Author: 
South Lake Tahoe is a spectacular vacation destination for fun lake activities, hiking, playing in the snow, and hitting the slopes. While the exact activities you can partake in vary seasonally, one thing is always certain: you’re guaranteed great food along the South Shore.
While Tahoe City and Incline Village have their fair share of great places to eat, the true dining gems on Lake Tahoe are found in South Lake Tahoe on the California side of the border.
In addition to exhilarating outdoor activities and world-class views, South Lake Tahoe has some incredible restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a casual pizza, a burger joint, or jaw-dropping lake views at a mouthwatering steakhouse, you’re in luck- because South Lake has it all.
Here are the best South Lake Tahoe restaurants.
Best Value South Lake Tahoe Restaurants: $
Dragonfly Bagel Co
- Address: 3358 Sandy Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast
Dragonfly Bagel Co is the premier bagel spot in South Lake Tahoe. This small restaurant has a trendy and inviting interior, and specializes in delicious, made-from-scratch bagels!
You can keep it simple and order a bagel with cream cheese, or pick one of their custom bagel sandwiches, like Mort’s Pastrami, or the Ultimate, a classic bagel breakfast sandwich.
Dragonfly Bagel Co also has a few group options like the breakfast bagel 4 pack you can take back to the group and eat at home.
Since all of their bagels are handmade daily, popular bagels typically sell out daily, so if your heart is set on a certain bagel, try to make it out before the masses!
Keys Cafe
- Address: 2279 Lake Tahoe Blvd Ste 2, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast and lunch
Keys Cafe is a unique dining option in South Lake Tahoe. They’re well-known for their delicious acai bowls, breakfast burritos, specialty coffee drinks, and best of all: a unique, cozy cabin atmosphere.
For lunch, Keys Cafe offers a variety of tasty sandwiches including a BLT and their Turkey Sando.
This restaurant has a unique history. The historic building is from the 1960s, and originally was a family home! It was recently converted into a restaurant, and that’s why the cozy cabin atmosphere is so prominent.
In addition to delicious breakfast, lunch, and drinks, Keys Cafe provides free WiFi, and even a printer for their patrons.
Chico’s Burger
- Address: 1070 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Chico’s Burger prides itself on serving the best fresh, fast, and fair-priced burgers and Mexican food in South Lake Tahoe!
Even when they’re busy (and they usually are) Chico’s can still dish out burgers and tacos on the fly for their hungry customers, without sacrificing quality.
Along with burgers and tacos, Chico’s also serves breakfast! They have an excellent variety of breakfast sandwiches and burritos with some of the best prices in the area.
This small South Lake Tahoe restaurant has limited seating available and is excellent for takeout. In addition to a wide variety of burgers, you can also get authentic, rotating tacos from Chico’s Burger for the best prices in town.
Empenash
- Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd #106, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Empenash is a delicious, hole-in-the-wall South Lake restaurant that serves traditional, handmade Argentine empanadas! Empenash uses only the freshest and finest ingredients to create their tasty and filling empanadas.
They have an equal mix of vegetarian and meat-based empanadas, along with a dessert empanada on their menu, so there is something for everyone. The empanadas at Empenash are cheap and very filling, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a quick lunch or dinner that will fill you up without breaking the bank. Empenash is great for take-out, and they also have outdoor seating and a cafeteria-style interior you can dine in.
South of North Brewing
- Address: 932 Stateline Ave Suite B, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and dinner
South of North Brewing serves delicious pub-style food alongside their beer menu. They have tasty share plates like pretzels with beer cheese, pigs in a blanket, and Italian-style meatballs.
For mains, they offer sandwiches with both meat and veggie options, along with grain bowls.
People love the ambiance of this brewery almost as much as they love the food- this brewery has a massive outdoor seating area, complete with firepits and string lights. They also have fun games like cornhole and ping pong for their guests to enjoy!
Mid-Range South Lake Tahoe Restaurants: $$
Bert’s Cafe
- Address: 1146 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast and lunch
If you’re looking for a delicious breakfast joint with hearty portions, Bert’s Cafe won’t disappoint!
This family-owned South Lake Tahoe restaurant has been serving incredible meals to the Tahoe community for 20 years.
Bert’s Cafe has all of the classic breakfast favorites, but what really sets them aside is their lengthy list of made-from-scratch items. Locals love the homemade buttermilk pancakes, corned beef hash, and the world’s best chicken fried steak.
