Archive
Bristlecone Brewing Co.
In late May 2025, Bristlecone Brewing Co. opened in the spot formerly occupied by IMBIB brewery on Second Street in Reno. The owners are Martin Barman and Matt Garcia and they were some of the brewers with Alibi Ale Works (in Incline Village and Truckee), which stopped brewing its own beer. The two are focusing on having a wide array of beer styles, with an even mix of lagers and ales. And they want to concentrate on making beers that are approachable and easy to drink. Currently, they are open 4 – 10 p.m. Fridays and 1 – 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. They plan to open on some weekdays soon.
Whitecaps Pizza
Whitecaps Pizza at Kings Beach, which opened in 2017 in the old Steamers building, is debuting a rooftop patio this summer. The bar backs up to the lake, offering customers an unobstructed view of Tahoe.
Tahoe Restaurant Group
Tahoe Restaurant Group, which owns Tahoe restaurants Basecamp Pizza Co., Fireside Pizza Co., Rubicon Pizza Co., and Azul Latin Kitchen, recently became an employee-owned company. This allows employees to receive free retirement benefits as long as they work a minimum of 800 hours per year. Among the upsides of this model, which required the owners to sell their shares into a trust, is that employees now have a stake in the company’s overall success.
Toucan Charlie’s Gourmet Buffet and Grille
Toucan Charlie’s Gourmet Buffet and Grille was recently recognized by Yelp for having one of the country’s best brunch buffets. The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa restaurant was the only Northern Nevada restaurant to make the list, ranking #14 on Yelp’s all-time list of the best brunch buffets. Yelp Elite Squad Members are responsible for the awards, based on their rankings and the volume of reviews.
Need 2 Speed
Need 2 Speed moved locations from the shopping center near Target in South Reno to Northtowne Marketplace in North Reno on April 28, 2025. The new facility features a multilevel go-kart track, duckpin bowling, mini golf, and an arcade, plus a full restaurant and two bars with elevated offerings and outdoor drink service.
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.
FiftyFifty Brewing Co. is the newest addition to the Reno Public Market, with a planned summer 2025 opening date. And that’s not all the brand has in store. FiftyFifty leaders announced a crowdfunding campaign to bring even more beer to the region with plans to open a new flagship pub and taproom in Downtown Truckee, expansion into new hospitality models and product lines, and new social clubs with pilot brewing facilities in Reno and Mammoth Lakes. Photo by Jeff Freeman
Madame Butterwork’s La Crêperie
Circus Circus in Downtown Reno got a new dining spot in April. Madame Butterwork’s La Crêperie is a cafeteria featuring breakfast favorites such as fresh crêpes, coffee, and mimosas. The grand opening was held May 17, 2025.
Reno Food Systems
Reno Food Systems, a five-acre urban farm and nonprofit group, recently was awarded a $350,000 United States Department of Agriculture Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant. It’s the first Nevada-based farm to receive this national grant. Out of more than 650 applications, the group was one of only 17 organizations/businesses to receive it. This is a big milestone for Reno Food Systems and the local food movement. The grant will allow the nonprofit’s leaders and volunteers to continue growing food regeneratively and holistically with perennials, natives, and annuals. (This past year, the group used a large percentage of the farm for this endeavor and implemented a mobile chicken operation). The grant also will provide increased food access to community members and educate the community and host volunteers. In addition, the group is working with Washoe County officials to expand its site at Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park on Mayberry Drive and McCarran Boulevard in Reno. The expansion would let Reno Food Systems increase its regenerative agriculture footprint plus potentially grow more food for the community and create more space for education and training programs.
Cascade Kitchens
An exciting food-and-drink project is brewing in South Lake Tahoe. Cascade Kitchens, at 1030 Tata Lane near the Y, is a commercial kitchen, food hall, and food-business incubator. The business will include seven full-time food vendor stalls; market kiosks for popup sales; a state-of-the-art commissary kitchen offering community memberships for food truckers; indoor and outdoor dining and imbibing spaces; events rooms; and a bar, called The Thirsty Bear, which will highlight regional beverages. Renovations began in early 2023 and project partners hope to open the doors to the public in July of this year.
Brew Brothers at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe celebrated the grand opening of Brew Brothers in South Lake Tahoe on May 2, 2025. The four original Brew Brothers — Glenn Carano, Gary Carano, Geno Carano, and Gregg Carano — attended the celebration to honor the brewery’s latest location. The new restaurant and bar took over the former food court and California Bar and offers more than 200 seats and 30 high-definition TVs. The menu features locally sourced beers from such breweries as FiftyFifty in Truckee and seasonal craft beers brewed in-house, as well as cocktails and dishes such as burgers, wings, ribs, pizzas, tacos, and pasta. Brew Brothers, created by the Carano family in 1995 at the Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno, has 12 locations across the country.
Roundabout + JMF Presents
Roundabout in Sparks was chosen as the food-and-beverage provider for JMF Presents events at J Resort’s Festival Grounds and Glow Plaza in Downtown Reno. This will include full concessions, bar operations, and VIP and artist hospitality services. The large-scale collaboration will feature six to eight food stations, up to 15 full bars, three draft-beer trailers and premium bottle service in the VIP area. Guests will enjoy such offerings as burgers on Franco Bread hamburger buns, a barbecue bar, Nashville-hot and Korean-crispy chicken sandwiches, a pizza-and-taco station, rice bowls, and snacks. A festival team of 50 to 75 Roundabout staff members will keep food-and-beverage operations seamless from concessions to the green room.
