Lake Tahoe Restaurants

Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation destination that is right on the border of California and Nevada; Reno being the closest and largest city to the lake. Both the North and South shores of Lake Tahoe area offer a wide variety of dining options. The North Shore is where you can find some of the most "enticing" dining in all of Northern California and Nevada.Go Tahoe North: Dining

The PlumpJack Cafe Squaw Valley, located in the the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, is one of the restaurants that is rated well by both Frommer's and Fodor's. Their menu is full of a "modern American" cuisine made with local, "fresh seasonal ingredients."PlumbJack Squaw Valley Inn: PlumpJack Cafe The service is "impeccable"Frommer's: PlumpJack Café and it's one of the "finest"Fodor's: PlumpJack Café restaurants in the Tahoe Basin. Expect an "exceptional" wine list at "surprisingly low prices."Fodor's: PlumpJack Café

The Fire sign Cafe is a "locals' choice"Frommer's: Fire Sign Café in the North Tahoe area. Almost everything on the menu is homemadeFrommer's: Fire Sign Café and the prices are low.TahoesBest.com: Fire Sign Cafe Menu There is a breakfast and lunch menu, although breakfast is the more popularFrommer's: Fire Sign Café of the two. The eggs Benedict are said to be "delicious" and they offer "real" maple syrup in a variety of flavors.Fodor's: Fire Sign Café

When planning your trip, please see the pages on a Lake Tahoe Vacation and Lake Tahoe Hotels.

• Evan's American Gourmet Cafe (South Lake Tahoe) American, Phone: 530-542-1990 Google Map
  • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "This restaurant's impeccable service, award-winning wine list, and unyielding attention to detail serve as a perfect backdrop..."

• • Fodor's Review: "[T]he service and food are excellent and merit a special trip."

• • TripAdvisor 4.5 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• PlumpJack Cafe (Olympic Valley) Modern American, Phone: 530-583-1576 Google Map
  • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "Expect impeccable service regardless of your attire (this is, after all, a ski resort)."

• • Fodor's Choice: "[T]he epitome of discreet chic and a must-visit for all serious foodies."

• • TripAdvisor 3.5 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Wolfdales (Tahoe City) California/Japanese, Phone: 530-583-5700 Google Map
  • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "Wolfdale's has long been one of Tahoe's finest restaurants..."

• • Fodor's Review: "Request a window table, and book early enough to see the lake view from the elegantly sparse dining room."

• • TripAdvisor 4.0 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)
• Christy Hill (Tahoe City) Contemporary, Phone: 530-583-8551 Google Map
  • Fodor's Review: "[W]hitewashed dining room or outside on the deck, and take in mesmerizing lake views..."

• • Yahoo! Travel 5 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Fresh Ketch Seafood, Phone: 530-541-5683 Google Map
  • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "[R]egarded as South Lake's premier seafood restaurant."

• • TripAdvisor 3.0 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Gar Woods Grill & Pier on the Lake (Carnelian Bay) American, Phone: 530-546-3366 Google Map
  • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "[I]t's great fun to sit on the lakeside deck to enjoy the good food and good cheer."

• • Fodor's Review: "[W]atch the sun shimmer on the water through the dining room's plate glass windows or from the heated outdoor deck."

• • Yahoo! Travel 3.0 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• The Naked Fish (South Shore) Sushi, Phone: 530-541-3474 Google Map
  • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "[L]aid-back atmosphere of this locally owned Japanese restaurant."

• • TripAdvisor 4.0 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• • Yahoo! Travel 3.5 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Cottonwood (Truckee) Eclectic, Phone: 530-587-5711 Google Map
  • Fodor's Review: "The bar is decked out with old wooden skis, sleds, skates, and photos of Truckee's early days."

• • TripAdvisor 4.0 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Ivano's (Zephyr Cove) Italian, Phone: 775-586-1070 Google Map
  • Frommer's Very Highly Recommended: "[I]ntimate dining room adorned with crisp white tablecloths, fresh flowers, and framed paintings of Italian coastal towns."

• • Yahoo! Travel 5.0 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Cantina Bar & Grill (South Shore) Mexican, Phone: 530-544-1233 Google Map
  • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "With friendly service, sports on three TVs, and 30 kinds of beer, joviality reigns."

• Fire Sign Cafe (Tahoe City) American, Phone: 530-583-0871 Google Map
  • Frommer's Highly Recommended: "Since the late 1970s, the Fire Sign Cafe has been the locals' choice -- which explains the lines out the door on weekends."

• • Fodor's Review: "There's often a wait at the west shore's best spot for breakfast and lunch, but it's worth it."

• • Yahoo! Travel 4.5 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Lanza's (Kings Beach) Italian, Phone: 530-546-243 Google Map
  • Fodor's Review: "It isn't fancy, but when you're craving spaghetti and meatballs, this is the place."

• • Yahoo! Travel 4.5 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Bridgetender Tavern and Grill (Tahoe City) Pub Grub, Phone: 530-583-3342 Google Map
  • Frommer's Recommended Rating: "Still, they're surprisingly tolerant of out-of-towners, who come for the cheap grub and huge selection of draft beers."

• Rosie's Cafe (Tahoe City) American, Phone: 530-583-8504 Google Map
  • Frommer's Highly Recommended: " It's noisy and casual, perfect for families (with children's menus and free balloons even), and servings are plentiful."

• • Yelp 3.5 Stars (Note: Community rating; may change)

• • TripAdvisor 3.5 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Yellow Sub (South Lake) Sandwiches, Phone: 530-541-8808 Google Map
  • Frommer's Recommended: "[V]oted best deli sandwich shop by readers of the Tahoe Daily Tribune for 9 years straight."

• Sprouts Natural Food Cafe (South Lake) Health Food, Phone: 530-541-6969 Google Map
  • Frommer's Recommended: "This is also an excellent place to pack a picnic lunch."

• • TripAdvisor 3.5 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• • HappyCow Well Rated (Note: Community rating; may change)

• Freshie's (South Lake) Eclectic, Phone: 530-542-3630 Google Map
  • Fodor's Review: "When you've had your fill of junk food, come here for delicious, healthful meals."

• • TripAdvisor 3.5 Rating (Note: Community rating; may change)

• • Happy Cow Well Rated (Note: Community rating; may change)