Location: Truckee
Top Restaurants in Truckee
Top Things to do in Truckee
Truckee Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Truckee
On the California-Nevada border, Truckee-Lake Tahoe's scenic mountain beauty is perfect for romantic getaways and outdoor excitement. Lake Tahoe is America's largest alpine lake, with beautiful blue water surrounded by 70 miles of gorgeous shoreline. Donner Lake offers a public beach, and Donner Memorial State Park has campsites and trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. Boca Dam and Reservoir features magnificent fishing, with rainbow, brook, and brown trout, plus Kokanee salmon.
Things to do in Truckee
1. Squeeze In
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Squeeze In specializes in gourmet omelettes. We have over 60 specialty omelettes on our menu. We've got everything from basic cheese, bacon, sausage and veggie combinations to more exotic options like peanut butter, honey and bananas! In fact, we have over 107 quadrillion different possible omelette combinations. Each omelette comes with a large serving of homefried spudz, and bottomless toast and sauce (either homemade creamy mushroom sauce, tomato pesto or cheese sauce).In addition to omelettes, we serve lots of the usual breakfast stuff like eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, potatoes, awesome French Toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and always fresh in-season fruit. We have an extensive lunch menu as well including dozens of creative sandwiches from a classic French Dip to many vegetarian triple-decker classics. We've also got boss burgers, huge burritos, homemade soups and super fresh salads. Oh and did we mention our awesome “flammable” Bloody Marys and huge goblets of champagne and mimosas?!Be sure to join the Squeeze In EggHead Club to earn points and killer hook-ups like a free meal for your birthday and a free bottle of champagne for your anniversary. You'll also get EggHead-only deals in our monthly newsletter, the EggHead EggZaminer.
Reviewed By AHW676 - Kansas City, Missouri
Had breakfast here with a friend on a late Sunday morning on her recommendation. Cute place with bohemian, kitschy vibe to it, with a lot of hand-lettering and graffiti kind of look. Servers were friendly and reasonably prompt. Menu is huge with lots and lots...MoreHi! Thanks so much for dining with us and for leaving a great review! I’m so glad that you enjoyed your unique atmosphere and that you loved your meal. We are looking forward to your next visit! Cheers! Shila Morris Co-Owner, President
2. Pianeta Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Pianeta is a cozy and inviting restaurant located in the heart of historic downtown Truckee, California. Since 1998, we have specialized in creating delicious Italian foods and homemade pastas while offering a stellar dining experience. Our menu features nightly specials inspired by the delicious cuisine of Northern Italy and boasts an impressive wine collection from California vineyards as well as classic Italian wines. At the bar, you will find an inviting atmosphere backed by premium liquor, aperitifs and one of the most popular happy hours in town (5:00-6:30 Monday thru Friday). Finally we pride ourselves on our welcoming friendly staff, warm eclectic old world ambiance and consistently remarkable cuisine. We always recommend reservations and we can accommodate larger parties, please call for more information.
Reviewed By TahoeRobertson - Truckee, California
As a Concierge servicing high-end clients, this is my #1 restaurant recommendation in the area. Everything is dialed-in to perfection. This may be the best Italian food I've ever had outside of Italy. The service is outstanding, the wine list top-notch, ambiance is fantastic, and the entire menu is well-executed. Don't overlook the specials menu! It changes weekly and has great additions. I even recommend this restaurant for vegetarians its that good. Only downside is also an upside - only 16 tables. Want to dine here? Better call in advance if you are visiting over ANY weekend or basically any day between Dec 1st and April 1st.
3. Marty's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By Ally G - Auburn, California
We arrived for lunch about 2:00. We were greeted without a smile and told to put our name on the board. There is no where to wait really inside and it's cold outside this time of year. We had a short wait and got our table.
Decor is unique and the restaurant small which is nice but noisy.
It appears you can order breakfast or lunch all day. I suppose on the breakfast menu you could get a gluten free meal if you eat eggs. I don't eat eggs due to a health condition. I checked out the lunch menu and everything involves bread. I asked if they had gf bread to which the answer was NO but I could replace with corn tortillas. I am not sure how they would make those sandwiches with tortillas! So I ordered the one item on the menu - Lisa's Veggie Sandwich without bread. It was enormous - a full avocado, a portabella mushroom and a squash - all whole. Very filling. The sandwiches come with a side - I ordered potato salad- one might think that after all the gluten free discussion the waiter would have told me that breaded crumble things come on top of the potato salad! I picked them off but it was still frustrating.
My family very much enjoyed their meals but they are not gluten free. So.... if you are looking for a satisfying meal as a gluten free person - I would go elsewhere. If you are not gluten free and want a tasty, large portion - this is your place.
