Written by Claire McArthur
With balmy summer temperatures and social distancing still hanging around, it’s an ideal time to dine al fresco in Reno-Tahoe. From lakefront piers to cozy flora-filled patios, enjoy a range of cuisines while reveling in the fact that you’re finally not the one cooking! Here, we’ve rounded up some can’t-miss spots for dining outdoors in our area.
But most importantly, don’t forget to show your support, whether monetarily or with kind words, for the industry that’s been hit so hard by our current circumstances.
West Shore Café and Inn
West Shore Café and Inn offers outdoor seating on their patio, pier and even delivery to your boat in the buoy field.
Photo courtesy of West Shore Café and Inn
At West Shore Café, dine on elevated California cuisine from a gorgeous lakefront patio and pier, indulging in house-made burrata with grilled peaches and lavender truffle honey, or a local wagyu beef burger with white cheddar and black garlic aioli. If you arrive by boat, tie off to a buoy and call in your order, and it will be delivered to you by a boat valet!
West Shore Café and Inn
5160 W. Lake Blvd., Homewood
530-525-5200 • Westshorecafe.com
Alibi Ale Works Truckee Public House
Pair delicious Alibi Ale Works brews with creative, beer-inspired dishes at the brewery’s Truckee-based beer garden. At long picnic tables reminiscent of the original German biergartens, nosh on a Dark Saison-braised pork belly “BLT” with fried green tomato, red leaf lettuce, chimichurri sauce, and pimento-lime aioli, or dip your Truckee Sourdough pretzel into Alibi’s house-made beer mustard or cheese sauce. Prost!
Alibi Ale Works – Truckee Public House
10069 Bridge St., Truckee
530-536-5029 • Alibialeworks.com/truckee-public-house.html
Wild River Grille
Nestled on the banks of the Truckee River in Downtown Reno, the aptly named Wild River Grille offers an eclectic menu accompanied by tranquil waterfront views. Enjoy lobster mac ’n’ cheese, plum chipotle salmon, or sautéed elk medallions with hand-foraged Sierra mushrooms. Wash your meal down with one of the many freshly squeezed lemonades available — from peach-flavored to pomegranate — or perhaps something stronger, such as The Biggest Little City Citrus Sidecar.
Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., Ste. 180, Reno
775-284-7455 • Wildrivergrille.com
Bistro at Edgewood Tahoe
Take in unimpeded views of Big Blue from the patio at Edgewood Tahoe’s mountain-chic Bistro. The restaurant serves up a diverse roster of fine-dining dishes, from roasted bone marrow and fig-prosciutto flatbread to yellow curry stew and Chilean seabass — each with the Bistro’s signature high-end flair. A walk on the beach is the perfect way to cap the al fresco experience.
Bistro at Edgewood Tahoe Resort
180 Lake Pkwy., Stateline
888-769-1924 • Edgewoodtahoe.com/dine-imbibe
The Stone House Café
Bursting with colorful flowers, topiaries, and trees adorned with twinkly lights, the patio at The Stone House Café is the perfect garden escape for diners. Fittingly, the stone structure was one of Reno’s first businesses when it opened as a nursery with more than 80 varieties of roses, berries, and trees back in 1876. With lengthy, creative menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the neighborhood café has something for every palate.
The Stone House Café
1907 S. Arlington Ave., Reno
775-284-3895 • Stonehousecafereno.com
Great Basin Brewing Co.
Nevada’s oldest currently operating brewery cranks out more than award-winning beers. At the Sparks location in Victorian Square, sip on an Icky IPA between bites of ale-battered, bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers; milk stout-braised lamb shepherd’s pie; or a charbroiled patty melt on house-made beer bread. It’s the perfect spot to post up on a late summer afternoon.
Great Basin Brewing Co.
846 Victorian Ave., Sparks
775-355-7711 • Greatbasinbrewingco.com
The Union
Sit beneath The Union’s outdoor pergola, taking in the happenings on Carson Street in Carson City, while making the difficult decision of whether to order pizza, pasta, or a burger — but with a twist. The Union’s smoked-pork-baked fusilli includes handmade pasta and is topped with a kettle chip crunch, and the 72-hour fermented pizza crusts are layered with high-quality meat and mozzarella. Meanwhile, the burgers — made with a blend of ground beef chuck and short ribs — have unique flavor profiles, such as Cajun and bánh mì. Top it all off with a local craft beer or one of The Union’s own house brews.
The Union
302 N. Carson St., Carson City
775-885-7307 • Theunioncarson.com
Lone Eagle Grille
For elevated new American cuisine coupled with beautiful North Shore Lake Tahoe views, head to the Lone Eagle Grille in Incline Village. As the sun sets over the water, cut into perfectly seared duck breast atop farro risotto, English peas, summer squash, pickled Granny Smith apples, and smoked jus or opt for the grilled king salmon roulade with Dungeness crab salad, grilled lemon, and caper beurre blanc. As the temperature dips in the evening, enjoy a nightcap around one of the grille’s outdoor fire pits.
Lone Eagle Grille
111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village
775-886-6899 • Loneeaglegrille.com
Claire McArthur is a freelance writer who believes food always tastes better outside. You can reach her at Clairecudahy@gmail.com.
