Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in North Lake Tahoe

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in North Lake Tahoe? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Smoke Door - Lake Tahoe Saryo

4.9

4.9 (169)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kings Beach

About the restaurant

Smoke Door Lake Tahoe Saryo is a Japanese-inspired restaurant using primitive wildfire cooking methods highlighting seasonal ingredients from Japan and the Tahoe region.

Our Executive Chef, Tyler Burges, hails from notable restaurants such as Michael Mina, Angler, and the esteemed Saison and is driven by seasonality and innovation.
Nestled in the breathtaking surroundings of Lake Tahoe, it offers an unforgettable dining experience with views of the open kitchen and wood-burning hearth.

Please note, we are unable to accommodate vegans or celiacs within our restaurant. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or aversions please contact us via email at info@smokedoorsaryo.com

**We are unable to accommodate any children under the age of 10 within our restaurant.**

Top review

Russell

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Went for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. The food is outstanding. Service was very attentive and Zach was very helpful. Great to have a restaurant of this caliber in Tahoe.

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Experience

A La Carte Bar Menu

Experience

Christmas Eve 10 Course Menu

Wolfdale's Cuisine Unique

4.9

4.9 (1400)

$31 to $50

Californian

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

North Lake Tahoe’s premiere restaurant and popular bar is celebrating 41 years of exceptional service. As a family-run business, Wolfdale’s provides lakeview dining with a warm ambiance, and uses 'Cuisine Unique' to describe the fresh and simple aesthetic of each dish. Since opening in 1978, Chef Douglas Dale has developed a fusion style of California and Asian influences that is present throughout the menu. Wolfdale's accommodates gluten-free and vegan guests.

Top review

Richard

Dined 1 day ago

A truly remarkable experience. I immediately sensed upon entering that the decor, staff, and ambience were very welcoming. The service was excellent and on point, and the food quality was superb. Highly recommend !

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Popular dish

Red Thai Seafood Stew

Popular dish

Braised Lamb Shank

Christy Hill

4.8

4.8 (2217)

$50 and over

Californian

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

A memorable dining experience awaits you as you enter the Christy Hill Restaurant in the center of Tahoe City. The restaurant sits on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe on an elevated embankment offering diners a panoramic vista. The intimate setting offers guests a view that is only upstaged by the cuisine, wine and service. Spectacular sunsets that can be seen from every table is just one of the many reasons that Christy Hill was voted "Most Romantic Restaurant" and "North Lake Tahoe's Iconic Restaurants with World-Class Views" by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Executive Chef, Luis Vallin, focuses on sustainability and innovation, supporting local merchants and farmers. The thoughtful and playful menu pays homage to the tradition of Christy Hill while continuing to uplift and propel the cuisine and restaurant into exciting new territory.

Top review

Tim

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Committed and friendly long term staff, creative menu, delicious food, and wonderful ambiance in a cozy setting with an amazing view of the lake and East Shore mountains.

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Experience

New Years Eve 2025 - Seating One

Experience

New Years Eve 2025 - Seating Two

Le Bistro Tahoe

4.8

4.8 (732)

$50 and over

French American

Incline Village

About the restaurant

Fine dining, craft cocktails,excellent wine list in a cozy back street location with patio dining. Incline Village Lake Tahoe. Perfect for date night or special occasions.
Soup of the day,Lobster Bisque, Oysters, Foie Gras, Gnocchi, Escargot, Ratatouille, Filet Mignon, Lamb , Duck , Chicken, Fresh Fish, Pork, Veal.
A la carte menu
Thank You

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Nov 27, 2024

Le Bistro has been our favorite Tahoe restaurant for 25 years. We just celebrated our wedding anniversary there, and had yet another fantastic dinner. We were greeted quickly, taken to a quiet booth, and received great friendly service throughout the evening. Our food was outstanding, starting with the Napolean of Ahi with wonderful flavors and textures, followed by very flavorful soups, incredibly tender steaks cooked to perfection, and the not-to-be-missed dessert plate with portions of four different desserts. Extra touches like tasty starter bites, homemade bread, and crispy and airy soufflé potatoes were included. Every aspect of our experience was top-notch. Thank you to the entire Le Bistro team for making our anniversary so enjoyable and memorable!

Duke's - Casino Fandango

4.9

4.9 (150)

$31 to $50

American

Carson City

About the restaurant

At Duke's, savor spectacular USDA Prime beef prepared to perfection while enjoying our extensive wine selection. The elegant ambience and extraordinary service is yet another reason Duke's is recognized as one of Northern Nevada's premier restaurants and was voted BEST Steakhouse in Carson City.

Top review

Deborah

Dined 3 days ago

Alex, our waiter, was exceptional with his service. All of our food came out timely and was at the perfect temperature. The food was delicious.

