Unearthing savory and sweet foods and delicious drinks for locals and visitors alike.
Written by Christina Nellemann
We asked the publisher of edible Reno-Tahoe to share some must-visit restaurant spots if you’ve got a day to spend in the Reno-Tahoe area.
When thinking of restaurants in Reno, many visitors here usually expect to dine at casino buffets. While they can still be found, the food-and-drink scene in The Biggest Little City and Big Blue has erupted with farm-fresh ingredients and finely crafted brews and cocktails that dominate the area’s nightlife. Restaurant menus emphasize seasonal produce and meat from high-desert ranches, and locally distilled spirits. Lake Tahoe, just 45 minutes from Reno, is seeing its own surge of delicious dining.
So if you’re in awe of the landscape, you’ll be just as impressed with these incredible restaurants. Our list below of the best dining options in the Reno-Tahoe area will leave you extending your stay so you can try each one.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Dessert | Drinks
Rise and shine with a meal that’s divine. Fine dining in Reno-Tahoe doesn’t leave you without breakfast. Start the day with something magnificent like a plate of Crab Cake Bennys or Bananas Foster French Toast from Liberty Food & Wine Exchange in Reno. Or wiggle yourself into Squeeze In’s original location in Truckee for one of the ‘World’s Best Omelettes” and a peek at their famous green mascot. Our list of favorites below will have you jumping out of bed in the morning.
Why We Love It: If your travels take you up to the pine forests of Lake Tahoe for breakfast, head to the Fire Sign Cafe. This local favorite has weekend lines out the door for a good reason. The Cape Cod Benedict with house-smoked salmon and the Nut & Seed Waffle will start your day off right.
1785 W. Lake Blvd.,
Tahoe City, CA 96145
530-583-0871
Why We Love It: Stay in Reno and have one of the colossal omelettes at Squeeze In. This small chain has five locations and was featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. The Hangover Helper with ham, bacon, sausage, and two kinds of cheese, and the Holy Crab! King Crab omelette are signature dishes. If you are in Tahoe, you’re in luck. The original Squeeze In is located in Truckee.
10060 Donner Pass Road,
Ste. B
Truckee, CA 96161
530-587-9814
Why We Love It: End your search for the perfect biscuits. This Portland-based establishment makes for a buttery addition to Reno. Pine State Biscuits offers a plethora of biscuit sandwiches such as The Chatfield piled with fried chicken, bacon, and cheese, and topped with apple butter. You’ll be hooked on the biscuits, but don’t worry, they’ll ship them nationwide!
200 S. Center St.
Reno, NV 89501
775-432-2464
Why We Love It: Liberty Food & Wine Exchange arrived on the scene with a bold, new menu of brunch dishes such as the Green Lantern Benedict made with sauteed mushrooms, kale, avocado, and lemon ricotta. If you’re going for a lighter option, try the Ruby Grapefruit Brûlée caramelized to perfection, and served with yogurt and granola.
100 N. Sierra St.
Reno, NV 89501
775-336-1091
When lunch is more than just a pitstop, and you’re looking for an amazing place to sit for a meal, nothing beats the versatility of the restaurants in the Reno-Tahoe area. Dine on ultra-fresh sushi at Drunken Monkey in Truckee, or discover Great Full Gardens in Reno for a fresh, farm-to-table lunch such as Chicken Tinga Tacos or a Paleo Lunch Bowl. There’s no shortage of amazing spots to settle in for a midday meal. We’ve gathered up a list of our favorites below.
Why We Love It: The locavore scene in Reno is widely prevalent in the restaurants co-owned and operated by Gino and Juli Scala, known as Gino The Soup Man, and Cyndi Wallis. Their popular Great Full Gardens restaurants serve up farm-fresh ingredients, great service, and a community atmosphere. The lunch menu features Gino’s Totally Tomato soup, Paleo Lunch Bowl with grilled chicken or wild salmon, Beautiful BLTA with Applewood smoked bacon on toasted naan, Wild Cod Tacos with Mexican rice, and the vegan “Neatball” Sandwich with house-made marinara.
Locations in Reno and Sparks. For details, visit https://www.greatfullgardens.com/
Why We Love It: Texas comes to Reno with this family-run restaurant in the Midtown District of Reno. Brothers Barbecue specializes in Texas-style, dry-rubbed, and wood-smoked barbecue using two generations of family recipes. Try the classic Pulled Pork Sandwich or the Texas Tornado with Spicy Sausage topped with Beef Brisket.
618 S. Center St.
Reno, NV 89501
775-384-3547
Why We Love It: Run by two Tahoe guys, the Full Belly Deli (in both Truckee and Reno) bakes its own bread and tops it with locally sourced vegetables and meats. The deli serves up subs, wraps, soup and salad, and pressed sandwiches. The Green Eggs and Ham breakfast sandwich has fresh pesto and the Dirka Dirka bursts with corned beef, pastrami, pickles, and jalapeño coleslaw.
