North Shore

OSTERIA SIERRA

111 Country Club Dr.  |  Incline Village, NV | (775) 832-1234  |  hyatt.com

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort’s long-running Sierra Cafe has been remodeled and reimagined with a sophisticated Northern Italian menu featuring many ingredients sourced from Tahoe Food Hub. To start, there’s freshly baked focaccia along with smoked veal loin, watermelon and cucumber panzanella salad, and fresh burrata with pistachio pesto. Look for house-made pastas like rigatoni with lamb Bolognese and saffron-sauced linguine with lobster tail, and entrees including barramundi poached in fennel broth and a grilled prime striploin with gorgonzola arancini. For a sweet finish, save room for white chocolate panna cotta. Outdoor deck with forest and mountain views open in season. D; $29–$52. 

INCLINE BAK’D

120 Country Club Dr.  |  Incline Village, NV | (775) 298-2245  |  inclinebaked.com

The much-loved Mountain High Sandwich Company has been converted into this quick-service eatery with expanded indoor and outdoor seating and a slimmed-down menu focused on sourdough focaccia sandwiches, stromboli stuffed with meat or roasted pepper and spinach, and focaccia-based pizza topped with grape tomatoes, arugula and balsamic glaze. Mountain High fans will be glad that a version of the turkey pesto avocado sando lives on and the chia pudding is still available. Happy hour Wednesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. gets you a slice of pizza with any glass of beer or wine; online ordering available. L; $8–$25.99

SHADYSIDE LOUNGE

1770 West Lake Blvd.  |  Tahoe City, CA | (530) 584-2985  |  tahoeshadyside.com

Scott Zumwalt, Carmine Bove (both of Bridgetender lore) and contractor Douglas Hartline created this vintage cabin-meets-lounge neighborhood spot next to the West Shore Market, which the trio also owns; the wood for the tables, bar and rafters were recycled from the 2018 Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, California. A full bar includes plenty of beers on tap and by the bottle, classic cocktails and specialty tequila-based drinks. Food follows on the Mexican-theme menu with updated takes on tacos, burritos and bowls topped with pozole, spicy chicken tinga, pork carnitas, beef birria, garlic ribeye and garlic-marinated griddled shrimp. Outdoor seating in season. D; $14–$19

DUFF’S DINER

950 North Lake Tahoe Blvd. | Tahoe City, CA

This casual counter-service spot that opened in the former Fuller’s location in the Lighthouse shopping center starts the day with chicken and waffles, the Hangover Sammie that piles eggs, Swiss cheese, sausage, bacon and hash browns on an Italian roll, and rib-eye-enhanced huevos rancheros. Later on, look for lunch items like ceviche and chimichurri steak tacos, Philly cheese steak, buttermilk-brined chicken tenders with waffle fries, and grilled cheese with candied bacon and caramelized onions. Soups, salads and pastries are also on the menu, and wine and beer are available. B, L; $14.50–$18

SPRING POKE & SUSHI

11375 Deerfield Dr.  |  Truckee, CA | (530) 912-8116

Build your own poke bowl at this spot in the former Subway in the Truckee Crossroads shopping center. Pick from brown rice or mixed greens, salmon, tuna, shrimp, octopus, imitation crab or tofu, sauces such as unagi and ponzu, and toppings from mango to masago. The sushi burrito is rolled with seafood, rice, seaweed, avocado, cabbage, crunchy onion and spicy mayo. Also on the menu: over a dozen sushi rolls along with miso soup, seaweed salad and dumplings. L, D; $12.95–$18.99

OODLOZ

11357 Deerfield Dr.  |  Truckee, CA | (707) 419-9272  |  oodloz.com

Alyssa Flynn, who grew up eating traditional foods of her native China and sharing her mom’s recipes with her own children, operates this takeout spot out of the collective Kitchen Collab, located in the same shopping center as Spring Poke. Family favorites include five-spice roasted pork belly with bok choy, beef and ginger fried rice, dan dan noodles made with minced pork, chicken or ribeye, lobster with chewy golden longevity noodles called yi mien, and zonzi, which is marinated pork, Chinese sausage, shitake mushrooms, mung beans and sticky rice cooked in bamboo leaves. Boba drinks and milk teas are available and private banquet meals are bookable by request.
L; $15.95–$24.95

