Keeping you informed of local food-and-drink news.
Another issue, another lineup of food-and-drink news. What new restaurants have opened recently? What favorites have said goodbye? It’s our job to be in the know about the local food scene, and we’re sharing all of that information with our favorite people — our readers.
Openings & Expansions
Looking for date-night inspiration? Impress your friends with your knowledge of the newest spots to dine and play.
Birdeez, a mini-golf and darts fun center in Downtown Reno opened on Dec. 10. It comes from the same owners behind Downtown’s Reno Axe and the Grand Sierra Resort’s Sensology, adding to the Downtown playground landscape. The business features several lanes of electronic dart games, three challenging mini-golf courses in varying levels of difficulty, and a full restaurant and bar.
Before 2024 ended, The Coyote Saloon opened its doors. The country bar combines sports and line dancing for an extraordinary Reno experience. Located on Kietzke Lane, the saloon opens at 3 p.m. daily, offering a rotating selection of line-dancing events, bottle service, DJs, and more. It also hosts food trucks each day.
The adorable pink building on Pine Street in Reno opened as Chrome Coffee Works on Nov. 21. The retro spot serves a simple menu of coffee and tea, plus breakfast burritos and pastries.
HumiliTree, a new horticultural consultancy and landscaping business in Reno owned by Tanner Petrilla, is up and running. The business will focus largely on caring for perennials.
The Wolf Den has had a somewhat complicated history of opening and closing. Located near Lawlor Events Center, it’s a popular bar for University of Nevada, Reno students. In June 2015, the Den shuttered again, but, as of 2025, it’s reopened.
Bab Café reopened on Sept. 21 following a mandatory closure by the Northern Nevada Public Health Department in May after violating several codes. The owner had been keeping followers up to date on the reopening process, which included passing several health inspections, through social media.
In August, Hello Tacos burst onto the scene with its bright pink food truck. Want to know where to get your fix? Follow along on Instagram at Eathellotacos. The truck serves up artisan tacos and also offers catering.
King Sushi opened in late January at East First Street in Reno, taking over the former Vistro space.
In franchise news, Planet Smoothie opened in University Crossing, celebrating with a ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 7. Another (new) Teriyaki Madness eatery is its neighbor.
Josef’s Vienna Bakery & Café now has a second location. The beloved local café now can be found on Plumb Lane in Reno’s Arlington Gardens Mall, in the old Rattlesnake Bistro spot.
Sierra Nevada Bakery and Creamery opened in Downtown Reno, near The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, The Coconut, and La Famiglia.
Another restaurant expected to open soon is The Golden Dragon, moving into 999 Pho’s former spot, at 2309 Kietzke Lane in Reno. The Chinese restaurant comes from the family responsible for Golden Flower, Asia Market, and Poke King.
Mochinut Reno celebrated its grand opening in Ridgeview Plaza in West Reno on Jan. 17. While there are many Mochinut franchises across the country, this marks just the third Nevada-based location and the first outside of the Las Vegas area. The shop, which features colorful and flavorful mochi-style doughnuts, also serves boba and corn dogs.
Finally, several other openings are on the horizon. First, Selden, an LGBTQ+ bar, will open in the former Junkee spot in April. Next, a permit was filed for a small grocery store at 255 N. Sierra St. in Reno, although we are still awaiting more details on the project. And a new franchise location of fondue restaurant The Melting Pot should be here in 2025; locals Bruce and Landess Witmer signed a franchise deal in 2024.
Closures & Business Changes
Join us in saying farewell to these local gems.
The long-running Genoa Country Store closed its doors on Dec. 22. The owners announced lease negotiations as the driving force for the closure. The beloved shop originally opened in 1999.
BAM! Dog in Smithridge Center closed on Nov. 8. The hot dog business still operates out of a food truck for local events but has ceased operations of its brick and mortar, which opened eight years ago.
In mid-December, Fourk Kitchen bid adieu to Reno. The restaurant was known for serving multicourse, prix fixe menus that rotated once per month, but after fewer than four years in business, the owner decided to pull the plug when his attempts to sell were unsuccessful.
