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Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places in California and Nevada. This popular vacation destination sits between the Sierra Nevada and Carson Mountain ranges, making it an excellent year-round destination.
As you plan your trip to Lake Tahoe, figuring out where you’ll eat during your stay is important. No one likes searching through restaurants when their stomach is growling, so being prepared is key. Luckily, the restaurant scene in Lake Tahoe has a little bit of everything.
13 Best Places to Eat in Lake Tahoe
Before you head to Lake Tahoe, here’s a list of some of the best restaurants in the area.
Base Camp Pizza Co.
One the border of California and Nevada is one of the best pizza joints in Lake Tahoe, Base Camp Pizza Co. The restaurant is inside the shops at Heavenly Village and is easy to get to regardless of where you’re staying in Lake Tahoe.
Base Camp Pizza Co. is a casual spot that serves Italian plates, pizzas, craft beer, and great cocktails. You can get a classic pizza with just cheese or pepperoni, but they also offer specialty pies that are worth trying.
People love going to this spot when in South Lake Tahoe because the staff is friendly, the food is terrific, and they have live music every night. The generous portion sizes are a great selling point, too.
Izabella Ristorante Italiano
If you’re looking for an upscale Italian restaurant in town, you need to check out Izabella Ristorante Italiano. While it’s refined, it’s still affordable. It’s a newer restaurant to Lake Tahoe and the perfect addition to the Stateline dining scene.
This restaurant has delicious pasta dishes, other traditional Italian meals, and an extensive wine list. After you spend the day skiing, if you’re there during the winter or swimming during the summer, you can cozy up at this restaurant with a nice glass of wine and great company.
Their pasta is handmade, and the portions are hefty. There’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers for a late-night snack or lunch the next day. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, making it the perfect spot for date night with your significant other or simply a meal with your friends and family.
Artemis Lakefront Cafe
Artemis Lakefront Cafe is one of the closest to Lake Tahoe and offers some great lake views. This lakeside restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere where you can come as you are and enjoy a great meal.
This Mediterranean spot offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They use fresh ingredients, and everything is prepared daily. You can enjoy a hot cup of espresso from their espresso bar in the morning and then a glass of wine at night. Or a cocktail or beer if wine isn’t your preference.
One of the best parts about Artemis Lakefront Cafe is the outdoor seating. During the summer everyone loves being outside here because the weather is beautiful and you can see the massive lake from many of the tables.
The Lake House Restaurant
Just north of the Lake Tahoe Airport is The Lake House Restaurant. This is the perfect fine dining restaurant in South Lake Tahoe. It’s a stylish and upscale New American restaurant that has a little bit of something for everyone.
The Lake House Restaurant has all your favorite American dishes but with an elegant twist. They have high-end burgers, seafood like shrimp and scallops, and delicious juicy steaks. It’s the perfect restaurant to visit if you want at least one night of fine dining on your trip.
The restaurant’s interior features beautiful artwork, comfortable seating, and the perfect amount of lighting. The staff is knowledgeable about what wines pair well with which dishes and are ready to recommend dishes if you are stuck on what to order.
Frederick’s Fusion Bistro
If you’re staying in or near Incline Village, Nevada, you have to try Frederick’s Fusion Bistro. The restaurant is easy to get to, and you’ll find it in the main shopping center in town, Incline Plaza. It’s one of the best spots in the area for Asian cuisine.
Frederick’s Fusion Bistro combines all the best parts of Asian cuisine. They have a sushi bar, sashimi, Thai food, Chinese, and more. They have plenty of rice and noodle dishes and an impressive martini selection. If you stop here, you have to order one of their appetizers. Some of the best are their egg rolls and spicy edamame.
They have specialty martinis that are worth trying when you dine here. The atmosphere is what some would call romantic with the dim lighting and cozy tables. While it has a romantic ambiance, it’s still a great spot for friends and family.
Cold Water Brewery and Grill
On the south shore of Lake Tahoe is one of the best breweries and restaurants around the lake. Cold Water Brewery and Grill is the perfect laid-back restaurant and bar to relax at after you’ve had an exciting day exploring Lake Tahoe.
Cold Water Brewery and Grill is a California-style pub with a contemporary design. The restaurant is large and is frequently busy since it serves classic American cuisine and delicious craft beer. Some of the best dishes are their burgers, fish tacos, and crispy chicken wings.
Just because they’re a brewery doesn’t mean they’re not kid-friendly. They have a decent-sized kid menu for your little ones if you’re traveling with them. Their outdoor patio is perfect any time of the year because they put heaters outside when it’s chilly. You can’t come here without checking out their craft beer menu. You can even grab a pack to bring back to your vacation rental too.
Cafe Fiore
Cafe Fiore is a small Italian joint in South Lake Tahoe. It’s one of the best places when you want classic Italian food without paying an arm and a leg. This casual and affordable restaurant is a fan favorite for visitors in Lake Tahoe.