South Shore

ELEMENTS EATERY & BAR

3310 Lake Tahoe Blvd. | South Lake Tahoe, CA | (530) 650-9004  |  elementstahoe.com

This remodeled all-day eatery in the former Bear Beach Cafe features a Mexican-American menu mashup that starts the day with chilaquiles, Bennies, tacos, scrambles, horchata French toast, sourdough pancakes and cold-pressed juices. Lunch and dinner selections include salads, smash burger piled with a pair of 4-ounce patties on a pretzel roll, chicken bao bun with house-made hoisin, Mexican hot dog wrapped in bacon with blistered chiles and grilled onions, and pastor Reuben made with marinated, spit-cooked and carved meat. A full bar features specialty cocktails and a dozen rotating beers on tap. B, L, D; $13–$45

THE WOODS RESTAURANT & BAR

3115 Harrison Ave. | South Lake Tahoe, CA | (530) 600-0921 | thewoodslaketahoe.com

South Shore locals and brothers Dillon and Connor McKeen transformed the second-story space that was the short-lived Pick 6 sports bar into a modern gastropub that still has plenty of screens to catch your favorite team, and now a menu with brisket sliders, pretzel bites with grilled linguica sausage and beer cheese, fried chipotle chicken sando, PB&J burger with peanut butter, blackberry jam, brie and crispy onion strings, fish and chips, salmon and risotto, and steak frites. For dessert, try the beignets with bourbon caramel sauce. Look for line dancing on Wednesdays and outdoor seating in season. L, D; $18.95–$29.95

THREE PINES COFFEE COMPANY

3115 Harrison Ave.  |  South Lake Tahoe, CA | (530) 208-0995 | threepinescoffeecompany.com

At this health-focused light and bright spot downstairs from The Woods (see above), Dimas and Dina Pino serve all manner of coffee and tea drinks, including roasted matcha and golden milk with turmeric, cinnamon, honey and ginger. Nosh features waffles made with gluten-free flour milled with cassava, almond, coconut and sweet potato, baked goods like empanadas, croissants and cinnamon buns, an Italian sando made with prosciutto and pesto, and avocado and hummus toasts. B, L; $3.75–$14.75

PRIMO’S ITALIAN BISTRO

1181 Emerald Bay Rd. | South Lake Tahoe, CA | (530) 600-2221  |  primositalianbistro.com

Jim Primo, who opened his eponymous South Shore Italian eatery in 2012, launched this location in the 120-seat upscale space recently vacated by the Lake House. Chicago-born chef Danny Salgado, who grows his own herbs on property, oversees an updated offering that still includes classics like chicken piccata, veal marsala, eggplant parmigiana and lasagna, but has been expanded with several cuts of meat from rack of lamb to a 32-ounce porterhouse; the full bar features a solid selection of cocktails, wine and beer. Note that the original Primo’s Bistro is now the more casual Primo’s Pizzeria, serving a modified menu of pizza, sandwiches, calzones and subs. Outdoor seating available. BR, D; $17–$100

THE GROVE

1900 Jameson Beach Rd. | South Lake Tahoe, CA | (530) 314-4650 | camprichardsonresort.com/thegrove

Replacing the long-running Beacon, this lakeside spot at Camp Richardson takes its name from early-1900s-era resort that once graced the property. Executive chef Chris Ibarra, alum of Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, Anaheim Angels Stadium, Westin Anaheim Resort and, most recently, the Woods Restaurant & Bar nearby, oversees offerings that include a bison barbecue bacon burger, fried chicken and beignets, miso-marinated salmon, fish and chips, and vegan tacos; the full bar features the Kokanee made with gin, house-made cucumber cordial, and soda with a cucumber and lime garnish—and, of course, the Rum Runner. Outside seating available in season. L, D; $22–$42

WOLF BY VANDERPUMP

15 Highway 50  |  South Lake Tahoe, NV | (775) 588-6611  |  caesars.com

With water cascading down stone columns, iron-caged marble wolves and the self-proclaimed longest bar in Tahoe at 47 feet, this dramatic production from reality TV star-turned-designer/restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump is located next to Hell’s Kitchen at Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino. Signature selections include specialty cocktails such as the blood orange Huff & Puff—an old-fashioned poured smoking from a wolf’s head decanter—and Wolf Bites like herb-and-gruyere pull-apart bread served with hot honey and whipped lava salt butters, as well as a double smash burger served with a pair of Snake River Farms 4-ounce wagyu patties, melted Havarti and muenster and crispy tobacco onions. D; $21.95–$79.95