Locations in Reno and Truckee. For details, visit https://eatfullbellydeli.com/
If you’re in Reno or Tahoe, you’ve hit the jackpot for delicious dining. It’s hard to choose between staying in Reno for the historic Louis’ Basque Corner’s family-style dining or heading up to Incline Village for Sage Leaf’s unique cuisine such as the Dill-Crusted King Salmon Filet. Savor our list of favorite restaurants below and treat yourself to remarkable Reno-Tahoe dining.
Why We Love It: People from the Basque region of Europe originally came to Northern Nevada to work in the mines, but found sheepherding more lucrative. Basque food soon followed and Reno residents now savor the flavors of the nearly 50-year-old Louis’ Basque Corner. This exceptional restaurant and bar serves entrées family-style with soup, Basque beans, salad, French fries, and dessert. Traditional dishes include oxtail, tongue, rabbit, lamb chops, and luscious sweetbreads with red wine and mushroom sauce. In the bar of this Reno staple, you can rub elbows with the city’s bigwigs, cowboys, truck drivers, and hipsters over glasses of Louis’ famous Picon Punch or Rioja Blanco.
301 E. Fourth St.
Reno, NV 89512
775-323-7203
Why We Love It: Pignic Pub & Patio is a lively restaurant near downtown Reno with an offbeat meal concept: bring your own meat. Or you can buy a few steaks from the restaurant’s fridge and the staff will give you the grill and tools to whip up your own dinner. The dishes and cleanup is on them. A full menu of dishes is available for ordering as well. Time it right and you can enjoy a pop-up dinner with a local chef or a tasting night complete with live music or games on the TV.
235 Flint St.
Reno, NV 89501
775-376-1948
Why We Love It: The owners of Sage Leaf brought the elevated cuisine of Napa Valley to Incline Village. Their unique, elegant menu will not disappoint. Settle in for the Duck Fat Fried Potato Poutine made with hand-cut steak fries, and duck gravy with white cheddar cheese curds. Celebrate the evening with a craft cocktail such as the Pineapple Sage Martini with house-infused vodka or a glass of wine from their notable wine list.
893 Tahoe Blvd.,
Ste. 600
Incline Village, NV 89451
775-413-5005
There’s always room for dessert! Reno-Tahoe offers an amazing selection of dessert options that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Why We Love It: This Tahoe City bakery focuses on organic baked goods and cakes and caters to the gluten-free crowd with its delightful treats. Daily baked items include scones and coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, and sticky buns. Sugar Pine’s cakes and cupcakes can be customized with various flavors such as Vegan Vanilla, Carrot Cake, and Coconut.
2923 Lake Forest Road
Tahoe City, CA 96145
530-583-2253
Reno-Tahoe is in no short supply of craft cocktails, spirits, and local brews. Explore The Biggest Little City’s extraordinary bars, pubs, and wine bars, or head to Tahoe to enjoy a tasty libation by the lake. Check out a few of our favorites from the list below. They serve up great drinks and amazing dining experiences.
Why We Love It: The Chapel Tavern in the Midtown neighborhood in Reno was listed as a finalist for a James Beard Foundation award for Outstanding Bar Program in 2022, included in an international cocktail book, and has been featured in The New York Times for its unusual spirits and inventive bartenders. This rustic yet hip tavern features live music events and creates some of the best-known cocktails in town. Try the Terra Cognita Tonic with rosemary grown at the bar, or the Mind Kontrol mixed with rum infused with tobacco. Its revolving selection of beers features local brews such as the Great Basin Brewing Company’s “Icky” IPA. During warm weather, Chapel’s deck or beer garden are great places to watch city life.
1099 S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502
775-324-2244
Why We Love It: San Francisco should be jealous of Reno’s Death & Taxes. This black-leather-and-chandelier-decorated bar in Midtown Reno specializes in craft cocktails made with sensual ingredients. Watching the passionate mixologists behind the bar is a real treat. The D&T “Bible” is updated regularly, but some favorites are the Cala Varques with Thai chili Reposado Tequila, Green Chartreuse, honey, lemon, and lavender bitters. A flaming sprig of thyme completes this cocktail.
26 Cheney St.
Reno, NV 89501
Why We Love It: Sunsets at Lake Tahoe will take your breath away. A divine way to enjoy them is with a drink at the Lone Eagle Grille’s Lounge or by one of its lakeside fire pits. The Lone Eagle’s extensive wine list has consistently won awards of excellence from Wine Spectator and a glass of the Barnard Griffin or even some Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label is a wonderful ending to a day in Reno-Tahoe.
111 Country Club Drive
Incline Village, NV 89451
775-886-6899
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