The fun doesn’t end with breakfast either, Bert’s Cafe also has a delicious lunch menu! Lunch offerings include handmade burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wraps.
In addition to serving large portions of amazing food, the atmosphere at this bistro is incredibly welcoming.
Heidi’s Pancake House
- Address: 3485 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast and lunch
Heidi’s Pancake House has been serving South Lake Tahoe since 1964 and is truly beloved by both locals and tourists alike.
As their name suggests, Heidi’s Pancake House has an impressive amount of pancake options. Whether you enjoy fruity pancakes or savory stacks, it’s on the menu! They also have an impressive French Toast selection, and melt-in-your-mouth Swiss Crepes.
Heidi’s doesn’t just carry pancakes for breakfast either, they also have omelets, “eggs your way”, breakfast skillets, and more.
After 11, Heidi’s Pancake House brings out their lunch menu, which includes “outrageous burgers”, several different types of chicken breast sandwiches, and hot favorites like the French Dip and Philly Cheese Steak.
Driftwood Cafe
- Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way Suite 1A, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast & Lunch
Driftwood Cafe is one of the best restaurants in South Lake Tahoe for breakfast and lunch! For breakfast, choose from one of the Driftwood Cafe breakfast favorites like their eggs benedict and chicken fried steak, or enjoy one of their omelets, vegetarian specialties, or primo pancakes & waffles.
The lunch offerings at Driftwood Cafe include sandwiches, classic California burgers, salads, chili, and a few specialty items like their fresh fish tacos and nachos grande.
Located right in Heavenly Village, Driftwood Cafe is a convenient place to fill up before venturing up the Heavenly Gondola or starting your day on the lake. Their cozy cafe has limited indoor seating, or you can order takeout.
Artemis Lakefront Cafe
- Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd Ste 111, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Artemis Lakefront Cafe is a delicious South Lake Tahoe restaurant that serves inspired American cuisine along with authentic Mediterranean and Greek cuisine.
For breakfast, you can enjoy a classic American breakfast, pancakes, and omelets, or you can opt for their Baklava French Toast or Greek Breakfast. They also have a full espresso bar!
For lunch and dinner, Artemis has several options for soups, salads, pita wraps, and sandwiches. For entrees, they have some unique and diverse options like Moussaka, Persian Duck, and Gnocchi with Blackened Chicken.
Aside from delicious food, one of the biggest draws of this restaurant is the location! It’s situated right in front of the lake, and the patio view is hard to beat. You can even enjoy their patio on colder days by warming up next to the fire pit.
Base Camp Pizza
- Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way #25a, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and dinner
If you’ve got a hankering for some pizza after a long day adventuring in South Lake, Base Camp Pizza is the place to go! This family-friendly Italian restaurant has over ten delicious gourmet pizza options that will satisfy anyone. In addition to pizzas, Base Camp Pizza has pasta, a kids menu, desserts, and many options for shared plates.
This tasty South Lake Tahoe restaurant also has a full bar with specialty cocktails, hot drinks, a superb wine list, and draft beers.
Base Camp Pizza is also famous for having live music daily, so if you enjoy a lively atmosphere this is the place to be! They are also first-come, first-served, and do not take reservations- they recommend arriving before 2 pm to avoid long wait times.
Azul Latin Kitchen
- Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way Ste 4, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and dinner
For the best Latin dining experience in South Lake Tahoe, check out Azul Latin Kitchen. Their unique cuisine puts a lighter, healthier spin on traditional Mexican food.
Azul Latin Kitchen prides itself on using only high-quality ingredients. They source all their organic produce from Sacramento and California’s Central Valley, and their meats are all sustainably raised and antibiotic-free. Those high-quality ingredients make all the difference too, as their menu items are truly mouthwatering- don’t miss their tacos, nachos, and burritos.
This upbeat restaurant also features daily live music, and is a great place to enjoy lunch or dinner right in Heavenly Village.
Cold Water Brewery
- Address: 2544 Hwy 50, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and dinner
If you enjoy hand-crafted California comfort food, craft beer, and a fun and lively ambiance, Cold Water Brewery is the South Lake restaurant for you.
You can start with some classic pub appetizers like chicken wings and a bavarian pretzel, or you can enjoy one of their more unique offerings like their mussels. For mains, Cold Water Brewery has a diverse yet delicious menu. Fresh fish lovers will enjoy their Ahi Poke Bowl, King Salmon, and Grilled Prawns Linguine, and their sandwiches will satisfy anyone.