4. Cottonwood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 297 reviews
Cottonwood provides rustic elegance in a historic setting and has been a fixture of Truckee's vibrant dining scene for 25 years. Housed in a historical ski lodge, constructed in 1928 to serve as a warming hut for the town of Truckee's ski and toboggan hill, the restaurant is a virtual museum of historic photos and artifacts. With spectacular views of downtown Truckee from the Dining Room or expansive Deck, Cottonwood is the restaurant of choice for Truckee locals and visitors alike. A diverse menu consists of eclectic menu of steaks, pastas, seafood and vegetarian dishes using fresh organic produce and sustainable meats and seafood whenever possible, complimented by a full bar and adventuresome wine list. Home to a vibrant acoustic music scene, Cottonwood features free live music every Thursday and Friday nights, and features a nightly Happy Hour until 6pm. Groups and special events are welcome.
Reviewed By SacAnnie - Sacramento, California
We have been coming here for years and years. It is in a lovely location – their view of downtown Truckee in the winter, with sparkly lights, is wonderful – and the food itself is very very good. However, the service is the worst I’ve experienced in any “real“ restaurant in the last five years. On this basis alone, we will not return.
It took us a half hour simply to get waited on and then another ten to be brought some bread and be given water. (Why did we wait that long? Because we had made a reservation, and because we had enjoyed this place so much in the past that we thought things would get better. They didn’t.)
We were so patient with the staff, but really, there was absolutely no reason for the really lousy service. They were slow and forgetful at every single point of the meal.
Because this is a “real” restaurant, with ambitious food and a nice location, I truly hope they get their service feature back on track before semi-regulars like us abandon them.
5. Full Belly Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By TwoTeaTotalers - Fort Bragg, California
A little tricky to find on our first visit here. Located in a forested industrial area. Large staff working, not one even "kinda" smile. :(
Super loud background music. Ok Thai chicken wrap. Great strong coffee though. We like to visit Truckee often. Not sure we would seek out this place a second time.
6. Manzanita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 260 reviews
Manzanita, discreetly tucked mid-mountain in a forest of pine trees at Northstar California resort in The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, features rustic California cuisine with a regional mountain resort influence, served in a sleek setting accented by a double-sided stone fireplace and backlit Manzanita tree etchings.
Reviewed By Phreddiva - Alameda, CA
Beyond a certain point, in even the best meals, you're paying for service. For individual care and attention, feeling like you're the only person in the places even when the place is buzzing.
We had a fantastic server (Kristin!) and a great sommelier. From the moment we stepped in, from the host to the staff as we departed, we felt cared-for.
And the food! Of course, the food was phenomenal. Delicious, well-portioned, and beautiful. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
7. Moody's Bistro & Lounge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 321 reviews
Fresh, Seasonal, Simple And Local
Reviewed By SFIrish69 - San Francisco, California
This was our first time at Moody's. We travel to Truckee from SF frequently but have never been here. The food was good. Solid performance by the kitchen. Something for everyone on the menu. Service was a little slow but the server himself was fantastic. It's not the cheapest place in town to eat but all in all a good experience.
8. Bar of America
Overall Ratings
4 based on 243 reviews
Formerly the Bank of America building, this historic restaurant in downtown Truckee, California opened its doors as Bar of America in 1974 and has been operated under two ownerships until 2012. The casual, fun atmosphere of the bar has long provided a perfect alternative and compliment to the fine dining experience available in the adjacent restaurant. In March of 2012, Bar of America joined the Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Riva Grill, and Caliente Southwest South family of restaurants. For more than four decades the Bar of America has been a mainstay for Truckee nightlife. Synonymous with great live music, good food and plenty of free-flowing libations, the Bar of America has provided a happy hour hangout and weekend watering hole for locals and visitors alike.
Reviewed By MarkDip - Vincentia, Australia
Located on the corner of Truckee high street the Bar of America is a classic place to eat and drink, and fits its frontier environment perfectly. It has a permanent feel to it with history (real or faux I’m not sure) everywhere.
Staff friendly. Food and drink fine.
Recommended.
9. Fifty Fifty Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By Steve Z - Hermosa Beach, California
We targeted the Fifty Fifty because they had a dog friendly patio. We even called ahead to make sure it was open in the winter. We started our evening with 11 people patio until the one and only patio heater ran out of propane. We were forced to put the pooch in the car and move inside. The beer selections were good and the food was also very good. Most of us had burgers, pizza and wings. The quality was good. The reason for the low rating was due to the slow service. It was a combination of a slow kitchen and server then did not attend to us closely enough. The food came out in waves rather than all at once. Not good for a large group.
10. Morgan's Lobster Shack
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Morgan's is an East Coast style Lobster Shack and Fish Market. Serving fresh fish prepared pretty much anyway you like it. We serve Classic Lobster rolls, fish & chips, soups and salads. We do have limited seating in the winter but have a cozy patio in the warmer months.
Reviewed By LThomas1301 - Chicago, Illinois
Place is small, and food is good. Ordered takeout for family. Ordered whole lobster and lobster roll California style with avocado and sriracha. They were very good. Lobster was delicious and fresh. Also had the arugula and beet salad with candied pecans. Delicious! Dressing was light. Didn’t need much of it. Fries were tasty but wasn’t as good reheated. Onion rings also well done. Bread pudding was also good. Must visit spot for lobster. Don’t let counter tops and small space fool you.
