Top 10 Restaurants In Tahoe City California

As with any town dotting the shores of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City is a picturesque charmer with plenty of outdoor adventures, unique shops, art, and dining destinations. Whether you’re on a budget or have money to spare, you’ll find something enticing on the town’s culinary scene. From baked treats to locally sourced ingredients, the options are varied and flavorful. We’ve curated a list to help you decide where to dine the next time you’re in Tahoe City.

1. Bridgetender Tavern & Grill

Restaurant, American

Bridgetender Tavern & Grill is a great relaxing restaurant serving up a variety of American eats seven days a week. Also known at The BT, this establishment has been enticing guests since 1977 when it first opened its doors. Offering lunch and dinner every day plus breakfast Friday to Sunday, the menu has tempting options such as the BT breakfast burger, featuring a half pound beef patty with avocado, bacon, cheddar, fried egg, and house made blueberry BBQ sauce. If that’s not filling enough, you can add on hash browns, tater tots, or fries for an extra charge. As for drinks, they offer 15 beers on tap plus several specialty drinks.

2. Christy Hill

Restaurant, American

Featuring Modern American cuisine, Christy Hill is a casual fine dining gem offering guests not only delicious fare but also stunning views. Situated above the shores of the gorgeous Lake Tahoe, this restaurant’s view is truly breathtaking and even more so when the sun is setting. Procuring the best and freshest ingredients from local sources, the culinary team at Christy Hill creates mouthwatering dishes with Mediterranean influences. From small plates to main dishes to desserts, the menu is varied, offering something for every palate. The Moroccan spiced lamb loin with celery root pistachio puree, olive stuffed piquillo peppers and charmoula sauce and the roasted beet and fromage blanc ravioli are two must-try options. Open nightly, they also offer an extensive wine list.

3. The Dam Cafe

Cafe, American, Vegetarian

Eggs benedict with a side of fresh fruit

A casual venue nestled inside a charming little cottage across from the ‘Fanny Bridge’ and Truckee River Dam, The Dam Cafe is a delightful spot to grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Keeping the environment firmly in mind, the folks at this café take special care to procure organic products whenever possible. Open every day for breakfast and lunch, The Dam Cafe’s menu has breakfast burritos plus customizable sandwiches. Choose from meats like sausage or veggie sausage, cheese such as pepper jack and provolone and bread, bagel, croissant, sourdough, etc. For lunch, there are more sandwiches and salads, plus there are sweet treats.

4. Fire Sign Cafe

Restaurant, American

You know a restaurant is doing something right when they’ve been serving tasty breakfast and lunch to the masses since 1978. Fire Sign Cafe delights diners again and again with its friendly staff, flavorful recipes, and warm and inviting location. A family owned and operated eatery, this café is also family friendly, making it a fun, laid back spot everyone will enjoy. Breakfast options include the Fire Sign crepes stuffed with scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, green onion, and jack cheese and topped with hollandaise and served with home fried potatoes, the blueberry waffle, and four different kinds of eggs benedict. As for the lunch crowd, there are soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Fire Sign is open every day.

5. River Grill

Restaurant, American

Situated along the banks of the Truckee River, the River Grill is an elegant yet casual venue serving dinner nightly. Specializing in California cuisine, this restaurant features only the best seasonal ingredients on its menu, ensuring that their guests are eating only the freshest dishes possible. Offering riverfront dining all year round, River Grill allows diners to enjoy the incredible views of the outdoors while tucking into a plate of turkey and shiitake meatloaf wrapped in applewood smoked bacon and served with roasted carrots, whipped potatoes, and turkey reduction. The menu also features braised beef short ribs, butternut squash ravioli, and grilled fresh salmon to name a few. Specialty martinis, an impressive wine list, and beer round out the offerings at River Grill.

6. Spoon Restaurant

Restaurant, American

Another delightful place tucked inside a cozy cottage, Spoon Restaurant‘s locale matches its home style food perfectly. Offering up a variety of comforting dishes, Spoon is a place that will appeal to a wide range of tastes from meat and seafood lovers to vegetarians. Open for dinner only, the opening days change depending on the season. It’s open daily June through September and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays October through May. Flavorful options on the menu include the black bean and corn chilli with mozzarella, served over brown rice; chicken, pecan, and wild rice enchiladas, and fried chicken with all the fixings. The menu also features sandwiches, salads, and three soups every day.

7. Sunnyside Restaurant

Bakery, Restaurant, American

Sunnyside is not only a lodge, offering rooms with rustic and modern elements, but also a restaurant tempting the taste buds of diners time and time again. The restaurant’s location affords diners panoramic views of the beautiful lake and stunning mountains, adding to the already wonderful ambiance. Placing an emphasis on seafood and steak, the elegant Lakeside Dining Room is a great place to sample New American cuisine.. If you want something more casual, why not dine in the Mountain Grill? The grill offers fish tacos, the restaurant is known for them, plus cheeseburgers and pork tostadas to name a few. Both places are open every day for dinner.
Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet | © Tristan H./Yelp

8. Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet

Bakery, Deli, Dessert

Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet is another venue that has been around since the late 1970s, proving, yet again, that they must be doing something right. This family owned and operated gem offers an enticing array of baked goods, including breads, cakes (whole and by the slice), cookies and pastries like croissants, raspberry twists and cinnamon rolls. They also offer savory eats such as made to order sandwiches, the homemade meatloaf is delicious , deli salads, and a soup of the day. You can visit any day of the week.

9. Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company

Bar, Pub, American

While the brewery and taproom is located in Truckee, Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company’s brewpub is located in downtown Tahoe City. Located along the shoreline of the lake, the surrounding environment is truly picturesque, while the interior ambiance is family friendly and laid back, complete with a full bar and TVs to watch sporting events. Some of the current beers on tap include the Hop Song IPA , their flagship brew, and the Gose Rustica, a tart ale with Meyer lemon notes. Pair the beer with pub eats like burgers, flatbreads, salads, beer-battered cod tacos, and much more. TMBC is open every day for lunch and dinner.

10. Wolfdale's

Restaurant, Seafood

Another longtime fixture on Tahoe City’s dining scene, Wolfdale’s motto is ‘Fresh Food, Simply Prepared,’ and to be in business for over 37 years, they seem to have hit the mark. Serving delicious California fare with European and Asian influences, this restaurant offers dishes brimming with unique flavors that are sure to whet anyone’s appetite. Guests can dine within the spacious well lit interior or, when weather permits, on the lovely patio with incredible views. Open for dinner every night except Tuesdays, Wolfdale’s offers ever changing tempting choices, which may include the Thai seafood stew, the Thai grilled filet mignon with mushrooms, dates, and butternut mashed potatoes, and the zen vegetable plate. A host of adult libations is also available.

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