Crystal Bay Steak & Lobster

4.7

4.7 (92)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Incline Village

About the restaurant

The Crystal Bay Casino and New Chef Travis Kroell cordially invite you and guests to dine with us at the famous Steak & Lobster House. Set in a cozy Victorian Style dining room, experience great food and accompanying a playlist of vintage music. Enjoy a variety of USDA Certified Angus Beef Steaks, Huge Maine Lobsters and a great selection of Sides, Sauces and Appetizers. Choose from a massive variety of wines from all over the world or enjoy our elegant full bar.

Top review

Kim

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

I love this restaurant! It’s always delicious food, great cocktails, awesome service, fun music and ambiance. I recommend the filet.

Six Peaks Grille

4.6

4.6 (297)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Olympic Valley / Squaw Valley

About the restaurant

Six Peaks Grille redefines Lake Tahoe fine dining, offering a feast for your eyes as well as your palate. Surrounded by spectacular views of the majestic six peaks of Olympic Valley and the meadows below, Six Peaks Grille presents an innovative menu of distinctive regional cuisine that features the freshest produce, seafood and steaks. Enjoy romantic indoor dining by our beautiful stone fireplace and panoramic views through our floor-to-ceiling picture windows. Six Peaks Grille also features signature cocktails and martinis, as well as an extensive wine list. Our relaxed mountain atmosphere provides a family-friendly setting for dinner. We recommend reservations. Please note that days and hours of operation may vary based on business levels and seasonality.

Top review

JenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic dinner with extended family! The Granite Chief cocktail was refreshing and complex. Highly recommend the duck starter. The cut of the day was the bison rib-eye, which was delicious. If they have it, definitely opt for it. My dad had the pork chop, which he praised as better than what he recently had at a 1-star Michelin restaurant in the Bay Area. The catch of the day, sea bream, included Kauai prawn, mussels and delicious mushrooms. The grilled lemon cheesecake was amazing, while the chocolate mousse was shockingly too chocolately for the chocolate fans in my family. Overall, the tastiest meal in the Tahoe area we’ve had in a while. Definitely plan to come back!

Spindleshanks

4.6

4.6 (91)

$30 and under

American

Kings Beach

About the restaurant

Spindleshanks American Bistro and Wine Bar represents the best of both old and new Lake Tahoe. Opened in 2000 by partners Steve Marks and Harman Schuchmann, the restaurant has become a Tahoe Vista institution in a short amount of time. By offering regional American cuisine and a variety of wines in a casual atmosphere, the pair created a dining experience that caters to both large families and couples seeking a romantic evening.

Top review

Rosalie

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

This is a solid “old Tahoe” decor and menu. The portions were very generous and the waiter was friendly and efficient. This was a perfect place to relax and enjoy.

The Sawyer at Schaffer's Mill Club

4.5

4.5 (706)

$31 to $50

American

Truckee

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of the Pinyon Pine-Juniper woodland area of the Sierra Nevada’s, elevated at 5,817 feet in the town of Truckee, resides The Sawyer at Schaffer’s Mill. With food true to the land and served by real Truckee people, The Sawyer is the perfect name for the final, most awaited addition to Schaffer’s Mill

The Sawyer is centered around an amazing indoor and outdoor bar with views of Lookout Mountain and the golf course. The restaurant features a locally crafted all-day menu with selections of shareable, freshly-prepared salads, generous sandwiches, and delicious entrees.

Top review

Lauren

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

It was an okay dining experience last night. We typically love our evenings at the sawyer, but our server last night was a little spacey and honestly non-attentive… we are not used to experiencing this at the Sawyer.

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Popular dish

KING SALMON

Popular dish

OUR FAMOUS BUTTER CAKE

Gar Woods Grill and Pier Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (4718)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carnelian Bay

About the restaurant

For 36 years Gar Woods Grill and Pier has been the premier waterfront dining destination in North Lake Tahoe. Floor-to-ceiling windows, large deck and balconies provide breath-taking views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras. Gar Woods Grill and Pier is an upscale casual restaurant that accommodates groups of 160 just as easily as groups of two. Our Chef has created a menu highlighting California cuisine, hand cut steaks and fresh Pacific seafood, served in a fun-in-the-sun atmosphere. The wine list is a collection of best-known California vintners featuring more than a dozen wines by the glass. Enjoy the waterfront deck while sipping on Gar Woods world famous Wet Woody®. With nearly four million sold, you will be in good company! Or thaw out with a Warm Woody or a Heavenly Bottom. Lake Tahoe sunsets are our specialty.
Service dogs/bunnies/parrots welcome- with appropriate credentials under the ADA.

Top review

KARIANN

Dined 3 days ago

Our server was super friendly and attentive. We sat outside on the lake and she brought over a heater. Beautiful views and nice ambiance. So glad this place lets you sit outside during the winter (many outdoor patios aren’t utilized during this time). My husband loved his French dip sandwich (Tahoe does this well as he liked it at other restaurants in the area but this was his favorite!) also his favorite drink of our trip was here, the signature Woody. I had the ahi tacos and they were good also! We walked around in the snow and pier after. Lovely and not too crowded during winter. Highly recommend and would be great for sunset if no fog!

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Popular dish

Shrimp & Lobster Bisque

Popular dish

Lobster Deviled Eggs

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