Carson Valley

LA TAPATIA ICE CREAM SHOP

200 East Winnie Ln.  |  Carson City, NV | (775) 461-0336  |  latapatiaicecream.com

Abril Garcia, who grew up in Guadalajara and came to Carson City by way of Anchorage, Alaska, opened this sweet spot with her husband Franco Morales. Beyond ice cream, find here traditional Mexican treats like agua fresca flavors ranging from guava to gooseberry to over 30 flavors of both dairy and juice-based paletas (popsicles); the most popular is Gansito, a Mexican strawberry- and cream-filled chocolate-covered snack cake. Also on the menu: iced coffees, elote, crepes and nachos, along with chalkboard specials such as muffins, pies, cheesecake and savory tortas, tamales and tacos. L, D

Reno

GORDON RAMSAY FISH & CHIPS

407 North Virginia St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 329-4777 | caesars.com/silver-legacy-reno

In Michelin-starred celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Reno debut (his first foray in the area was Hell’s Kitchen at Harveys at Lake Tahoe), this casual spot at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino serves sustainably sourced fish, hand-cut chips (fries, as we know them), with toppings such as jalapeño, chorizo, cotija, onion, chive and parsley, a truffle and parm option, as well as a bacon, cheddar, green onion and sour cream add-on, and signature sauces. Shrimp, lobster and chicken are also on the menu, as is a riff on his sticky toffee pudding, along with shakes and beer. L, D; $17.99–$20.99

DUBS SPORTS LOUNGE

95 North Sierra St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 622-9917  |  dubsreno.com

UNR college buddies Derek Sornson and Tristen Houston cleaned out and spruced up this two-story downtown space formerly occupied by the Stick. Some 25 TV screens make sure you can catch your favorite team in action, and gameday-style fare includes wings and burgers, tri-tip, ribs, chicken, cheesesteak and patty melt sandwiches, plus birria tacos and an actual bucket of fries. Larger plates include fish and chips, ribs and fettuccine alfredo. And, for dessert: funnel cakes topped with chocolate sauce. Full bar includes cocktails on tap. L, D; $12–$30

THANIA’S JUICE BAR

50 South Virginia St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 360-6171 | thanias-juice-bar.square.site

Thania Medina and her mother Julia, who opened Thania’s Juice Bar in Incline Village several years ago with cold-pressed combos like the pineapple-carrot-tumeric-orange Stamina Booster and Tahoe Blue with red and green apple, lemon, lime, pineapple and blue spirulina, launched a second location in the Basement marketplace at the historic Post Office. For something different, try the pitaya smoothie made with dragon fruit, pineapple and mango blended with house-made pumpkin seed milk. In addition to açai smoothie bowls, food options include a vegan burrito, quinoa salad, avocado and salmon toasts, tuna ceviche and, for carnivores, a birria beef sandwich on a telera roll. B, L; $11.95–$14.50

FOODSHED CAFE

240 Court St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 324-6133 | greatbasinfood.coop

Barely launched then closed for several years amidst COVID, this eatery on the second floor of downtown’s Great Basin Coop has reopened with a coffee bar and lengthy menu focused on organic, local and healthy ingredients with many vegan, gluten-free and customizable options. Breakfast begins with grilled burritos and egg sandwiches, toasts and smoothie bowls. Lunch and dinner offerings include a salad bar, soups, bowls, burritos and sandos. Wine and local beers are on tap, and outdoor seating is available. B, L, D; $12.99–$16.99

PARLAY 6 BREWING COMPANY/THE PAR

1041 South Virginia St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 420-4256  |  parlay6brewing.com

Taking over the old Wonder Aleworks space in Midtown, this hip and happening taproom, full bar and restaurant that are part of Parlay 6 Brewing Company boasts plenty of draught beers (upcoming special releases include coffee cake pastry stout and a raspberry lemon fruited sour), plus cocktails and wine, and seating for some 100 people with roll-up walls connecting the inside and out. Appetizers include “dirty” fries topped with ground chuck, brisket and sirloin, house-made pretzels and sauces, salads with add-ons such as green chili shredded chicken, Basque marinated tri-tip and grilled mahi mahi, as well as smash burgers, hot fried chicken, brisket mac and cheese, and Reuben dip with beer cheese “jus.” L, D; $12–$16

MIDNIGHT COFFEE CAFE & ROASTERY

1401 South Virginia St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 357-8344 | midnightcoffeeroasting.com

Following their West Second Street store success downtown, the Midnight Coffee crew acquired this modern second-story Midtown space with a rooftop deck located above the Biggest Little Steakhouse. Chef Nick McLellan, veteran of the Peppermill Resort, designed an all-day menu with breakfast burritos and sandwiches such as the Homestead Ham with figs, fried egg and provolone, and lunch bowls like the Prairie Quinoa with avocado, pesto, arugula, nuts, seeds, onions and a poached egg. Bagels are made in-house with a Greek yogurt dough; sweet treats include chocolate chip cookies and shortbread scones. Beyond coffee, look for teas, energy drinks, juices, bone broth, smoothies, beer and wine. B, L, D; $6.99–$12.99