The Basque restaurant-meets-sports bar concept, The Fe, barely made it past one year in business. It opened in October 2023, then served its last meal in December 2024.
Blind Dog Tavern ended 2024 by closing its doors for good after hosting guests on Dec. 31 and seven years in business. The owner, Josh Callen, owns multiple bars throughout Reno.
Brewery IMBIB’s owners announced in January that it would be closing its doors in Reno and Sparks for good after 10 years in business. The brand has been brewing here since 2012.
The Cake Slice closed its location on South McCarran in Reno on Nov. 19.
The owner behind Italian Hearts Gourmet Foods LLC, which includes Italian Hearts Pasta Sauces, is looking to sell.
Nathan Rosenbloom announced the closure of LCF Plant Nursery in December, then shut down both the in-person business and the website. He plans to focus on his newer venture, Mountain Mushrooms, as well as his family.
Pola Poke Bowls closed permanently on Nov. 27; however, the owners are planning to open a new restaurant, Lillo, in the same location in 2025.
DOPO Pizza & Pasta is making a move from its St. Lawrence Avenue location to the old Sizzle Pie building near The Pioneer Center, after the latter closed abruptly last year. DOPO also will be pulling out of Reno Public Market.
Notable News
Let’s give a round of applause to the neighbors making a splash on the local food scene — and gaining much-deserved recognition.
Ferino Distillery announced an impressive takeover. Torani, the producer of Amer liqueur, is giving its famed recipe to Ferino, as a way to keep tradition alive. The Reno distillery will take ownership of the recipe in March and start selling the liqueur in April. With 100 years under its belt, Torani now can focus on different products and projects without discontinuing Amer.
Kimmie Candy received the Best Nevada Grown Product prize in the 2024 Best in Business Awards, presented by Northern Nevada Business Weekly.
Kwok’s Bistro was recognized by Food & Wine as No. 12 on a list of Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in America for 2024.
Reno’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa was featured on three episodes of What Would You Do? on ABC, airing Jan. 15, Feb. 5, and March 5. Clips of the episodes are available on YouTube.
J Resort announced its $130 million development plan, which will include a northward expansion. In addition to resort improvements, the Downtown Reno property will grow to encompass facilities and festival grounds, and it has entered into a partnership with JMF Presents on an outdoor entertainment project.
The Andelin family, who operates Andelin Family Farm, has requested changes to its 160-acre Sparks property off Pyramid Way, with the objective of continuing its agritourism festivals and events for many years to come. While the majority of the space will continue to be used for agriculture, the family is seeking annexation of the property by the City of Sparks and amendments to the comprehensive plan to facilitate the expansion of its festivals, as well as commercial spaces for a farm store, restaurant and retail, and the future development of single-family agrihood-themed residences.
Tahoe-Truckee News
Base Camp Pizza Co. received national recognition, being named one of the Top 10 Pizzerias in the Nation in a recent SFGate article. The Heavenly Village pizza shop not only was praised for its delicious fare but also its community-first dedication to service.
A ribbon cutting for Yuki Ramen took place on Jan. 13. The ramen and Asian cuisine concept is located on Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.
As part of the renovations happening at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Brew Brothers will open in 2025. You may be familiar with the restaurant currently open at The ROW in Reno, which doubles as a nightclub after hours. The craft beer and dining venue will be located just off the casino floor, where the food court and California Bar used to operate. The total footprint will encompass 7,930 square feet.
Tahoe Nugget Casino recently underwent a multiyear remodel of 8,700 square feet. The property received an impressive facelift, with the additions of tongue-and-groove wood paneling, extensive masonry stonework, and custom light fixtures. The project, developed by SB Builders LLC, began in October 2023 and wrapped in August 2024.
The same developer also took on the Sushi Pier remodel in Stateline. This two-month project provided a kitchen upgrade with new cooking line and equipment. The renovation was completed within a month and a half, in late 2024.
Come back next issue to see what else is changing. Until next time.