The Flavor Studio
After seven years in operation, The Flavor Studio in Reno is closing. The business offered a variety of food-, wine-, and spirits-tasting events to the public. Aracelli Barrera, who worked as the chef at the business, took over as owner two years ago after the passing of its founder, Laurel Pine. Barrera is closing primarily due to location challenges and new building ownership. However, she says she will continue to offer private catering, pop-up events, and website sales of caviar, wagyu, and foie gras at Enjoyfoiegras.com.
Elixir Superfood & Juice
Elixir Superfood & Juice just signed a lease to open a second Reno location in the old Nektar juice spot in the Village at Rancharrah in South Reno. The owners are shooting for a July/August 2025 opening. The business started in Mammoth, Calif., and has a location on California Avenue in Midtown Reno. Elixir specializes in cold-pressed juices and fresh, organic, nutritious bowls with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo choices. The company offers franchise opportunities.
Inclined Burgers + Brews
We’re excited to announce that a fourth location of Inclined Burgers + Brews will be opening in the Sticks development in Midtown Reno in mid-May. Inclined Burgers opened its first location in Incline Village about seven years ago, its second location in Northwest Reno in 2022, and its location at Northstar ski resort in 2023. The company also owns Biggest Little Steakhouse in Midtown Reno, which it opened three years ago. The newest location of Inclined Burgers will be the first to feature a full bar. Future plans for the site include a Champagne party concept in the greenhouse on the roof above the restaurant.
BJ’s Nevada Barbecue
BJ’s Nevada Barbecue in Sparks — known locally for 38 years of delicious food and deep-rooted community involvement such as mentoring culinary students and supporting first responders — was honored nationally as a 2025 Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero. The recognition came with a surprise $20,000 check, which was presented to owner and chef Jay Rathmann on April 25, 2025. Intuit team members will join Rathmann and his team at BJ’s on May 8, 2025, to further honor his contributions to the community. Photo by Asa Gilmore
Frost Giant Creamery
Frost Giant Creamery, in Reno, was rated the best ice cream in Nevada by Eat This, Not That, in the “Best Ice Cream in Every State” guide published this year.
Roamer Coffee House
On April 27, 2025, Travis Tidd, and his wife, Marissa, celebrated the grand opening of Roamer Coffee House at 726 Glendale Ave. in Sparks. The couple renovated a 1953 brick house to create the coffeehouse, which has a drive-through window. They will add a roasting facility in the future. This is the second location for the duo, whose first brick-and-mortar shop is at 300 S. Wells Ave., Ste. 5, in Reno. They recently rebranded that location, which was called Hand Craft Coffee Co.
Dahlia’s Mexican Grill
Dahlia’s Mexican Grill celebrated its grand opening April 28, 2025. The restaurant on South McCarran in Reno serves Mexican favorites.
Mt. Rose Wine Co.
Mt. Rose Wine Co. On April 28, 2025, Lacie and Doug Flannery, owners of Mt. Rose Wine Co. at The Summit shopping center in South Reno, sold their business to Amanda Flangas and Anthony Layton-Mathews, who own Midtown Spirits, Wine, & Bites in Midtown Reno. Mt. Rose Wine Co. opened in November of 2023. More…
The Jesse | Estella
Piper Stremmel and husband, Chris Reilly, sold their Fourth Street property, The Jesse, with its restaurant, Estella, to Batuhan Zadeh, of Marmot Properties, and his family, Jeff Zadeh, Caner Badur, and Ege Can Badur. Zadeh plans to keep the staff on board and continue service at the hotel while changing the restaurant to a Mediterranean focus. Stremmel and Reilly are focusing their efforts on their Best Bet Motor Lodge (and Reno Sauna Club) on South Virginia Street in Reno and a new project, the former Burner Morris Hostel on Fourth Street, which will be home to several businesses, including a music venue and bakery.
Lillo Eatery
Lillo Eatery is the new Reno restaurant concept from Brittany Walshaw, who owned Pola Poke Bowls until recently. Lillo, which opened in March 2025, is located in the same storefront she ran Pola out of. In addition to salads and a collection of bowls spanning international cuisines, Walshaw kept a few poke bowls on the menu. She also serves creative mocktails and breakfast, made largely using goods baked by Off Center Bagel, which bakes out of the Plumb Lane cafe.
West Street Cafe and Bistro
West Street Cafe and Bistro opened in West Street Market in Reno where Sabrina’s West Street Kitchen recently celebrated its last day in early February 2025.
Toro Bravo
Toro Bravo, a collaboration between Sergio Romero from La Condesa and Rene Preciado from Mexcal, opened mid-March 2025 on the Riverwalk in Reno. The upscale Mexican steakhouse has taken over the location on Sierra Street that was formerly Smith and River.
Drink Coffee Do Stuff
Drink Coffee Do Stuff — with locations in Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, and Incline Village — celebrated its grand opening in the South Creek Shopping Center in South Reno on April 18, 2025. The business served free coffee all day, with a line out the door nonstop from opening to closing time. Drink Coffee Do Stuff is slated to open another location in Midtown Reno, previously occupied by The Arch Society and Junkee.
Sierra Street Kitchen & Cocktails / Skyline Kitchen & Vine
On April 1, 2025, Brett Rosselli sold his two restaurant/bar businesses, Sierra Street Kitchen & Cocktails on Sierra Street in Downtown Reno and Skyline Kitchen & Vine in Reno, to longtime employee Colby Johnson and his business partner Megan Holland. Sierra Street Kitchen & Cocktails opened in May 2016 and Skyline Kitchen & Vine opened in June 2018. Johnson and Holland plan to update the menus with more seasonal and local ingredients and will keep the staff.
