Location: Tahoe City
Top Restaurants in Tahoe City
Top Things to do in Tahoe City
Tahoe City Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Tahoe City
Tahoe City (formerly, Tahoe) is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California. Tahoe City is located on Lake Tahoe, 14 miles (22.5 km) southeast of Donner Pass. It lies at an elevation of 6250 feet (1905 m).
Things to do in Tahoe City
1. Fire Sign Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 431 reviews
Since 1978, Fire Sign Cafe has been a family owned and operated Breakfast and Lunch restaurant. We pride ourselves on our extensive menu, full of homemade food. Our restaurant has been a local favorite since it opened. It has been featured in several publications such as Sunset Magazine, as well as shown on Rachael Ray's, "Tasty Travels". Our great service and even better food are what keep people coming back!
Reviewed By BAR_Ranch_2003 - Amarillo, Texas
We stopped for lunch at this charming restaurant during a trip to Tahoe. Everything was delicious--fresh and homemade. My husband had the Reuben sandwich and I had a black bean burger, both specialties of the cafe. Definitely a recommended lunch stop while in the area!
2. Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By pfavia - Chicago
Tahoe House Bakery is a must if you have a sweet tooth. I had the chocolate filed croissant which was worth every calorie. My had an almond paste filled croissant which she already informed me we MUST go back for again. They have other things to eat also, but we did not try them out. My kids were happy with the cookies. The fresh baked breads looked great. Reasonably priced too. Definitely a busy place, but the line moves quickly. Highly recommend.
3. Christy Hill Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By calsun99 - Truckee, California
Good food, great view, fabulous servers and Robin, the owner always seems to be there.
We love this place for a special occasion. The view is fine, outdoor summer seating and the food is always great. Good wine list, not too overpriced.
Wait staff is always responsive. We return often. Our favorite place on the North Sore and Truckee
4. Poppy's Frozen Yogurt & Waffle Shop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Volcam - Germantown, Tennessee
What's not to like about this place? It is in an ideal location in the middle of Tahoe City, it offers a great variety of ice cream and sorbet, it has a spacious wooden deck with ample seating, and it has friendly and appreciative staff members. My wife and I stopped here on Thursday afternoon, 18 Aug 2016, and thoroughly enjoyed our ice cream and sorbet. The young man and young lady who served us were so nice. This is the kind of business that should be applauded and appreciated. A gem of a place!
5. River Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By Scott M - Sonoma, California
We weren't even half-way through our salads when our waiter brought our main course. Prompt service is good; rushed because the kitchen is anticipating a larger crowd is unacceptable. Fortunately our server handled our request to re-fire the meals. Unfortunately, my wife's salad, mixed greens, was almost inedible due to more than wilted lettuce.
Again, our server handled it well, removing charges for both salads and comping dessert. Our main courses, pork chop and salmon, were very good. We ended up having a fine time, due in large part to the way our server handled negative events.
6. Bridgetender Tavern and Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 285 reviews
Bridgetender Tavern and Grill, also known as The BT, serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. We have outdoor patio seating in the summer along the Truckee river. Join us for the best Burgers and Bloody Marys in Lake Tahoe! Featuring all you can drink Mimosas for Breakfast (Friday - Sunday).
Reviewed By calsun99 - Truckee, California
This place has been here forever, actually the old cabin was moved from across the street years ago. It’s a funky tiny bar with dinner tables squeezed it. The burgers are great, good spot to stop after skiing in the winter. They have outside seating on the Truckee River in the summer but be prepared to wait for a table, especially on weekends.
7. Sunnyside Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 488 reviews
Sunnyside's spectacular location on the pristine West Shore makes it the place to be in Lake Tahoe. Panoramic views of the lake and mountains beyond abound from nearly every table and during the summer, guests can also enjoy alfresco dining on Lake Tahoe's largest outdoor deck. The Lakeside Dining Room features new American cooking - fresh, vibrant presentations of American classics with a focus on premium seafood and steaks. The award winning wine list has been carefully selected to complement the menu and offers a wide variety of wines including some rare & limited offerings. Our Mountain Grill offers a more casual menu and is seated on a walk-in basis only. Sunnyside is also a classic lakefront lodge with guest accommodations overlooking Lake Tahoe. The 23 mountain inspired lodge rooms are inviting places to sink into after the day's activities.
Reviewed By cynaminroll20 - Yorba Linda, California
One of the few restaurants open in North Lake Tahoe on Thanksgiving! And their buffet was AWESOME!! They had a traditional feast from Turkey and Prime Rib to all the fixings - mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing!! Compliments to the CHEF!! They also added in some great additions - Salmon, Cheese and Crackers and a variety of salads. Everything was cooked really well! The kids LOVED that they had a variety of food to choose from. The staff was sooooo nice and accommodating...The views on the dock were beautiful!!
8. Wolfdale's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By Darleen C - Rye, New Hampshire
It's rare than I check the excellent box when making a review, but this is a restaurant that deserves it. Didn't receive a call back to confirm our res. but our table was ready when we got there. Waiters were smartly dressed with nice shirts and ties which created a nice first impression. Sat outside and enjoyed the smoked trout (small portion) poke served in tiny cones, sashimi was excellent quality and served on a marble slab. Our daughter had foie gras lettuce wraps and portobello burger...both were quite tasty and served timely. The ambience the restaurant has created is quite pleasurable and one can take the opportunity sit back and relax.
9. Jake's On The Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 460 reviews
Since 1978, Jake's on the Lake has embodied a carefree Tahoe spirit in a "Classic Waterfront Grill" offering superb service, a friendly and casual atmosphere and the finest and freshest food. Located on the waterfront in the heart of Tahoe City, Jake's boasts sweeping views of Lake Tahoe's crystalline water and stunning mountain vistas. The restaurant's classic waterfront grill menu showcases Californian Cuisine with infused flavors, innovative ingredients and exciting presentations. The menu features an impressive selection of fresh fish and seafood including exotic Hawaiian fish, shellfish, and steaks. In addition, Jake's seafood bar is a popular favorite with locals and visitors alike. Overlooking the largest marina on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, Jake's is in the center of Tahoe's summer activities and just minutes away from winter skiing at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. Please feel free to contact us if you are having difficulty making an online reservation.
Reviewed By bobolan92 - Orlando, Florida
Jake's offers great lake views particularly if you are able to sit outside overlooking the marina. Others have complained about the service however we had good service arriving before the lunch rush on a Sunday. Food was generally good if not fantastic. Portions were ok but certainly not large for the price. I would tend to eat here on the outside terrace for the view rather than the food.
10. Rosie's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 504 reviews
Family, Friendly restaurant. Able to accommodate large parties. Have an arcade upstairs which is great entertainment for kids on a stormy day. We offer down home comfort foods. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Reviewed By chloemom101 - Sunnyvale, California
We've been coming here for years. Great, quirky decor and casual ambiance. Great for families as they have an upstairs area where kids can play video games. Unfortunately the food wasn't so great. Hamburgers were good, but the spaghetti bolognese was not edible. The pasta was mush and had zero salt.The portion size was generous but it wasn't edible. They were nice and removed it from the bill when we complained but come on guys....pasta isn't hard. On the other hand, the chocolate cake we had for dessert was yummy. My teenage kids immediate said they want to skip it next time we go to Tahoe and I agree. Too bad :(