LIBERTY TOAST

2001 East Plumb Ln.  |  Reno, NV | renoairport.com/at-the-airport/dine

Part of Reno-Tahoe International Airport’s “Best Bites and Brands of Reno-Tahoe” initiative aimed at bringing more local brands to the airport, this offshoot of chef-restaurateur Mark Estee’s Liberty Food & Wine Exchange provides flyers with a fresh new food option post-security on concourse C. Look for sweet and savory selections such as locally baked artisan breads, breakfast burrito with eggs, bacon, cheddar jack and hash brown, avocado toast, power greens bowl, Caesar salad, meaty Italian Stallion sando and Detroit-style pizza, including the signature Bee Sting with Liberty Artisan salami, red onion, basil, serranos, mozzarella and honey. B, L, D; $6.99–$25.99

DOPO PIZZA & PASTA

299 East Plumb Ln.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 993-3220 | dopopizzapasta.com

Now part of Reno Public Market’s food hall, this is the second location (the first is in Midtown) for this Italian-inspired eatery that uses the highest quality ingredients, including dough mixed from “00” flour and fermented for a full 72 hours. The wood-fired oven here turns out focaccia, panini made with prosciutto, mozzarella and basil, baked meatballs and the main event, 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas (the Fig + Pig is topped with fontina, gruyere, gouda, fig preserves, prosciutto, balsamic glaze, arugula and parm; gluten-“friendly” crust available). For something sweet, try the s’mores pie. L, D; $14–$20

PERENN GROCERY

7600 Rancharrah Pkwy.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 775-842-1508  |  perennbakery.com/perenn-grocery

Perenn Bakery owners Aubrey and Tyler O’Laskey turned the adjacent Village at Rancharrah storefront that was for a short time Centro restaurant into a gourmet grocery, outfitting the welcoming space with a coffee bar featuring Alpen Sierra beans and some of their best breads and pastries (yes, you, flaky croissants and vanilla crème brûlée kouign-amann). Also find here a great selection of local produce, sauces and salads, and products including Liberty Exchange pasta, along with spices, jams, dishware, home goods and body care products, and flowers from Sierra Water. Open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.

EDELWEISS PUB

13979 South Virginia St.  |  Reno, NV | (775) 657-9923  |  edelweisspub.com

When Noble Pie Parlor shuttered its Sierra Summit (now named Shayden Summit Reno) store, Monika Marsh converted the space to this après-style, chalet-inspired spot featuring hearty recipes from her Austrian heritage: goulash, schnitzels, spaetzle and tafelspitz—Austria’s national dish made from boiled beef, creamy apple horseradish, sauerkraut and a demi-glace. Thin-crust Tyrolean-style pizzas are also on the menu, along with desserts such as sacher and linzer tortes and Black Forest cake; the full bar features cocktails mixed with freshly squeezed juices, house-made bitters and shrubs, international wine list, and local and global beers on tap.
L, D; $20–$28

Sparks

WINGS KOREAN CHICKEN

2134 Greenbrae Dr.  |  Sparks, NV  |  (775) 900-0605 | wingskoreanchickenblog.wordpress.com

The second store for this Korean-style fried chicken counter-service spot that started in Incline Village serves the same menu of lightly battered crispy wings with a selection of sauces such as honey butter, soy-garlic, sweet honey with peanut and cinnamon, galbi, peanut and cinnamon-tinged K (Korean) sauce and Korean super spicy. Other items that hit the hot oil here: Korean hot dogs, crinkle fries, mozzarella sticks, dumplings, cheese balls and shrimp tempura. Beer and soju are available to wash it all down. L, D; $11.99–$29.99

STEP KOREAN BISTRO

2855 North McCarran Blvd.  |  Sparks, NV | (775) 622-8925  |  stepkoreanbistro.com

Former Bab Cafe chef JJ Lee opened this bright and airy modern spot focused on well-prepared Korean-inspired dishes in Sparks Mercantile shopping center. In addition to must-have Korean fried chicken, find starters such as soy salmon sashimi and beef tartar. Classics include beef bulgogi, stir-fried glass noodles (called japchae), bibimbap, a spicy udon stir-fried with black bean sauce and pork, cabbage and zucchini, and kimchi fried rice. Beer, wine and soju cocktails are available.
L, D; $13.50–$26.80