Cold Water Brewery has 14 rotating beers on draft that they brew themselves, including several IPAS, a few different stouts, and a few other types of beer.
The interior of Cold Water Brewery & Grill is warm and inviting, and you also have the option of dining on their large, festive patio.
High-End South Lake Tahoe Restaurants: $$$-$$$$
Jimmy’s Restaurant
- Address: 4104 Lakeshore Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Located within The Landing Hotel, Jimmy’s Restaurant has some of the most high-end breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings in South Lake. Their small but carefully selected breakfast menu offers a variety of regional, California cuisines that are sure to satisfy.
If you prefer the classics, you can opt for the American Breakfast with organic eggs, pork sausage, hickory smoked bacon, house potatoes, and toast. Or, you can opt for something more quintessentially Californian like their smashed avocado toast or chilaquiles.
For lunch and dinner, Jimmy’s Restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, burgers, fish tacos, and a smoked salmon bagel.
Depending on the season, you have your pick of dining in one of their private alcoves inside (some are even equipped with a personal fireplace), or you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and dine on their patio.
Kalani’s
- Address: 1001 Heavenly Village Way Ste 26, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Dinner, weekend brunch
Kalani’s is an elegant, fine dining restaurant that serves a unique menu with a fusion of Hawaiian and European fare.
They have sushi, poke, and other types of fresh fish. The local favorite is their esteemed Miso-Yaki Seabass. From land, Kalani’s offers premium beef, lamb, pork, and chicken entrees.
You have a few options of where to enjoy your meal in this upscale restaurant- you can have a more traditional dining experience in their intimate dining room, or relax in the Puka lounge or Raw Bar.
The interior is fairly unique from other South Lake Tahoe restaurants, as it incorporates an island finish that contrasts nicely with the mountain atmosphere. In the summer, you can dine outside on their patio with incredible mountain views.
Kalani’s is open for dinner daily, but they also have a weekend breakfast brunch, complete with bottomless mimosas, coffee drinks, and tasty Hawaiian lunch dishes.
Riva Grill
- Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd Ste 3, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Lunch and dinner
If you’re looking for a South Lake Tahoe restaurant with idyllic views and deductible American cuisine, consider dining at Riva Grill.
For lunch at Riva Grill, you can enjoy classics like caesar and cobb salads, burgers, prime rib sandwiches, and even wood-fired pizzas.
In the evenings, Riva expands upon their lunch menu by adding delicacies like Cashew-Crusted Salmon, Alaskan Halibut, and Filet & Lobster.
Riva Grill’s dining room is quaint and elegant, and if you wish to dine on their patio to enjoy the incredible view, it’s best to make a reservation to ensure you get a table.
Edgewood
- Address: 100 Lake Pkwy Stateline, NV 89449
- Serves: Dinner
For an elegant fine dining experience with truly unbeatable views, you can’t go wrong at Edgewood. This upscale South Lake Tahoe restaurant serves contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The Edgewood is open nightly for dinner, and while there is no official dress code they recommend “resort casual.”
While you’re enjoying one of their exquisite entrees like the Brandt Farms Filet Mignon or the Lobster Angellotti, you can simultaneously enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the lake you can get from any restaurant in South Lake. Most of Edgewood’s cuisine is meat-focused, however, they do have a few vegetarian options!
The Edgewood is an incredibly busy restaurant, and you’ll need a reservation. This restaurant also cannot accommodate groups larger than 6.
The Lake House
- Address: 1181 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
- Serves: Dinner
The Lake House is a classy, fine dining restaurant that specializes in incredible steaks and seafood dishes.
If you’re looking for a fine dining steakhouse in South Lake Tahoe, this is the best option. However, your choices go beyond their incredible Ribeye, Steelhead Trout, and Filet Mignon Entrees. They also have a variety of seasonal salads, tofu, and mushroom dishes, and a great selection of appetizers that range from Hamachi Ceviche to Risotto.
The Lake House also delivers a premier, elevated dining experience to their guests. Their “mountain modern” dining room is stylishly decorated and has a very upscale feel. Children under 8 are not allowed at the restaurant, and reservations are preferred.
Enjoy the Most Delish South Lake Tahoe Restaurants
You’re now ready to conquer the South Lake Tahoe restaurant scene! Whether you’re looking for tasty cheap eats or fine dining options, you’re in for a treat no matter which of these restaurants you choose from.
