café on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Photo by Suzanne Roig

The expansion — a sign of success — also includes more restrooms, a larger walk-in cooler and an on-site office, she said. 

“We’re doing amazing,” Christina Dengler said. “The community has been really good to us.”

Devoted Kiss opened in 2011 at the same location. Richard Dengler is the chef, curating a menu that the community responds to, Christina Dengler said. 

Along with expanding seating space, the restaurant will replace many pieces of equipment, Christina Dengler said.

… but the same Devoted Kiss

But that doesn’t mean customers will see many changes, she said. They are even using the same wood worker who made the existing bar top, crafted to resemble a boat deck, she said.  

They hired a company to try to make the restaurant a bit quieter, but otherwise the Denglers are committed to keeping things consistent.

“We’re updating everything,” she said. “We want to make sure that when you walk in the new front doors, it will be very familiar.  We’re intentionally trying to make it all the same as it is now. 

“We want folks to say, yes, it’s the Devoted Kiss, but newer.”