If you ask anyone in town about this restaurant, they’ll tell you that besides actually eating there, the best thing about it is finding it. It’s a charming spot hidden away in the back lanes of the town. It’s a gingerbread-style cabin. Inside, it’s warm and cozy with wood planks along the walls.
Everything is delicious at Cafe Fiore. People love their fettuccine alla calabrese, garlic bread, and their famous eggplant crepes. Whatever you order, you can’t forget to ask for their wine list. The list is extensive and is filled with local wine and wine from around the world.
Kalani’s
For delicious fine dining, Kalani’s is a good option. This Hawaiian-inspired restaurant features elegant takes on seafood and classic dishes from the South Pacific. The good is fabulous, and you’ll think you’re at a restaurant on an island for a minute and not in the mountains of California.
This romantic restaurant opened in 2004 and has quickly become a local favorite for visitors and residents of South Lake Tahoe. The interior features wood walls, stonework, with the perfect mood lighting. During the summer, they open p outdoor seating in front of the restaurant that you may want to dine at.
Kalani’s has all your favorite seafood and Hawaiian-inspired dishes. You can get poke bowls, fresh sushi, sashimi, fish tacos, and so much more. They have a children’s menu if you’re dining with kids, and their cocktail menu is worth looking at. Many of them are garnished with purple flowers.
Riva Grill on the Lake
Riva Grill on the Lake is another excellent dining option when all you want are spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. It was voted Best of Tahoe in 2020, so you have to try it if you make it here. You’ll have beautiful views of the lake and boats from almost every corner of the restaurant. If you can sit outside, that’s the best seat in the house.
They serve seafood and other elegant dishes. Most people come for the fresh seafood, though. The Dungeness crab lakes are incredibly popular when their spicy fried chicken sandwich is the perfect lunchtime dish in season.
They’re open for lunch and dinner, but it’s a great place when all you want is a cocktail too. They have an impressive wine list, handcrafted cocktails, local beer, and a full bar to make you pretty much anything you could want.
Sprouts Cafe
Sometimes all you want is a quick meal before heading off for the day or before turning into bed for the night. Sprouts Cafe is in South Lake Tahoe and is a healthy restaurant that allows you to grab a healthy meal without waiting a long time.
Sprouts Cafe has been in Lake Tahoe since 1990 and is popular amongst visitors and locals. When you arrive, you’ll place your order at the counter before taking a seat at one of the many tables or taking it with you elsewhere.
All their food is very fresh, and they even have fresh pressed juice that you have to try. Some of the items on their menu are sandwiches, salads, and soup. Their soup of the day is something to look into when you’re there, as is their most popular sandwich, the Real Tahoe Turkey.
Christy Hill
You’ll find Christy Hill about 100 feet above the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Many restaurants have great views of Lake Tahoe, but Christy Hill is one of the only ones that offer panoramic views of the lake. If you can dine here, you need to try and get a seat on their patio to really soak up the views.
Christy Hill serves a combination of French and California cuisine. Their menu is modern, and they source as many of their ingredients from local farmers as much as possible. They offer shareable plates, small plates, and a small selection of larger plates.
They also have several desserts that you will want to try and save room for. This romantic restaurant is perfect for any occasion
Fire Sign Cafe
One of the best restaurants on the lake’s west shore is Fire Sign Cafe. This restaurant is in Tahoe City and is an excellent spot for an even better meal. The best way to describe Fire Sign Cafe is to picture a traditional American diner. They’ve been around since 1978 and have added a coffee annex.
Fire Sign Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, so make sure to go there early in the day, so you’re not shocked when they’re closed for dinner. Some examples of what you can find on their menu are classic breakfast items like pancakes and omelets. As for their lunch selection, there are sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
A great thing about this cafe is that they cater to various dietary restrictions. They have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Revive Coffee and Wine
Every town needs a great coffee shop, and Revive is the best for South Lake Tahoe. The thing that makes this place even better is that they have a great wine selection too. Revive Coffee and Wine is in a log cabin and has plenty of outdoor seats for you to sip your coffee or your wine.
Inside the restaurant is a minimalistic decor with a wooden counter where you’ll order and minimal seating inside. They’re open throughout the year, so when winter comes, you’ll want to stay inside. During the summer, sitting outside is preferable.
Their coffee is locally brewed, and they offer specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The pastries and paninis are delicious, as are their small plates that pair well with their wine options. Whatever wine you prefer, they have it. They have pinot noirs, chardonnays, cabernets, and more.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the mood for a burrito, soup, Italian, Mexican, or anything in between, you won’t go hungry when in Lake Tahoe. All these restaurants are sure to satisfy, located in every part of the lake. Get ready to book your dream vacation to Lake Tahoe today to taste some of these fantastic restaurants.
Featured Image Credit: Sandip Bhattacharya via Flickr CC2.0
